Daniel Ciomek, MBA
Daniel Ciomek is a Lecturer Faculty in the Department of Information Systems at San Francisco State University’s Lam Family College of Business. Since joining the faculty in 2012, he has taught more than 13,300 undergraduate students. His teaching focuses on applied information systems, digital skills for management, and the integration of career-relevant technologies into business education.
Ciomek’s teaching excellence and programmatic contributions have been recognized with several university- and college-level honors, including the Lam-Larsen Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award (2021–2023), the 2022 Teaching Award from the Center for Ethical & Sustainable Business, and the 2025 San Francisco State University Academic Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.
A key component of his work is the design and integration of experiential, skills-based learning initiatives that expose students to current technologies and their applications in business. In 2018, Ciomek conceptualized and launched San Francisco State University’s official Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification program in Microsoft Excel and Access. Since its inception, more than 1,350 students have participated in MOS examinations, resulting in over 675 industry-recognized Microsoft certifications. The MOS program reflects his commitment to aligning academic coursework with workforce-ready competencies.
Ciomek grew up in Germany and earned his degree in Business Administration from Fulda University of Applied Sciences, supporting his studies through part-time work in the hospitality industry. During his undergraduate education, he completed a guest semester at Hawaii Pacific University and caught his first wave, an experience that broadened his international and intercultural perspective.
Following graduation, he worked in the telecommunications sector in Frankfurt, Germany, focusing on the sales of global network services. He later relocated to the United States and completed an MBA at San Francisco State University. His professional background also includes several years in enterprise software marketing in the Bay Area, as well as entrepreneurial experience as the founder of a company that imported and distributed wellness products from Germany through online channels.
Beyond his teaching and program development, he maintains a strong interest in lifelong learning, educational technology, and student well-being. He has traveled extensively for both professional and personal purposes, visiting more than 40 countries across six continents. His personal interests include health & fitness (healthspan/lifespan), tinkering with technology, yoga, and plant-based cooking, reflecting a balanced approach to professional engagement and personal development. He experienced the Spirit of the Marathon and finished the San Francisco Marathon twice. Fun fact: according to Audible, Daniel spent over 2 months of his life listening to audio books. And that does not include the Libby app (https://libbyapp.com/).
This biography was developed with the assistance of generative AI (ChatGPT) and reviewed and edited by the author. Image created/modified/edited with the assistance of generative AI (Nano Banana Pro) as instructed by the author.
Education:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), San Francisco State University
- Recipient of the “Distinguished Student Achievement Award for Academic Excellence”
- President of the Graduate Business Association
- Member of Beta Gamma Sigma (https://cob.sfsu.edu/resources/undergraduate-advising/beta-gamma-sigma)
- Diplom-Betriebswirt, Marketing and Business Law, University of Applied Sciences Fulda, Germany
- Business Administration, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI
- Licensed Insurance Broker (Versicherungskaufmann, IHK), Dual-Education System (Professional College & Allianz Insurance), Frankfurt, Germany
Certificates:
- Advanced QLT Course in Teaching Online, CSUCO
- Introduction to Teaching Online using QLT, CSUCO
- CSU Student Success Analytics, CSUCO
- CSU Equity Minded Pedagogy, CSUCO
- Excellence in Online Pedagogy, CEETL
- Quality Learning & Teaching (QLT) Certificate (2022), CEETL
- Transformative Teaching Through Transitions (TTTT) Pedagogies for Inclusive Excellence (PIE) Certificate (2022), CEETL
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Program:
- https://cob.sfsu.edu/is/microsoft-office-specialist-certification
- Mailing List and Reservations: https://mos.dcio.tech/
Research Interests:
- Digital Health (Quantified Self, Wearables, AI, AgeTech), Artificial Intelligence, E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Internet of Things, Digital Security & Privacy, WordPress
- Industry focus: Healthcare & Fitness, Education, E-Commerce, Food, Telecommunication
Honors and Awards:
- SF State Academic Senate Distinguished Faculty (Lecturer) Award for Excellence in Teaching (2025)
- Center for Ethical & Sustainable Business (CESB) Teaching Award (2022)
- Lam-Larsen Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award (2021-2023)