Craig Dunn named interim dean at WWU’s College of Business and Economics

Craig Dunn has been appointed to serve as interim dean of the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University, Provost Brent Carbajal announced today.

“Craig Dunn is an experienced leader, well respected across campus as a teacher, scholar, and administrator. I look forward to working with him as he takes on new responsibilities in the College of Business and Economics, and I appreciate his willingness to serve as interim dean,” Carbajal said.

On Sept. 30, Brian Burton, current dean of CBE, will begin duties in a new position at Western, as associate vice president for Academic Affairs. Dunn will serve as interim CBE dean as a national search takes place for a permanent dean.

“I am very pleased that Craig has agreed to serve in this important role. I know he will keep the College moving forward and be able to provide a new permanent dean with a solid foundation for success. Craig also has the knowledge and experience to serve the College well at the university level,” Burton said.

Dunn is now associate dean/director of graduate programs at CBE.

“As is true of the university in general, the College is on a solid footing in great part due to the creative efforts of administrators, faculty and staff to preserve Western’s core. I am most enthusiastic about moving forward several initiatives that are currently in development within CBE – each of which spans disciplinary boundaries and serves unmet community needs, all while being funded by sustainable market-based revenue streams,” Dunn said.

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.