When leadership feels personal: President MacKinnon connects with marketing students

When Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon stepped into marketing faculty member Jeff Hoyle’s Advanced Selling class, students expected a guest lecture. What they experienced instead was a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t have to feel distant; it can be warm, genuine, and deeply human.

Before the discussion even began, MacKinnon put students at ease, asking questions about their interests and goals. He quickly turned the session into a conversation rather than a presentation.

“I try to be a role model in this position where people look at what I do and where I spend my time,” MacKinnon said. “Not even the president’s too busy. We all need to play a role.”

A president who teaches by doing

MacKinnon had been invited by Professor Hoyle to speak about audience adaptation, a topic that connects public speaking, marketing, and personal leadership. Though his background is in pharmacy and public health, his message resonated across disciplines.

“I have no formal training in marketing,” he said with a smile. “But in any profession, you need to know your audience and learn how to adapt. Whether you’re leading a team, selling an idea, or representing a university, it’s all about connection.

Throughout the session, MacKinnon shared stories from his career moments of success, times of challenge, and lessons learned from what he calls “failures.” His reflections on authenticity and growth underscored his belief that strong leaders are lifelong learners.

“I was very open in that class,” he later said. “Reflecting on personal examples of times when I had to adapt reminded me of why I love being in the classroom. I always get more from students than I put in.”

Confidence through connection

The idea to bring the president into the classroom came directly from him, Hoyle said.

“When we met for coffee soon after he arrived at CMU, he told me, ‘If you’d ever like me to visit your class, I’d be glad to,’” Hoyle recalled. “That’s not something you hear every day from a university president. It showed me right away who he is, someone who wants to immerse himself in the university culture.”

The visit had a lasting impact. For many of Hoyle’s students, the experience came at a time when they were building confidence in their own communication and leadership skills.

“Having the president speak to them helped break down barriers,” Hoyle said. “They saw him as a person, not just a title. His openness encouraged them to ask questions, and you could see their confidence grow.”

Student perspective: learning through presence

For senior marketing and professional sales major Annie Beach from Fowlerville, Mich., the lesson extended beyond the topic of audience adaptation.

“When you’re presenting, it’s not just about changing your wording or tone,” Beach said. “It means truly stepping into your audience’s shoes, thinking about what they want to get from the conversation and what’s going to leave an impact with them.”

Beach said seeing the president in action helped her understand the power of authentic connection.

“He practiced what he preached,” she said. “His talk was conversational and respectful. He made us feel like we were at the same level. At the end of the day, we’re all just people.”

She added that his willingness to join classroom discussions reflects CMU’s culture of accessibility and care.

“He embodies servant leadership,” Beach said. “You can see the ripple effect. Faculty look to him as a role model, and that inspires students to perform better, too. It all starts with how he leads by example.”

Lessons in humility and lifelong learning

MacKinnon emphasized how teaching keeps him grounded in the mission of higher education.

“Every position I’ve taken, I’ve always negotiated to keep some teaching and research,” he said. “It keeps me connected to what matters most, our students. Being in the classroom reminds me of why I chose higher education in the first place.

In addition to his presidential duties, MacKinnon regularly visits classes across disciplines from anthropology to leadership to public health and participates in student organizations like Toastmasters, encouraging confidence and communication skills.

“I think it would be sad if I ever lost that connection,” he said. “Teaching keeps me grounded. It’s a reminder that we’re all learners, no matter our role.”

A lasting impression

According to Hoyle and MacKinnon, the class ended on an unmistakably high note. Students who began the hour quietly grew more engaged and confident as the discussion unfolded.

“It was like watching the students adapt to him just as he had adapted to them,” Hoyle said. “That’s the art of communication—and he modeled it perfectly.”

For many students, the visit became more than a guest lecture it was a reminder that effective leadership is rooted in empathy and presence.

“You don’t have to be perfect to succeed,” MacKinnon told the class. “The journey isn’t always smooth, but it’s yours. And that’s what matters.”

Hoyle said the message resonated well beyond that afternoon, illustrating that true leadership isn’t about standing above others; it’s about lifting others with you.