Written by Nandita Daga
Dr. Elizabeth Goins is currently teaching BA324H, the foundational Canfield BHP Business communication course. Although new to CBHP, she finds teaching CBHP students a rewarding experience because “[they] truly engage with the learning process and bring so much interesting experience to the classroom. I love hearing about their big ideas and big dreams, and that I get the opportunity to help turn those into realities.”
Dr. Goins’ dreams are what led her here to us in Austin. Ten years ago, she was on K Street (Washington D.C.’s lobbying industry) and working with C-suite executives. Her lingering wish of getting a doctorate led her to apply to UT, which has one of the best communication programs nationally. She started graduate school thinking she’d leave as a researcher, but her grad school “side hustles” – as an athletic tutor, assistant director of the University Writing Center, instructor of writing and public speaking, and MBA coach – helped her discover a new calling. Although she has built a successful consulting business post-graduation, her closest passion is still teaching.
Her teaching philosophy is based on pragmatism, which believes that education should be practically applicable to life. She provides examples of how class material will help students be more successful at work, have better relationships, and set themselves apart from the competition. These examples come from her professional experiences, current issues facing companies from different industries, and the latest in business communication research. Dr. Goins believes that BA324H is an essential course because you can be the smartest person in the room, but if you don’t know how to communicate your ideas and persuade people, you’ll never be a successful leader. The BA324H course is particularly empowering, because becoming a skilled communicator is all about practicing and getting feedback – just like playing piano or soccer. Her goal is that wherever a student begins, they will feel more confident about their communication skills after taking her class.
To students, she offers some words of wisdom: “You face so much pressure when it comes to grades, and as someone with an anxiety disorder, I often worry about what that constant stress does to you. But here’s a secret: after your first job or application to graduate school, no one will care about your GPA. I had a 3.2 in undergrad and it’s never held me back from anything…What you’ll really remember from this time are the classes that changed your thinking, the experiences that shaped your identity, and the people who became your family. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself while you’re here, and the rest will take care of itself”.
When not in class, you can find Dr. Goins doing yoga, circuit training, spinning, and hiking with her husband. She also enjoys gardening, traveling, and camping (right now she’s into road trips and National Parks). On the less active side, Dr. Goins loves a good Netflix or Amazon binge and is re-watching The Good Wife and The Good Place and about to finish the latest season of The Man in the High Castle. If you would like to learn more about her, email her at elizabethgoins@utexas.edu or drop by her office at GSB 4.126H!