"Hey, Professor"

Teaching two classes keeps me on campus more frequently these days and I will often grab a coffee to enjoy the walk from the parking deck to the classroom. Along the way, I have an opportunity to absorb the campus vibe and I start to recognize familiar faces, often my own students.

A few times recently, I've seen students from one class on the day I'm not teaching that section. It surprised me how nice it was to be recognized and to hear this simple greeting: "Hey, Professor" as we passed each other walking through the campus.

Being on a college campus is a different type of community than we join in the business world. I've been part of several business communities throughout my career; some are direct connections due to titled roles, or client relationships, or business memberships. These are all good groups, worthy endeavors, and necessary to create one's career ecosystem. I've enjoyed them all.

But being on campus is a little different. It offers me reflective time and it also allows me to create an intentional classroom culture. Each time I walk around on campus I have a few minutes to reflect on my past career accomplishments and decide which ones to bring into the classroom. Or, I have a few minutes to think about how to make myself a better practitioner or how to explain technology's impact. Sometimes I might brainstorm about how to share a personal life anecdote in my lecture. But more importantly being on campus just a little bit a few times per week provides a sense of connectedness for someone who has been working remotely since well before the pandemic. I'm alone but I'm part of a much larger entity all united in one endeavor which is to provide or receive a great education.

It's really special to be part of someone's educational journey. I first started adjuncting in the mid-2000's. The students I taught in those first few semesters are now well into thriving careers of their own. While I teach public relations and related communications disciplines, many of my students did not enter or remain in the field. Some continued their education in business or law and other disciplines. Today as I review my LinkedIn connections I do have some public relations standouts, including a brand manager for a beloved cookie brand and several PR firm leaders; I also count a global business development leader in consumer packaged goods; a unit chief in a district attorney's office; a vice president of HR for a major medical device company. I recently learned I even have a hockey coach in my roster of early students! It's fun to think in some small way I might have played a part in the launch of these diverse careers, or at the least, encouraged them to think critically about the messages they send and receive in their roles. I can't wait to see what this next cohort of students does. The future is bright! And in the meantime I'll enjoy my coffee and the occasional "Hey, Professor" that never fails to make me smile.