Season 1 Episode 04: Speaking of College Professors

As students navigate their college experience, one of the most important steps for them to take is to maintain a connection to their professors. Professors can provide the instruction, guidance, and support to help students excel and thrive during college and beyond. The key to unlocking the potential of that connection is to be proactive. So, in this episode of Speaking of College, Dr. P. and Dr. Aronté Bennett chat about what professors do and how students can develop connections inside and outside of the classroom.

Aronté is an Associate Professor of Marketing and the Assistant Department Chair of the Marketing & Business Law Department at Villanova University's School of Business. Aronté offers courses on market research and consumer behavior and her research focuses on marketplace access, vulnerable consumers, and brand image. Her work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, and the International Marketing Review. For many years, she served as the faculty advisor to the Multicultural Business Association (McBA), an organization dedicated to supporting business students from all backgrounds. In 2017, she received the O'Donnell Center of Professional Development Student Society Advisor of the Year award for her work with McBA.

When Aronté is away from the Villanova campus, she is involved in several local charities, including her current service as president of The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc., a nonprofit organization with more than 300 active members, dedicated to training women volunteers and leaders. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Fund for the Water Works, a governance organization dedicated to instilling an appreciation for the connections between daily life and the natural environment on the site of Fairmount Water Works, the nation's first urban water supply system.

Aronté holds a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration from Florida A&M University and a Ph.D. from New York University. In addition to her professional and volunteer activities, Aronté enjoys visiting new restaurants, attempting to cultivate a green thumb, and international travel.

The Did You Know segment offers a possible option for how students may be able to earn college credit for prior work experiences. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a listener's question about how to manage homesickness.

Time Markers

02:10-Welcome Dr. Aronté Bennett
06:15-A Professor's Typical Work Week
19:00-Did You Know: College Credit for Work Experiences
19:40-Ask the Expert: Aronté's Tips for Engaging with Professors

40:32-Ask Dr. P: Suggestions for Addressing Homesickness