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California Institute of Advanced Management

About the University

The California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM) is a private nonprofit university in Southern California dedicated to teaching responsible, holistic, and compassionate business management principles for the betterment of humanity. Blending academic rigor with practical application, CIAM nurtures leaders who not only excel in their professional endeavors but also champion positive societal change through their actions.


ABOUT US

Peter F. Drucker, Father of Modern Management and architect of Management as a Liberal Art (MLA), believed that leaders in management could “advance the basic beliefs of our society, to contribute to its stability, strength and harmony.”  By teaching MLA principles through high-impact learning exercises, CIAM seeks to empower leaders to make a difference in organizations, communities, and society.

CIAM is a premier, high-impact learning business university in California that prepares students to become compassionate and effective executive leaders. We aspire to redefine business education by offering accessible programs that seamlessly blend academic excellence with real-world impact. Building upon Peter Drucker’s philosophy of Management as a Liberal Art, CIAM empowers graduates to solve social issues and inspire change through responsible, holistic, and compassionate business management.


Our Vision

At the California Institute of Advanced Management, our vision is a world where our graduates promote the public good and serve humanity.


We will transform business education by:

  • Offering educational programs that are accessible.
  • Providing students with real-world experience.
  • Advocating for management as a liberal art to instill a sense of social responsibility in our students.

Guiding Principles

CIAM is committed to four pillars that guide all academic, research, and service efforts within our university and serve as a reference for the strategic planning of university purpose and goals, student proficiencies, and faculty/staff expectations. These pillars are:

  • Academic excellence
  • Peter F. Drucker’s philosophy of management as a liberal art
  • Engagement
  • Growth and development

Our Mission

Building upon the philosophy of Peter F. Drucker, through classroom and online learning, we produce successful, responsible, globally oriented leaders who are rooted in practice.

Core Values

  • Human dignity – We believe all individuals possess unique skills and contributions to the organization; their professional and personal development is important to CIAM.
  • Integrity – We believe integrity is the practice of consistency: doing what one says, performing, and gaining results.
  • Innovation – We believe innovation is a combination of inspiration and hard work. It is welcoming of and open to new and different thinking, recognizing the role of change and improvement for institutional and personal betterment. Innovation can come from any area of CIAM and has to be balanced with continuity.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion – We embrace diversity and unity as a way to encourage creativity and to serve and strengthen society.
  • Citizenship – We value the willingness to uplift and contribute to one’s society, to live for one’s community, and to practice civility.
  • Empowerment – We believe in equitable participation and contributions to shared goals, autonomy, determination, and proper use of power.

Who Was Peter Drucker?

Peter F. Drucker, often hailed as “the Father of Management,” was a prominent luminary whose significant contributions reshaped the landscape of modern business theory and practice. Born in Austria in 1909, Drucker authored numerous works throughout his distinguished career that continue to serve as cornerstones of management education and practice.


Drucker’s visionary approach to business, encapsulated in the philosophy of Management as a Liberal Art (MLA), emphasizes the fusion of traditional business expertise with a broader understanding of social dynamics and ethical considerations.

Why Is Peter Drucker Important?

Peter Drucker’s legacy permeates the CIAM student experience. His profound insights, encapsulated in his seminal books and teachings, offer valuable guidance on achieving effective leadership and ethical stewardship.


Drucker ardently believed that leaders in management possess the power to “advance the basic beliefs of our society, to contribute to its stability, strength, and harmony.” Furthermore, Drucker strongly argued against toxic leadership, emphasizing the importance of building trust and fostering a positive work environment.


CIAM is committed to continuing Drucker’s legacy by integrating MLA principles into our educational programs. Through immersive learning experiences, we empower students to become leaders who excel in their respective fields and make a tangible difference in organizations, communities, and society at large.

Cultural Statement

At CIAM, we are a team that nurtures a teaching and learning culture that:

  • adapts to change and turns challenges into opportunities.
  • pursues excellence through continuous reflection, innovation, and self-development.
  • believes diversity, equity and inclusion serve the common good.
  • works with our strengths, opportunities, and resources.
  • empowers leaders to achieve results through data-driven decision making.
  • fosters collaboration through honest constructive communication.
  • is accountable to our students and all stakeholders.
  • is determined, dedicated, and driven.

HISTORY OF CIAM

The California Institute of Advanced Management was established in 2011 to promote Peter F. Drucker’s philosophy of Management as a Liberal Art and offer students real-world, hands-on experience during their Master of Business Administration programs at an affordable tuition. Today, CIAM’s graduate degree programs include three MBA in Executive Management options and a new Master of Science in Data Analytics.


CIAM was founded by Dr. William A. Cohen (President Emeritus) and Ms. Jennie Ta (President), with the encouragement of philanthropist Mr. Minglo Shao, the institution’s principal benefactor. Mr. Shao has a substantial history of funding educational endeavors and programs and is the owner/founder of the Peter F. Drucker Academy of China and Hong Kong, a social enterprise with the mission of keeping Drucker’s management legacy alive.


While many graduate schools only teach theoretical concepts, CIAM prepares students for both the practical and theoretical elements that the world needs today. Our business university in California offers working students a chance to enroll in innovative hybrid distance education courses that are convenient and affordable.


CIAM incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2011 and received its initial approval with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in April 2012. Just one year after its founding, CIAM began instruction on July 14, 2012. CIAM received national accreditation in 2015 and distance education accreditation in 2018. Regional accreditation was earned from WSCUC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2018.


Where to Find Us

The California Institute of Advanced Management is conveniently located at 1000 S. Fremont Ave. in the vibrant city of Alhambra, California. Situated within the Alhambra development, a hub of commercial and cultural activity, CIAM provides an ideal setting for academic pursuit and professional growth.


If you have any questions about CIAM or our programs, you can reach us via email or by calling (626) 350-1500. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on federal holidays).

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