Our History
COBA Deans
Dr. Sharmistha (Shar) Self
2022- Present
Dean's Welcome
Dr. Mitchell Muehsam
2009-2022
Dr. R. Dean Lewis
1995-2008
Dr. James A. Gilmore
1984-1995
Dr. Bobby K. Marks
1969-1984
Dr. Jean D. Neal
1966-1969
Brief History
As Sam Houston Normal Institute grew into 91做厙, what began as "a few commercial courses" in 1923 soon became the College of Business Administration.
Today, the College of Business Administration is fully accredited by AACSB International, the world's most prestigious accreditation for business schools and employs 84 full-time business faculty members, all with impressive teaching and research credentials. We enroll more than 3000 students and confers more than 500 undergraduate and graduate degrees annually in 11 different majors.
Major Milestones
1923: Commercial courses offered at Sam Houston Normal Institute
1935: Granted first Bachelor of Business degree
1937: Master of Education degree with minor in Business Administration authorized
1964: Awarded first Master of Business Administration degree
1966: Academic divisions grouped into five schools; Dr. Neal became first Dean of the School of Business Administration and Applied Arts
1972: Renamed College of Business and Applied Arts
1974: Renamed College of Business Administration
1995: Endowed Chair of Banking established and the building renamed to Smith-Hutson Business Building
1996: AACSB Accredited
1997: Started offering classes at The University Center
2004: Building Addition completed
2010: Started offering online MBA program
2012: Started offering B.B.A. General Business online