Mirjeta Beqiri, Ph.D.

Mirjeta holds a BBA in Statistics from the University of Tirana, Albania and an MBA, & Ph.D. in Operations Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Mirjeta teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of Data Analysis and Operations Management. Moreover, in 2017, along with the Gonzaga in Florence faculty, Tamara Evans, Mirjeta initiated and successfully developed and carried out the first faculty led study abroad program at the MBA level – Doing Business in Europe: Gonzaga in Belgium and Italy. In addition to teaching in the School of Business Administration, Mirjeta teaches Inferential Statistics in the DNP program in the School of Health Sciences, as well as volunteers to teach in the Jesuit Worldwide Learning program. Prior to coming to the United States, Mirjeta worked as the Director of the Statistical Directory of the District Council of Shkoder, Albania, and as Assistant Professor and Department Chair at the Faculty of Economy, University “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Shkoder, Albania. Her research interests include perceived waiting times, service quality, outsourcing, business ethics, business education, and distance learning. She is a member of several professional organizations, such as Decision Sciences Institute, POMS, and EUROMA, and served as the member of “Ruane Award of Business Education Innovation” Selection Committee (2016, 2017), as well as the Co-Chair of the Instructional Award Innovation Competition, Decision Sciences Institute (2017). 

For her outstanding performance Mirjeta has been awarded with “Best Paper Award” (2007), “Outstanding MBA Professor of the Year Award” (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), Gonzaga University’s “Faculty Exemplary Award” (2013), “Wilfrid and Patricia Loeken SBA Vision and Values Award” (2013), “Wilfrid and Patricia Loeken SBA Excellence” (2014), “Centioli Faculty Award” (2016), “Jepson Faculty Fellowship” (2007, 2009, 2015), and Barnes Research Award (2018). Additionally, Mirjeta has been awarded with the Gratitude of University of Shkodra (Albania) for “Distinguished contribution in the establishment, sustainment and advancement of the School of Economics”. 

Mirjeta has also served as the Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Graduate Programs Committee, and IT Committee in the School of Business. At the university level, Mirjeta has served as the Chair of the Academic Council Curriculum Committee; furthermore, she serves on the International Education Council, Community Engagement Advisory Board, Core Executive Committee, and Faculty Senate, to name a few. Recently, Mirjeta was appointed as the MBA Programs Director. In the Spokane community, Mirjeta serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest Board and supports other organizations as well.