Five Questions with Dr. Michelle Keller, DIMC Program Director

Dr. Michelle Keller serves as the director of professional graduate studies and professor of the practice, overseeing students in the Digital Integrated Marketing Communications (DIMC) master’s program. Before this role, she contributed to the program as a member of its advisory board and as a longtime instructor. 

Michelle is a seasoned communications leader and educator with more than 30 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit and academic sectors. She has held progressively senior communications roles at some of the country’s most admired organizations, including AT&T, USAA, Hallmark Cards, Inc., the University of Kansas Health System, Swope Health, and KU Endowment.

When you think of your career or academic journey, what are you most proud of?

That’s a tough one because I’ve been blessed to have had some really good experiences and opportunities. But if I had to pick, I’d say it was winning KC/IABC’s “Best of Show” award, not once but twice! I don’t know if anyone else has done that. Being named “Communicator of the Year” was a close second.

If you could go back in time and change one thing about your career or academic journey, what would it be?

If I had to pick just one, it would be this: I wish I had become a better, more active listener earlier in my career. I was fortunate to have been surrounded by some very talented mid-to-late career professionals whom I could have learned a great deal from if I had just learned to listen more and perhaps ask some questions based on “reading between the lines.”  Paying attention to body language and what is NOT being said is sometimes just as important as what is actually being said. I think Ted Lasso said it best when he quoted Walt Whitman, “Be curious. Not judgmental.”  I’ll admit, sometimes I was more judgmental than curious, especially early in my career. I’d change that, for sure!

You’re planning a dinner party and can invite up to five guests. Who would you invite and why?

I’ve actually thought about this some. The list changes depending on my mood, but a few always make the list:

-Jesus—I have so many questions!

-My grandma—she loved Jesus, so I think she would appreciate the invite. Plus, she was just so cool to hang out with. I used to spend a good portion of my summers with her. I miss her terribly.

-Prince—pure genius that he was! I’d love to know more about his creative process and how he managed to be so prolific. His private—some say “secret”—philanthropy was also intriguing.  I bet he’d let us have the dinner party at Paisley Park. How fun would that be!

And finally, I’d love to have all the dogs I’ve loved sitting at my feet. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a good dog.

What’s your biggest productivity tip for students and/or early career professionals?

This is going to sound cliché, but it works: “Plan the work and work the plan.”  Write it all down. What are you trying to accomplish? Break it down into manageable chunks. List the things you’ll do for each chunk and then tick them off as you complete them. And when you’re done, don’t forget to celebrate!

What’s one thing you wish everyone in the world knew?

Whoa! That’s a big question that I don’t think even the best philosophers have a handle on, but here goes: We are all in community with each other and life can be so much better for everyone if we ALL treated people how we want to be treated—with compassion, dignity and respect.  Let’s follow the Golden Rule and make sure people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or creed, have what they need to thrive and not just survive.