Interim Provost and Executive Vice President, George Mason University
Contact Information
Email: gmuprov@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-5399
Campus: Fairfax
Office: 5200 Merten Hall
Mail Stop: 3A2
Biography
Ajay Vinzé is the interim provost and executive vice president of George Mason University. He previously served as dean of the Donald G. Costello College of Business, one of the largest business schools in Virginia. With over 35 years of experience in higher education, Vinzé is committed to advancing the university’s mission—preparing successful graduates, fostering exceptional scholarship, and making a positive impact regionally, nationally, and globally.
Since joining the Costello College of Business at George Mason University in July 2022, Vinzéhas focused on positioning the Costello College as a leader among business schools. His priorities included expanding multi-disciplinary academic programs, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, offering modular education, and strengthening corporate and community partnerships.
As part of these initiatives, Vinzé launched several innovative programs in business education. These included the reimagined Master’s in Management program, which offers modular education through micro-credentialing and stackable certificates. Also included among these programs is the SOAR Initiative, which provides a comprehensive support model for startups, empowering individuals in our region who lack access to entrepreneurship training. Additionally, the newly established Corporate and Community Partners Program fosters strategic partnerships between these partner organizations and Costello, supporting student recruitment, internships, scholarships, and faculty awards. In 2023, Vinzé also oversaw the renaming of the School of Business to the Donald G. Costello College of Business.
Prior to joining Costello, Vinzé served as Dean of the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business at the University of Missouri. At Trulaske, he is credited with significantly enhancing the research profile of the college, offering innovative business education programs, and raising over $30M in philanthropic giving. Vinzé is a Fulbright Senior Specialist and a global citizen, having lived, worked or traveled through more than 70 countries over the past three decades. He completed his doctoral degree at the University of Arizona after receiving a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at the University of Delhi.
Research Interests
Interim Provost Vinzé maintains an active research agenda, and his work ranges from artificial intelligence (AI) applications for business problem solving and collaborative computing to emergency preparedness and response and disruptive influences of ICT investments.
Vinzé’s publications have appeared in leading scholarly journals including Information Systems Research, MIS Quarterly, Decision Sciences, Decision Support Systems, Health Affairs and various IEEE and ACM Transactions. In 2012, his research contributions were recognized at Arizona State University with a Faculty Excellence Award.
In May 2016, based on a model developed by Vinzé, MasterCard Foundation awarded Arizona State $21.9 million. This interdisciplinary six-year grant focuses on promoting tertiary education in sub-Saharan Africa.
For his research contributions over the years, in 2023, Vinzé was voted into the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University Faculty Hall of Fame.
Education
- Ph.D., Business Administration, Management Information Systems, University of Arizona, 1988
- MBA, Finance, University of Connecticut, 1982
- BComm (Honors), Accounting, SRCC, University of Delhi, 1980
Media Clippings
- January 13, 2025 – Punekar News
Symbiois Organizes “Sym-Emerge 2025,” an International Conference - June 27, 2025 – Business Korea
George Mason University Korea to Foster Global Talent in Entrepreneurship and Innovation - May 15, 2024 - Positive Philter Podcast
The ROI of Kindness (featuring Dr. Ajay Vinze) - March 26, 2024 - SSRN Blog
A Conversation with Dean Vinzé on George Mason’s Business School - January 10, 2024 - AACSB
Positive Impact Through Entrepreneurship Education - September 28, 2023 - Costello College of Business News
New Fairfax City Partnership with George Mason University School of Business to Promote Economic Growth While Affording Student Access to Experiential Learning Opportunities - August 29, 2023 - Costello College of Business News
Shrivastava Family Makes Gift to RISE Program in Support of Refugee and Immigrant Entrepreneurs - June 9, 2023 - Korea JoongAng Daily
Mason Korea offers top-notch business education, business dean says - May 4, 2023 - Washington Business Journal
How George Mason University will spend record $50M gift - May 3, 2023 - Loudoun Times-Mirror
Leesburg resident gives $50 million to George Mason University School of Business - April 28, 2023 - Mason's Access to Excellence Podcast
Podcast - EP 48: Everything is business - December 19, 2022 - AACSB
Responding to the 'Spotify-ization' of Education - September 19, 2022 - Costello College of Business News
Fireside chat with Dean Ajay Vinzé - August 1, 2022 - Washington Business Journal
Five priorities for Ajay Vinzé, George Mason’s new business school dean - July 18, 2022 - InsideNova's The Business Voice magazine
Meet the New Dean of the George Mason University School of Business - June 28, 2022 - Virginia Business
A new outlook: GMU business dean plans lower cost, big impact