Christina Saenger appointed Dean of Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University has announced the appointment of Christina Saenger, Ph.D., as the new dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration, effective April 1, 2026. Saenger has served as interim dean since July 2025 and brings extensive experience in academic leadership, strategic planning and business education to the role.

Prior to serving as interim dean, Saenger was associate dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration from 2022 to 2025, helping guide the college’s strategic initiatives and academic programs. She joined the YSU faculty in 2014 and has also served as director of faculty relations, where she led efforts related to faculty support, professional concerns and facilitates solutions in support of a collaborative and collegial academic environment.

As interim dean, Saenger has led major academic, strategic and operational initiatives during a pivotal period for the college. Her work has focused on advancing the college’s strategic plan, strengthening faculty engagement and expanding access to career-relevant business education. She has also guided efforts to modernize curriculum, expand online and accelerated programs and strengthen partnerships that support student success and workforce readiness.

“I am honored to serve as dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration,” Saenger said. “Our college has a strong foundation of dedicated faculty, talented students and meaningful community partnerships. I look forward to working together to expand opportunities for our students, foster innovation in business education and strengthen our impact throughout the region.”

As dean, Saenger will provide leadership and administrative oversight for the college’s academic programs, faculty, staff and strategic initiatives. She will guide undergraduate and graduate program development, support scholarly and innovative work within the college and oversee key initiatives related to student recruitment, retention and career readiness. The role also includes stewardship of the college’s accreditation with AACSB International and leadership of initiatives that strengthen engagement with regional businesses and industry partners.

“Dr. Saenger is a thoughtful and strategic leader who understands both the academic mission and the workforce needs of our region,” said YSU Provost Jennifer Adams. “Her collaborative leadership style, commitment to student success and deep knowledge of business education make her exceptionally well suited to lead the Williamson College of Business Administration into its next chapter.”

During her tenure as associate dean, Saenger helped lead the redevelopment of the college’s mission and the creation of its 2024–2029 strategic plan, emphasizing access, career readiness and regional impact. She also played a central role in securing the extension of the college’s AACSB accreditation and led several curriculum modernization efforts, including the launch of new associate degree programs, updates to the BSBA core curriculum and new MBA specializations.

Saenger earned a doctorate in marketing from Kent State University, a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in strategic marketing from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Arts in business and organizational communication from the University of Akron.

Her research focuses on consumer behavior, marketing strategy and word-of-mouth communication, and has been published in leading academic journals including the Journal of Business Research, Psychology & Marketing and the European Journal of Marketing. In addition to her scholarship, she serves on the editorial review boards of several academic journals and remains actively engaged in professional and academic organizations.

The Williamson College of Business Administration serves undergraduate and graduate students through programs designed to prepare graduates for leadership and innovation in business, industry and entrepreneurship while supporting economic development across the region.