At Stukent, our mission is to help educators help students help the world. We build innovative courseware and simulations that prepare students for professional roles. Our solutions save educators valuable prep time, are easy to implement in the classroom, and give students hands-on experience with industry concepts.
Each month, Stukent highlights a standout higher education professor who uses our products in the classroom and exemplifies our core values.
Ryan Russell is Stukent’s Professor of the Month for September 2022!
Ryan Russell
Lecturer of Marketing
School
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
City
Chattanooga, TN
RYAN RUSSELL’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Professionally, I wear two hats. First, I am a lecturer of marketing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My students are among the chief joys of my career, and I love serving them inside and outside the classroom. My entry into higher education was by complete happenstance — a year after speaking to the AMA, I received a call from an unknown number asking if I would be willing to be an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee. I said yes, and after hanging up, I Googled, “What is an adjunct professor?” I served as an adjunct for two and a half years before receiving an offer to become a lecturer, which I have been for three.
Secondly, I am the owner and CEO of Lift Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Chattanooga. Lift Media Group serves clients who are low on time, high on stress, and seeking expertise in their marketing strategy and implementation. Being an entrepreneur is a joy, and I love working with my team at Lift. My students appreciate that I am “practicing what I preach,” and I enjoy connecting them with job opportunities with industry connections, clients, and even competitors!
WHICH STUKENT COURSEWARE AND SIMULATIONS HAVE YOU USED?
The “Digital Marketing Essentials” courseware and Mimic Pro simulation.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH OTHER EDUCATORS?
It starts with love. The adage is true — your students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. I spend time inside and outside my classroom addressing issues like mental health during and after college, career and personal goals, and more.
My students get to know my wife and my kids. I try to share examples of the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in their career.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES AND TALENTS?
I have two beautiful children, Emily (8) and Andrew (5), and an amazing wife, Sarah, so they’re the focal point of my life. Personally, I love to read and enjoy going to Orangetheory Fitness. I’m training for the Ironman triathlon next year! I sit on the board of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club in Chattanooga (Up the Reds!), and I also enjoy spending time in nature.
WHERE CAN WE CONNECT ONLINE?
Twitter: @RyanWPRussell
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwprussell
Instagram: @RyanWPRussell
Congratulations, Ryan! Thank you for everything you do for your students!
