The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed Dr. Mink Stavenga as Dean of the GIA School of Business. In his new position, Stavenga will strengthen and build the current business program tailored for the gem and jewelry industry at GIA, where classes can be taken at the Institute’s Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, Calif., or online.

Stavenga comes to GIA with more than 25 years of experience in the academic and business worlds. He most recently served as systemwide dean at the San Diego-based Alliant International University, formerly known as United States International University (USIU). He was responsible for strategic direction and management of the business school and for oversight of all of the university’s international and U.S. campuses.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1957, Stavenga is of Dutch heritage. He moved to Ghana when he was two and lived there until he completed high school.

Stavenga attended the University of Kent at Canterbury, England, where he was one of the first four in the founding class to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1978. He minored in cybernetics.

Stavenga moved to San Diego in 1979 to enter USIU’s international business program. He completed his master’s degree in 1981.

Stavenga went to work the following year as an international financial consultant for Interbeton Overseas in Qatar. He also served as vice president of finance and marketing for Walsh Enterprises in San Diego and as chief financial officer for the Alhamrani Group of Companies in Saudi Arabia.

Stavenga earned his doctor of business administration (D.B.A.) in finance in 1984 and worked as a professor and assistant dean at USIU. In 1989, Stavenga became acting dean.

For more information about the GIA School of Business, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001 or (760) 603-4001, or e-mail: eduinfo@gia.edu.