112 Academics Dallas IMCowboys Communication Department adds four-day Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Experience course. Harding’s Communication Department welcomed a new traveling class into its course offerings in the spring of 2025. Spearheaded by assistant professor of communication Lori Sloan, the four-day Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Experience class consisted of upholding a professionalism component, networking with prominent companies and completing post-class work, including reflection papers and thank-you notes written to contacts made during the group’s outings. The three-credit-hour class appealed to many IMC majors because of its hands-on approach. Junior Luke Miller commented on how the IMC Experience encouraged students to actively engage with professionals. “It’s mostly about being ready to learn and ask questions,” Miller said. “I have been keeping an open mind on what potential fields I can see myself working in the future.” Senior Ana Melo shared a similar sentiment, explaining how the opportunities to interact with an experienced workforce initially drew her to sign up for the class. “The chance to connect with industry professionals, visit top agencies and experience the real-world application of what we’ve learned in class was too good to pass up,” Melo said. “Freshman me would be very proud to see how far I have come in this journey being an Integrated Marketing Communications major.” The group began their excursion on Wednesday, March 5, by traveling in two Harding vans to Dallas, where they checked into their hotel and worshiped together in a collective devotional time. After settling into the city, they spent Thursday and Friday meeting with companies as a way to network and have professional questions answered. The students visited with staff from the Dallas Cowboys and Southwest Airlines, as well as teams at GlobeRunner SEO, Leads OnLine and Johnson & Sekin Ad Agency—experiences made possible through connections with Harding alumni and Sloan’s professional contacts. The group was also able to dine at Via Triozzi, an authentic Italian restaurant owned by a Harding alumn. Such tours to businesses owned or operated by Harding alumni gave students the opportunity to personally connect through shared experiences. “They love giving to college kids, and they love sharing what they’re doing,” Sloan said. Sloan also emphasized the importance of learning about professionalism through a Christian lens. “When we [meet with] Harding alumni, I always ask [them] to talk about the ethics . . . and how they’re using what they’re doing to glorify God,” Sloan said. She explained that one of the primary goals of getting students in contact with seasoned professionals was to provide evidence that Christ-like business can be successful and impactful. “We would have life lessons with someone . . . who has been a success with their business but also shared faith,” Sloan said. On Saturday, March 8, the group wrapped up their company interactions and returned to Searcy, culminating in a session of education, connection and fellowship. Sloan reflected on the intersectionality of faith and business and shared her hope that the IMC Experience course allowed students to better understand how they could exist in both spaces at once. “[In] all of these businesses, you spread the light of Christ with how you handle yourself at work [and] with marketing good things,” Sloan said. “I love for the students to see that side too and not limit themselves or think that it’s separate.” Written by Jessica Leite
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