No matter the class and no matter the professor, guest speakers add another dimension to the University’s learning environment. Although many courses at the University already include outside speakers in their curricula, there are plenty of classes that do not. Thus, professors should strive to incorporate speakers into their schedules in order to enhance student engagement, foster new and diverse connections and offer insight into the professions that the subject of study may have to offer.
There are typically two types of guest speakers. First, there are professionals from the field of study such as biologists, psychologists, CEOs, accountants, engineers and doctors who offer insight beyond the classroom. For instance, a study at the University of Dubai into the "Merits of Inviting IT Professionals to the Classroom” found that professional “[Guest speaker] event[s] help remedy the lack of exposure of information technology students to the professional IT environment.” Not only can students discuss career opportunities — they can also delve deeper into topics both covered and not covered by the course syllabi. These guest speakers use their personal experiences to engage with students, linking course material to the professional working environment.
Another type of guest speaker is a University colleague and/or graduate in the same or similar field of study. At the University, students may take a course in which the leading researcher or expert in the field works on Grounds. Other times, there may be a qualified professor who can offer deeper insight into a particular topic on the syllabus. Either way, the use of colleague guest speakers can help students more easily identify with professors and topics they find interesting and engaging and potentially enroll in those professors’ classes in the future.
“Public Policy Challenges of the 21st Century” in the Batten School is a great example of a course that succeeds in using guest speakers to its advantage. Prof. Gerald Warburg likes to call his class “Batten’s Greatest Hits” and says he likes to ensure that a diversity of political viewpoints are heard. “If we have a leading national thinker on, say, U.S.-India relations, on our faculty, it would be good to bring them in instead of hearing from only me,” Warburg said.
This diversity of viewpoints is no better exemplified than in the weeks ahead, in which Warburg’s class will hear from both a liberal Democrat in Congressman John Lewis and head of the conservative lobby Heritage Action Mike Needham. “It is then incumbent on me as lead professor to tie themes together and highlight the differences so students can reach their own informed conclusions about process and substance,” Warburg added.
Yet not all guest speakers are guaranteed to benefit the classroom experience. An Elmira College study on the “Student Perceptions of Guest Speakers in Marketing Educations” concluded that guest speakers are only truly effective if they connect with students through methods such as using inside information, questions and answers and being “different.” This presents an interesting challenge for University professors: that guest speakers should not only be chosen for their expertise or professional experiences but also for their captivating nature as speakers.
Prof. David Touve, who teaches the “Startup” class in the McIntire School of Commerce, says he avoids potential speakers who do not seem self-reflective and who believe their way is the right or only way. He also avoids speakers who tell “war stories” without unpacking those stories and gathering student debate. “I try to work with speakers who can step back and ask themselves ‘how do I help someone make this decision on their own?’ rather than ‘how do I tell this person what decision to make?’” Touve said.
No guest speaker will ever be the perfect orator, yet there are merits to selecting specific types of speakers. Perhaps, then, it is best to either bring in a distinguished alumnus engaged in the professional world or an esteemed colleague who is an expert in his field. More often than not, these speakers will be highly educated and expressive individuals. Touve adds that he brings in guest speakers who are University alumni in an effort to communicate the possible, telling students, “These are people who were once students at the University, just like you, who were able to pursue what they felt was worth doing. You can too.”
In the end, finding the perfect guest speaker is a tough but rewarding process. Whether a professor is experienced or inexperienced, it is refreshing to hear a different voice from a person with a different teaching style and experiences. One uncommon but effective way to select speakers is to directly ask students what topics they would like to know more about; other times it may just involve finding a compelling lecturer that fits with the topic. Although not every class is capable of including an outside speaker into its curriculum, guest speakers should continue to be included in University courses because they offer diverse perspectives and foster student interest in professional careers.
Jared Fogel is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at j.fogel@cavalierdaily.com.
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