From McDonald’s to the Dean’s Office: Scott Beaulier’s Vision for Higher Ed
What does it look like to lead a business school with grit, urgency, and a deep understanding of opportunity? For Scott Beaulier, Dean of the University of Wyoming’s College of Business, it starts with remembering where you came from—and never forgetting who you serve.
In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry interviews one of higher education’s most entrepreneurial and unorthodox leaders. From his childhood in Michigan’s economically declining Upper Peninsula to a PhD from George Mason and leadership roles across the country, Beaulier’s story is a study in upward mobility and bold thinking.
Growing Up Cold, Poor, and Resilient
Scott paints a vivid picture of his early life in Iron Mountain, Michigan. The economy had long since peaked, and most career paths were rooted in the local paper mills, carpentry, or mining. Raised by a single mother of three, Scott learned early that life was about survival and work ethic—not grand visions of academic success.
He got his first job at McDonald’s at 16. By the time he was in college, he was managing stores while juggling full-time coursework. He jokingly calls it his “MBA the hard way.” But the experience stuck with him—and so did the core lesson: show up, do the work, and keep moving forward, no matter how cold it gets.
The Professor Who Changed Everything
Scott didn’t plan to major in economics. But one professor—David Prychitko—saw something in him that no one else had. “He was probably the first professional in my life who said, ‘You have talent. You shouldn’t underestimate yourself,’” Scott recalls. That mentorship changed the course of his life.
It wasn’t just about academics. It was about possibility. Prychitko introduced Scott to the ideas and thinkers that would shape his worldview—and encouraged him to pursue graduate work at George Mason University. From there, the door opened to a bigger world.
Fieldwork in the Czech Republic and Botswana
At George Mason, Scott immersed himself in real-world economics—traveling to the Czech Republic to study post-communist transitions and to Botswana to understand what fuels long-term prosperity in resource-rich countries. Both places showed him something crucial: institutions matter, but so does dignity.
He interviewed everyday people who had lived through economic systems that limited their freedom and saw up close the transformational power of markets when paired with sound governance. These experiences gave him a lens for understanding growth—and an appreciation for just how rare opportunity really is.
Building Something Different in Higher Ed
After faculty stints across the country, Scott took on administrative roles and began putting his ideas into action. Most notably, he helped launch a $50 million economic growth institute at North Dakota State University, in partnership with major donors. He earned a reputation as an “educational entrepreneur”—someone unafraid to challenge how universities think about scale, access, and mission.
Now, at the University of Wyoming, he’s applying that same energy. One-third of his students are first-generation college-goers. Many come from small towns where even Laramie feels intimidating. Scott sees his job as helping them gain confidence, relevance, and practical experience—while building a school that leads, not lags, in innovation.
A Business School Built for This Moment
Scott argues that most colleges still chase prestige and exclusivity, even when it undermines their mission. “There’s always this tension to put up more barriers,” he says. “But we exist to open doors.” He challenges universities to embrace access, embrace students, and design programs around real-world outcomes.
He’s not interested in moving slowly, either. “If it’s not unstable, it’s boring,” he says, quoting a mentor. That mindset has led to new initiatives in Wyoming—including a partnership to build an abundance-focused honors college and more real-world economic programming for rural students.
Running Through the Wall
As a marathon runner, Scott often draws parallels between endurance training and leadership. “The wall is real,” he says, “but it’s also where you define who you are.” That idea shows up everywhere in his story—from his first 4 a.m. McDonald’s shifts to cutting 20% from his budget as a young dean.
And that lesson holds for all of us: when things get hard, you can either fold—or you can lean in.
Mentors, Mobility, and the Power of Moving
Scott also speaks powerfully about mentorship—both the role it played in his own life, and why he tries to give back to students today. And he makes a strong case for why Americans need to rediscover mobility. “We’re too complacent,” he argues. “People don’t chase opportunity the way they used to.”
His own path—moving from Wisconsin to Georgia to Alabama to Arizona to North Dakota to Wyoming—is proof that chasing opportunity can pay off.
If He Had $50 Million…
Near the end of the conversation, Kevin poses a question: What would Scott do with $50 million right now? His answer? Build a program rooted in abundance. One that helps students see a future of opportunity, not scarcity. One that reminds them—and us—that the world is getting better, and that their contributions matter.
The Final Word: Go Big by Moving Forward
Scott’s final piece of advice? Don’t wait. Don’t be paralyzed by your own insecurities. “Action builds competence,” he says. “Just get going.”
It’s a fitting end to a conversation full of insight for students, educators, leaders, and anyone rethinking what it means to lead with purpose today.
