David Audretsch, distinguished professor and Ameritech Chair of Economic Development, has been appointed to serve as interim dean of the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, effective July 1, 2026. The appointment will follow the conclusion of Dean Siân Mooney’s successful term at the O’Neill School, which she has led since 2019. Mooney will rejoin the faculty.
“I am honored to serve the O’Neill School during this important time,” said Audretsch. “Dean Mooney has left a remarkable legacy, and I look forward to working with our talented faculty, staff, and students to build upon our reputation as a leader in public and environmental affairs.”
Audretsch is widely considered one of the world’s top economists. He is a 2021 Clarivate Citation Laureate and is ranked by Research.com as the top business and management researcher in the world.
As the director of the Institute for Development Strategies at the O’Neill School, Audretsch has consistently bridged the gap between rigorous academic research and practical policy application.
“David Audretsch is a pillar of the O’Neill community and a global authority in public policy,” Mooney said. “His deep institutional knowledge and commitment to excellence make him the ideal leader to ensure a seamless transition as we continue to advance our mission of preparing the next generation of leaders.”
Mooney led the O’Neill School through a period of significant growth, navigating the complexities of a changing higher education landscape while further expanding the school’s top-tier national rankings.
During Mooney’s leadership, the school in Bloomington maintained a top-ranking by U.S. News and World Report as the best graduate school in the nation for public affairs (and is currently ranked No. 1 for 2026) and increased its No. 1 and other highly ranked specialty areas. O’Neill’s MPA program in Indianapolis has risen 13 places, outcompeting many highly resourced, larger schools.
Additionally, the O’Neill School has grown its degree programs to better serve student needs. In Bloomington, O’Neill expanded its graduate portfolio, and the O’Neill School has received accreditations from APSIA and CAHME.
In Indianapolis, O’Neill created additional undergraduate offerings with a new B.S. in Community and Organizational Leadership Studies and recently announced plans to expand the program further in Fall 2026 by adding two new graduate certificates in Professional Project Management and Strategic Human Resource Management, as well as a new Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Systems, pending final approval from the state.
The school’s research productivity also continues to rise, with stellar productivity in journal articles and other scholarship. O’Neill’s external funding portfolio has increased and is poised for further expansion.
Multiple new strategic initiatives were launched under Mooney’s leadership, including the O’Neill Center for Leadership in Public Service; new Executives in Residence; new programs with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division; an expanded global footprint; ESSI (Environment, Society, and Sustainability Institute); and new student career services and supports, among many other accomplishments.
The O’Neill School hired 53 new faculty members during Mooney’s time as dean, and O’Neill students are receiving a record amount of scholarship and fellowship dollars, thanks to robust philanthropy.
As interim dean, Audretsch will oversee the school’s administrative operations, academic programs, and research initiatives across both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses. A national search for a permanent dean will commence in the coming months.