Anna TalafuseAnna Talafuse, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Marketing, COB

In her nine years at MSU Billings, Dr. Anna Talafuse, has instilled the importance of service learning in her students, particularly through experiential, hands-on projects that benefit the Billings community.

Talafuse teaches her students the importance of real-world experience and making lasting community partnerships. During her time at MSU Billings, 334 students and 46 organizations have benefitted from projects she has designed, and the numbers continue to grow.

In two of Talafuse’s courses, BMKT 342 Marketing Research and BMKT 411 Services/Relationship Marketing, students are asked to meet with real clients to complete a comprehensive research project, which includes an evaluation with suggestions for improvements.

“Anna takes extra time and effort to design her courses to include a service learning component,” says a colleague. “She feels a well-rounded college education includes teaching students the importance of giving to their community.”

These service learning experiences make lasting impressions on her students far beyond the classroom. Previous students have said her courses foster new ways of thinking, including how to meet with a client, conducting marketing research, and learning from real-life experiences. When students graduate, they are equipped with the skills they need to be successful in their first marketing positions. 

“Through experiential learning involving local businesses and non-profits, Anna helps students be productive members of their community,” shares her colleague. “Even students in her online courses are exposed to service learning in their own communities, creating more partnerships beyond Billings.”

When students reflect on their experiences and share feedback, Talafuse’s projects are often discussed as being the most influential in their preparation for the real world. Her efforts in service learning do not go unnoticed, as she continues to serve the Billings community through her classroom curriculum.