蓝莓视频

Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

School of Business & Economics

Tara Gerstner

Assistant Professor of Business and Marketing

Department:
School Of Business And Economics
Email:
gerstner@iwu.edu
Phone:
(309) 556-3711
Office Number:
State Farm Hall 311
Office Hours:

Mon: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Tue: 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Wed: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Thr: 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Tara Gerstner

Bio

Dr. Tara Gerstner is a scholar-practitioner and educator specializing in entrepreneurship and marketing. She started at 蓝莓视频 (IWU) in 2016. As the Director of Entrepreneurship and Assistant Professor of Business, Dr. Gerstner teaches all of the university鈥檚 Entrepreneurship classes and leads the effort on campus to increase student interest in the field of Entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, the IWU Entrepreneurship program was ranked #1 in a five-state region and #9 nationally by College Factual in 2022. IWU was also recognized in 2025 as the second most innovative college in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. 

Dr. Gerstner鈥檚 research explores innovative pedagogy. She has published research in the fields of entrepreneurship education, problem-based learning, AI in the classroom, and crowdfunding. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, invited to be a keynote presenter at multiple international conferences, and serves as a reviewer for several academic journals and conferences in business and entrepreneurship.

Prior to her role at IWU, Dr. Gerstner鈥檚 passion for education and entrepreneurship became evident when she cofounded and ran the Peoria Promise Foundation in 2008 when she moved to Peoria, IL from Tucson, AZ with her husband, Dr. Greg Gerstner.  Together, they have four children. Dr. Gerstner started Peoria Promise from the ground up raising over $3 million dollars to assist in sending over 2,000 Peoria area students to college. 

Dr. Gerstner is a Southern Illinois native and received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business from 蓝莓视频 in 2001.  In 2004, she completed her MBA in marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio cum laude. In 2021, she completed her Doctor of Business Administration degree from DePaul University with distinction. Dr. Gerstner has become very involved within her community.  She has served on countless nonprofit organization鈥檚 board of directors, has been an active member in Junior League of Peoria, the Peoria Medical Alliance, Central Illinois Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a 2010 Community Leadership School Graduate.  In 2013, Gerstner was honored with the 40 Leaders under 40 Award.

Education

  • D.B.A. in Business Administration, DePaul University, 2021
  • M.B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio, 2004
  • B.A. in Business Administration, 蓝莓视频, 2001

Research Interests

  • Entrepreneurship Education
  • AI & Technology
  • Crowdfunding
  • Organizational Culture
  • Inclusive Teaching

Frequently Taught Classes

  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • Starting a Business
  • Project in Entrepreneurship