2016-21

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2015

Senate Motion #2016-21

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee, Steven Semken, Chair

First Reading: October 26, 2015

Second Reading: November 23, 2015

Title of Motion: Request from the W.P. Carey School of Business – Morrison School of Agribusiness – for the establishment of an undergraduate certificate – Food Industry Management and Marketing

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.    

Rationale: The proposed certificate in Food Industry Management and Marketing will allow students from the W. P. Carey School of Business and across ASU who are interested in the business, economic, and policy issues of the global food system the opportunity to acquire specialized business skills which will provide them a competitive advantage for employment with firms and agencies which operate in the food industry.

Governments throughout the world support their agricultural industries, protect them from import competition, block exports, claim geographical trademarks, invest in public storage facilities, and engage in a range of regulatory activities unlike any industry. Those who seek managerial and other professional careers in the food industry, or with firms and agencies which support the industry (e.g., government agencies such as the USDA, financial institutions, NGO's, etc.), can benefit from specialized business education that addresses the unique business environment of the food industry described above. As well, there is a general concern in the food industry that there will be a lack of available talent to fill needed managerial and leadership positions in the future, especially in the presence of looming retirements of baby boomers. This, coupled with the sheer size and importance of the global food industry, provides unique employment opportunities for those who possess specialized business knowledge.