Professor Spotlight: Janice Sweeter
Professor, Strategic Communication
Hometown?
Phoenix, Arizona
Blue or gold?
Gold — love to shine! 💛
Flagstaff summer or winter?
Sweeter, the snow bunny ⛄️
Spring or fall?
Autumn here is gorgeous!
Favorite Spot on Campus?
Prime people-watching at the First Amendment Forum.
Favorite place in Flagstaff to grab a bite to eat?
Lotus Lounge or Karma
Favorite picture on your Phone?
When did you come to NAU & why?
2017 to join Strat COMMIES and teach advertising, public relations and social media courses.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Luck is the intersection of hard work, timing and talent.”
What is one tip every Lumberjack should know?
If you’re overwhelmed, check off one task at a time and celebrate your successes and failures — you learn from all experiences.
You are doing great! 💛💙
What’s your favorite NAU tradition?
Graduation — love the palpable joy, pride and relief in the air! I volunteer to hand out scrolls to the deans on stage so I get to see the students’ smiles (and wild footwear) up close.
What do you want the NAU community to know about your department/class?
Everyone needs good PR (and advertising)! The ability to communicate confidently, clearly, concisely and in a compelling way to your target audience is a superpower.
You might not know this about me but….
I did a ballet performance on stage when I was seven months pregnant. My daughter still loves classical music! 💃🎶
Describe your typical day on campus
This semester, I have three sections of the ADV capstone in a row on Tuesday and Thursday. The student teams are working with our client, Nackard Pepsi ,on smart, creative campaigns for the new Rockstar Unplugged energy drink with hemp seed and herbal blend.
In my role as Associate Director of Student and Academic Affairs, I work with students and faculty to help resolve conflicts or grade issues and collaborate with two student engagement interns to help students feel connected, heard and informed. I slurp up any opportunity to improve my skills by volunteering for leadership programs for NAU overall and for SBS.
I also attend industry conferences to get the latest on our quickly evolving landscape of social media, digital and other forms of communication to make our classes timely and relevant and recently introduced an exciting accelerated master’s degree in Strategic Communication, where students can earn double credit for three courses toward their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
On the weekends you can find me:
Hiking; hanging with my husband and friends; running with my dog, Daisy; FaceTiming with my daughter; grading.
What does your dream vacation look like?
Heading to New York Fashion Week next week feels like a dream.
I would listen to these songs on repeat…
Raise Your Glass, Dancing Queen and Rainbow Connection
What is your hidden talent?
Secret singer! 🎶
What are you currently watching?
Don’t Look Up, The Morning Show, Ted Lasso and Samantha Who.
Currently Reading?
I read audio books at double speed — drives my family crazy. Reading Daring Greatly and Atlas of the Heart by Dr. Brene Brown. Just finished Pureland (by former NAU professor) and Sankofa.
Favorite Podcast?
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, Social Media Marketing, and different TED Talks
Something I can’t live without…
Laughter.
