Emil Milevoj was named the new director of the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State. He will become an assistant professor of management in the Craig School of Business in the fall, in addition to heading the center.
Milevoj is currently director of the University Business Center at Fresno State and interim chief operating officer of the Lyles Center. The center serves as the outreach arm for the Craig School, providing educational and professional development opportunities for students and business professionals. Since its launch in 2003, the Lyles Center has become a hub for development and entrepreneurial education and has developed a track record of inspiring students, faculty, alumni and entrepreneurs of all ages to implement their ideas.
Provost Lynnette Zelezny said Milevoj was selected following a nationwide search to fill the Lyles Center position.
“Mr. Milevoj is a talented leader with a proven record of success in innovation and entrepreneurship who is successful in building community partnerships. I am confident he will advance the Lyles Center admirably,” said Zelezny.
Milevoj will succeed interim director Dr. Scott Moore, dean of the Division of Continuing and Global Education, who has led the Lyles Center since February 2016.
Milevoj joined Fresno State in 2001 as a lecturer in marketing and entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, the center created and launched the Accelerated Bachelor’s in Business Administration, providing transfer students who work full time with an opportunity to complete their coursework in 17 months and earn their bachelor’s degree. The program has graduated six cohorts of students to date.
He was successful in receiving grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to provide Fresno State students with opportunities to study abroad and for faculty to internationalize their business courses.
Through strategic partnerships with local, state and national organizations, Milevoj has successfully managed the Agricultural Lending Institute, the Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program and the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam Preparation Course, along with several other business development training programs. These programs enable Fresno State and the Craig School to provide the local business community, as well as individuals from around the country and the world, with professional development opportunities. He has also worked on educational projects in Armenia, China, France and Peru.
Milevoj holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from Fresno State. He also earned a Master of Science in Business and Management Research from Henley Business School, University of Reading, United Kingdom, where he is currently finishing his doctorate in business administration with an emphasis in international business. His research interests include international entrepreneurship and examining the factors inhibiting or facilitating internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises.
