John L. DeMelis Named Dean of Iona University’s LaPenta School of Business

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Iona University is pleased to announce the appointment of John L. DeMelis, MBA, CPA, as dean of the LaPenta School of Business, effective January 13, 2025. DeMelis has served as interim dean since July 1, 2023, and brings extensive experience in both academia and professional accounting to his role.

Throughout his 32-year career at Ernst & Young, DeMelis held various leadership positions, most notably as partner in the firm’s professional practice group. He was also instrumental in shaping the firm’s learning and development programs, ensuring the professional growth of auditors across the Americas region.

“John’s leadership has already made a significant impact at Iona, and his dedication to student success and academic excellence will continue to strengthen the LaPenta School of Business,” said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D.

The appointment comes as Iona continues to grow enrollment and gain recognition in prestigious national rankings.

Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of the top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranks an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment.

Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024,” and U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate business.

A Commitment to Academic Excellence

DeMelis previously taught auditing as an adjunct professor at Fairfield University and joined Iona’s LaPenta School of Business in 2020, where he served as a senior clinical lecturer in accounting. His courses, ranging from financial and managerial accounting to auditing, have had a lasting impact on students.

Over the last two years, DeMelis successfully worked with faculty to develop innovative curriculum. He also deepened student engagement with alumni and corporate partners to identify and secure internship and career opportunities for Iona students.

Additionally, DeMelis has played an integral role in shaping the future of Iona’s business programs, contributing to the school’s Curriculum Management Committee and supporting accreditation processes. His commitment to academic quality is further reflected in his role as an AACSB peer review volunteer outside of the University.

“I am excited to continue leading the LaPenta School of Business,” said DeMelis. “It is an honor to collaborate with our talented faculty and staff to create opportunities for our students to excel in an ever-changing business environment.”

DeMelis earned his bachelor of science in business economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta and his MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is a certified public accountant in New York and resides in Redding, Conn., with his wife, Claudia.

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master’s-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona’s 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a  fully online MBA program  for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.

Learn more about the LaPenta School of Business here.