A Legacy of Leadership, Built for Generations

Family members, colleagues, friends and campus leaders gathered with former Dean and Professor Emeritus Amin Elmallah as the Stanislaus State College of Business Administration honored his legacy by naming its Student Success Center in his honor at a ceremony in Demergasso-Bava Hall on Nov. 5.

The Dr. Amin A. Elmallah Student Success Center recognizes the work of a man who served as an educator and leader in higher ed for more than three decades. He joined Stan State in 2000 as the college's dean, a position he held for seven years until retiring in 2007.

During his tenure as dean, he launched the college's Student Success Center, which provides academic resources, services and programs for its undergraduate students.

In his opening remarks, the college's current dean, Terence Pitre, commended the impact of Elmallah's enduring leadership.

"Today marks the celebration of vision, commitment and above all, the extraordinary impact that one person's foresight and dedication can have on countless others," Pitre said. "Dean Elmallah recognized the vital role that dedicated resources like on-site advising, career planning and individualized student support can play in shaping our students' futures.

"His vision centered around creating a space where every business student could receive the guidance, mentorship and tools necessary to thrive in their careers. We saw that vision realized with the establishment of this center."

President Britt Rios-Ellis recognized the far-reaching influence of Elmallah's work.

"Today's dedication of the Student Success Center in your name stands as a powerful tribute and resource for students in the College of Business Administration, both now and for generations to come," Rios-Ellis said.

The College of Business Administration's Student Success Center provides students with a comprehensive range of resources, including academic advising, career planning, mentorship programs, tutoring and professional development workshops.

President Rios-Ellis emphasized that the center's comprehensive resources stand as a testament to Elmallah's legacy and leadership, showcasing his commitment to empowering students and fostering their success.

"Good leaders know that it's not about us as individuals, but about what we leave behind when we finish," she said. "With this center dedicated in your name, we are continuing your vision and commitment to every student's success."

"His focus was always on the success of our students, so having this Center named after him is very fitting. He also knew that our students' interests are best served when we work as a cohesive unit with every member appreciating and recognizing the contributions of each other, even when we differed in opinions and pedagogical approaches."

- Lynn Johnson, Faculty, College of Business Administration

In addition to launching the Student Success Center, Elmallah led the college during its undertaking to gain accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

When he was appointed dean, the College of Business Administration was experiencing turmoil. Many of its faculty members were discouraged by the college's failure to attain accreditation in 1998 and questioned whether accreditation was even possible.

Professor of Accounting David Lindsay talked about the college's transformation under Elmallah's leadership.

"Amin quickly convinced us accreditation was attainable if we united behind that common purpose. He was a coach working with the faculty team," Lindsay said.

"For the first month, I don't think Amin sat down," recalled Professor of Marketing Alfred Petroski. "He was just racing through the hallways, talking to this person, talking to that person, finding out what their strengths and weaknesses were, finding out what they wanted and what they needed. He learned who the faculty was within a month and started piecing it all together. Within a couple of months, we were humming. We were working together."

In 2003, the college earned AACSB accreditation - a distinction that fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide attain.

Others praised Elmallah for his tireless advocacy and dedication.

"His focus was always on the success of our students, so having this center named after him is very fitting," said Accounting Faculty Member Lynn Johnson. "Amin recognized that each faculty member genuinely cared about their students and was interested in ensuring their success. He also knew that our students' interests are best served when we work as a cohesive unit with every member appreciating and recognizing the contributions of each other, even when we differed in opinions and pedagogical approaches."

During his tenure as dean, Elmallah received a Presidential Medal of Distinction in 2012 and served as founding chair of the CSU Association of Business Deans. When he retired, he made a gift to Stan State that established the Dean Amin A. Elmallah Scholarship Endowment.

Toward the ceremony's end, Elmallah reflected on his achievements.

"We were given five years to achieve accreditation, and we did it in a record 2 years and 9 months, starting in August 2000 and achieving it in April 2003," he said. "Ten other CSU business schools developed student success centers based on what started at Stan State, and many of them have a note acknowledging their centers began from our vision."

He also acknowledged his family - his wife Linda and their two adult children, Sharif and Amira - for their support.

Before concluding, Elmallah turned his attention to the deeper connections that defined his time at Stan State.

"I am so grateful and honored. I really don't have enough words," he said. "People care about this campus. Deep in my heart, all of you will always be there. Stanislaus State will be there, and the College of Business will be there. My friends, thank you. God bless you all."

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