Taking Care of Business Blog

The School of Business Administration offers several in-person one-credit elective classes. If you are a full-time undergraduate student and have fewer than 18 credits, you can likely take one of these courses as part of your regular tuition. Classes are open to all majors.

Before Sept. 9: These classes can be added on Zagweb.gonzaga.edu

After Sept. 9: These classes can be added by calling the Registrar at (509) 313-6592 or by emailing Registrar@gonzaga.edu from your Zagmail account and include your student ID number and the class CRN. For example: Dear Registrar, I would like to register for CRN 12345. Thank you. {Your name}

BCSS 214 Practical Operations CRN 14047
This course introduces students to practical manufacturing operations management through a live case study and on‑site facility tour. Students will analyze how real manufacturers manage production scheduling, respond to long‑term component shortages, and investigate production deviations without obvious root causes. Working in teams, students will apply basic operations concepts—capacity, flow, scheduling, inventory, quality, and continuous improvement—to craft recommendations that are feasible in a highly regulated and safety‑critical environment (e.g., aerospace or pharmaceutical manufacturing).
Instructors: Katrina Rogers, Life Science Commercialization Strategist, and Mark Roberge, Leader of GMP Quality Systems
Oct. 23-25: 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday

BCSS 221 Excel Skills CRN 14148
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software program that allows the user to analyze and visualize data. This course will introduce students to Excel concepts that allow them to analyze and present data in a format that will inform business decisions. This project-based course will use hands-on exercises to cover practical Excel skills used every day in business.
Instructor: Jenn Klein, director of institutional assessment systems, Gonzaga University
Oct. 24-25: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

BCSS 245 Land the Job CRN 14149
Take a focused approach to launching your career. In this course, you will learn how to prepare for the job search, present yourself professionally, and succeed in interviews and early career roles. Gain the skills employers value, from communication to leadership, and start building your path forward.
Instructor: Dr. Mary Heitkemper, Workforce development professional
Nov. 6-7: 4-10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday

BCSS 240 Women’s Career & Confidence Development CRN 14147
This course introduces how to create a development plan to reach personal and professional goals. Topics include how to find your “Why”, crush your inner critic, start your financial freedom journey, handle criticism in a new way, and enhance your interview skills. During this course, students will develop through presentations, group discussions, a written assignment, interaction with guest speakers, and reflection opportunities.
Instructor: Karen Cash, Avista substation engineer and consultant at Aspire Consultant Services
Nov. 7-8: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

BCSS 201 Business Leadership CRN 14150
Business leadership refers to how people in an organization set objectives and influence others to achieve those objectives. Topics include leadership styles, theories of leadership, and case studies of leaders.
Instructor: Brian Newberry, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho
Nov. 7-8: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

BCSS 271. Underpaid, Unequal, and Invisible CRN 14151
This course explores how gender intersects with economic systems, institutions, and policies. Using feminist economics, students will critically examine topics such as unpaid care work, the gender wage gap, occupational segregation, and globalization through theoretical analysis and real-world case studies. By cultivating the ability to think like an economist, students will learn to analyze current issues and advocate for gender-equitable policies.
Instructor: Dr. Magda Kondaridze, assistant professor of Economics
Nov. 14-15: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

BCSS 209 Collective Intelligence and Innovation CRN 14152
Innovation rarely emerges from individual brilliance alone. This course explores how collective   develops within teams and organizations and how leaders can cultivate conditions that support creativity, learning, and adaptive problem-solving. Drawing on research in collective leadership, organizational behavior, communication, and neuroscience, students learn how diverse perspectives, shared purpose, and collaborative networks drive innovation and organizational success.
Instructor: Stephanie Elie-Martin, leadership/business consultant, SE Consulting
Nov. 14-15: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

BCSS 207 Resiliency CRN 14048
What is resiliency, what is optimism and how might we cultivate them? What role do positive emotions like awe and gratitude play in being resilient? What does resiliency look like in our work lives? How might business leaders cultivate a happy workplace? Why should they bother?
Instructor: Dr. Monica Bartlett, professor of Psychology
Dec. 5-6: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday