Dr. Ashlee Rzyczycki serves as Interim Dean of the Gus Machado College of Business at St. Thomas University, bringing a strong record of academic leadership, entrepreneurial program development, industry partnership building, and student-centered innovation. She holds a Ph.D. in Ethical Leadership from St. Thomas University, a Master of Arts in Clothing, Textiles and Interiors from the University of Akron, and a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Business Administration from Mercyhurst University.
With approximately 15 years of experience in higher education, academic leadership, program development, and community-engaged education, Dr. Rzyczycki has held academic and educational roles at St. Thomas University, Mercyhurst University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Kentucky.
At STU, Dr. Rzyczycki founded and expanded the Fashion Merchandising and Design program, contributing to the creation of more than 30 new courses and driving substantial enrollment growth. She secured donor support to launch the Fashion Retail Innovation Studio, a curriculum-embedded, student-run retail laboratory that connects academic learning with real-world business practice. She has also cultivated meaningful industry partnerships with organizations including Perry Ellis International, Starboard Cruise Services, Mana Fashion Services, LVMH, and other leading fashion, retail, and business partners.
Dr. Rzyczycki has led interdisciplinary initiatives across Fashion, Culinary, Hospitality, Philanthropy, and Marketing, including the annual Fashion and Food Showcase, which has engaged hundreds of attendees and generated scholarship support for students. Her students have earned national recognition through the National Retail Federation and the Fashion Scholarship Fund, reflecting her commitment to mentorship, experiential learning, and career readiness.
From 2023 to 2025, Dr. Rzyczycki served as Faculty Senate Chair, where she helped lead university-level initiatives related to faculty governance, academic assessment, advising resources, evaluation processes, and faculty excellence. Prior to her academic leadership, she held business and strategy roles in healthcare and corporate settings, where she managed client relationships, developed revenue-generating programs, supervised teams, and supported organizational growth.
As Interim Dean, Dr. Rzyczycki is committed to advancing the Gus Machado College of Business through ethical leadership, academic excellence, strategic partnerships, enrollment growth, and student success.