Faculty Research Accomplishments

Teaching That Inspires Students and Faculty to Excel

What defines an exceptional faculty member?

At Leeds, faculty excellence means more than subject expertise. It is demonstrated by asking new questions, making unexpected connections and challenging students to view business from diverse perspectives. In the classroom, this involves engaging students’ curiosity, broadening their thinking and building their confidence to explore new ideas. Through research, it means generating knowledge that furthers understanding and extends impact beyond the university. Together, teaching, mentorship and scholarship create opportunities for faculty to shape both the students they teach and the broader business world.

This spirit of intellectual curiosity is central to Leeds Frontiers’ vision for innovation. Leeds faculty excel at connecting disciplines to ideas and applying this integrative approach to both their research and teaching.
Joseph L. Frascona, Professor Emeritus of Business Law, exemplified this approach. As a teacher and mentor, he encouraged students, including Bob Falkenberg (BS ‘77 Finance) and Nancy Falkenberg Tuck (BS ’82 Finance), to move beyond their comfort zones and expand their thinking. His influence extended well beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on the students he taught and mentored.

That lasting impact inspired the Falkenberg Family to establish the Frascona Teaching Excellence Award in 1991. Their goal was to ensure future Leeds faculty would inspire students as Frascona had inspired them. The family wanted to recognize faculty who go beyond “textbook teaching,” by invigorating students, engaging their minds and helping them better understand the world.

That vision continues to shape Leeds. Frascona Award recipients receive funding to further develop their teaching and share expertise not only with colleagues, but scholars outside of CU Boulder. This investment extends beyond one professor or classroom, as exceptional educators help strengthen teaching and influence future generations of students.

Faculty thought leadership extends beyond traditional lecture through impactful research and scholarship. The new Shaoshu Zhou Endowed Research Paper Award, established by a current professor, honors outstanding emerging research by Leeds faculty. This endowment was created in memory of his late grandmother, and the award demonstrates how personal experience and dedication to academic excellence can strengthen the Leeds community.

“I created the award in memory of my late grandmother, Shaoshu Zhou. She was an important influence in my life,” the donor shared. “As a faculty member, I also know how important research is to the mission of a great university. Endowing a research paper award felt like a natural way to bring those two things together: honoring my grandmother while supporting and celebrating the excellent scholarship of Leeds faculty.” 

Both the Frascona and Zhou awards show how investing in thought leadership creates a lasting impact. Teachers inspire students beyond the classroom, and faculty scholarship advances knowledge and motivates future thinkers. When alumni and faculty support the people and ideas that define Leeds, they strengthen teaching and learning, enrich student experiences and uphold a tradition of excellence.