RIVERSIDE (April 9, 2013)—The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs named J. Aaron Christopher as its recipient for the 2013 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award for the Western Council for Business Schools and Programs. Christopher is assistant dean of graduate business programs at California Baptist University.

"I am excited and humbled by this award," Christopher said. "It has been made possible through the outstanding support I have received from the administration and the hard work of my colleagues in the School of Business." 

Christopher received the award for Region 7 of the ACBSP's 10 regions.

He, as well as other regional recipients, will be honored at the 2013 ACBSP Annual Conference June 21-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah and will receive a medallion and a $100 check.

Two International Teaching Excellence Award recipients also will be announced at a "Salute to Regions" luncheon during the conference. As a regional recipient, Christopher is now a candidate for the international award.

"Aaron has been an outstanding faculty member in our school and has made a significant impact on the teaching and learning of our undergraduate and graduate students," said Dr. Franco Gandolfi, dean of the School of Business at California Baptist University.

The Associate Degree Commission of ACBSP established the International Teaching Excellence Award in 1995. It seeks to recognize outstanding classroom teachers. The Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Commission created a similar award in 2002 to recognize excellence in teaching at the higher education level. ACBSP is the only accrediting body for business schools that presents an award to recognize excellence in teaching.

"It is more important than ever for business programs to produce graduates who are ready to enter the global marketplace," said Douglas Viehland, ACBSP executive director. "ACBSP has a mission to develop, promote and recognize best practices that contribute to continuous improvement of business education. Recognition of teaching excellence is one way we achieve this goal."

 ACBSP has more than 1,171 member campuses across 52 countries and 10 regions.

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