Lessons Learned: Celebrating a Teacher Who Never Stops Teaching

This past weekend, I drove back to my alma mater to celebrate the retirement of one of the most influential people in my career: Professor Kim Pearson.

The celebration may be over, but in true Professor Kim fashion, my LinkedIn feed is still alive with her comments and posts, connecting and amplifying the people in her orbit. Because while the job may be done, the work isn’t. Not when it’s part of who you are.

I was a student at TSC (now The College of New Jersey) during Professor Kim’s rookie year. Even then, she was a force. Her PR and writing classes gave us real-world experience while serving the community. More importantly, Professor Kim challenged us to think bigger about the world around us and the humans in it.

Not to go full Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi, but I’ve carried Professor Kim’s teachings with me ever since. She made me a better PR professional and a better person. There aren’t many people who leave a mark that lasts decades. Kim did and continues to. I’m grateful to be one of lucky few who had the privilege to learn from her.