Afsaneh Nahavandi

Professor of Management

• PhD, University of Utah, Social Psychology (Focus in Leadership)
  
• MA, University of Utah, Social Psychology
  
• BA, University of Denver, Psychology & French

Professor Afsaneh Nahavandi is a professor of management and former chair of the Leadership Studies Department at the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business. Her experience includes a strong teaching and robust publishing and research portfolio along consulting expertise to public and private agencies in the areas of leadership and culture.

Dr. Nahavandi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and French from the University of Denver. She holds an MA and PhD in Social Psychology from University of Utah. She is Professor Rmeritus at Arizona State University where she taught for 26 years in the Business School and in the School of Public Administration. While at ASU, she was director of the MBA program at ASU’s West campus, director of University College, associate dean of University College and associate dean of the College of Public Programs. She has considerable experience in program development and enrollment management at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Prior to joining ASU in 1988, she was an assistant professor of human resources management at Northeastern University in Boston.

Dr. Nahavandi’s expertise is in the field of leadership and culture. Her most recent text, The Cultural Mindset: Managing People Across Cultures, was published in 2021. Her textbook The Art and Science of Leadership, currently in its 7th edition, is one of the best-selling leadership textbooks in the United States. She has authored countless additional books, articles, and chapters about leadership and culture and has been recognized with numerous teaching awards including ASU's most prestigious Parents’ Associate Professor of the Year in 2004.

Dr. Nahavandi is a sought-after consultant to public and private companies. She developed the Leadership Development program at Honeywell Corporation and has created programs, presented seminars and worked with organizations across a broad range of sectors including the City of Phoenix, Forum Corporation, Maricopa County Court, New York Institute of Finance, Phelps Dodge, Inc., Primary Children's Hospital, Sea Ray Boats, Utah State Hospital and Valley National Bank.

Originally from Iran, Dr. Nahavandi has lived in the United States for over 35 years. She is fluent in English, French, and Farsi and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Areas of Expertise

Office Hours

• GSBA 515

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