Widener is pleased to announce Cary Caro has been named the next dean of the School of Business Administration. Caro will assume the role on July 1.
Widener’s distinguished School of Business Administration offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in addition to certificates, dual degrees and flexible online programs. All undergraduate Widener business majors have the option to pursue accelerated programs that can lead to master’s degrees following a four-plus-one approach that saves students time and tuition. The school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB.
Caro is known for his collaborative and data-informed approach to academic leadership. He is committed to student success and building strong partnerships between academia and industry, with a focus on innovative program development, experiential learning opportunities and aligning business education with workforce needs.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Caro to the Widener community,” said Provost Mark Nicosia. “His experience in academic leadership, commitment to innovation and focus on student-centered outcomes will be a tremendous asset to the School of Business Administration and the broader community.”
“From the moment I arrived on campus, it was clear that Widener’s commitment to student success is not aspirational, it’s operational,” said Caro. “Every conversation reinforced that the institution understands what economic mobility actually requires. As Philadelphia transforms, Widener is uniquely positioned to deliver the kind of talent that doesn’t just enter the workforce but shapes it. I’m humbled to lead a passionate faculty and carry on the legacy of excellence.”
Caro brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education to the role, including serving as dean of the School of Business at La Salle University and previously as chair of the Division of Business at Xavier University of Louisiana. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated success in driving enrollment growth, advancing accreditation efforts, strengthening student retention and fostering meaningful engagement with alumni and corporate partners.
As dean at LaSalle, Caro led the development of interdisciplinary academic programs, including a biomedical innovation and enterprise degree, and introduced accelerated bachelor’s-to-MBA pathways to support student success and career readiness. He guided strategic planning initiatives, strengthened assurance of learning processes for AACSB accreditation, expanded employer partnerships with organizations such as Deloitte and PwC and increased alumni engagement through new programming and communications. Prior to La Salle, as chair at Xavier University of Louisiana, he led significant enrollment growth, launched new academic programs in healthcare management and business analytics and guided the division through successful accreditation reaffirmation.
Caro’s research focuses on corporate social responsibility, sustainability in business education, human resource development and the economics of collegiate athletics. His scholarly work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, with numerous presentations at national and international conferences. His work frequently bridges theory and practice, examining real-world business challenges through analytical and data-driven approaches.
Throughout his career, Caro has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his excellence in research, teaching and scholarship. These include multiple Xavier University Division of Business outstanding research awards, Mellon Foundation faculty teaching fellowships and several best paper honors at international academic conferences. He has also been recognized as a finalist for prestigious teaching and scholarship awards and received national recognition for excellence in research and innovation in business education.
Caro received his Ph.D. and master of science in human resource education from Louisiana State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Notre Dame.
Caro now resides in Philadelphia with his husband Clay and their dog Charlie, where they have become avid Flyers and Phillies fans.
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