Sheri L. Lambert
Temple University, Fox School of Business
“Professor Lambert leads an engaging, interactive, and real-world focused class. Personally, I have already implemented several of the skills I acquired in her class to quickly adapt to the pace and tasks of a Fortune 100 company. Her unique style and ability to actively involve students in practical, real-world learning are what separates her from other professors, and is what made her class one of my favorites throughout my entire undergraduate career.” – Will Mobley, student
Sheri L. Lambert, 56, is Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing at Fox School of Business at Temple University, where she’s worked since 2017. She teaches Market Strategy and Digital Innovation in Marketing. She is also the managing director of the Fox Center for Executive Education at Temple University and senior faculty advisor to the university’s American Marketing Association collegiate chapter.
She has an MBA from the University of Michigan, BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and more than 25 years of experience in market research.
“Being the first to go to college in my family, and helping my own three children put themselves through college, my teaching philosophy centers around bringing real-world experience into the classroom,” she says. “This enables students to learn and develop in a way that ensures success as they move through different chapters of their lives. I firmly believe in experiential learning through teaching applications of problem solving across curriculum and life experiences.”
She is the winner of Temple University’s 2021 Andrisani-Frank Undergraduate Teaching Award and 2021 Excellence in Case-Based Research Award. Her work has been published in leading industry journals and featured in popular local and national media outlets including Forbes, Philadelphia Inquirer, KYW News Radio and NBC News.
“Professor Lambert was truly one of the best professors that I had at Temple University. Not only was she an exceptional educator inside the classroom, but outside as well,” says student Colleen Donnelly. “She continued to provide my classmates and I opportunities to network and learn about various facets of the marketing field. She utilized the knowledge and connections she made, while as a marketing professional in the workforce, to provide real-world lessons and curriculum to the classroom.”
LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when… I attended a lecture class with my son who was a junior at Indiana University. I loved the energy the professor gave off and the engagement with the students. I realized my son was learning things that would eventually make a difference in who he was going to become. The idea of having this kind of impact, both inside and outside of the classroom, really excited me. Prior to this visit, I had some experience both as an adjunct and a guest lecturer for classes, but the experience I had in that classroom really sealed the deal for me.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? My research is around direct-to-consumer models and how that affects consumer insights and consumer behavior in their path to purchase. I enjoy researching and writing case studies, and I really focus on how all of research ties into what is happening in the real world. That’s the core of experiential learning.
I teach by the case method, taking what the students have learned in their readings and applying it in the classroom where it gets tested and applied. They learn to pivot and approach the challenges in front of them, gaining more insight and experience. That’s significant, the ability to take the research, apply it immediately in the classroom and watch the learning experience take over.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be… A journalist because I am really curious and love to ask questions. In a sense, my background as a marketing research professional was along the same lines. In both roles, you ask a lot of questions to become better informed and then share what you’ve learned.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? Experiential learning drives everything I do and really makes an impact. In addition to my own industry experience, I bring in high, up-to-date industry experts into the classroom to bring the learning to life. I take all that expertise, turn it all into case studies and teach them. I’ve learned this approach really sticks with students beyond the classroom. Former students, many who are now working at blue chip firms, reach back out to me and share that they’ve taken what they learned in a case study or shared class experiences and applied it to the work they are doing right now.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Butterflies
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: That I would have loved this profession so much!
Professor I most admire and why: There are so many professors doing great work. I really admire those who bring real-world experience into their classrooms. Many have impressive industry backgrounds and choose academia as their encore career. They share the insights that they lived and turn those into learning opportunities. Those are the professors who influenced me and continue to inspire others.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I love the energy of the students. Every day, I am beyond excited to see their faces light up with those “aha” moments. I’m excited to equip students with the tools necessary to analyze, diagnose and provide solutions for a go-to-market strategy.
What is most challenging? The most challenging is when I’m teaching an 8 a.m. capstone class full of seniors. I love the morning, I’m always excited but I know many of these seniors do not. So, it’s sometimes difficult to get them to truly start engaging, communicating and sharing their insights. But I keep trying!
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Hardworking
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Apathetic
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as… hard, but fair. I expect a lot out of them. I tell students if their work isn’t up to standards because I want things to be commercial grade.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? I wasn’t sure how to answer this, so I asked my kids! They reminded me I like needlepoint, paddle tennis, travel, experiencing different cultures and vintage cars.
How will you spend your summer? Traveling, needlepointing, writing, doing research, and going on long walks with my 6-year-old Aussie.
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Nantucket (and anywhere else with a beach and good food).
Favorite book(s): “The People We Keep” by Allison Larkin and “Think Again” by Adam Grant are currently on my nightstand.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? I am streaming Netflix’s “Call My Agent.” It is a Parisian, media-centric comedy that brings in cameo appearances of major actors. I enjoy it because it brings in the work-life balance that industry commonly experiences.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? Country artist Toby Keith because his music truly celebrates life in the U.S.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this… I believe the business school of the future needs to expand even further on its experiential learning approach and continue to recognize the diversity of cultures and business approaches that go into making a business thrive and succeed. Every business born today must think in global terms and embrace the reach it has.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at… leaning in to young employees. Companies and organizations all too often overlook the new people. They have ideas and energies to offer.
I’m grateful for… my three children. I work hard to be someone they are proud of. I’m also grateful for my job, my colleagues and my students.
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