The School of Business Administration works as a team to create student-focused learning experiences that prepare graduates for a dynamic global environment.
At Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration (SOBA), you will find an outstanding faculty, engaged students, and dedicated staff working as a team to create student-focused learning experiences in small, interactive class settings. The programs of study, along with hands-on business planning, research, and consulting projects, are designed to prepare graduates for a dynamic global environment. In 1974, our school was the first undergraduate public liberal arts-based business unit to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. This credible recognition of quality continues for the accounting, business administration, and economics programs today. The computer science information systems program joined the SOBA team in 2004 to expand our coverage into the high-demand fields of computer and information systems technology.
The School of Business Administration plays a critical role in the liberal arts education, and in particular, the leadership development of our students. We have a wide array of co-curricular opportunities such as our peer mentor program where upperclassmen volunteer to mentor first-year students to get them engaged in the academic and social structure of SOBA. We have a very active chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honor society; an award-winning chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honor society; a unique organization for our Native American students - the American Indian Business Leaders club; and the Business Club which is open to all business majors.
The School of Business Administration also plays a significant role in the economic development of the Four Corners region. In addition to course-based student business assistance and service learning programs, we are home to a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Office of Economic Analysis and Business Research (OEABR), and the Colorado Center for Tourism Research (CCTR). Our SBDC has been recognized nationally as an SBDC Network 2004 State Star in recognition of truly outstanding client assistance to start-up businesses. The OEABR takes on a variety of feasibility and impact studies helpful to community organizations, publishes the Four Corners Economics Quarterly to report on and analyze the area economy, and co-sponsors the Annual Southwest Business Forum. The CCTR conducts focused research on tourism issues of specific interest to residents, businesses, and governmental agencies in the Four Corners region.
In our economic development role, we enjoy wonderful corporate and community partnerships. For example, Wells Fargo Bank of Durango and Ignacio co-sponsors and funds the Southwest Business Forum; the 1st National Bank of Durango sponsors and funds our Entrepreneurship Program; and the Durango Herald which publishes articles from the Four Corners Economic Quarterly in their Business and Techology section.