Franklin University Appoints Dr. Martina Peng as Dean of the Ross College of Business

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Summary
Franklin University has appointed Dr. Martina Peng, CFP®, NSSA®, as Dean of the Ross College of Business. An experienced academic leader with more than 15 years of impact at Franklin, Dr. Peng brings deep expertise in financial planning, workforce-aligned education, and curriculum innovation. Her leadership will advance the Ross College of Business’s focus on career-connected learning, industry relevance, and measurable student outcomes for working adult learners.

Fact Box
•    Name: Dr. Martina Peng, CFP®, NSSA® 
•    Role: Dean, Ross College of Business 
•    Institution: Franklin University 
•    Effective Date: March 2026 
•    Education: Ph.D., The Ohio State University; MBA, State University of New York at Buffalo 
•    Expertise: Financial planning, workforce-aligned education, academic leadership 
•    Industry Engagement: CFP Board Council on Education; National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, Financial Planning Association

Franklin University is proud to share it has appointed Dr. Martina Peng, CFP®, NSSA®, as Dean of the Ross College of Business following a comprehensive national search.

Dr. Peng brings more than 15 years of academic leadership experience at Franklin University, where she has played a central role in advancing curriculum innovation, strengthening accreditation outcomes, and designing student-centered programs aligned to workforce needs. Her appointment reinforces Franklin’s commitment to delivering flexible, career-focused business education designed for working adults and modern learners.

About Dr. Martina Peng
Dr. Martina Peng is a financial planning expert, educator, and academic leader at Franklin University. She holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and an MBA in Finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Since joining Franklin in 2008, she has served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management and Chair of the Department of Business and Management.

In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Peng holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and National Social Security Advisor® (NSSA®) designations. She actively contributes to the profession through service on the Certified Financial Planner Board’s Council on Education and engagement with the Financial Planning Association, strengthening the connection between classroom learning and real-world financial practice.

About the Ross College of Business
The Ross College of Business at Franklin University delivers career-connected, workforce-aligned business education designed for working professionals and adult learners. Programs emphasize practical application, industry relevance, and measurable career outcomes across disciplines such as accounting, finance, management, and leadership.

With a focus on flexibility, transfer-friendly pathways, and employer-aligned curriculum, the Ross College of Business prepares students to advance, pivot, and lead in a rapidly evolving global economy.

How This Appointment Aligns the University with Workforce Alignment
Dr. Peng’s leadership strengthens Franklin’s ability to deliver business education that directly connects academic experience to career advancement.
Her experience includes:

•    Advancing accreditation and academic quality standards 
•    Strengthening workforce-relevant curriculum and program outcomes 
•    Leading faculty development and high-performing academic teams 
•    Expanding experiential learning opportunities, including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Financial Planning Community Project 
•    Securing external support to enhance student career readiness 

Her appointment reflects a broader institutional strategy to align academic programs with workforce demand, ensuring students gain immediately applicable skills that support long-term professional growth.

"I am honored to serve as Dean of the Ross College of Business and to continue building on Franklin University’s strong foundation of career-focused education,” shared Dr. Martina Peng. “Our focus remains on empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to succeed and lead in today’s evolving business environment."
 

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).