Interim Dean Matthew A. Waller has named Vikas Anand to take on a short-term role working with the dean's office as executive director of strategic planning and innovation in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

Anand, a professor in the management department and faculty director of the Walton College's master of business administration programs, will report directly to Waller and serve on the Walton College executive committee.

Waller said Anand will work to fine tune Walton's strategic plan and to make aspects of the plan actionable.
 
"Working with Vikas over the years, I have come to believe that he has one of the most brilliant strategic minds I have known," Waller said in making the announcement. "It is amazing what he has accomplished with the M.B.A. programs and the Career Center," Waller said Anand's appointment is for one year, with a possible extension of a second year.

Anand will step down as executive director of the George W. Edwards, Jr. Career Center at the end of summer, Waller said. The role of executive director of the career center will be eliminated, and Renee Clay will head the center in her role as managing director. "Renee has played a tremendous role working with Vikas in the restructuring process and in developing the center's strategic plan and is well poised to take the career center to the next level," Waller said.

Anand will continue in his role as faculty director of the M.B.A. programs.