Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility
Dare to do business differently.
The Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) is a fundamental part of what makes the Leeds School of Business different.
We are the stewards of the Leeds family’s mandate that all students who come through our business school receive a meaningful training in social responsibility, business ethics, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. We fulfill this mandate through collaborations on core curriculum, certificates, partnerships with like-minded organizations from across campus and around the world, unique professional development projects, conferences and case competitions.
We connect the campus with the international community around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through our leadership in UN PRME, a body devoted to excellence and responsibility in business education. We offer undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a certificate in Social Responsibility and Ethics where they put their business skills into practice with organizations making a positive impact, and distinguish themselves in the job market. We offer Executive Education courses in Corporate Social Responsibility and leadership development in the natural food industry. We support student groups, including the MBA Net Impact Gold Chapter, CU’s internationally known Net Impact Case Competition, and an undergraduate club called CESR Fellows.
Interested in hearing from CESR? Sign up for our newsletter at leeds.ly/CESR-newsletter.
Discover our latest projects and ways to get involved with our center, whether you’re a student, or a faculty, staff or community member.
Work with Students
Our students hone their ethical decision-making skills and bring a unique perspective to the work world. Not only are they passionate about corporate social responsibility, they also have a deep understanding of the business case for doing the right thing. Learn about past projects and reach out to us about ways to partner.
Study with CESR
We offer a variety of certificate programs and partner with the Business Ethics & Social Impact (BESI) division to provide innovative courses. Learn about our Social Responsibility and Ethics Certificate for undergraduate students, and our growing number of Executive Education certificates.
Attend an Event
Gain a new perspective at the annual Conscious Capitalism Conference or see our students in action at the Business Ethics Case Competition. Learn about upcoming speakers, panels and networking events to connect with our community.
Testimonials
"The SRE certificate curriculum was a great balance of business, thinking outside the box, and pursuing social issues that I feel passionate about. I may be graduating with a degree in Marketing, but I’ve gleaned a lot about myself, my values, and my purpose from the SRE coursework and even more so from the experiential learning aspects.
- Cole Chaloupka, Class of 2018
“I highly recommend this engaging program to CSR professionals and those interested in the field. The content is of a high caliber and encompasses a breadth of CSR-related topics. The instructors are very knowledgeable, approachable, and excel at facilitating. The program includes excellent professional tools, resources, and guest speakers."
- Sarae Kurth, Community Relations Coordinator, Denver Community Credit Union
Partner
We’re proud to partner with CU Law School’s Indian Law Clinic on the First Peoples Investment Engagement Program. Learn about our impactful work facilitating dialogue between indigenous people and companies seeking to do business on or near their lands, and our research on the financial risks firms face if they ignore the social impact of their operations.
Lead
CESR’s Executive Director, Dr. Mark Meaney, serves as the North America Chairperson for UN PRME. This organization advocates for integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into business school curriculum worldwide. Learn about the unique opportunities this partnership provides for Leeds students.
Connect
Boulder is the hub of the natural & organic products industry, and CESR is committed to providing the industry with a pipeline of qualified business students. Learn about the opportunities we offer to connect students with innovative companies in natural food.
