President Marcheta P. Evans, PhD, announced today a new strategic role in her leadership team — President’s Senior Fellow for Leadership Integration — to be filled by St. Kate’s current dean of the School of Business, Anupama Pasricha, PhD. Pasricha will transition from her role as dean to this new position, effective January 5, 2026.
“Our mission, educating women to lead and influence, sets the standard by which we design our programming throughout the University’s schools and degree requirements,” said Evans. “I am grateful to Dr. Pasricha for taking this bold step forward to lead a team that will design leadership programming for the entire University, and excited to see the ways that she will contribute to our leadership-focused institutional priorities.”
In this new role, Pasricha will work directly with Evans, leading the design of several forward-looking initiatives across the University related to belonging, organizational culture, and leadership development, informed by her research and experience. “As a university founded to educate women to lead and influence, we know that leadership is not a program—it is integral to our identity, our mission, and our shared aspirations for one another and for our students. To carry this work forward in a more intentional and mission-aligned way, we must build structures that support and integrate leadership development into the very fabric of our community,” said Evans
“I am honored to serve as St. Catherine University’s inaugural President’s Senior Fellow for Leadership Integration,” said Pasricha. “This role affirms our commitment to human-centered leadership as a shared practice across the University. I am most excited about partnering with President Evans and our community to build upon our shared passion as we move forward with purpose and possibility.”
Pasricha has over 30 years of experience in global teaching and research, including 12 years in India. She has been part of the St. Catherine University community since 2005 and has served as the chair of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department for 10 years. Pasricha has also served as an internship and study-abroad advisor, supporting students in gaining valuable real-world experiences. In 2024, Pasricha was named dean of the School of Business.
“I am deeply grateful to the outstanding students, faculty, and staff whose support over more than 20 years has made my work possible,” said Pasricha. During those 20 years at St. Kate’s, Pasricha has been recognized for her excellence and contributions to academia, with awards that include the 2011 American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) National New Achiever Award, the 2017 Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Award for Faculty Excellence, and in 2023, the Outstanding Professional by the Minnesota chapter of AAFCS for cutting-edge techniques to provide research, leadership, and visibility in education, business, home, and community.
When she served as chair of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department, Pasricha envisioned a curriculum transformation that would weave sustainability throughout the coursework. Today, sustainability is infused at every level of St. Kate's fashion program. During her eight-year tenure as executive director of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP), she led significant advancements that expanded the service organization's global reach and substantially increased student engagement in sustainability initiatives. Earlier this year, Pasricha was invited to contribute to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Higher Education Challenge Grant Program, Building Circular Economy Competencies in Fiber, Textiles, and Clothing Curriculum to Enhance Workforce Preparedness, in recognition of her leading scholarship and teaching in the field. Her sustainable design work has also been featured in prominent venues, including the Minnesota History Center, the Textile Center of Minnesota, and the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery.
As dean of the School of Business, Pasricha has further developed work around the themes of equity and leadership. Under her leadership, the School of Business renewed a $1.5 million grant from the Manitou Fund to continue the work of Katie Leadership Impact, a suite of initiatives that continue to serve students and the broader community, now one of St. Kate's most impactful platforms for cultivating student leadership. Pasricha has also advanced the concepts of equity and leadership through her work on the Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership, which continues to expand its reach and has a positive statewide influence. Earlier this year, she completed the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute, a nationally recognized program that advances inclusive, equity-centered leadership in higher education.
Pasricha holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Education from Iowa State University in Ames. She also earned a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from Delhi University in India. Her extensive publication record, comprising over 100 scholarly works, that include journal articles, book chapters, reviews, and conference proceedings, showcases her commitment to advancing knowledge in these areas.