From corporate board rooms to college classrooms

 When you step foot Into Dr. Keisha Nichols Classroom At Penn states Smeal College of Business you will soon sense something is different,  The energy is focused, students lean forward in their seats, students are actively participating asking questions. Dr Nichols, A tall brown skinned woman with long locs and glasses, rarely sits down. Walking through the

classroom with the confidence of someone who not only spent decades teaching strategy but living it. She teaches with passion, without knowing the topic you are drawn in by how she speaks. She has a voice that commands the room, yet the tone is a bit soothing. She keeps students engaged asking them questions and responding back like a conversation. Students show up to class early to have conversation with Dr. Nichols, asking her how her week has been and she asks the same, the students seem to have a good relationship with their professor. She also seems to genuinely care about her students. The classroom itself is a combination of old and new. There is new equipment in the front of the room at the podium. The screen and projector in the room also looks new. However, the room still has chalk boards and old drafty windows. 

"I've always been analytical, goal-oriented, and strategic by nature," Dr. Nichols explains. "I thrive in pressure-filled environments and have a strong ability to synthesize both quantitative and qualitative information to solve complex problems."

She went on to explain that these traits became the foundation of a 20-year career in corporate America, working in marketing and strategic roles. She also shared with me that corporate was very demanding and that her transition to teaching had as much to do with her love of the classroom as it did the lifestyle change. Her background and education were perfect for teaching young people preparing for the real world.

"I'm what's called a practitioner-scholar—someone who bridges the gap between theory and practice," she says. "My corporate background informs how I teach, and I bring real-world case studies, industry insights, and practical frameworks into the classroom."

After a while her students began to listen to our discussion and even began asking questions! She indicated that before coming to state college, Dr. Nichols spent 10 years at the University of California Davis, working as the Assistant Vice Provost of global affairs and business faculty. There she taught marketing strategy and built global education programs. 

She continued, "Penn State is an incredibly rewarding place to work," Dr. Nichols says with genuine enthusiasm. "The campus is beautiful, and there's a genuine sense of community that makes coming to work each day enjoyable."

"Combining teaching, research, and real-world application gives a fulfilling feeling and has created opportunities for many rewarding connections and partnerships," she reflects.

Her class was 75 minutes. After our discussion, which the students seem to also enjoy, Dr. Nichols did lecture. The class had great discussion, participated in group activity and even asked me a few questions before heading out. Many of the students lingered after a bit as Dr. Nichols is facilitating a simulation for this course. Students shared information with each other in preparation for processing “competition rounds” at a designated date.

Dr. Nichols and I continued our discussion. We left the old, retrofitted building and began to walk the campus. The campus is also a combination of old and new buildings. There are LOTS of

students! Walking quickly to classes. Standing and talking in the cold. We passed a small group of protesters. I noticed lots of students speeding by on scooters in blue jackets. Dr. Nichols explained to me that athletes are afforded scooters to get to class! The campus is very busy. Dr. Nichols and I walked quickly through all the activity on campus to the business building- which was about a 5-minute walk from the building we were in. As we walked, we continued ourdiscussion.

Dr. Nichols advised that as a professor at Penn State she has the chance to collaborate with colleges across the University from varies backgrounds on projects that align with her interest and expertise. Her experience in global education has taken her around the world, from Sydney Australia to London, England and many more places.

Dr. Nichols’ impact extends farther than the classroom, as she is a faculty advisor for PASMA ( Penn State American Marketing Association). This is the largest student organization at Smeal College of Business. In this role she helps foster community, school spirit, and school pride through community engagement projects, networking events, and professional development opportunities. She explains:

"What I love most about advising PSAMA is seeing students develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and take pride in being part of something larger than themselves," she says.

Dr. Nichols went on to tell me about an upcoming conference that she will be attending with her leadership board from PSAMA. She will take 12 students to Chicago for the International Collegiate Conference. This is a conference that happens annually and students from all over the nation and beyond come together for professional development, competitions and networking. Many students find employment opportunities during attendance. They stay for a week at a large hotel. She says they always make it a point to make time for social and cultural activities as well.

Dr. Nichols explained the commitment to student development defines Penn state culture. She described the student culture as "vibrant and community-oriented, with an incredible sense of pride. They have a “work hard, play hard" mentality, and strong school spirit (particularly around football).

We finally arrive at the business building, and this building is quite different from the building where she led her marking strategy class. The business building is a new building with a stock ticker right in the middle of it. Each floor has glass windows along the hall so that you can see students transitioning from room to room. The building is also very busy, full of students meeting in seating areas. There is a coffee shop on the entry floor with a line that is very long. There are posters that highlight events, digital posters that decorate the walls – that change periodically from calendar events to pictures of students or their dean. You can visit Dr. Nichols in her 4th floor office located in the business building. When we arrived, there were a few students lingering outside. One person just came to say hi. Another person has a q
uestion. Many people greet Dr. Nichols showing the 

 

Atmosphere and relationships she has created. In her office there is a wooden desk and cabinets. She has a large monitor that takes up a good portion of her desk, a coffee maker, with cups, sugar and cream. I noticed that she has cards and post cards pinned to a pin cushion area over her desk. I think the cards are from places she has been. She has a large wall of windows behind her desk. You can see the surrounding buildings. As she put her things away and got settled, she complained about all the construction on campus. I noticed that she had a new building being erected directly outside her window!

We sat a while and talked a bit more. We were interrupted frequently by a student saying hi, a student dropping off candy, or another student asking a question. Dr. Nichols smiled and seemed unbothered by it all. 

As Dr Nichols Continues her work at Penn State. Teaching marketing strategy, advising PASMA, building global education programs, and exploring new opportunities and possibilities, she embodies the principles she teaches strategic thinking, adaptability, and continuous learning. Her journey from corporate boardrooms to college classrooms isn't just a career change it's a masterclass in leveraging resources, identifying opportunity and creating sustainable competitive advantage. And for the students that are lucky enough to learn from her, it’s a daily reminder that the best professors are those who've walked the path themselves.