Tammy Vanderleest

Ms. Tammy van der Leest is a Lecturer and Program Director for the Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas. She specializes in business communication, professional development, and organizational behavior, with a strong emphasis on preparing students for success in today’s evolving workplace.

Professor van der Leest brings extensive industry, leadership, and employer engagement experience into the classroom. Prior to joining full-time faculty, she worked in employer development and career services at UNT, where she partnered with hundreds of corporate organizations to align student talent with workforce needs. Her background also includes senior leadership roles in higher education and business development, where she led multi-state initiatives, developed strategic partnerships, and delivered training programs focused on professional readiness.

Her teaching philosophy centers on developing students’ professional presence, communication skills, and the ability to translate knowledge into practice. Through applied coursework, employer partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities, she challenges students to think critically, communicate with clarity, and engage confidently in professional environments. Her courses emphasize writing, presentation skills, ethical decision-making, and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

In addition to teaching, Professor van der Leest plays an integral role in shaping the future of management education at UNT. As Program Director, she is actively involved in building and advancing the Management BBA program from its foundation, contributing to curriculum development, employer engagement, and experiential learning initiatives designed to enhance career readiness and student success. She is also engaged in university service, including student conduct, professional development programming, and veteran community engagement initiatives.

A veteran of the United States Air National Guard, Professor van der Leest brings a disciplined, leadership-focused perspective to her work with students. She holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a concentration in Global Management and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics.

“The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi