Vanguard University has appointed Ismael López Medel, PhD, as the new dean of the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management (PASBM) — a role he steps into officially after serving as interim dean since October 2025.
Dr. Medel is no stranger to the position. He joined Vanguard in fall 2025 as a professor and chair of the Department of Communication and has already been leading faculty in shaping a strategic vision built around three focus areas: entrepreneurship, women in leadership, and technology. The transition to a permanent role is a natural next step.
He brings more than 20 years of international higher education experience to the position, with a track record in academic leadership, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Provost Ryan T. Hartwig, PhD, spoke to why Dr. Medel stood out: "His ability to think creatively about the future of business education, while fostering a collaborative and Christ-centered academic environment, makes him uniquely equipped to lead the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management into its next chapter."
As dean, Dr. Medel will oversee programs in accounting, business administration, communication, marketing, and organizational psychology. His focus going forward centers on academic innovation, expanding undergraduate and graduate offerings, and building deeper partnerships with industry and community leaders.
His ambitions for the school are concrete. On the horizon: three new concentrations in Finance, Human Resources, and Supply Chain; a six-unit Social Entrepreneurship program; a university chapter of the Association for Latino Professionals of America; a Bellwether Institute chapter to connect students with industry; new student clubs around creativity, business, and women in business; and both a Student Creative Agency and a study abroad program.
"My vision for the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management is to cultivate a center of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit," Dr. Medel said. "I am excited to continue working alongside our faculty and staff to equip students to thrive professionally while living out a Spirit-empowered, Christ-centered life."
Before joining Vanguard, Dr. Medel spent a decade at Azusa Pacific University, where he founded the Public Relations program and led both the Department of Communication and the Department of Digital and Strategic Marketing. His global experience also includes serving as assistant dean at one of Spain's largest private universities, and teaching at Syracuse University Madrid, the European Institute of Design, and Madrid's School of the Arts.
"It is a privilege to be part of a community rooted in Christ," Dr. Medel added. "I look forward to helping shape the future of business and communication education with energy and purpose."