I have worked in higher education my entire career for multiple reasons. However, at the top of the list is the chance to serve college students. Most of the time, this service takes place behind the scenes and doesn’t involve me engaging with students face-to-face. However, every now and then that opportunity does present itself.

Last week, I spent time with an Intro to PR class here at Eastern Washington University. The course’s instructor, Jessica Boyer, asked if I could give the students a glimpse at what it is like to lead a university marketing team.

This opportunity was more intimate and involved than the presentations I have given at past career stops. Instead of just dropping by their classroom, I invited the students to Hargreaves Hall, the building that I actually work in. I reserved the President’s Conference Room so we could meet in a space where decisions are made.

Instead of lecturing in an EWU classroom, I met with students from Jessica Boyer’s Intro to PR class inside the President’s Conference Room within Hargreaves Hall, the building I work in (photo courtesy of Aaron Weer)

After asking the students to introduce themselves, I spoke for about 20 minutes regarding our department’s structure, the work we do, and current projects we are tackling. I then took the opportunity to stress the importance of internships and pitch the openings that we are hiring for. 

I then opened the floor to questions. As hands went up and thoughtful questions were asked, I figured my presentation was riveting and they were intrigued by me. Nah. Jessica simply had the students write questions ahead of time to prevent awkward silence during the Q&A period.

But nonetheless—pre-written or not—the questions were good. They asked about different marketing tactics, the motivation that drives my work, the skills they should develop, and much more. And surprise, there was a question about where I stood regarding AI. I gave them my typical answer: AI is awesome at the beginning and end of projects—the perfect brainstormer and a trusted verifier. However, using AI to carry a project from start to finish will result in a creativity-stripped and overcomplicated output.

I then learned something from the students. AI isn’t the best friend of Gen Z like we might all assume. There is actually plenty of cynicism from college students when it comes to artificial intelligence. Many view generative AI as a hodgepodge of ripped off ideas and a job snatcher.

After the presentation and questions, I had the honor of doing something pretty cool. We left the conference room and I took the students on a tour of our University Relations offices. I showed them where the work is done but more importantly I introduced them to the people who do it. It was fun to see my colleagues embrace their chance to address the class and deliver impassioned guidance to the students. Toward the end of the tour, the class officially ended. However, despite given the option, no one left. Instead, everyone stuck around until it concluded.

It was an honor to present to this class. After the tour, we gathered around for this photo in the Hargreaves Hall lobby (photo courtesy of Aaron Weer).

In fact, the students didn’t just stick around until the end of the tour, they stuck around until the very bitter end so the student photographer could take a group shot. As those in Jessica Boyer’s class shook my hand upon exiting the building, my top reason for working in higher ed was once again re-affirmed. Don’t Blink.