Advertising & Marketing Agency Takes Team Approach to College Course
The Business Times
FEBRUARY 21- MARCH 5, 2008
Five business professionals from a Grand Junction-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm have taken a team approach to teaching a mass communications course at Mesa State College.
Five instructors from Ryan, Whitney & Company are teaching the course. Two of the five have master’s degrees and prior teaching experience.
Angelina Salazar, director of business and public relations for the firm, came up with the approach when she was asked to teach the course. “I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity, but realized I didn’t have the time,” Salazar said. “Then I thought, what an experience the students would have if the firm as a whole could take on the class.”
Dan Ryan and Lee Whitney, partners of the firm, liked the idea. “The concept of an entire company teaching a college course was intriguing,” Ryan said. “As far as we know, this has never been done before and we appreciate Mesa State’s willingness to reach beyond the norm to provide students with an innovative learning experience.”
Keesha Davis, client services manager at the firm, said she’s excited about returning to the classroom. “Having just received my MBA from Mesa State, I know firsthand the quality of programs and am looking forward to going back as an instructor.”
The course offers students an overview of the effects of media on individuals and society and covers books, newspapers, magazines, radio and television as well as advertising, film and public relations. “These topics have been a focal point of my life for decades,” Whitney said. “Though I have a lot to share with the students both academically and practically, I expect to learn a lot from them as well.”