b'TEACHING EXCELLENCEtheir learning based on a menu of options including lectures, textbook readings and study guides. In class, students participate in activities and apply the lessons theyve learned to real-world scenarios.She really goes out of her way to enhance the curric-ulum, said Kylie Groh, a senior who took Essings digital marketing class last year. She takes what were learning and adds projects that give us hands-on experience, which is impressive because it takes a lot of time out of her week to do those extra things. It just shows how committed she is to making sure were learning.One of these learning opportunities traces back to Essings retail roots: Students are tasked with solving a real case for Walmart, and they even get the oppor-tunity to collaborate with company leaders to present their solutions. Courtney Cothren, an associate teaching professor who co-teaches retail marketing with Essing, highlighted the significance of joining forces with an international company like Walmart.Walmart is one of the biggest companies in theESSING RECOGNIZED WITH entire world, and so students get more invested and excited about the project knowing that theyreOUTSTANDING FACULTY AWARDA SERVICE MENTALITY solving a real-world case and working with companyCOURTESY OF LOGAN JACKSON, MU HONORS COLLEGEexecutives, Cothren said. It shows them exactly how the concepts theyre learning can apply to their future careers. Each year, the University of Missouri Honors College recognizes faculty who Innovative educator have made a substantial and lasting contribution to the academic and intel-lectual lives of our students. Nominees are solicited from students and other Essing hasnt just blended in with the College offaculty and chosen by a selection committee based on the criteria of who best Business since she joined six years agoshesrepresents the mission and values of the Honors College through their teaching, helped improve it. Thanks to Essing, more studentsoutreach, collaboration and engagement.ARTICLE COURTESY OF SHOW ME MIZZOU Essings attitude of service has history. The Robert J.are enrolled in digital marketing courses, a digital Trulaske, Sr. College of Business graduate said shesmarketing certificate has been created and students[Assistant Teaching Professor Katie] Essingregularly teaches Honors sections Marketing Professor Katie Essing is cultivating aalways felt a calling to give back to Mizzou, especiallyin the Digital Marketing Club have access to a world- of a variety of courses, such as: Principles of Marketing, Retail Marketing, passion for retail among her students using inno- after being named a Walton Scholar during her timeclass mentor. Integrated Marketing Communications and Digital Marketing. Here is what a vative teaching methods and a service-orientedas a student. couple students said about Essing:approach. Shes knowledgeable about everything digital After graduating from Mizzou, Essing became a retailmarketing, which is helpful because thats what I wantKatie is one of the best professors Ive ever had. Her energy and enthusiasm for EssingsIf you walk into Cornell Hall around 2 p.m. on a Monday,buyer in St. Louis and then spent 12 years in mallto go into and why I came to Mizzou, said Kelsiethe course content is contagious, and it is clear she cares and is knowledgeable chances are youll hear the faint sound of musicon the subject well beyond the purpose of the course. She also takes time to personality isemerging from a classroom on the second floor. Andmanagement. Essing began teaching retail marketingEtherton, a business administration student who met as an adjunct in 2003. Essing also held a position asEssing while studying abroad in Prague. Shes enthu- get to know each of her studentsher caring and passion made me want to as upbeat asif you follow that melodious trail, youll likely end upcome to class even on days I wasnt feeling motivated. the executive director of the Downtown Commu- siastic, actually cares about my future and wants to the music shein assistant teaching professor Katie Essings digitalnity Improvement District. She began teaching at thehelp me in any way she can. Katie is always being aProfessor Essing is wonderful! Im so glad she taught the Honors section of playsand bothmarketing class. university full time in 2020. Since then, shes madecheerleader for everyone in her classes. this course so that I could have her! She welcomes everyone into the class and are intentionallyEssings personality is as upbeat as the music sheit her mission to bring that same passion for retail toEssing also creates networking opportunities for heris so passionate about what she teaches. Her real-world experiences add so playsand both are intentionally curated to helpher teaching and beyond. much to the lectures. curated tostudents succeed. students by introducing guest speakers to classes, help studentsI got the idea of playing music from working in retailThe Walton scholarship was life-changing, shemany of whom are former students and arrive with jobEditors Note: As the Outstanding Faculty Award recipient, Professor Essing said. It helped me afford college and sparked myand internship opportunities to share. Just as Essingwas invited to give remarks at the Honors Colleges May 2024 commencement succeed. as a way to cue how students go through class,interest in retail. It also made me want to supportreceived a scholarship that made her want to giveceremony.Essing said. I play lively music as they enter thefuture Tigers, just like I was supported. Im so gladback, her own course alumni have also been inspired classroom and calming, lo-fi music when its timeto be back at Mizzou doing just that. to support the next generation of her studentsto focus on class work. Students on a campus areEmbodying experiential learning Tigers supporting Tigers at its best.similar to customers in a store, and its important to communicate with them quickly and be courteousIn her retail and digital marketing courses, EssingIt feels good to give back to that next set of lead-and polite. Thats how you are in the retail environ- recognizes the importance of the intersectionership, Essing said. Its just so rewarding to get to ment, and I think students deserve that same courtesybetween hands-on learning opportunities andwork with students, and its really fun to see them and professionalism. practical course material. She implements a flippednow in their careers and back at Mizzou. I am lucky classroom model where students can constructto get to do this.32 | TRULASKE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TRULASKE MAGAZINE 2024| 33'