St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) has named Indian American academic Anupama Pasricha as its first-ever President’s Senior Fellow for Leadership Integration, effective January 5, 2026. Pasricha, currently dean of the School of Business, will collaborate closely with University President Marcheta P. Evans to develop and implement leadership-focused initiatives across the university.
Evans stated that this new role underscores our dedication to integrating leadership development throughout both our academic and institutional structures. Anupama’s experience will help the university promote human-centred leadership and nurture a culture of inclusion.
Pasricha, a St. Kate’s faculty member since 2005, brings over 30 years of international teaching and research experience, including 12 years in India. She has served as chair of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department and dean of the School of Business since 2024. Her tenure has been marked by curriculum innovations, particularly in sustainability, leadership development, and equity initiatives.
Among her notable accomplishments, Pasricha led a transformation of the university’s fashion programs to emphasise sustainability, expanded student engagement in socially responsible apparel practices, and secured major grants supporting leadership initiatives such as the Katie Leadership Impact program. She also contributed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Higher Education Challenge Grant Program on circular economy competencies in textiles and apparel.
Pasricha has received multiple awards for her contributions to education and sustainable design, including the 2011 American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National New Achiever Award and the 2023 Outstanding Professional Award from its Minnesota chapter. She holds a doctorate and a master’s in education from Iowa State University and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Delhi University, India. Her scholarly work includes over 100 publications in journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings.
With this appointment, St. Kate’s reinforces its mission to cultivate leadership at all levels, continuing its legacy of preparing women for influence and impact.
