FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2009

Psihountas Named Chair of Business Department at Webster University

ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2009 – Webster University’s School of Business & Technology Dean Benjamin Akande announced the appointment of Dr. Debbie Psihountas as chair of the school’s Department of Business.

“Debbie’s experience in academics as well as the world of business makes her an outstanding leader at our school,” Dean Akande said. “Her drive, dedication to our students and to the department are unparalleled.”

Dr. Psihountas joined Webster University in August 2001 as an assistant professor of finance. Since then she has served as the program chair for the Master of Science in Finance degree program, as the head of accounting and finance and is the founding and current advisor for SIFE – Students in Free Enterprise. She plans to use her leadership as chair to enhance even more programs across the world of Webster.

"I'd like to capitalize on the strength of our global programs, while also taking time to incorporate new information into our existing program,” Dr. Psihountas says.  “So much is changing with the global economic situation and other issues of recent years, and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can do to give our graduates the cutting edge in today's turbulent environment."

Dr. Psihountas’ work at Webster includes teaching and advising undergraduate, graduate and online business students at Webster’s campuses in Vienna, Austria; Cha-Am and Bangkok, Thailand; China, St. Louis and Bermuda. Prior to her academic appointment, she worked as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch in Dayton, Ohio and as Director for the Center for Human Resource Development at Raymond Walters College of the University of Cincinnati.

She received her Ph.D. in finance from the University of Cincinnati in 2000. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Quantitative Analysis from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science in International Business, cum laude, from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Dr. Psihountas was recognized as a “YMCA Woman of the Year” in 2007, and as a “Woman of Achievement,” by the Hellenic Spirit Foundation, University of Missouri, St. Louis, in 2008.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. The University’s core values include excellence in teaching, joining theory and practice, small class sizes, and educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.