First Woman Dean of COBA

Kolkata (Calcutta) is regarded as India’s intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. So, it’s not surprising that growing up there, Sharmistha (Shar) Self dreamt of being an artist. Self believed that this path would eventually lead to a fulfilled life — one that aligned with the traditional role of women in her native country.

”But the universe had other plans for me,” she said.

In the 10th grade, all Indian students must take the highly competitive National Talent Search Examination (NTSE). Self ranked among the top 100 scholars on the exam, considered the most venerated in the country. Her father, an accountant, recognized her intellect and wanted his daughter to be able to support herself despite deeply entrenched gender roles in Indian culture. He encouraged her to study accounting, but, after one class, Self did not wish to pursue that field. So, her father suggested something he considered much harder: economics.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Although not Self’s preferred field of study in fine arts, she’s glad she heeded her father’s advice. Self developed a passion for economics — and with an academic scholarship in hand, she traveled to Southern Illinois University to pursue a PhD. Some 8,200 miles away from family, fears of isolation in a foreign country left her focused on returning home after completing her degree.

“I was terrified to come here because I did not know a soul in this country. My family and I were literally worlds apart and in completely different time zones,” she admitted.

Self also faced what she calls a “laundry list” of obstacles. As an international student, she didn’t qualify for student loans and couldn’t work, making academic and personal responsibilities more demanding. Juggling doctoral studies as a single mother was challenging, but she persevered.

“I cannot tell you how many times I have taken a child with me to work because the daycare won’t take them if they’re sick,” Self said.

In 2002, Self earned her PhD in economics, specializing in international economic development. She researched issues that impacted developing countries like her homeland: healthcare, education, gender and agriculture.

“I love doing research and I love teaching, so I thought, okay that’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to be a professor and I have achieved my dream,” Self said. She taught for more than a decade before serving as both Head of the Department of Economics and Head of the Department of Finance at the University of Northern Iowa. There, she thrived in a leadership role.

“I’m grateful for the support of my husband and my children, who have encouraged and supported me through their childhood, youth, college and adult lives,” she said.

Then, in 2022, Self became the first female dean of the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University.

Sam Houston State resonated with my own life and values. I just knew this is where I belong.

As COBA’s leader, Self is bursting with ideas. She has already impacted the college by introducing new academic centers, fostering student-faculty connections and offering micro-credentials and interdisciplinary programs geared toward student success in business. This fall, she also returned to the classroom to motivate and support students, particularly those facing challenges as first-generation students, working mothers or non-native English speakers.

“Nothing compares to the energy in the classroom,” she said.

Looking to the future, Self is focused on student success and serving as a role model.

“I want to help all students, but even if I can only help one student, I’ve done a lot,” she said.

She wants her students to view Sam Houston State as a place of lifelong learning, and despite where they come from, their home away from home.