Tamra Davis, assistant professor of marketing in the College of Business, was recently named the National Collegiate Teacher of the Year by The National Business Education Association. She was honored for outstanding contributions in teaching business education. This award recognizes outstanding contributions within the field of business education by a senior college or university business educator.

Joining Illinois State in 2011, Davis’ work explores problem-solving and team-based learning. Her work has been published in scholarly journals such as the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, The Journal of Research in Business Education, and Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. She also co-wrote a chapter on leadership in professional associations for the National Business Education Association’s Leadership in Business Education 2014 Yearbook.

Davis was nominated by Associate Professor of Marketing Glenn Bailey. In the nomination, one colleague wrote, “Tamra’s dedication to teaching, service, and research is obvious.” While another stated, “Her ability to multitask on several projects at one time is admirable.” The Interim Department Chair of Marketing Kim Judson wrote, “She has already made a significant impact in the program and is a valuable member of the business education faculty.” Her students wrote, “She keeps herself on the cutting edge of business and technology, and brings those elements to her classroom by pushing us to stay up-to-date and use all forms of technology in our own teaching” and “Without Dr. Davis’ support and encouragement, I would not be a teacher today.”

Davis earned her doctorate degree in occupational education from Oklahoma State University. She also holds a master’s degree in business education and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State. Prior to coming to Illinois State, she was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma.