Biography

Dr. Charles Iacovou is professor of management and the founding dean of the School of Professional Studies (SPS) and the vice provost for the University’s Charlotte-based programs. He is responsible for the strategic leadership of the school and the development of innovative, accessible programs that focus on the educational needs of adult learners and corporate partners.

Dr. Iacovou served as the Sisel Distinguished Dean of the School of Business from July 2014 until January 2021. Under his leadership, the school evolved its program portfolio resulting in improved student outcomes, and program rankings and financial outcomes. During this time, the school’s first business analytics and online programs were launched yielding sizable enrollment growth, and faculty research productivity increased substantially. From 2014 to 2020, Dr. Iacovou led a capital campaign for the school, which raised over $120 million in support of student, faculty, facility, programmatic and diversity-enhancing needs.

With extensive teaching experience in information systems management, Dr. Iacovou has taught a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses on information technology management, strategy, emerging technologies, project management, and other areas. A student-centered teacher who utilizes experiential learning methods to challenge and develop his students, Dr. Iacovou has received several teaching awards from students and alumni.

Dr. Iacovou has published extensively on the subjects of information technology management, project management, outsourcing, and organizational decision-making and communication. Much of his research work is field-based and is frequently sponsored by business organizations and associations. MIS Quarterly, Journal of Business Ethics, MIT Sloan Management Review, California Management Review, Communications of the ACM, Information & Management, and other leading journals have published his work, which has been granted several awards for its significant impact on the academy and practice of management.

Before joining Wake Forest University in 2001, Dr. Iacovou managed an electronic bank for a diversified financial institution based in Europe. In that role, he was responsible for the management of electronic retail, commercial banking, and brokerage products and service channels. During the past three decades, Dr. Iacovou has provided strategic planning, management consulting, and leadership training services to firms in financial services, international trade, logistics, media, and other sectors.