How One Professor is Advocating for Inclusion in The Classroom
By Meghan Miglorie
Feature
“Diversity is more than just race or ethnicity […] it’s also about disabilities, mental health, socioeconomic background, and life experience.” – Dr. Katharine Hubbard
Dr. Katharine Hubbard is a professor who is committed to preparing students for their future experiences in integrated communications, and enriching their classroom with acknowledgement and acceptance of students from every walk of life.
Dr. Katharine Hubbard is an inspiring educator, dedicated to providing insight on diversity, cultural competence, and ethical practices in communications. With roots in Nebraska, Dr. Hubbard has dedicated their career to standing up for the representation of marginalized communities in advertising and marketing.
“From my hometown, I noticed biases against Hispanic students […] That awareness influenced my research and my teaching.”
Dr. Hubbard shared with RMR staff that working with large corporations in Nebraska and across the country can be frustrating due to the continued underrepresentation of marginalized groups.
“Talking about the lack of representation in advertising is something I think is really important […] I want students to see this when they get out into the real world.” Dr. Hubbard expressed.
Committed to vigilant research and awareness of their field, Dr. Hubbard regularly engages in workshops and training programs centered on accessibility and mental health.
“Often when we talk about diversity, we talk about race and ethnicity. But there’s so much more than that […] disabilities, mental health, socio-economic differences, urban vs rural upbringing.” Dr. Hubbard mentioned when asked what strategies they use to create an inclusive environment for student growth and acceptance.
Each year, Dr. Hubbard conducts an impactful experiment with their students. At the beginning of the semester, they ask their students to walk around Winthrop’s campus and really pay attention to how accessible the campus is for those with physical disabilities.
“Once students notice something like the physical inaccessibility of our campus, they start recognizing other blind spots. That’s the first step to knowing how to do better.” Dr. Hubbard shared afterward.
Dr. Hubbard’s motto on education focuses on active engagement with their students, as well as integrative projects that overlap academic theory with real-world experiences. Students in their classroom work alongside local nonprofits and organizations on real-world plans.
Regarding student involvement in advertising and strategic communications, they commented, “When we fail to talk about these issues in college, how can we expect students to think critically about them in the real world?”
By pioneering communication plans with students and in their field, Dr. Hubbard addresses the needs of various communities, providing genuine compassion and attentiveness to everyone they meet.
“Companies that treat employees well will see better returns […] investing in people benefits everyone.” They expressed.
Students taking Dr. Hubbard’s courses gain pivotal experiences and leave with a deeper understanding of social communications, and the power to create a positive social impact inside and outside of the workforce. This hands-on approach provided by Dr. Hubbard motivates students to become empowering and ethical communicators.
“You might be asked to do something you don’t agree with […] learning how to say ‘no’ is critical.” They mentioned later in the interview with RMR staff.
Dr. Hubbard’s dedication to continuous development of equality in the world of advertising, marketing, and communications is nothing short of inspirational. Professors like them will forever be remembered as prestigious, influential, and impactful.
They lead by example as someone who loves their job, who aspires to help others, and devotes their time and energy to advocate for those who are often disregarded. It was a privilege speaking with Dr. Hubbard, and they have impressed the RMR staff just as they have impacted every student that walks through the doors of their classroom.