by The School of Business
February 15th 2024
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Dr. Bauer (Ph.D., Purdue University) is the Cameron Professor of Management at Portland State University. Dr. Bauer is an award-winning teacher and researcher. She conducts research about relationships at work. More specifically, she works in the areas of new hire onboarding, recruitment, selection, overqualification, mentoring, and leadership, which have resulted in numerous journal publications published in outlets such as the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Learning and Education Journal, Academy of Management Perspectives, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Personnel Psychology.
What led you to PSU?
When I was in my last year of earning my Ph.D. at Purdue University, there was a large event held for faculty and doctoral students around excellence in teaching. That’s where I first heard about Portland State University and all the great things that were happening there around experiential learning and exciting capstone learning experiences. When I applied and got the call about interviewing for the position at Portland State, everything just sounded like a great fit. I was looking for a vibrant urban environment where teaching, research, and service were valued and seen as complementary rather than at odds with one another. Once I stepped on campus, visited the Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls, and met all the amazing faculty and students there, I was hooked. I’ve had opportunities to go to other schools over the years but I think it’s tough to match the combination of unique things that make PSU special. I feel like I am able to make a difference at PSU and that PSU has helped foster my success as everyone is rooting for one another here, creativity is highly valued, and everyone seems to share and celebrate the values that truly embody “Let Knowledge Serve the City.”
What makes PSU a perfect place to study?
I think PSU is an amazing place to study given its vibrant location in terms of Oregon, the United States, and International connections. In my experience, and what students have told me over the years, PSU serves as a catalyst for students to develop themselves as individuals, business professionals, and as scholars. I see the transformations every term and it never stops inspiring me. My students are passionate about their education and they take it seriously. They support and accept one another even though they might come from very different backgrounds. I find the sense of community at PSU to be one of the major reasons it continues to be recognized for valuing diversity and being innovative. Being located downtown allows us for easy access and integration with the business community. For business students, that’s a huge advantage as guest speakers, internships, practicums, and a vibrant business community make for ideal conditions for success.
How can the classes you teach help prepare students for a successful career?
From my earlier days in education, I’ve always been interested in helpful to bring course concepts to life. This can be more challenging in a core course where not every student plans to pursue a career on that topic, but my goal is always to help students to think of each week as an opportunity to read, listen, and apply course concepts. When I’m teaching a course like training and development or negotiations, I try to embed as much hands-on practice and experience as I can, because things truly help bring the concepts to life. Seeing those “ah ha” moments click for students is one of the best parts of my job.
What makes the Management and Leadership program unique to our institution? What are the strengths and advantages to the program?
Many of the things I’ve already mentioned combine to make a great and unique opportunity to study management at Portland State. But, beyond those factors, our program has a few unique benefits. First, we allow students a great deal of flexibility in terms of where and how they take their courses. We offer both in person and online options of all the required courses for the management major option. Second, management allows for electives, which students can use to tailor the degree to fit their needs and interests. For example, if they are interested in real estate, they might focus on real estate management electives, or if they are interested in starting their own business one day or strengthening their skills for a business they’ve already started, they can focus on entrepreneurship and social innovation courses. Or, maybe they are interested in working in the outdoor apparel industry. Again, there are options for that. Third, if they are interested or might be interested in expanding their career options in business, they can “double major” in both management and human resource management by focusing their electives in HRM and then taking the HRM capstone courses. So, for just one extra course, they can earn both option areas. It really means that the Management and Leadership option area is one of the most accessible and flexible degrees offered.
Are there any new developments in your program that students should be excited about?
There are always new developments in our program. A major new development is the creation and expansion of The School of Business Career Center. This amazing resource is supported by generous donors including the Boyle and Cameron families, Columbia Sportswear, The Standard, and Enterprise Holdings. This dedicated Career Center means that all Management and Leadership students have access to their own personal career advisor and access to resources to support career exploration, career changes and evolutions, and to accelerate their career options. When it comes to classes, we often develop and offer new electives. Students have access to electives on negotiations, training and development, entrepreneurship, international management, power and influence within organizations, managing the innovation process, project management, analytics, blockchain, as well as the other courses I’ve already mentioned. We rotate electives and are always open to student suggestions and requests for electives in their areas of interest.
What excites you the most when each term starts?
Every term is another opportunity to get students excited about what Management and Leadership has to offer them in terms of a Business degree and their path to ongoing career success. It is exciting to see their dedication, hard work, and development term after term. I also love how our terms mark the seasons. Fall term is one of my favorites with the colors and crisp air. Winter term means that flowers will soon be blooming. Spring term is marked by warmer and longer days. And, Summer in Portland is hard to beat in terms of available activities, long days, and beautiful weather.