Craig Dunn appointed to two-year term as CBE dean

Craig Dunn has been appointed to serve for a two-year fixed term as dean of the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University, Provost Brent Carbajal announced today.

“Dr. Craig Dunn has served the College of Business and Economics as interim Dean for the past year and has demonstrated excellent administrative acumen and strategic vision.  After consultation with the College, I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Dunn has agreed to continue to serve in a leadership capacity, now as Dean, on a two-year appointment,” Carbajal said. “Dr. Dunn is well prepared and situated to lead the college at this important time and in preparation for a national dean search planned for academic year 2015-16.  We have in Dr. Dunn a wonderful advocate for the College and a strongly collaborative university leader.”

Prior to serving as interim Dean, Dunn was associate dean/director of graduate programs at CBE.

“Never one to have professional aspirations for an administrative post, I have been surprised to have found it extremely gratifying to serve as interim Dean of CBE this past academic year,” Dunn said. “The commitment to shared governance that currently permeates both the University as well as the College has rather easily translated into collaborative efforts that ultimately benefit Western students as well as the communities we all serve. Add to this the benefits associated with solid community partnerships – particularly those with alums who continue to be delighted with their educational experience while at Western – and I am left to happily abandon the term ‘interim’ and serve as Dean of CBE for an additional two years."

Dunn, who began at Western in 2005, has an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield and a doctorate in Business Policy/Strategy from Indiana University.  He also is an associate professor at Western and an associate professor emeritus of San Diego State University, in both instances specializing in business and society issues. His research interests include managerial ethics and values, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, the meaning of work, and social entrepreneurship.

He has also taught at San Diego State University, Rice University, Indiana University, and California State University, Bakersfield.

He is active in the International Association for Business and Society – publisher of the journal Business & Society – serving on the Board of Fellows as well as past president. Dunn is active with many civic and other organizations, most notably serving on the Board of Directors of Lydia Place, a nonprofit, community-based agency serving homeless families. Dunn is widely published and he has received numerous awards for teaching and scholarship.