Dr. Sufyan Mohammed is pretty hard to miss. It might be because he’s always dressed to impress in tailored suits or maybe because he always has his student “slackers” at his side. Even though Dr. Mohammed has worked with top dogs in the industry (He was Assistant Vice President of Weber Shandwick-India!), he admits that there’s nothing like preparing his students to be the new top-dogs after they graduate.
Q: After a successful career in public relations, what made you decide to teach?
I did have a great career in PR but a part of me was always interested in teaching. When I was working in NYC, I was also working on my MBA. One day, the professor was out and asked me to teach one class and that’s when I fell in love with teaching. I also had a client whom I really respected and he would always tell me that I would be a great teacher. So yes, I did have a great career in PR, my mind belongs to PR but my heart belongs to teaching. I still dabble in PR as a consultant but teaching is my home.
Q: What’s your favorite part about teaching?
One of my greatest objectives as a teacher is to help my students find jobs they like and get through their first round of performance evaluations at those jobs. It gives me the greatest pleasure when I see my students find jobs and do well in their careers. I also love to see the joy my students experience when they complete a project and get kudos from their clients (many of the classes I teach involve creating various communications projects for real-world clients). I always had a passion for education and it is very fulfilling to impart that education to young minds.
Q: How did you end up in Scranton?
I used to live in NYC and have always loved the East Coast. I also have many friends and clients in NYC and Philadelphia. So I always wanted to live around this area but did not want the hassle of living in a big, overcrowded city. Hence, when the University of Scranton offered me a position, I gladly accepted. It’s a decision I am thankful for every day.
Q: Any difference between Scranton students and Texas Tech Students?
As a PhD student, I used to teach at Texas Tech University. The curriculum at TTU was a bit more rigid as compared with Scranton. For example, students wishing to get a degree in PR or Advertising had to complete courses in graphics, research methods, media planning, etc. Hence, TTU students performed well in academics. However, Scranton students work very hard and always deliver. I have seen excellent bonding and synergies in teams. I think because of their exposure to a big city corporate culture like New York City, students here are very professional and goal-oriented.
Q: What class do you enjoy teaching the most?
My favorite classes taught at the U, actually I have two, are PR Agency and Advertising Competition. They are my favorite because of the super amazing students I had in both of them. I have great students in all my classes but the ones in these two were exceptional. I hope to be so dazzled in all my classes
Q: Favorite thing about The U?
The students, and the amazing DeNaples Center
Q: Rumor has it you have a loyal following of “slackers”. What can you tell me about your slacker fan club?
Hahaha slackers! I have amazing students. Let me tell you a secret, if I like you, I am going to call you a “slacker”- it’s just a silly thing I do. I started calling students slackers three years back just to make people laugh but very soon, I had students asking to be called slackers (as they realized that if I called them slackers, I liked them). And now, I call many students slackers. And for some reason, it has become very popular on campus and many students claim to be a part of my “slacker fan club”