Sandra Corredor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
“Professor Corredor is an exceptionally talented and engaging professor that has had a profound impact on me as a student. I first took a class with her during the fall semester of my senior year, and after just the first week I knew I wanted to have her as my professor for my BUS 401 capstone course as well. Her energy was infectious, and she created a classroom environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and exploring new ideas. In BUS 401, she instilled in her students the importance of self-reflection and meaningful work. She is a professor that teaches by example, and has helped me establish a mindset and set of habits to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. For this I will always be thankful.” – Elias Tamer
Sandra Corredor, 41, is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Business Administration at Gies College of Business. She is also a Disruption & Innovation Scholar. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in innovation, management, leadership, and more.
Corredor has reinvented a traditional capstone course on global business by transforming it into an experiential learning opportunity for seniors called BUS 401: Crafting Your Purpose in Business. In partnership with Professor Heather Swenddal, Corredor designed an innovative pedagogical approach that emphasizes self-reflection, community engagement, and practical application of business skills. Students have embraced this vision, investing more than 4,500 hours annually on purpose projects that support a wide range of organizations, from local nonprofits to international groups.
Her dynamic teaching style, characterized by what students call her “electric energy,” and lectures paced “like a well-written novel,” keeps students engaged and creates a supportive environment “where mistakes are celebrated as valuable learning opportunities.” Through thoughtfully designed exercises filled with discussions, game-based learning, simulations, and inspiring guest speakers, she encourages students to think critically and creatively. They consistently praise her for teaching by example and igniting a passion for purpose-driven work that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on their careers and communities.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2020
Education: BA Business Administration, Universidad de Los Andes; MSc. Economics, Universidad de Los Andes; Ph.D in Business Administration — Strategy and Entrepreneurship
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Crafting Your Purpose in Business; Management of Innovation and Technology.
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I knew I wanted to be a business school professor during my undergraduate studies in Colombia, when I worked as a TA for a Social Responsibility course. I had the chance to supervise student business projects in diverse at-risk communities—single mothers, subsistence recyclers, brothels, very low-income schools—and saw firsthand the transformative power of business education.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? I’m currently working with two other Faculty at the Disruption Lab at Gies on a project that evaluates the effectiveness of Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and in-person exercises for training professional skills, like negotiation. Our goal is to advance business education by leveraging these technologies to expand access to high-quality, skills-development exercises. We are discovering that these tools can be highly effective in teaching complex skills traditionally taught through intensive coaching.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … I’d probably be a consultant—I love the holistic approach to problem-solving. Or maybe a Zumba instructor, dancing my day away!
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I bring high energy to my classes—I aim to teach at least five levels above my students’ energy. I design activities that get them moving, voting, debating, and actively thinking and sharing.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Resolute. I was terrified—public speaking didn’t come easily—but I was determined.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: I wish someone had told me that creating a successful learning experience requires more than just subject knowledge. I had to learn how to truly connect with students by engaging them in activities that spark their interest and make them care about the subject, allowing us to build the course together. There’s also a constant need to revise—prep is never ‘one and done.’
Professor I most admire and why: So many! I admire all the mentors I’ve had throughout high school, college, and my PhD program. In my undergrad, Alfonso Pedraza introduced me to the academic world through his example and guided me through my PhD applications. He made challenging quantitative courses accessible to everyone and demonstrated how research can meaningfully address real-world problems. I greatly admire my PhD advisors, true engaged scholars, and, of course, my dad, who taught college classes at night after his day job—his dedication to class preparation, innovative materials, and hands-on exercises inspired me greatly.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I enjoy their eagerness to lead, innovate, and contribute to their communities. I love their drive to understand real-world applications of concepts and their preference for hands-on projects.
What is most challenging? 5pm classes.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: explorative –someone curious and forward-thinking.
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Grade-obsessed—students who are solely focused on squeezing out every last point in their grades.
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … Fair and feedback-oriented.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Dancing, zumba, spinning.
How will you spend your summer? Teaching, and recharging!
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Cartagena, Colombia—the sea, the history, and family.
Favorite book(s): Currently, ‘Designing your Life’ by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans; and ‘The Innovator’s Solution’ by Clayton M. Christensen and Michael E. Raynor.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Forrest Gump—it reminds me that life is rarely linear, you can reinvent yourself at any point, and there are many paths to a purposeful, happy life.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I enjoy Shakira —I love her messages of empowerment for youth and women.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … Greater access to quality education, more opportunities to incorporate diverse learning styles and assessments, and seamless integration of AI into classes and evaluations.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … developing employees so that they can match and align their personal purpose with the company’s purpose.
I’m grateful for … The unconditional love of my family—my husband, daughter, parents, and sister—who have given me every opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’m also thankful to the Gies College of Business, where I earned my PhD and now work with incredible colleagues, to my mentors who opened doors for me, and to my students, for their engagement and feedback—we’ve truly learned together.
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