Complete Bio

Krishnan Dandapani

Dr. Krishnan Dandapani is currently a Distinguished University Professor, and the Ryder System Fellowship Professor of Finance at the College of Business at Florida International University (FIU), Miami. He also serves as the Director of Professional MBA Programs at the Chapman Graduate School. He joined FIU as an Instructor in 1983 and was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1997. His Ph.D. is from Pennsylvania State University. His MBA is from the University of Madras, India. Post Ph.D. He has attended Harvard University executive education programs.

Florida International University [FIU] is Miami’s public research university. It is a part of Florida State University System, and its colleges and schools offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in fields such as business, engineering, computer science, international relations, architecture, law, and medicine.  FIU is classified by Carnegie as a “R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity” with more than $200 million in annual expenditures. It is also recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged university.  U.S. News and World Report in 2022 reports, FIU has 42 top-50 rankings in the nation amongst public universities.  In 2023, FIU is the nation’s fourth-largest public university with a student enrollment of more than 50,000 students.  Washington Monthly’s 2023 annual College Guide and Rankings rated FIU among the top 20 universities in the nation. The Wall Street Journal and its partners in 2023 ranked FIU as No. 4 among public schools and No. 29 among all schools in the nation.

The College of Business [FIU Business] is among the 5 percent of elite business schools worldwide accredited by the AACSB International. The College also receives highly rated for its undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as faculty research productivity, by influential rankings organizations worldwide.  The college of Business has a student population of more than 10,000 students, [8,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduates] an $80 million budget and a workforce of 170 faculty.  In 2023 FIU Business now has nine top 10 programs in the country and the world as ranked by three most noticeable agencies.

RESEARCH AND INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Krishnan is renowned worldwide for his significant contributions to the fields of Banking and Global Finance. His research efforts are not only extensive but also possess a substantial global impact and wield considerable influence within the local community. With two co-authored books, over 65 journal articles and book chapters, and a portfolio of more than 150 papers presented at national and international conferences, his academic output is truly impressive. Over the course of his 40-year career at FIU, Krishnan has successfully obtained numerous external research grants, totaling over $500,000.

He maintains active affiliations with five academic journals, where he serves in roles such as Editor, Associate Editor, and Editorial Board member. Krishnan's exceptional research acumen has earned him the prestigious "University Excellence in Research Award" twice from the University, initially in 1991 and later in 2002. Notably, his recent journal publications within the past five years encompass notable contributions to journals such as the Journal of Banking and Finance, Financial Management, the Journal of Financial Services Research, Applied Economics, and the Global Finance Journal.

TEACHING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Krishnan has earned tremendous respect and trust for his multi-faceted teaching in the MBA, MSF, and Ph.D. programs. He was given the University Excellence in teaching awards in  the years1992 and 2003. In 1994 when he received the Teaching Incentive Program award of Florida for his undergraduate teaching.

Doctoral Mentoring: Since the launch of FIU's Ph.D. program in Finance in the 1990s, Krishnan has actively participated in the doctoral program. Over the years, he has taught and mentored 50 doctoral students, evaluated comprehensive exams, guided summer research projects, assisted students in publishing their work in prestigious journals, and aided in their placement in a highly competitive job market. He has been directly involved in supervising 10 doctoral dissertations, either as the Chair or a committee member.

MBA Directorship: With a teaching tenure spanning four decades in the MBA program, Krishnan has also served as the faculty director of the Professional MBA (PMBA) program at the college for the past seven years. The PMBA is the largest graduate program on campus, contributing to FIU Business's status as one of the leading producers of master's degree candidates in the nation. During his leadership, the MBA program underwent significant curriculum revisions, a challenging endeavor. Krishnan chaired the taskforce responsible for redesigning the curriculum to enhance its rigor and reintroduce elective courses, offering students greater flexibility. The implemented revisions in 2020 have markedly improved the quality and rigor of the MBA program.

MSF Program: Krishnan has been an integral part of the MSF programs since his arrival at FIU in 1983. In earlier years, he also served as the director of the MSF program for a four-year term from 1990 to 1994.

Online Program Development: A pioneer in the field, Krishnan was among the first faculty members to teach an online course at the University in 1999, during the early stages of online education and learning platforms. Known for his innovative thinking and groundbreaking approaches, he remains a highly sought-after professor. Since 2021, four of the online courses he developed and taught (FIN6406, FIN4303, FIN6246, and FIN6644) have earned the highest Quality Matters designation, underscoring his continued excellence in teaching through the latest technology and adherence to global standards.

