School of Business Administration

Dean: Steven Elias
Email: selias@fortlewis.edu
Associate Dean: Elaine Labach
Email: labach_e@fortlewis.edu
Advising Coordinator: Elaine Labach, Associate Dean
Email: labach_e@fortlewis.edu

Professors: Richard Gore, Eric Huggins, Douglas Lyon, Frederick Mull, Stephanie Owings, Robert Sonora, and Deborah Walker
Associate Professors: Paul Clay, Theresa Hilliard, Mika Kusar, Elaine Labach, Kaori Takano, Michael Valdez, and Simon Walls
Assistant Professors: Tomasz Miaskiewicz, Lorraine Taylor, and Kristin Watson
Senior Lecturers: John Gadbois, Chris Lyon, and Charles Yoos, II

School of Business Administration Mission:

In support of the Fort Lewis College mission, the mission of the School of Business Administration is to provide an accessible, high quality, baccalaureate business education grounded in a liberal arts foundation and offered in a student-learning focused environment.

School of Business Administration Philosophy:

Personal learning

We believe that the learning experience is enhanced when classes are offered in smaller, more personal settings and taught directly by highly qualified faculty. Student growth is enhanced when students have the opportunity to participate more fully in their education and interact with other students and faculty in close learning communities.

Impactful, diverse learning experiences

We believe that rich, diverse learning experiences are instrumental to students’ intellectual, professional, and personal growth. In fulfilling our commitment to develop the whole person, we are committed to providing a curriculum diverse in experiential and applied learning activities. We also demonstrate this commitment by providing opportunities for international and community-based learning experiences.

Quality and innovation

We believe that a balance of quality assurance, continuous improvement, and innovation is vital to our ability to successfully carry out our mission and adapt to the ever changing needs of our students and community. We are committed to planned, thoughtful quality assurance and continuous improvement in accordance with AACSB processes and standards, but not at the expense of creative experimentation and entrepreneurial pursuits. Our commitment to quality assurance is demonstrated by our rigorous and thorough assessment process.

Engaged teacher scholars

We believe that excellent teaching is informed by faculty actively engaged in research, scholarship, and professional pursuits. Our faculty produce research published in peer reviewed journals and other recognized outlets for intellectual contribution that advance the scholarship of teaching, business practice and disciplinary knowledge. In addition, our faculty engages with our external stakeholders - the Durango and Four Corners business community, local and state economic growth organizations, our alumni, and Native Americans with whom Fort Lewis College has an historical connection.

Impact

We believe that the activities our students and our faculty perform should have a positive impact on the stakeholders we serve. Through their diverse expertise and competencies, our faculty and students make a positive difference in our local and state communities by engaging with organizations to advance their practice and prepare new business leaders; in their respective disciplines by producing intellectual contributions concerning business theory and practice; and in business and economic education through pedagogical intellectual contributions.

Learning Outcomes:

The School of Business Administration degree programs are designed to provide a balanced combination of the arts and sciences and professional business education. The learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Arts degree programs offered by the School of Business Administration can be found under Accounting , Business Administration , Economics , and Marketing .

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) Accreditation:

Fort Lewis College is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). The School of Business Administration’s degree programs in Accounting , Business Administration , Economics , and Marketing are included in the scope of accreditation. AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review process that ensures faculty scholarship to advance or apply management knowledge, sufficient resources to support a vibrant and relevant mission, high-caliber teaching and current curricula, graduates that have achieved specified learning outcomes, and meaningful interaction between students and faculty.

The American Indian Business Leaders, the Beta Alpha Psi honor organization for financial information students, the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Student Honorary Society, Junior Terms Abroad, faculty-led study abroad programs, community-based learning and research internships, and class projects are examples of clubs and programs that promote such interactions.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits:

It is recommended that students planning to transfer into the Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration do so by the end of their sophomore year.

Students taking their first two years of study at a junior or community college or at another four-year institution are recommended to take at their institution only those business courses that are taught at the freshman or sophomore (100/200) level at Fort Lewis College. Business courses with an upper division level (300/400) at Fort Lewis College must be taken at Fort Lewis College or at an accredited institution that also offers the courses at the upper division level.

Study Abroad Opportunities:

The Junior Term Abroad (JTA) program offers students the opportunity to take Fort Lewis College courses taught by Fort Lewis College faculty members at a foreign location. To keep students on track for graduation, course offerings include core business courses and business electives.

Costs of this program are kept low through the use of Fort Lewis College faculty and the minimal cost of facilities at partner institutions. Details for any given Junior Term Abroad program regarding location, cost, climate, travel arrangements, etc., may be obtained from the Junior Term Abroad program faculty. Currently the Junior Term Abroad programs are planned for Regensburg, Germany and Jönköping, Sweden.

The Curricula:

The curricula offered by the School of Business Administration leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in:

Accounting Major

Business Administration Major

Economics Major

Marketing Major

Students may elect to double major by completing all requirements of two majors with a minimum of 27 discrete hours in each major.

These majors provide excellent education in business within the broad context of a liberal arts curriculum. The degree programs are designed to meet the needs of students wishing to continue their education in graduate school or to work in their chosen professional area.

Specific requirements are listed on the appropriate pages under each major.

The School of Business Administration degree programs are very structured. Certain courses in the Liberal Arts Core are prerequisites for the School of Business Administration required 200-level courses. Many of the 200-level courses are prerequisites for the 300 and 400-level courses in the majors and the concentrations within the majors. Failure to take the courses in the proper sequence may result in substantial delay in graduation.

It is the responsibility of the student to know and complete all graduation requirements.