Teaching in a community-driven culture

Lecturer Kaitlyn Hoffmann is both an experienced data analyst and an award-winning teacher at the Quinlan School of Business. Her goal: to help students connect their studies to real-world applications.

In 2023, her dedication to making business education meaningful was recognized with the Quinlan Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award.

“This award reflects those that have mentored me here at Quinlan, the incredible Quinlan community, and the great educators who paved the way before me,” says Hoffmann. “I now hope to be the mentor that students here need and hope to pay it forward through my educational and professional endeavors.”

Below, Hoffmann details her experiences at the Quinlan School of Business as both a student and faculty member, as well as her approach to teaching.

Why did you choose to study at Quinlan?

Quinlan and Loyola have always felt like home to me. My mother worked for Loyola for over twenty years as an academic advisor. I initially started my college education elsewhere but faced some early setbacks. This pivotal step helped me find my path back to Quinlan, where I developed a strong passion for information systems and operations management. Alongside my role as an analyst and consultant in the healthcare industry, I also earned my MBA at Quinlan. Now, I am grateful for the opportunity to guide those looking for their next step while continuing my consulting work in the industry.

This familiar and supportive environment over time at Quinlan has played a crucial role in my career progression. I am forever grateful and proud to be a Rambler.

What are some of your favorite things about Quinlan?

Quinlan is a community-driven, technology business hub for Chicago. During my time as a student and faculty member, the culture of Quinlan has proven to be both professional and innovative. People at Quinlan have your back and make themselves available to combine academic theory with real-world application in a way that is both sustainable and ethical.

The sense of community and pride that is felt in the student body and throughout the faculty, staff, and alumni is unbeatable. It is inspiring how successful our alumni are and how they want to give back and provide mentorship.

How do you approach teaching at Quinlan?

I teach data analytics and operations management courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses in the Quinlan Honors Program. In all my courses, I teach from my experience as well as from the perspective of students. My teaching style is guided by three primary goals; these goals are continuous growth, interactivity, and a class model that works the best for my students. I aim to improve my classes over time while striving for continuous growth with the technology that is available. I aim for an interactive approach to class combining academic theory with real-world applications. I model my classes with one day for lecture, one day for a demonstration of technical work, and one in-class workday where I am available to answer questions.

What is it like balancing teaching and being a doctoral student?

Teaching while pursuing my doctorate in Loyola’s School of Education has made me more empathetic to the world of being a student. I am learning how to engage my students better, enrich my teaching, and improve my academic work.

If a student in my classroom can feel comfortable making mistakes and be accepted despite those mistakes, then that student is equipped for growth and development in the workplace.

Describe Quinlan in ten words or less.

I would describe Quinlan as innovative, community-driven, ethically focused, and connected to real-world business.

Learn more

• BBA in Information Systems and Analytics
• MBA/MSBA in Business Analytics
• Quinlan Faculty and Staff Award Winners 2023

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Join Lecturer Kaitlyn Hoffmann in Finland

Students, register for INFS 336 in Helsinki, Finland. This summer study abroad program led by Hoffmann is open to undergraduate students from all majors and is currently accepting applications.