May 7, 2025
Curtis’ real-world approach earns top teaching award
An anthropology degree, temporary work, and an encounter with a fraudster all contributed to Susan Curtis’ unconventional path to becoming an accounting educator. In more than two decades at Gies College of Business, she has touched the lives of thousands of students. This year Curtis, along with marketing professor Mark Wolters, earned the Student Success Impact Award from the University of Illinois – an award that celebrates faculty and staff who have made a significant positive impact on students’ experiences at Illinois.
“It is my 25th year on the faculty,” said Curtis, a senior lecturer of accountancy at Gies Business. “This means a great deal to me, to still be making a positive difference in my students’ lives.”
Accounting wasn’t on her radar when Curtis decided to study anthropology at Grinnell College. After graduating, it was time to be more practical. “My liberal arts degree and $2 bought a cup of coffee.”
It was pre-Google so Curtis headed to the library to research career options. She worked for a staffing company to explore different businesses. A temporary position at a small accounting firm during tax season inspired her to explore accounting further. It was busy season, but the CPAs took time to discuss their work with her, and she began to understand what still interests her today.
“I learned that accounting produces the numbers that are used to make business decisions,” said Curtis, who became the accounts receivable clerk for a small business. A few months later, when the bookkeeper was abruptly let go, Curtis stepped up and learned on the job.
“Our suppliers needed to be paid. All of us who worked there needed our checks. We lived paycheck to paycheck,” said Curtis.
The tipping point toward accountancy, however, came after her encounter with a fraudster.
“The business owner hired a new bookkeeper who tried to frame me for theft of missing cash!” said Curtis. “ Fortunately, our boss was reluctant to believe her.”
Not long after, they learned from police that she was wanted for embezzlement at her previous job.
“Round two, I stepped in again, but still didn’t get that bookkeeper job,” said Curtis, who then decided to return to school. “Thank goodness for unfulfilled wishes!”
Curtis studied accounting at Wichita State University, working there as an internal auditor, then as a teaching assistant. Three years later, she passed the CPA exam, moved to Illinois, and began her doctoral work. In 2000, she earned her PhD and joined Gies Business as a visiting assistant professor of accountancy, becoming a lecturer in 2001 and senior lecturer in 2022. Her dedication to teaching was recognized with the prestigious Michael and Mary Ann Cook/Deloitte Prize for Teaching in 2017.
Today, Curtis teaches Decision-Making for Accounting (ACCY 302) and Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Accountants (ACCY 516), a course she developed.
“It’s a sweet spot,” said Curtis. “I learned from life experience why this material matters, and that informs my work with students.”
Her teaching methods include unique attention-grabbing performances, like the famous "debits to the left, credits to the right" dance and the variance analysis rhythmic chant, aim to make content memorable.
“My goal is to get students to get the memorizing done as quickly as possible,” said Curtis. “We’re just setting table for deeper learning, which happens when they apply, analyze, discover, explain, and demonstrate.”
Curtis understands that learning is hard work, and she is a big proponent of creating routine for students in a course as quickly as possible.
“If students stumble it’s easier to catch them,” said Curtis. “A short extension, an office hour appointment, these are small things, but I think they know that it means I care about them and want them to learn.”
Leading up to a big test or assignment, you can find Curtis with students in the Business Instructional Facility (BIF) atrium, for accessible extra office hours.
“I’m not going to be available at midnight, but I can be there until 9 the night before an exam,” said Curtis. It’s important to tap into the emotional dimensions of learning. Students thrive when we believe in them. But it’s not about being the cheerleader, it’s about being the coach.”
Curtis believes she should be a role model and help students overcome their fear of mistakes.
"My students know that I love a mistake, because if they make a mistake and we fix their understanding, they're going to remember it," said Curtis. “That’s how we learn.”
To new faculty, Curtis suggests seeking out experienced colleagues for honest conversations about what’s working and what’s been a misfire. And her advice to students:
“Prioritize making learning enjoyable, even if it’s a nerdy algebra problem,” said Curtis. “Keep things fresh, change things up, and have fun.”