Leta Beard
Foster School of Business
University of Washington
“Leta has changed the trajectory of my life, both personally and professionally, as well as thousands of other students. I never imagined that going to a school with 40,000 undergrads, that I would find a lifelong mentor, professor, and supporter. Leta and I met when Dean Sefcik asked her to add me to her student trip to Ireland in the summer with the UW Business Program when I missed the sign up, my bad! She not only exposed me to Europe and International Business, something I would never have experienced without her, she then took me under her wing and asked me to be her Teaching Assistant. She helped me get hired to my first jobs and was a constant reference for me as I grew in my career. She was even invited to my wedding, and she keeps the offer open for me to come speak to her students and be a part of the UW community that I am always so fond of.
“We used to laugh that the Marketing classes were always having so much fun and being social, and the Finance classes were always so quiet down the hall. She created an aura and contagious environment of hope – that you, the student, had a great future ahead – and that working together was one of those beautiful parts of life. She not only is an expert in her field, she is an expert in kindness, collaboration, mentorship, career coaching and support, and lifting others up around them. I still talk and brag about how my UW professor and I are still close. I know it’s special!” – Beth (Richard) Mix
Leta Beard is an Associate Teaching Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. In addition to teaching, she has 12 years marketing experience working for AT&T Network Systems.
Currently, Beard teaches International Business and Essentials of Marketing and Sales. She previously taught other undergraduate courses including, Business Communications – Introduction to Case Competitions, Marketing Principles, Retailing, Tribal Gaming, and Sales Force Management.
Beard serves as the faculty advisor for two of Foster’s largest student organizations – Undergraduate Women in Business and the American Marketing Association which last year was recognized as a top ten chapter at the AMA National Intercollegiate Conference.
She coaches teams that compete in domestic and international case competitions and often judges local case competitions. She has taken teams to compete against other global university teams in 13 different countries.
For the past 16 years, Beard led over 500 hundred students for study abroad programs in Argentina, Puerto Rico, Italy, China and Ireland.
She has won numerous awards in both industry and in education. At AT&T, she was one of 12 recipients of the National Gold Award and won two regional silver awards. At the University of Washington, she won the U.W. Distinguished Teaching Award, and the U.W. Distinguished Award for Lifelong Learning. At the Foster School of Business, Beard won the Dean’s Award four times and the Undergraduate Professor of the Year two times. She’s also won multiple awards for Marketing and International Business Faculty of the Year, Marketing Faculty of the Year, and International Business Faculty of the Year, as well as other awards.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 1995
Education: University of Washington B.A. Business Administration (Marketing and Management) Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma; University of Washington M.B.A. (Marketing and (Finance)
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: International Business Perspectives, Essentials of Marketing and Sales, International Business – Ireland Exploration Seminar (study abroad)
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I grew up in a family of educators and the rebellious 18-year-old side of me decided that instead of teaching, I would major in business. Then, in graduate school, I had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant and taught a marketing course. I soon discovered my real passion – teaching. After graduation, I continued teaching in the evenings while working full time for AT&T. Two children and eight years later, I started teaching full time.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? My current focus is on experiential learning both in and outside of the classroom. I enjoy sharing teaching strategies with colleagues and learning different teaching techniques from others.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … Consulting with small global businesses, travelling to different countries, and spending more time with my family and friends.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I have an overriding commitment to work with my current and former students in helping them realize and achieve their goals. I care about my students and want them to succeed. In the classroom, I keep the students engaged and create a safe space for them to share. I let them know that they can learn as much from each other as they can from me. On my study abroad programs, I spend a lot of time getting to know each student on an individual basis. As an international business case competition coach, I push the students to think strategically and to critically analyze the issue in order to develop a workable solution.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Over-prepared. When I first was asked to teach a marketing course, I spent twenty minutes with the current professor who was teaching the class. He said, “this is the text I use; you can reach out to me if you have any questions. Good luck.” For that first class, I am sure I had about eight hours’ worth of material for a two-hour class.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: Teaching in the classroom is only part of the job – your job is to inspire, be a role model, motivate students to think critically and explore different areas of business so they can achieve their goals.
Professor I most admire and why: There are two people who stand out to me. The first, former Associate Dean Steve Sefcik, who was an outstanding accounting professor. I could always stop by his office to get advice with either student or teaching concerns. He always provided great leadership and excellent counsel. The second is our Associate Dean, Christina Fong, an excellent professor who cares about students and faculty.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I enjoy knowing my students, interacting with them and helping them achieve their goals. When former students tell me that I made a difference in their lives either at school or in their careers, it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. This is worth more to me than any accolade.
What is most challenging? Staying current with the best way to use Artificial Intelligence for my courses.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Motivated. I love teaching students who are there to learn.
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
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Travelling (45 different countries and wanting to visit more), gardening (Covid hobby- growing Heirloom tomatoes from seed), and the most important one, spending time with my grandchildren.
How will you spend your summer? This summer I plan to attend an international academic conference, teach in our executive education program, and lead 24 students to Ireland for a study abroad program.
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Hawaii
Favorite book(s): I have eclectic taste in both books and music. I enjoyed Say Nothing by Patrick Keefe. I take students to visit with the curator of the Irish Republic Museum in Belfast whose wife was discussed in the book.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? My two favorite TV shows are The Amazing Race (in which one of my former students is currently participating), and The Great British Baking Show. I like The Amazing Race because the teams need to work together, demonstrate different skills and learn about each other as they compete.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? Again, I have varied tastes in music. I was in the U.W. marching band in college. Later, my sons played jazz in high school, so I listened to a lot of jazz. I also enjoy musical theatre. Dinner and a Broadway show is my idea of a perfect evening.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … a major focus on experiential learning.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … mentoring and sponsoring their employees. Learning doesn’t stop after graduation. Companies need to nurture their new employees and create an environment where employees feel like they matter.
I’m grateful for … so many things: The love and support from my family and friends. I am blessed with a wonderful family and lifelong friends.
The support I have received throughout my academic career from my colleagues, department and school leadership.
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