Marketing instructor Calley Berner wears many hats while working under the Marketing and Supply Chain Management Department in the College of Business.
She teaches multiple courses, including Digital Marketing/Social Media, Advertising and Brand Promotion, Foundations of Marketing Design and Advanced Digital Marketing, while also overseeing two internship courses in which she aids student success.
Outside of the classroom, Berner is involved in several student-focused initiatives, including coordinating the International Marketing in London Study Abroad Program with Drs. Nickell and Burkes.
She is also helping organize “Bourbon and Bouquets for Business,” a College of Business fundraiser and networking event. Berner also serves as a faculty advisor for both the Women in Business group and the American Marketing Association student organization.
Berner said her favorite part of teaching is watching students grow in both skill and confidence. She values helping students connect classroom concepts to real opportunities while keeping in contact to see how their education prepared them for successful careers.
“It’s rewarding to watch things click and to help them connect what they’re learning to real-world opportunities,” Berner said.
Berner involves real-world experience in her teaching by bringing students and community organizations together to solve marketing challenges. Within these projects, students use their knowledge to present professional work to local business owners.
“One of my favorite aspects of my job is coordinating internships for marketing students. I love spotting talent in the classroom and encouraging students to apply for internships that will give them valuable experience,” Berner said.
Being from the Northshore, Berner said she chose to work at Southeastern because of its close-knit, supportive environment and its direct impact on the surrounding community.
“We do our best to help them grow their network among peers and local community leaders, and there is nothing more rewarding than when a student recognizes that and stays connected with us beyond graduation,” Berner said.
Berner aims to be a lasting mentor and resource for students as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.
Berner shares, “Being a woman in academia means showing up, doing the work well and bringing my authentic self to work every day. I spent time in industry before teaching, so I try to bring that perspective into the classroom in ways that help students think about what comes next.”
