THE LIVE CASE PROGRAM 
The Center for International Business Education & Research at San Diego State University (SDSU  CIBER) is dedicated to strengthening U.S. businesses while equipping the next generation of  professionals with critical international business skills. Our programs prepare the American workforce to  thrive in an increasingly complex and uncertain geopolitical and economic landscape. Through  experiential learning initiatives, students gain hands-on consulting experience with U.S. companies,  providing them with invaluable real-world insights while helping businesses enhance global  competitiveness and expand into international markets. 

One of our most impactful initiatives, the Live Case Program, developed by SDSU CIBER, exemplifies  experiential learning at its best. This program brings real U.S. businesses—ranging from Fortune 500  firms to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—directly into the classroom. Through this initiative,  students work on real-world challenges, gaining hands-on consulting experience and developing strategic  recommendations that drive business growth and global competitiveness. By integrating this program into our curriculum, SDSU CIBER has created an accessible and scalable opportunity for students to develop  international business acumen and problem-solving skills—critical competencies in today’s global  economy. Since its inception in 2020, more than 120 students have participated in the program. 

In 2024 alone, the program enabled 30 graduate business students to collaborate with prominent  companies, including: 

• Sempra Infrastructure, a Fortune 500 leader in the LNG market, addressing challenges in  global energy distribution. 
• Selk’bag, a consumer product startup 
• Wearable Sensing, innovative SMEs advancing wearable technology, national security, and  consumer products. 

SMEs are the backbone of the U.S. economy, accounting for 99.9% of all businesses and generating  more than half of new jobs annually, according to the Small Business Administration. SDSU CIBER’s  support for these businesses ensures that students gain meaningful, industry-relevant experience, while  directly contributing to U.S. economic growth and international competitiveness. 

By engaging students with high-growth industries, strategic sectors, and global market opportunities,  SDSU CIBER is actively shaping the future workforce—one that is internationally savvy, innovative, and  prepared to drive U.S. economic success on the global stage. 

We greatly appreciate the U.S. Department of Education’s continued support for the CIBER program,  which plays a critical role in developing global business leaders and strengthening American industry. 

“Participating in SDSU CIBER’s Live Case experiential learning program was a defining experience in my  graduate education. It provided me with in-depth exposure to the globally competitive energy industry and  a firsthand understanding of Sempra Infrastructure, a leader in this industry sector. More importantly, it  led to an internship with Sempra, where I gained invaluable skills and real-world experience that will  shape my career for years to come.” J. Bahena, SEMPRA Internship Participant

Fowler College of Business | San Diego State University | 5500 Campanile Drive, SSE 3356 | San Diego 92182 
Wendy Gillespie Center For Advancing Global Business