This spring, Southeast Missouri State University is redefining experiential learning by bringing executive leaders directly into the classroom. Through a new Executive Mentoring Program at the Harrison College of Business and Computing (HCBC), students are engaging directly with industry leaders to gain real-time strategic insight and professional connections. This semester brings executives from the City of Cape Girardeau and pharmaceutical giant, Bayer.
“Bringing executive mentors into the classroom is one way we show our students and their future employers how seriously we take their future careers,” said Dr. Kevin Dickson, professor and interim dean of HCBC. “It reflects the rigor of the real-world directly into the course work, so our students are graduating with resume-level experience.”
The Executive Mentoring Program, made possible by a generous donation from Jim Riley, business entrepreneur, community leader and SEMO alumnus, embeds experienced professionals into the classroom for the semester, allowing continuity with engagement and learning. Rather than serving as one-time guest speakers, mentors collaborate with faculty to participate in discussions, provide project feedback and share industry perspectives as students work through real business challenges. This consistent interaction helps students build confidence, strengthen professional skills and develop valuable connections before graduation.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING FROM REAL-WORLD PROFESSIONALS?
This semester, students are working closely with two accomplished leaders.
Doug Gannon, parks and recreation director for the City of Cape Girardeau, joins HM406: Hospitality Strategic Management alongside Dr. Quantella Noto. In the course, students are developing a three-year strategic plan for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Cape Girardeau. Gannon brings years of executive leadership and strategic planning experience into the classroom, offering practical guidance as students develop solutions that reflect real-world expectations.
“Dr. Noto and I work together on the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board, and she approached me about her students assisting in the development of the new strategic plan for the bureau to help shape its future direction,” said Gannon.“I quickly embraced the idea. Her students are very inquisitive and forward-thinking. They are so attentive and offered good suggestions and comments. I'm looking forward to continuing this process with them.”
Noto said the mentorship gives students insight and practical training in leadership.
“Executive mentors give students a clear view of how strategy actually unfolds inside an organization, the structure, the challenges and the responsibility that comes with leadership,” Noto said. “Students learn theory, they see how decisions are made, how plans are built and what it truly takes to lead. It helps them begin preparing for executive roles of their own.”
Nathan Forness, UX principal for digital workforce platforms at Bayer, brings real-world experience into CS630: Current Topics in Human Computer Interaction, taught by Dr. Suhair Amer. Forness shows students how technology is designed to be useful, intuitive and accessible for real people and how design decisions happen in the workplace. Students learn to balance competing priorities, solve problems creatively and communicate their ideas effectively.
Through his involvement in the executive mentoring program, Forness has demonstrated a strong dedication to guiding and encouraging his students.
“Mentorship is invaluable for anyone pursuing a career, regardless of their field,” Forness said. “Learning from others is essential for growth and helping others achieve their goals brings me the greatest sense of fulfillment.”
Amer adds, “Bringing an executive into the Human-Computer Interaction classroom connects theory to the realities of product development and strategic decision making, Students see how user-centered design operates within real constraints such as budgets, timelines and stakeholder expectations and how thoughtful design can influence business strategy. That perspective truly prepares them to enter the workforce with confidence.”
The Executive Mentoring Program ensures students graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with professional insight, executive feedback and industry connections already in place. By integrating real-world leadership into the curriculum, the Harrison College of Business and Computing is preparing graduates to enter the workforce with confidence.
“Integrating executive mentorship into HCBC coursework strengthens every pillar of the University’s mission,” Dickson said. “It works toward our initiative to be the ultimate hands-on university.”
Rooted in SEMO’s boldly supportive approach, the program will soon expand across campus, with the Department of Mass Media this fall. Join today, visit semo.edu/business-computing.