History
More Than 100 Years of Growth and Momentum
The Leeds School of Business has a proud history of innovation. Formed in 1906 as part of the University of Colorado, Leeds is the eighth oldest business school in the United States and the top business school in Colorado.
The Leeds Evolution
The Leeds School of Business took its name in 2001 following a transformational philanthropic gift that made social responsibility and ethics a hallmark of Leeds’ curriculum, enhancing our leadership in sustainability. Through its identity, the Leeds School of Business recognizes the generosity of the Leeds family, including alumni Michael (Fin’74) and Andrea Leeds (’75), along with their children and grandchildren. Meet Michael Leeds.
The naming gift for the Leeds School of Business set the school on a track that has equipped its students, alumni and faculty to bring invaluable perspectives to the changing world of work. Just after Michael Leeds and his family announced the gift in 2001, the Enron scandal made clear that the phrase “business ethics” had become an oxymoron. The gift instilled within the school a purpose and mission to consider ethics a core business skill, like finance or marketing.
For more than 20 years, Leeds has emphasized ethics, social responsibility, diversity and sustainability—demonstrating the business case for these values long before they made it to the C-suite. Now, as industry confronts an age of AI, climate change and increasing geopolitical tension, Leeds and its graduates are better prepared than ever to ensure that business has a seat at the table in solving the greatest challenges of tomorrow.
A Legacy of Business Education for Impact
Over the years, Leeds has steadily grown its academic programs to reflect the rapid changes in the work world and to lead in advancing business. Leeds undergraduate degree programs span five areas of emphasis: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship, and Real Estate. We offer graduate MBA programs in full-time, evening and hybrid options, as well as six master’s degree programs. Our portfolio of analytics degrees includes Business Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics and Marketing Analytics. We also offer a PhD program and several Executive Education programs. In addition to Leeds’ core academic programs, the Centers of Excellence enhance the student academic experience through experiential learning, academic research, community engagement and industry exposure.
A Legacy of Multifaceted Innovation
The 91ý campus provides an exciting, vibrant research environment. Named to the Association of American Universities, 91ý is among the nation's leading research universities transforming lives through education, research and innovation. Leeds faculty are committed to driving impact, inspiring innovation and educating the next generation of business leaders. They are top academic thought leaders from around the world and are highly ranked in the University of Texas at Dallas’ (UTD) Top 100 Business School Research Rankings. Our research excellence is evidenced by the substantial contributions that faculty make in their respective fields. Association of American Universities institutions.
A Timeline of Selected Milestones
From its humble beginnings in 1906 as a commerce college to its status today as a leader in modern global business education, the Leeds School of Business has evolved through several transformative eras. Over the years, Leeds has had a legacy of expanding its academic reach, forging strong industry partnerships and increasing enrollment. Now, Leeds continues to drive innovation in sustainability, technology and global engagement. With a strong legacy and forward-thinking vision, Leeds is preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing world.
1906
Formed in 1906 as part of the University of Colorado, the eighth oldest business school in the nation.
1922
The business program became the School of Business Administration. With a faculty of 15, the school was on its way to becoming one of the university's principal professional schools.
1937
The business program was accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
1960
The school began offering doctoral degrees in business.In 1965, 91ý's Board of Regents established the Graduate School of Business to administer master's degrees.
1964
The Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum was launched, evolving to provide business professionals across nearly every industry in the state with a forecast of Colorado’s economy by sector.
1970
The business school moved to its present location, with the building named to Koelbel thanks to a generous gift from the Koelbel family. In 2021, the building was expanded to connect to engineering, thanks to a generous gift from Tandean Rustandy.
Business and Engineering Expansion
2001
Thanks to a transformational gift, the business school formally became the Leeds School of Business.
2009
Launched in 2009 the Mentoring Program at Leeds is now one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States with more than 2,854 alumni and professional mentors enrolled in 2024.
2024
Building on more than a decade of growth in prospective student applications and increasing retention rates, enrollment reached an all-time high of nearly 5,000 students. Leeds also set additional new benchmarks for success.
Looking Ahead
As we consider our rich history, we take valuable lessons from the past as we look forward to our exciting future. As the No. 1 business school in Colorado, Leeds offers award-winning faculty, a dynamic global community and Boulder’s unmatched energy. Whether students dream of launching a startup, leading in a Fortune 500 company or making a difference in their community, Leeds empowers thinkers, entrepreneurs and innovators to drive change and create a future full of impact. Leeds is on a trajectory to become one of our nation’s preeminent business schools. Through a culture centered on integrity and excellence, Leeds is devoted to:
• Producing innovative, principled business leaders who are equipped to drive value.
• Graduates who possess the analytical abilities and skills needed to succeed in a globally competitive marketplace
• Students who are nurtured in academic programs by top-tier faculty and staff.
