<p><span class="p-body">Court Stroud brings more than expertise to the classroom. As a faculty member in the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/executive-masters-in-marketing-and-strategic-communications.html">Executive Master’s in Marketing and Strategic Communications</a> program at NYU SPS, Stroud sees his teaching as a mutual exchange. “It feels like being among professional peers,” he reflects. As a result, class sessions are vibrant, knowledge-rich environments where both students and instructors build understanding together.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For Stroud, who has taught undergraduate, graduate, and pre-college students, executive master’s students stand out. The caliber and diversity of professional experience in each cohort create a dynamic setting reminiscent of the Socratic method he encountered during his MBA at Harvard Business School; classes become strategic conversations where everyone contributes. “Professionals today want to immerse themselves fully in marketing strategies. This program gives them that opportunity without sacrificing rigor,” he adds.</span></p> <p> </p>

<p><span class="p-body">With many students already in senior roles at their respective organizations, the curriculum is designed to take them to the C-Suite. In one of Stroud’s classes, a senior social media director shared her internal team playbook, offering students a direct look at real-time decision-making. Since many students are active practitioners, the gap between classroom and boardroom is almost nonexistent.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Real-world developments, like Meta’s shift to AI-generated creativity, make it essential to either stay on the cutting edge or bring in someone who is. “We deliver advanced education at the speed of industry so those earning the Executive Master’s can lead as executives in dynamic times,” shares Stroud.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Stroud believes that curiosity is the standout quality in his most successful students, stating, “Curiosity fuels growth.” He sees the Executive Master’s degree as a catalyst for growth, whether it’s a career pivot or a step into executive leadership. “Sometimes, just being able to articulate a theory can elevate a conversation with a supervisor. Applying it? That’s even more powerful,” he says.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">His guidance to prospective students is simple: “If your heart calls you to apply, do it. Don’t self-reject. Opportunity doesn’t wait forever. You have to open the door.”</span></p>