All Guest Speakers Are Not Created Equal: Diverse Students Require Diverse Speakers

Abstract

The importance of staying relevant when teaching advertising courses is hardly a new concept, nor is the use of inviting guest speakers to achieve this goal. However, empirically assessing advertising students’ perceptions of guest speakers is an underexplored area. To address this gap and consider the perspectives of diverse student populations, this article analyzes data collected from an introductory advertising course at a large southern Hispanic-serving university ( N = 263). Results indicate students find value in having guest speakers, but not all speakers are created equal, and faculty need to strategically select who they invite and guide the presentation styles. Students prefer knowledgeable and passionate industry professionals as well as alumni who can share personal and industry examples. Gender and racial differences indicate women and Hispanic students have greater interest in learning from guest speakers. Additionally, first-generation (FG) college students demonstrated greater investment in guest speakers than non-FG college students.

Mentorship for Transfer Student Success in STEM Research: Mentor Approaches and Reflections

“…Efforts to sustain an inclusive and supportive space for mentees who are transfer students could also include invitations to other individuals and associations within and outside of the immediate research laboratory who can provide complementary resources and networks that support the needs and goals of transfer students ( National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019 ). Facilitating talks, seminars, and informal networking opportunities that invite professionals from diverse backgrounds, including those who experienced the transfer pathway, could be a plausible strategy for providing transfer students with both the psychosocial and career support that is essential to their holistic development in their mentorship experience ( National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019 ; Craig et al. , 2020 ; Margherio et al.…”

Expert-Led Module Improves Non-STEM Undergraduate Perception of and Willingness to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines

“…The Vaccine Awareness Module was delivered to classes of majority women, many of whom were women of color and included lectures by four women: two white, one south Asian and one Latina woman. While our study did not specifically address the impact of the race or gender of the guest lecturers, previous research suggests that the diverse students are more significantly impacted by diverse guest lecturers ( 66 ). As this area needs more research, in future studies, we recommend investigators evaluate the impact of how race, gender, and other identities play a role in student perception of guest lecturers.…”

Learning From Self-Advocates: Changing Perspectives About Disability

“…Guest presenting offers a myriad of benefits to both the attendees and presenters. Findings from prior research indicate that guest presenters can help college students make connections between what they learned in their classes and the professional world (Craig et al, 2020) and encourage deeper thinking by focusing on application (Robinson & Kakela, 2006). In addition, both college students (Ji et al, 2021; Metrejean et al, 2002) and professors (Zou et al, 2019) find guest presenters to be valuable additions to a university classroom.…”