Robert M. Harper is currently serving as Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs. Prior to his current appointment, he served for ten years as Dean of the Craig School of Business, four years as Associate Dean, and seven years as department chair for the Department of Accountancy.

During his term as Dean, the school has continued to provide active, engaged learning experiences for its students; has been reviewed and maintained its accreditation by AACSB, International; has established an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program; has created an impressive executive classroom and made other physical renovations; has fostered and maintained important community relations including service on the boards for the school’s Institute for Family Business and Gazarian Real Estate Center; and has achieved many other distinguished accomplishments.

A professor at Fresno State since 1990, Bob was previously a faculty member at Louisiana State University for seven years. Dr. Harper has received a BS in mathematics, an MBA, and a DBA, all from Florida State University. He is a co-author of three editions of Intermediate Accounting published first by West Publishing Company and then by South-Western College Publishing. Professor Harper has also published numerous articles in such journals as Journal of Accounting Research, Accounting Horizons, Behavioral Research in Accounting, Auditing: A Journal of Theory and Practice, Journal of Information Systems, and Journal of Accounting Education and has made multiple presentations at academic conferences.