Welcome back to the Student Success spotlight, an opportunity to recognize the people and resources that make a difference in Drake students’ lives. Each week, we’ll shine a light on the outstanding individuals and initiatives that contribute to the success and growth of our community.

This week features Dr. Natalie Adkins, Associate Professor of Marketing, and “Coffee Talks with Dr. A.”

A New Spin on Office Hours

Over the summer I read many articles about faculty development and one article contained a little nugget of inspiration. The author wrote that if a faculty member wants to increase the number of students stopping by during office hours, then they shouldn’t call them “office hours” and they shouldn’t be held in the faculty member’s office.  So, I created “Coffee Talks with Dr. A” on Wednesday mornings in the Starbucks’ area of Olmsted. I made a sign inviting students to come over and chat. Anyone can pull up a chair to chat—current, former, and potential students, a colleague from across campus, or anyone who wants to talk with me.

I still do reserve time in my actual office for anyone who needs to speak with me in confidence, prefers to come in either before or after class or is interested in seeing the various “marketing” related items on my shelves.

Differences in Students’ Levels of Participation and Engagement

So far, students’ reactions to the “Coffee Talks” have been positive. Several students drop by to say, “Hi,” update me on things going on in their lives, ask me questions about material covered in class, seek advice on course registrations or share news on career opportunities. Once, a First-Gen student, who I will most likely never have in class, asked if he could come talk with me. Absolutely! We talked about networking, our own definitions of success, things we both overcame to get here, and what motivates him to pursue excellence at Drake.

In the Marketing Principles classes I teach in the Zimpleman College of Business, I explain to students the “product” needs to be available where it is wanted or needed. When I hold “Coffee Talks with Dr. A” in Olmsted, my hope is students will see me as approachable, relatable, and offering something of value.

My Favorite Thing about Drake Students

Seeing the proverbial “light bulb” go off in students’ eyes brings me joy. I am passionate about learning; I want students to be passionate about learning, too (admittedly some are not there yet). My favorite thing about Drake students is they aspire to do well AND to do good in the world. This semester a former student spoke in one of my classes. He quoted the American rapper Tupac Shakur who is widely considered one of the most influential and successful rappers of all time. Tupac said,

 I’m not saying I’m gonna’ rule the world or I’m gonna’ change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brain that will change the world.

I’m not a rapper but, I’m confident Drake graduates will change the world…part of my job is to help them get there.

Thank you, Natalie for your creativity!  Let’s celebrate all the ways our community supports student succcess.  Please share your student success spotlight ideas!  Email Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Student Success.

— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success