Business Faculty Feature: Mirjeta Beqiri

May 22, 2025

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Gonzaga University News Service

Learn more about Gonzaga's professors through our Faculty Features! In this installment, you’ll get to know business professor Mirjeta Beqiri and her native home, Albania!

Responses have been edited for length and clarity:

 

GONZAGA: Introduce yourself!

BEQIRI: Përshëndetje (hello)! My name is Mirjeta Beqiri, and I'm a faculty member in the School of Business. I'm originally from Albania. My name, Mirjeta, translates to "good life." Mir means good and jeta means life. Perhaps it was destiny that I would spend my life striving for something meaningful. I've been at Gonzaga for 23 years, and my key area of expertise is in operations and supply chain management.

Tell us about your role in the Research Expertise from the Academic Diaspora (READ) program.

The READ program was established in 2021 as a collaboration between the Institute for International Education and the Albanian-American Development Foundation. I've served on the advisory board since its beginning. It is a way for diaspora scholars to give back and make a meaningful impact on Albania by helping transform its higher education institutions.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with students at different levels across several schools. They are absolutely amazing and truly inspiring.

If you could invite any historical figure to your class, who would it be?

I’m not sure about a historical figure, but I would love to invite Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, to my decision-making class. I had the privilege of meeting her at the American Council on Education’s Women’s Leadership Conference, where she spoke about values-based leadership. Her statement, “We rent our titles, we own our character,” really resonated with me.

Best piece of advice for students?

My advice, not just for students but for everyone, is to stay true to your values and embrace uncertainty and discomfort as a path to growth and impact.

Favorite Albanian food?

My favorite Albanian dish is eggplant with parsley and feta cheese, and I’m very good at making it.

Hidden talent?

My hidden talent is dancing an Albanian dance. Faleminderit (thank you)!

 

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