Academic Leadership Rooted in Real-World Experience
San Francisco State University | 7.5 Years | Associate Professor (Non-Tenure Track)
I began teaching at San Francisco State University at the age of 22—an uncommon path in higher education, where most faculty begin their academic careers much later and often after completing a Ph.D. I was brought in not through the traditional academic track, but because of my practical experience and expertise in Human Resources, Business Strategy, and Compliance. Dr. John Sullivan, then head of the Human Resource Management program and a respected national leader in the field, invited me to join the faculty to bring real-world perspective into the classroom.
Over my 7.5 years at SFSU, I taught more than 1,000 students across core courses, including:
Introduction to Human Resource Management
Strategic Management – the capstone course for undergraduate and MBA students
Strategic Staffing – focused on workforce planning, analytics, and legal compliance
I was also an active member of the California Faculty Association, the union representing California State University professors, lecturers, librarians, and counselors. Through this work, I gained deeper insight into the systemic challenges educators face—budget pressures, staffing policies, and curriculum constraints—and how collaborative leadership and advocacy can improve public education.
This experience shaped my belief that education policy should be rooted in both real-world relevance and faculty perspective. I remain committed to aligning academic goals with practical outcomes and ensuring every student has access to high-quality, future-ready learning.
Student Endorsement
“As a former student in Brian's Business Strategy course at San Francisco State University, where he was an Associate Professor, I saw firsthand his dedication to academic excellence. He instilled in us the ability for rigorously assessing complex challenges to achieve outstanding results, especially with tight deadlines.
I later had the privilege of working with Brian at a global technology company, which further solidified my admiration for his leadership. I observed him consistently drive for strategic results while fostering an inclusive environment that truly valued the diverse contributions of each person. Brian is known as a visionary leader, and his approach to problem-solving is remarkable.”
Chrisoula Geargatos, Former Student
