Craig School of Business
We are The Craig School of Business
The Craig School of Business has come a long way since 1928 when it was established as the Department of Commerce. Today, the Craig School is proud to be recognized for its excellence, taking pride in offering students a wide array of transformative educational and networking opportunities. We are recognized for offering a high-quality, cost-effective education.
The Craig School of Business is the first CSU business school to receive a naming endowment, a $10 million pledge from Sid and Jenny Craig. Sid Craig, an alumnus of the business school, was a successful entrepreneur, even as a student. Endowments elevate the business program to new heights, with four endowed chairs, scholarships for incoming and continuing students, an Honors Program and financial support for faculty research. Empowering future business leaders, the Craig School of Business helps young professionals embark on successful careers and provides opportunities for alumni to stay connected to their alma mater.
Mission
The Craig School of Business educates and inspires a diverse student body and supports sustainable, inclusive economic development in Central California and beyond.
Vision
To lead in transformative business education that elevates societal well-being.
Values
I = Inclusive community
L = Leadership with integrity
E = Equity and justice
A = Applied experiences
D = Diversity of perspectives
Strategic Priorities
Initiative 1: Focus on quantitative reasoning, communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making (including sustainability considerations), and use of business analytic software.
Action Items:
- Prioritize frequent and robust Assurance of Learning discussion among all faculty such that teaching and learning outcomes are consistently integrated and aligned in the areas of quantitative reasoning, teamwork, verbal and written communication, and ethical decision-making.
- Provide opportunities to practice skills in applied learning experiences, including applied projects, international programs, service-learning, and on-campus professional associations.
- Increase students' awareness of ethical issues and sustainability, particularly with respect to making decisions. Strengthen ethics and sustainability curricula across departments.
- Significantly increase students' competencies with currently used business analysis software in general but specifically with Excel as it is a fundamental, widely used tool.
Initiative 2: Enhance faculty quality in alignment with mission and AACSB standards.
Action Items:
- Emphasize instructor effectiveness and high-quality, inclusive classroom learning environments in face-to-face courses, hybrid courses, and online courses.
- Support faculty intellectual contributions and professional development activities (including conference and peer-reviewed journal support).
- Recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff.
- Foster intellectual impact of faculty research contributions.
Initiative 3: Enhance student access to and use of technology in and out of the classroom. Enhance the quality and appearance of classrooms, labs, and collaboration spaces for students.
Action Items:
- Consistent with pedagogical demands, sustainably improve interior and exterior quality and appearance of classrooms, labs, and collaboration spaces.
- Increase student access to technology (devices and wireless) and maintain currency of desktop/laptop computers and relevant audiovisual equipment in each classroom and lab facility.
Initiative 1: Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion that is reflective of the communities we serve.
Action Items:
- Develop recruiting materials and engage in outreach with service-area high schools, community colleges, current students and broader community to better align CSB programs with community and campus demographics and enhance enrollment.
- Engage in efforts to improve graduate rates and reduce achievement gaps in line with the 2025 graduation initiative established by the Chancellor's Office.
Initiative 2: Inspire a diverse student body through contact with professionals and pursuit of further education.
Action Items:
- Host events with diverse business professionals to inspire students and professionals to network.
- Promote certification and graduate education to inspire students to deepen and extend their career potential.
Initiative 1: Strengthen our role as a community resource fostering economic well-being in Central California and beyond.
Action Items:
- Increase community engagement and sustainability with both businesses and nonprofits through faculty and staff using their Fresno State affiliation.
- Maintain engagement and service to the business community through our various centers, institutes, and outreach efforts.
- Foster and increase students' engagement with local businesses and nonprofits.
- Engage in meaningful societal impact activities, which positively influence society—at local, regional, national, or international levels aligned with the community we serve.
- Sustain and enhance non-State continuing education offerings including Executive MBA, certificates, and workshops.
Accreditation
The Craig School of Business was the third public institution in California to be nationally accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the elite accrediting agency for schools of business.This is the highest level of accreditation a school of business can achieve, with fewer than 5% of business schools receiving this designation worldwide. All of our business programs are accredited.
Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to over 1,900 member organizations and more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide. AACSB's accreditation processes are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Fresno State is reviewed and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Please see the Assessment of Learning site for information on our most current review.
The Craig School of Business is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which is a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007. As a platform to raise the profile of sustainability in schools around the world, PRME equips today's business and economics students with the understanding and ability to deliver change tomorrow.
Working through Six Principles, PRME engages business and management schools to ensure they provide future leaders with the skills needed to balance economic and sustainability goals, while drawing attention to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning academic institutions with the work of the UN Global Compact.
As a voluntary initiative with over 800 signatories worldwide, PRME has become the largest organized relationship between the United Nations and management-related higher education institutions.