Prior to arriving at UMF, she taught for 10 years in the Political Science Department of Barnard College, Columbia University, where she served as the acting chair of the Center for African Studies. Ms. Beck has won various teaching awards including the new faculty teaching award from the UMF student body. She has also published a book, "Brokering Democracy in Africa," and a number of articles and chapters in edited volumes on African politics, identity politics and social accountability. She is a member of the American Political Science Association, the African Studies Association, and the West Africa Research Association. She has a doctorate and master’s in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a bachelor’s in government from Skidmore College.