<p><span class="p-body">Becoming an influential educator at NYU SPS may not have been on Ken Kerrigan's bucket list as a student 35 years ago, but years of dedication and a passion for teaching have made it a reality. An NYU alum from the class of 1989, Kerrigan initially majored in communications and political science. During his undergraduate years, he was an active leader, serving as the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (now known as the PR League at NYU SPS). This early involvement laid the foundation for his eventual return to NYU to teach in the MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication program, but he never imagined the path he would take to get there.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">&quot;About 11 years ago, an external recruiter left me a voicemail asking if I knew anyone who wanted to teach at NYU,&quot; he recalls. &quot;I called back a few minutes later to say, ‘Yes, me!’” Though he initially missed the opportunity to connect directly with the recruiter, a chance conversation with his CEO at Weber Shandwick set things in motion. After expressing his interest in teaching, his CEO made some calls, and soon enough, Kerrigan found himself interviewing with the school. As he puts it, &quot;The rest, as they say, is history.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Kerrigan's passion for teaching stems from a lifelong influence of educators in his family. &quot;My wife is a teacher, my brother is a teacher, and I know the reason I became interested in public relations was because of great teachers—one of whom was our very own Fred Garcia,&quot; he explains. The importance of mentorship is not lost on Kerrigan, who has been preparing the next generation of communication professionals for over 11 years. Watching his students succeed and grow keeps him motivated. &quot;The students are the only reason I do this,&quot; he shares.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Throughout his teaching career, Kerrigan has faced challenges, but he sees them as opportunities for growth. For him, a crucial aspect of teaching is learning from his students. &quot;It could be easy to fall into the trap of 'I'm the teacher, and you're the students,' but with a student body that often comes from all over the world, there is so much to learn from them,&quot; he notes.  </span></p> <p><span class="p-body">This open-minded approach has made him a more effective teacher and a more valuable counselor to his clients. For Kerrigan, success for faculty members is closely linked to the success of their students, which is why he takes pride in guiding them toward internships, job opportunities, and career milestones.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Kerrigan encourages his students and future graduates to embrace lifelong learning. &quot;Never stop learning. Your degree is just the beginning of your journey,&quot; he advises. In a rapidly evolving field like public relations, he stresses the importance of focusing on communication strategies and understanding the business challenges faced by future clients. While staying ahead of technological advancements is vital, he reminds students that technology is often just another channel for communication, not a solution in itself.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Reflecting on NYU's storied history, Kerrigan believes the university offers a unique opportunity for students. &quot;The first class focused on public relations ever taught in the US was held at NYU in 1923. So, what better place to prepare for your future than the place where it all began?&quot; he says. He views the school's location in New York City, the media capital of the world, as an invaluable asset for students looking to break into the industry.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Teaching at NYU SPS is a chance for Kerrigan to contribute to the growth of future leaders in public relations, just as his mentors once did for him. Start shaping the future of the communications industry when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" title="MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication">MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication</a> today.</span></p>