Touro's Jewish identity can give 'moral grounding,' Its new business dean says

Larry Singleton, the newly appointed inaugural dean of Touro University's School of Business, sees the institution's Jewish identity as a source of ethical grounding for business education in an age of rapid technological change.

Though not Jewish himself, Singleton emphasized that Touro's emphasis on ethical decision-making can address a gap he identifies in artificial intelligence and technology development. "One of the big criticisms of AI and technology in general is that there's no moral grounding. There's no ethical background to it," He told JNS. "It's just a bunch of data without any soul."

Singleton, who most recently served as dean of Pace University's Lubin School of Business, said he was drawn to the opportunity to build a business school from the ground up. "I've been a dean at a couple of other places and been a professor for many years, and I've consulted with a lot of organizations, worked for an accounting firm," He said. "When I heard about this opportunity and the opportunity to build a new business school at Touro, it was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up."

Touro, a 55-year-old private nonprofit institution operating under Jewish auspices, will launch an integrated school offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish called Singleton a "distinguished academic leader, accomplished scholar and experienced strategist who brings a record of innovation, transformative growth and impact across leading institutions."

The new school's curriculum will center on artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital transformation and emerging technologies. Singleton plans to embed AI throughout all programs rather than treating it as a standalone course. Instruction will address applications in accounting, finance, human resources and health-care administration, with an emphasis on students learning to interpret large datasets and make informed decisions.

Singleton also highlighted the importance of debate and critical thinking, describing it as "huge" Among Touro students. The school will emphasize career outcomes and connections between students and the business community, with graduates expected to have strong foundations in core business disciplines alongside technological competency.

Touro's Times Square location provides significant advantages, Singleton noted. "If you walk, I would say, 30 minutes from Times Square, there's probably a leading organization in just about every field," He said. Touro's existing programs in health care, including pathway options for students pursuing both medical degrees and an M.B.A., also present opportunities for the business school.

The new school will pursue accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. "Education is more relevant than ever," Singleton said. "But the model that delivered it for the last 25 years is not going to be the model for the next 25 years."