Melissa (Missy) Beers

Melissa (Missy) Beers,  Ph.D. is senior director for the General Education Bookends, two courses all Ohio State students complete as part of the GE Curriculum. Students complete the Launch Seminar within their first three semesters and the Reflection Seminar students prior to graduation. Both courses focus on skills and habits of mind that help students succeed in college and beyond. As senior director, Missy oversees curriculum, assessment, and implementation of these courses and supports a diverse instructional team of over 100 Ohio State instructors. The Bookends team works in partnership with the Drake Institute to develop and promote programs that support both our missions and to advance teaching and learning at Ohio State.

Missy was trained as a social psychologist and is an OSU alum with a specialization in educational development. She has delivered over 85 presentations and workshops on teaching nationally and internationally and has authored more than 20 articles and book chapters on pedagogy in higher education.  Missy taught in the OSU Psychology Department for 22 years and directed graduate teacher training for 16+ years before moving to OAA to lead the GE Bookends in 2022. She has a strong history of service at Ohio State and nationally. Her work in curriculum, assessment, and teaching development has been recognized with the OSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Honors Award, the College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Staff Award, The Ohio State University Distinguished Staff Award (including the inaugural Dr. Michael V. Drake President’s Award distinction), and a national award from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology for the mentorship of teachers.