Meet Mike Minnis, New Deputy Dean for Faculty

What's your favorite part of working at Chicago Booth?

The excitement of this place. I gave my first presentation at Booth during the interview process as a rookie PhD student interviewing for a faculty position. After the day ended, I headed to the airport and called my wife. I told her that if the interview process just stopped with this school, I would start that day. And Booth was the first school I visited when I was on the job market! The people around this place care about having a deeper understanding of how the business world works—and both the faculty and students really push you to think deeper. You have to bring your A-game here—even just going to get a cup of coffee can lead to an engaging conversation. My colleagues not only care about deeper understanding, but also about junior colleagues’ careers. I think that is a cool part about being deputy dean for faculty now—the opportunity to help others on their career paths.

What are your goals for your first year as deputy dean?

Mostly not messing things up! Doug Skinner did an amazing job recruiting and retaining topnotch faculty. His are big shoes to fill. Fortunately, Doug has been generous with his time and I am learning a ton. So, I guess my main goal is to learn as much as I can and help the Booth faculty remain the best of any business school in the world.

What is something happening in your field that you are excited about?

There is a lot of change in the business school world. For example, Booth has launched two new masters programs—the Asness and Liew Master in Finance Program and the Master in Management Program—which I was fortunate to help launch. AI, of course, is really shaking up both research and teaching, and Booth has a group of faculty doing amazing things with AI. Foundational AI research in finance, accounting, operations, marketing—it’s all being done by our faculty and I get to learn from them. 

What do you like to do in your downtime? Do you have any hobbies?

I have three teenagers—so a lot of my “downtime” is spent with them. As I’m writing this, I’m watching my son play tennis and then have to pick up my daughter from soccer practice. Downtime?

If you were a current Booth student, which class would you take and how many points would you bid?

I’m not taking the bait on this question. Too many great classes with excellent faculty.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Undoubtedly, the faculty lounge. I have had many great discussions with my colleagues there over coffee and lunch. During one of my first years at Booth, I took my lunch into the lounge and found myself between Gene Fama and Richard Thaler. The room started to clear but then Gene and Richard began discussing efficient markets. I’m sure I could have sold my seat for a fortune, but I wasn’t going anywhere. Little did I know then that that conversation would be just one of many amazing conversations that would take place there.

Michael Minnis, Deputy Dean for Faculty and Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Accounting

Eugene F. Fama, MBA ’64, PhD ’64, Robert R. McCormick Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Douglas J. Skinner, Sidney Davidson Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting

Richard H. Thaler, Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Economics