Erin Johnson, Associate Professor of Instruction, received the Tippie College’s Collegiate Teaching Award for instructional-track faculty at the college’s annual faculty/staff recognition event. The Collegiate Teaching Award recognizes excellence in teaching and each of the college’s six academic departments nominates a faculty member for the award. A committee of former Collegiate Instructional-track Teaching Award winners selected Johnson for this honor.

Fellow faculty have commented on her teaching methods citing them as “innovative, engaging and with the appropriate amount of ‘stretch’ for student learning.” The chair of the selection committee remarked, “I feel fortunate to have gained better understanding of her effective methodologies in the classroom and am motivated to implement some of those techniques in my own classes.” 

As a faculty member who teaches negotiations and internationally-focused business courses, Johnson works with both Tippie and non-Tippie students who are enrolled in the International Business Certificate.  Johnson has been recognized for her innovative approach to teaching with the Tippie College’s Innovation in Teaching Award both in 2015 and most recently in 2021.

One of the innovations that Johnson has brought to the classroom in recent years is the integration of cross-cultural negotiation exercises for Iowa students with students in Poland, Kosovo, and Beijing. By building on her relationships with colleagues around the world, Johnson is able to provide a memorable and impactful experience. The task of negotiating with students in another country provides a first-hand experience navigating time zone differences and communicating with a person from a different  country whose first language is not your own.

In addition, students in Johnson’s International Business Environment class had the opportunity to create and execute a series of podcasts that highlighted how students could gain an international experience while remaining or living in the United States.

Knowing that guest speakers with real-world experience bring depth to the classroom, Johnson has included outside speakers from companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Collins Aerospace, and Deere & Company.

One of her students stated, “Erin is a phenomenal role model for young women pursuing business like myself as she has taught me that I should fight for what I deserve. I have so much respect for the delicate way in which she balances strength and humility.”

Johnson joined the Tippie College in 2013 and teaches in the college’s Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. She holds both a BBA and a PhD from the University of Iowa. She has been recognized by the Iowa’s International Programs with the Stanley International Travel Award in 2019 and an additional travel award in 2014. A member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Johnson received the Scholarly Achievement Award from the Academy of Management’s Human Resource Division.