Beers has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California. Since 1987, he has taught writing and literature at Santa Clara University, where he is currently a professor in the English department and director of the California Legacy Project. From 1991-1997, he was the executive director of the Robinson Jeffers Association. He also serves as the general editor of the California Legacy series of books, co-published by Santa Clara University and Heyday and is the host of "Your California Legacy" Radio Productions on KAZU Public Radio.