Whitman’s Johan Wiklund Named Distinguished Professor at Syracuse University
Johan Wiklund has been named Distinguished Professor at Syracuse University, a prestigious distinction that is given to only a select number of scholars whose extraordinary achievements and accomplishments have greatly impacted their field on a national and international level.
The selection process involved a nomination and external peer reviews, including those of international colleagues who determined that Wiklund has contributed the highest level of scholarship and significant contributions to the field of entrepreneurship. His merit is further illustrated by extraordinary and creative compliments in teaching, mentoring of doctoral students and service to the academic community. The Syracuse University board of trustees approved Wiklund’s appointment in April, according to Lois Agnew, interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.
“Being named as a distinguished professor at Syracuse University is a very big deal and a rarity, as only those who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and accomplishments in their field are given this esteemed title,” says Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “We are very proud to have Johan as part of our faculty— it is a major signal to the world about the quality of entrepreneurship work at Whitman.”
With a Ph.D. in entrepreneurship from the Jönköping International Business School in Sweden, Wiklund joined the Whitman School’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) in 2008. Today, he is the AI Berg chair and professor of entrepreneurship. He was the first to test the notion that attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and bipolar conditions may be an asset to entrepreneurs. And Wiklund is considered a leading authority in his field with over 100 articles published in leading journals and more than 60,000 citations to his research, as well as numerous international awards and honors. In addition, he is known as a prolific advisor of Ph.D. students and received the mentor award from the Academy of Management’s Entrepreneurship Division Mentor Award to recognize his outstanding work in this area.
Of his many other accomplishments, Wiklund was hired as editor-and-chief of Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (ETP), one of the most influential scholarly journals in the world dedicated to entrepreneurship research. His work positioning it as the leading entrepreneurship journal among entrepreneurship and management scholars resulted in ETP receiving a 4* rating on the 2024 Association of Business School’s (ABS) list published by the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
“I can’t think of a more deserving member of the research faculty for this university-level recognition,” says Michel Benaroch, associate dean for research and Ph.D. programs. “Since joining Syracuse University, Johan has gone from height to height. From early recognition of his research productivity and excellence in mentoring doctoral students by his primary field of study, through multiple recognitions of his significant research impacted by the broad academic business community to a recognition of leading one of the very top academic journals in business, Johan has fully committed to enhancing the research reputation of the Whitman School of Management and the University.”
According to Professor Maria Minniti, L.A. Bantle Chair of Public Policy, chair of the Department of EEE and the director of the Institute for an Entrepreneurial Society (IES), “Professor Wiklund has distinguished himself not only for his highly cited research but also for his service to the scholarly profession, such as editing a leading scholarly journal and teaching and mentoring students. He has done us proud, and we are all pleased that he is receiving this well-deserved honor.”
Wiklund is grateful to receive this pinnacle of formal recognition at Syracuse University. “I am very happy to receive the title of distinguished professor. I moved to this country from Sweden to pursue a career at Whitman, and I stayed loyal and have really enjoyed it,” says Wiklund. “Certainly, there is always more work to be done, but it is special to know that your work and commitment have been noticed and valued. It’s as far as one can hope to reach, and now I have done that. Thank you to all those who have supported me and my work at the Whitman School over the years.”