Bright and colorful images flash across screens. Soft voices soothe audiences while they learn about product information. Exciting ideas spur the deepest curiosity resting in the heart. Marketing has existed in the world of business for centuries. From the earliest illustrations in newspapers to narrated commercials on streaming platforms, marketing has propelled many companies towards success. Despite beliefs and assumptions, marketing is a complex and intriguing art that requires many interweaving factors. It is yet another constantly evolving aspect of society. Thus, aspiring business persons need instructors to show them the correct paths towards their dreams. At Rosemont College, one such instructor is Professor John B. Henderson Jr.

The Business of Instructing Marketing

Professor Henderson teaches business courses that focus on marketing, consumer behavior, organizational theory, and even explore the legal environment in business. He teaches with so much passion and vigor that students never feel bored or lost during their weekly discussions. “I like [to teach] marketing the best,” Professor Henderson says with a bright smile. “I always describe marketing as the doormat you step over on your way into something. It’s [also] the doormat you trip over if you’re not careful…The psychological, environmental, colors, smell, commercials, subliminal messaging, the branding. All the erector set of how marketing works if it’s done well, is invisible. And it’s taken for granted. And I love that.”

Transitioning from Large to Small

Professor Henderson is a graduate of Temple University with a BS in Criminal Justice. He also graduated with a background in non profit administration, youth development and juvenile justice. He has served as an Adjunct at Drexel University for over 25 years within the Lebow College of Business. Professor Henderson has also been a member of the faculty at Eastern University, where he earned his MBA with a focus on Executive Leadership. He came to Rosemont in 2022 after hearing about it by another professor at Eastern. Ever since he joined Rosemont College’s community, he has loved every day and class. “What I enjoy the most about it is the smallness of it,” he says with vigor. “The intimacy of being able to connect to a student in an authentic way. Even before the merger announcement, there was no place to hide for us or them. So, it required me to individually develop a rapport with the students and give a reciprocal access as to why I’m here.”

Creating Class Experiences

As Professor Henderson ensures that his students feel seen, heard, and understood every minute of his classes, he also works to involve real life experiences and examples. This improves students’ chances in growing and preparing for their careers. He explains with a glint in his eyes, “Just this week…I said [to a student], ‘Hey, if you work in Dick’s Sporting Goods and I came to a counter and said, ‘I need 15 pounds of March Madness,’ what would you do? The concept is there, no matter what. You get to create the invisible ink that’s supporting what moves us as people.’” In his legal class, Professor Henderson even sets up class trials where students reenact real trials that have occurred in American courts. “We pick a bailiff, we have retired professor, Dr. Rovert Votta as our judge, we have the complete package. It gives me a practical way to show all the roles that go into it,” Henderson says. “[If] this is the only legal class you take, I want to at least give you the staples that should be in your cupboards all the time. And you need to know where to get them.”

Extending Connections

Outside of the classroom, Professor Henderson strives to help students through internships. He works with numerous organizations. He also partners throughout the community with them to give students many possibilities. “There are students who are unobserved in public schools to give them opportunities in fine arts, music, writing. Those companies, I’m always looking for opportunities for [students] to take part in [them],” Professor Henderson explains with pride glowing in his chest. He also teaches an internship class at Rosemont College. “[The internship students] have an actual job on campus,” Henderson says. “And the internship course I teach is to give them the professional and scholarly skills they need to thrive in the work world.” The ideas and methods of preparing students for the working world has evolved and progressed through the centuries of education. There are still colleges that struggle with helping students understand what awaits them in their careers. Thankfully, Rosemont College is one of the few schools who truly aid students in every aspect of their education. Instructors like Professor Henderson are one of the main reasons as to why most alumni of Rosemont are prepared for their futures.

A Large Part in the Small Community

Professor Henderson also partakes in many different activities involving Rosemont College. “I’m a supporter and one of the Advisors of Black Student Union,” he says with excitement, “[Though] they’re a bit smaller, the focus hasn’t really changed…I consider myself a Velcro attachment to all other good things. He is also a member of the Petal Tones, a musical group comprised of professors, faculty, staff, and students. They perform once a year on Founders’ Day in April. They are always excited to entertain the Rosemont community.

Building Memories & Connections

Professor Henderson strives to connect with each and every student. At the same time, students inspire him. Together, they work through each class to not only learn, but also craft new experiences for everyone to enjoy. “I often reflect upon how much of a blessing it is to learn that you’ve had a powerful impact on their lives and the choices that they make. It still surprises me,” Professor Henderson says with a gentle smile. “I’m humbled by it.” One day, Professor Henderson heard a former student’s testimonial of his class. The student described the class by saying “That wasn’t a class. That was an experience. I learned more about the core system in that class than I ever thought I would know.” Professor Henderson’s eyes sparkled as he recounted the memory. He said with a glimmering smile, “That was the idea of education.”

A True, Genuine Future

Professor Henderson reminds his students that “The best things in life have the benefit of being true.” During their classes, Professor Henderson and his students work towards connecting and thriving in education. “The importance of somehow, to be individuals, but still feel like a cohort. [My students have] taught me that. They show up here, they want you to know their name. They expect you to…There’s also complete appreciation of knowing who they are as individuals.”

The world continues to throw obstacles and barriers in the way of every person who steps into it. Students who march forward towards the future often feel worried, anxious, even terrified of the endless possibilities that society could counter their every action with. Yet, with each class and instructor, Rosemont College students feel not only excited, but also safe to explore their futures. Business students focusing on marketing will always have the pleasure of experiencing education with Professor Henderson. As they work together to learn and grow, the world, even for fifty minutes, can feel a little brighter.