Meet the New McDonough Faculty: Sam Skowronek

We are pleased to welcome new faculty members to the Georgetown McDonough community this fall.

In our Meet the New McDonough Faculty Series, learn more about the interests, specialties, experiences, and personalities behind the talented academics at the McDonough School of Business.

We spoke with Sam Skowronek (C’13), assistant professor of management, about what he hopes to accomplish at Georgetown through his engagement with students, classroom philosophy, and beyond.

Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Georgetown.

Before joining Georgetown McDonough, I was most recently a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA Anderson in the Behavioral Decision Making Area. I received my Ph.D. from the Wharton School of the University Pennsylvania. I graduated from Georgetown as an economics major, and I’m thrilled to return to my alma mater as an assistant professor.

What is your area(s) of expertise, and what subject(s) are you most passionate about teaching or researching?

I study what motivates people at work. I focus on how people navigate ethical dilemmas, unclear expectations, and new technologies (such as LLMs and hiring algorithms). In this work, I explore why people sometimes act dishonestly, how emotions like shame and pride shape behavior, and how organizations and educational institutions can encourage honesty and help-seeking behavior.

How would you describe your work or teaching philosophy?

My approach to teaching incorporates three principles: enthusiasm, preparedness, and empathy.

Being prepared and enthusiastic are fundamental to teaching in a business school. In the classroom, I incorporate scientific research with practical applications to provide students with a strong and broad understanding of the material. I incorporate interactive experiences and open-ended discussions where students engage not only with me but also with each other. Throughout, I try to demonstrate the practical implications of the course material. My goal is not only to apprise students of the state of research in the field, but to help them see how they can apply this knowledge to their own advantage.

Empathy is the third principle that is critical in a business school classroom. As a mentor and teacher, I have helped students who are intimidated to speak in class because they may feel self-conscious about their preparation, appearance, or fluency. Before starting my doctoral work, I taught English in an elementary school in South Africa, which made me especially aware of the formative impact of inequities and the diversity of backgrounds. These sensibilities are particularly relevant for negotiations and organizational behavior courses where experiential learning and social interactions are foundational to the course material. My role as a teacher is to help students, especially those who may be hesitant to engage in class discussions, feel comfortable exploring new opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

What are you most looking forward to about your work at Georgetown McDonough?

I’m most looking forward to working with the students. The students at Georgetown are exceptional individuals who will go on to have immense global impact on the world. It is a privilege to be part of their educational journey.

What do you hope to bring to the McDonough community?

I hope to bring energy, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative spirit to the McDonough community. I look forward to contributing through research, teaching, and meaningful engagement with peers, while learning from the diverse perspectives that make the community so vibrant.