New Dean of CSU Sacramento State’s College of Business and Administration Brings Wealth of Experience

The new dean of CSU Sacramento State’s College of Business Administration (CSUS CBA), Dr. William Cordeiro, plans to work collaboratively with the regional business community and represent the voice of his students as CSUS CBA develops the future business leaders of the Capital Region.

Since its inception in 1947 Sacramento State’s College of Business Administration has been recognized as one of the top programs in the region for preparing business leaders. The College’s mission states that it “develops engaged, responsible, and inclusive leaders who enrich our communities.” Dean Cordeiro aims to build on this mission by developing lifelong learners that are prepared to enter the business world with strong critical thinking skills. These principles inspired the new slogan that he is bringing to CSUS CBA, which is “Be the Best.”

“I want our students to be the best in all facets of life. Whether it is in academia, their communities, or in business. Our students will have the tools to be the best at whatever they choose to do,” stated Dean Cordeiro.

His liberal arts approach to business management education comes from the years he spent studying under world-renowned leader in business management, Peter Drucker. Dean Cordeiro obtained both his PHD in Executive Management and Masters in Management while studying under Drucker at The Claremont School of Management. Drucker’s 3 C’s (Critical thinking, Communication and Collaboration) guide Cordeiro’s educational philosophy to this day.

“The technological tools which companies use will always change, so the best way we can prepare our students is by reinforcing strong critical thinking skills through writing and reading comprehension,” said Dean Cordeiro.

Dean Cordeiro comes from CSU Channel Islands, where he and 12 other professors launched an entire University from the ground up. He described this experience as a “job of a lifetime” that taught him the value of the CSU mission. As dean of the Smith School of Business and Economics at CSU Channel Islands helped raise more than $9 million from private donors to support the new CSU’s business and economics programs.

Prior to academia Dean Cordeiro worked in the private sector as president for natural resources firm Veta Grande Cos. and manager of planning and strategic studies for ARCO Transportation Co. His experiences in both academia and the private sector have made him a believer in public-private partnerships as a tool for economic development, and he looks forward to exploring partnerships with regional municipalities.

Dean Cordeiro is excited by the energy on the CSUS campus and the warm welcome he has received from the community. He is intrigued by exploring areas of growth for the CBA, like the new CSUS downtown campus. Additionally, he looks forward to serving on the Metro Chamber Board of Directors and collaborating with community leaders to better understand the needs of business in the region so we can all “Be the Best.”