CONTACT: Aaron Hoskins
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Phone (619) 594-1119
ahoskins@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, February 23, 2005 – San Diego State University’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) has named Mark Ballam, formerly the associate director of CIBER at the Georgia Institute of Technology, as its new managing director. He began his duties this month.

“This is a very important time for our International Business program,” said Gail Naughton, dean of the College of Business Administration. “Mark’s expertise is necessary to keep our program in the Top 10 national rankings. His leadership, combined with our outstanding faculty and staff, will help take our program to the next level.”

The CIBER program supports SDSU’s undergraduate International Business major. The major, offered jointly by the College of Arts & Letters and the College of Business Administration and chaired by Steven Sacco, has risen to an all-time high ranking of seventh in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2005” list of international business majors, up from 11th last year. With more than 700 students, the program is widely recognized for offering the first transnational, triple-degree programs in the country (one with universities in Mexico and Canada, the other with universities in Mexico and Chile). The Institute for International Education also has honored the program as the best study abroad program in the country – in any area of study.

“Mark Ballam has considerable experience and knowledge in developing and managing international business education. In particular, his experience at Georgia Tech will be a valuable asset for our own CIBER and International Business Program at SDSU,” said Paul Wong, dean of SDSU’s College of Arts & Letters.

Ballam has worked for Georgia Tech’s CIBER since 1996. He was responsible for managing its federal grant budget and was directly responsible for planning and implementing the center’s detailed strategic vision. CIBERs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education to support business schools with curriculum development, research, and training on issues of importance to United States trade and competitiveness.

“I'm extremely impressed with SDSU's commitment to the CIBER program and the university's international business program overall,” Ballam said. “I've seen how important it is to educate the business community, as well as students and faculty about the global economy. I look forward to building on SDSU's hard-earned accomplishments by working across disciplines to further integrate global learning into the curriculum while growing SDSU CIBER's outreach to the business community.”

Partial funding to support Ballam’s hire is being provided by the SDSU President’s Leadership Fund (PLF). The PLF provides one-time monies for strategic initiatives and programs that enhance university excellence.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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