Orfalea College of Business

Welcome to the Orfalea College of Business. One of seven academic colleges at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the OCOB is recognized as a leading business school in the West. With robust programs designed for a constantly changing global environment, the college prepares students for success in modern business careers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Excellent faculty, small class sizes, a technically advanced teaching facility and a Central Coast residential environment combine to create and deliver a quality education.

Read the full Message from the Dean by Dr. Dave Christy

Mission Statement

The Orfalea College of Business challenges highly motivated students to become tomorrow's socially responsible business leaders through a learn-by-doing, technology-oriented education.

Amplification of Strategic Concepts/Phrases

Paul & Natalie Orfalea

Natalie & Paul Orfalea

Paul J. Orfalea, founder of Kinko's, and his family have donated a gift of securities worth $15 million to the College of Business. The donation is earmarked to enhance the quality and scope of business education for Cal Poly students. The CSU Board of Trustees voted on January 24, 2001 to officially approve the naming of the Orfalea College of Business in recognition of Mr. Orfalea's generous gift.

Mr. Orfalea founded Kinko's in 1970 near the University of California at Santa Barbara with a simple idea: provide college students with products and services they need at a competitive price. From its modest beginnings, Kinko's is now the leading business services chain in the world.

Much of Kinko's success can be traced directly to Orfalea's unique business philosophy that is based on his freethinking and creative style. In fact, the name Kinko's was derived from Orfalea's trademark curly hair. Orfalea's theories and instincts on how to operate a successful business are grounded in his passion for retailing, his insistence on taking care of his co-workers and customers, and a sharp eye for opportunity. Orfalea encouraged active participation from all co-workers and developed generous incentive programs to stimulate creativity. Co-workers at every level are encouraged to share ideas freely. Read more about Paul Orfalea.

	Business programs are accredited by AACSB AACSB accreditation statistics/demographics for the Orfalea College of Business
	Industrial Technology programs are accredited by NAIT