Catalina Tejero Appointed Dean of IE School of Humanities

Catalina Tejero has been appointed Dean of the IE School of Humanities. With a wealth of experience in both academic and corporate environments, Tejero will focus on developing the recently launched School and building on its intellectual footprint at the intersection of humanistic disciplines, social sciences, and technology. 

IE School of Humanities aims to reassert the importance of disciplines such as History, Art, and Philosophy in the contemporary world. These fields provide essential knowledge that enables critical and creative thinkers to address current societal debates and challenges. The School will pursue a twofold mission of infusing the humanistic perspectives across all IE University programs while also developing its own portfolio. Additionally, the School will oversee other initiatives, including the IE Archaeology Center, the IE Language Center, and the UNESCO Chair on AI Ethics and Governance.

Catalina Tejero joined IE University in 2014, where she has held a variety of positions. She currently serves as Vice Dean of the IE School of Humanities and is also an adjunct faculty member. She will succeed Manuel Muñiz, the Provost of IE University, who among other roles, has been leading the unit since its inception as the Arts of Humanities Division in 2019. 

“We are delighted to announce today that Catalina will be taking on the role of Dean of this pivotal school at IE. She has, over the past five years, worked tirelessly as the School’s vice dean and has been behind the launch of strategic initiatives such as the Bachelor in Humanities and the Dual Bachelor in Business Administration and Humanities,” said Santiago Iñiguez, President of IE University. “I would like to thank everyone that has allowed us to reach this important milestone for the University. In particular, I’d like  to thank Provost Manuel Muñiz for his leadership and stewardship of this project, which has matured into the School it is today, and to also thank Professor Maria Jose Ferrari, the School’s academic Vice Dean, who has been a pivotal piece in the design and implementation of the School’s teaching and research strategy”

“Our world faces unprecedented challenges and complexities, largely stemming from exponential technological advancement, and it is through the lens of the humanities that we can seek understanding, creativity, and guidance. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this mission. Thank you to our researchers, faculty members, and colleagues who are part of this journey, your commitment and excellence are the bedrock of our collective success. Thank you to IE University for continuously being at the forefront of education, fostering a culture where innovation and tradition thrive together,” Catalina Tejero explained. 

Tejero continued, “As Dean, I look forward to working alongside my fellow IE University Deans in order to build on the academic excellence in the traditional humanistic fields while ensuring that our knowledge generation and teaching transcend the boundaries of conventional academic disciplines. Our pedagogical methodologies and multidisciplinary approaches will provide an educational experience that prepares students to excel across a wide range of industries and fields. In the 4^th Industrial Revolution, profiles with strong critical and creative thinking skills are in high demand.”

Catalina Tejero is currently researching family firm philanthropy and art patronage. The research aims to gain an understanding of the interaction between philanthropic engagement and business owning family’s organizational identity. The understanding of the motivations, mechanisms, and impact of this type of societal engagement is strategic for ensuring the longevity and financial sustainability of numerous cultural establishments.

Tejero possesses a Juris Doctor (Law) degree and a Diploma in International Relations from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE), as well as an MBA and a Master's degree in Research Methodology from IE University. She is currently in the final stages of her doctoral studies at IE University. In addition, she serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the Ethosfera Foundation and as a jury member for the IE Foundation Prizes in the Humanities.