Photo Contributed by Vlad Vaiman

“I believe in research that has some impact,” Vlad Vaiman said. “That’s why I keep this bridge not only between my classroom and my research, but also between my research and organizations and public agencies in our county, our state, nationally and internationally.”

Vlad Vaiman, professor and associate dean of the School of Management at California Lutheran University, was recognized with the 2025-26 Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair Award in Business and Economics, the highest honor offered by the Fulbright Foundation to U.S. scholars. Vaiman is the first School of Management faculty member to ever receive the award. 

“This is a big, big deal,” President John Nunes said. “California Lutheran University has indescribable opportunities because of the successes of people like Dr. Vaiman to tell its story in more energetic and bold ways.”

According to the Fulbright Finland Foundation, the award “provides U.S. scholars with the opportunity to guest lecture and conduct research at Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki, Finland.”

Vaiman will spend four months total conducting research abroad in November and December, and again next semester in March and April, per Cal Lutheran News.

Nunes said Vaiman’s honor places Cal Lutheran as a school that “excels on par” with major research institutions such as the University of Oxford and Harvard University. 

Vaiman said his Fulbright research “investigates how organizations can manage human talent in environments where artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated.”

According to Vaiman, the studies analyze the impacts AI has on power relationships, employee well-being, team dynamics and patterns of task distribution. Vaiman said the goal is to emphasize the positive impacts of prioritizing humans in the workplace by using AI to “augment” rather than “replace” humans.

Vaiman said it’s important for him to research topics that can be effectively transitioned into real-world application and used by global organizations and agencies. 

“I believe in research that has some impact,” Vaiman said. “That’s why I keep this bridge not only between my classroom and my research, but also between my research and organizations and public agencies in our county, our state, nationally and internationally.”

Vaiman said his motivation comes from passion for the field of management and his dedication to help his students.  

“Perhaps it’s a passion for what I do, for the area of talent management, because it transcends industries and countries,” Vaiman said. “Passion for the topic, passion for education, passion for my students. These things keep me going.” 

Nunes said the award helps validate and honor Vaiman’s research, as well as highlight what Cal Lutheran’s students and staff are capable of.  

“It’s a reflection on Vlad. Of course it is,” Nunes said. “But it’s also a reflection on California Lutheran University. When someone wins an award, it’s not only a person that wins an award, but it’s a whole institution that wins an award.”

Gerhard Apfelthaler, professor and dean of the School of Management, has been working with Vaiman for over 20 years. Apfelthaler said the award represents an extreme level of “excellence.” 

“For Vlad’s research there is never a ‘so-what’ question,” Apfelthaler said. “He bridges academic research with practical application. He’s one of the most rounded people in academia that I’ve ever met.”

Apfelthaer said when he and Vaiman attend global academic conferences, he’s reminded about how much respect there is among the academic community for Vaiman. 

“If you see him at that conference and you see how colleagues from around the world know him, know of him, and appreciate his work — it’s always a moment that stands out for me,” Apfelthaler said. “He’s not only accepted in the small pond that is Cal Lutheran, but in the big ocean that is global management education.” 

Vaiman said when people come to him asking for career advice he always tells them to find their passion and to “network, network, network.”

“People across campus come to me for advice,” Vaiman said. “I always ask them, before I give you any advice, tell me what you want to do — what are you passionate about? What are your aspirations?” 

Nunes said Vaiman is the “epitome of what matters” at Cal Lutheran and the institution’s overall “charism.”

“He reflects the character of this university — the ability to think deeply, to teach boldly and to hand on that knowledge to others,” Nunes said.