La Salle University Names Paul Brazina
Dean of the School of Business

Paul R. Brazina, long-time La Salle accounting professor and business leader, has been named Dean of the University’s School of Business. Brazina has led the School of Business in an interim capacity since 2005. 

“Paul brings to the Dean’s position extensive experience as a faculty member and as an accounting professional, said Richard Nigro, Ph.D., Provost for La Salle University. “He is very student-oriented, supportive of faculty colleagues, and a creative program developer. His experience in the business world has commanded respect throughout the Philadelphia corporate community and will be of significant value as we seek to enhance recognition of the School of Business in the Mid-Atlantic region.” 

Brazina arrived at La Salle in 1974 as an adjunct accounting professor, bringing his real-world practitioner experience into the classroom. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become a full-time tenured faculty member. In 1979, he received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. 

While serving as Interim Dean for the past two years, Brazina held back applying for the permanent Dean position because “I like teaching too much,” he said. After a national search brought in many quality candidates, Brazina realized that any outside candidate offered the Dean position would take some time to become assimilated with the University, set goals, and eventually, accomplish them.  He saw that his more than 30 years experience at La Salle put him in a unique—and promising—position. “I know the La Salle culture, and I know the business world. I realized the opportunity to leverage the School of Business into new areas and into new endeavors for students, faculty, and alumni,” said Brazina. 

“La Salle is business in Philadelphia,” said Brazina. “Many of our alumni stay in this area to work. La Salle graduates are found throughout some of the top businesses in Philadelphia. Our strong alumni base provides countless opportunities for our current students to gain real-world experience with exceptional organizations.” 

While teaching at La Salle, Brazina continued to keep his pulse on the local and national business community. During the 1990’s, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of three companies—National Media Corporation (a New York Stock Exchange company), DirectAmerica Corporation, and New Resident Marketing Corporation. In addition, Brazina has been a partner with Rosenfelt, Siegel & Goldberg, P.C., Certified Public Accountants in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., since 1985. 

Among his achievements, Brazina founded and served as executive director of La Salle’s E-Commerce Institute, and developed a certificate program in e-commerce. During his time as Interim Dean, the School of Business launched a new four-year BS/MBA program in accounting, which allows highly-motivated students to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years and meet the 150-hour requirement for the Certified Public Accounting Examination.

As Brazina eases into the Dean’s position, he is excited for the opportunities ahead. The School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which approximately only 25 percent of business schools nationwide earn. His priorities are for the School of Business to be a leader in AACSB, and to grow undergraduate and graduate enrollment through innovative programs.  In addition, Brazina has his sights set on possible fundraising opportunities to supplement and enhance La Salle business students’ education. 

One of the first projects Brazina will oversee as Dean is the move of La Salle’s Montgomery County facility to the new state-of-the art Metroplex Corporate Center in Plymouth Meeting. In addition to the main campus in Philadelphia and its Bucks County Center in Newtown, La Salle will offer its MBA program at the Metroplex Center.  

An expert in fraud and forensic accounting, Brazina earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Pennsylvania State University. He resides in Merion, Pa., with his wife Shelly, and they have four children.