Orfalea Vision | Mission | Principles
The vision for the Orfalea College of Business (Orfalea) is to be a transformational leader in experiential business education. We deliver on this vision through an unwavering commitment to our mission: to educate career-ready future business leaders in a polytechnic learn-by-doing environment and produce research that positively influences business and society.
This mission is lived out through our core principles:
Learn-by-Doing
Deliver innovative business education focused on active engagement, reflection and hands-on experience.
Teacher-Scholar Model
Engage in interconnected teaching and research that advances economic, organizational, and technological theory, policy and practice.
Inclusive Excellence
Promote belonging and well-being through mutual respect, critical and independent thought, creating equal opportunities and empowering people to be their authentic selves.
Regeneration
Evaluate and resource academic and professional activities to sustain impact and financial viability.
2025-26 Inclusive Excellence Plan
Orfalea College of Business reaffirms its commitment to inclusive excellence by advancing equity in academic and career outcomes, strengthening belonging across our community and ensuring sustainable, systemic change.
Objective 1
Advance Academic and Career Readiness
Close opportunity gaps in academic planning, graduation, internship access and career success through inclusive curricular innovations and targeted student support.
Key Results:
- Expand enrollment in the Multicultural Business Program (MBP) by 50%, including the launch of a new career-focused BUS 206 section designed for Latinx/e students in alignment with Hispanic- Serving Institution (HSI) priorities.
- Use career outcomes data to inform equity strategies for students historically underrepresented in internships and job placements.
- Launch the Cal Poly Bachelor's Pathway at Hancock in Business Administration degree for Fall 2026 by coordinating academic planning, communications and wraparound student support systems.
- Increase student retention and graduation by integrating MBP, transfer and central peer mentoring efforts into a cohesive unified program.
Objective 2
Promote Student Belonging, Leadership, and Global Engagement
Foster a culture of inclusion and leadership by aligning peer support, student engagement and global experiences.
Key Results:
- Implement a college-wide student event calendar to enhance transparency and coordination among student organizations, Advancement, and Career Readiness—including alumni, donor and employer engagement events.
- Develop and pilot a new BUS 100 module on the ethical and inclusive use of AI tools, preparing students to engage in emerging technologies thoughtfully and responsibly.
- Refine and expand the First Year GO global experience by using pilot data to enhance Spring 2026 offerings, exploring new semester- and year-long destinations, and continuing fundraising to support financial need-based scholarships.
- Support student success during the Quarter-to-Semester (Q2S) transition by launching a 2025–26 Programming Calendar with inclusive advising, communication and peer support.
Objective 3
Advance Faculty and Staff Belonging, Leadership, and Culture
Build a sustainable infrastructure for belonging, recognition, and inclusive leadership.
Key Results:
- Engage mid- to senior-level faculty in shaping an inclusive culture through faculty focus groups and targeted professional development.
- Redesign rewards and recognition systems to align with college values.
- Sustain and refine key culture-building programs for faculty and staff, including Together in Teaching, newcomer onboarding and monthly Coffee & Conversations.
- Continue annual culture and inclusion assessment to track progress and inform future programming.
