New Faculty: Meet Leila Khoshghadam, Department of Marketing

Leila Khoshghadam
Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING

Education

Ph.D., Business Administration, Old Dominion University

MBA, Marketing

B.S., Electrical Engineering

What are your research interests?

My primary focus is on interactive marketing in offline and online settings. In one research stream, I investigate the role that consumer sentiment has on the success/failure of firms’ interaction efforts. In the second stream, I seek insight into actionable strategies to manage successful interaction between front-line employees and consumers.

What are you looking forward to in your new role at Towson University?

I am passionate about teaching students and helping them prepare for future jobs. In this position, I am looking forward to growing my skills and helping my students succeed, which is very important to me! Moreover, I intend to expand my research by collaborating with fellow TU faculty members and learning new things.

What is your plan for teaching in the remote space?

First and foremost, I intend to maintain a positive attitude and a supportive environment. Students should feel safe and certain about their education path, despite all the uncertainty around us.

Second, I have made changes in my teaching strategies to keep the quality of my online classes high. For example, to make students more engaged with topics, I spend less time on lectures while using more case studies, real examples, and news sharing. This will facilitate interactions between students and help them develop skills such as critical thinking and teamwork in remote classes.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any new quarantine hobbies?

During the lock-down, I found myself caring more about my health: I started doing more workouts and eating healthier. I also enjoy reading my favorite books, which have been waiting for me on my bookshelf for a long time! Despite all the frustration, I try to think positively of this situation and catch up with work that I always want to do, but never seem to find a time to complete.

If you had one piece of advice to give to your students right now, what would it be?

Do not get discouraged if the situation is not as you expected a year ago. A setback is an opportunity for a comeback! You can be at home and still progress every day. Try to learn new skills and build your resume, even when you are at home. Read the book Conversations with Myself, by Nelson Mandela and keep it in mind that he wrote the book when he was in prison!

I am also a good listener and I love to meet new people. In case you need two ears to share your concern, you can count on me!

What is something few people know about you?

I am a good interior designer. I love to match colors, fabrics, and textiles. I always receive compliments about my design taste!