 APPLIED RESEARCH WORKS / MAJOR GRANT WORK

Krishnan possesses three decades of experience in conducting research and financial analyses for various governments and institutions, both within the United States and internationally. During this period, he has secured grants exceeding $500,000 as the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator through FIU's Division of Sponsored Research. These grants have been awarded by entities such as the Department of Insurance and the Department of Community Affairs in the State of Florida, addressing a range of financial matters. The majority of these grants were acquired during the initial years of his tenure at FIU, spanning from 1994 to 2001. As his commitments to graduate programs and university administration expanded and his focus on academic research intensified, Krishnan gradually reduced his involvement in grant-related activities. His institutional efforts have concentrated on advancing business program development and enhancing financial administration.

 UNIVERSITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES

University Administration: Krishnan played a foundational role in establishing the University-wide Asian Task Force, which has since evolved into a prominent center within the University. He was actively involved in all aspects of the center, including the development of multiple grant proposals to secure funding. Furthermore, he served as the Co-Director of the Asian Studies Program during the 1990s. In 1995, Krishnan was a founding member of the International Hurricane Center, which has now achieved recognition as a Type I State University System (SUS) Center. In 1998, he assumed the position of Chair of the Finance Department, and subsequently, he was unanimously selected as the Coordinator of the Council of 51 (Council of Chairpersons) group at FIU by his fellow unit Chairs. In 2000, he returned to faculty status to focus on his research pursuits. Krishnan also made significant contributions to public service by being appointed to the Task Force addressing the turbulence and confusion within the catastrophic insurance industry following a hurricane, which helped stabilize the state's insurance market.

Faculty Senate: Recognized for his outstanding contributions to the development and growth of the State University System (SUS) and FIU through active participation in faculty governance, Krishnan received the University Excellence in Service Award in 1977. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving faculty senator at the College of Business, with over 30 years of dedicated service. Throughout the years, he has assumed various roles, including Vice-chair of the Senate for four years and participation in numerous committees such as Steering, Budget, Curriculum, and Library committees. While serving as the Vice-chair of the Senate, Krishnan represented FIU in the Advisory Council of the Faculty Senate of the State (ACFS) University system, making substantial contributions to faculty governance at the statewide level. The current Chair of the ACFS is a member of the Board of Governors and plays a significant role in faculty governance within the SUS. Additionally, for the past 20 years, he has chaired the Nominating Committee of the FIU faculty senate, ensuring that elections are conducted democratically, upholding high standards of integrity, and avoiding controversy, which has led to the election of seven Faculty Senate Chairs.

COB Faculty Council: Within the College of Business, Krishnan has demonstrated notable service as part of the COB Faculty Council. Over the past eight years, he has served as Vice-chair, Acting Chair, and Chair of the COB Faculty Council, engaging with four Deans (Dean David Klock, Dean Jose Aldrich, Dean Joanne Li, and Dean William Hardin) to represent the collective interests of the faculty. He has played a crucial role in developing the administrative handbook and policies and procedures manual.

Finance Department: At the department level, Krishnan's most substantial contribution has been as the chair of the recruitment committee for over 20 years, involving the evaluation and interaction with more than 100 applicants annually. He possesses a deep understanding of institutional hiring practices and Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity (EOPD) requirements, which have made him a valuable asset to the college in selecting the most suitable colleagues. Under his leadership as chair of the recruitment committee, the college has successfully recruited over 27 faculty members.

 COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES

On the professional front, Krishnan is highly engaged with the Global Finance Association. He also maintains active involvement with several prominent institutions in India, including the Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Finance, The Great Lakes Institute of Management, and PSG Management Institute, during his tenure as Director of Strategic Programs in India. Notably, he holds the position of Editor for the Journal of Emerging Markets and serves as an Associate Editor and/or editorial board member for three major journals: the International Journal of Finance, Managerial Finance, and Studies in Economics and Finance. Furthermore, Krishnan dedicates his expertise as a reviewer for seven other journals. He remains actively committed to collaborating with the Miami Bankers and Financial Community, particularly in the realm of developing innovative solutions leveraging Fintech and Blockchain technologies.