TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama has launched the Chief Marketing Officer-in-Residence Program, an initiative designed to bring accomplished marketing executives into the academic environment to engage with students, collaborate with faculty researchers, and help advance the future of the marketing profession.
The invitation-based program creates opportunities for senior marketing leaders to share real-world insights in the classroom while connecting marketing practice with the latest academic research. Participants will serve renewable three-year appointments and will contribute to teaching, mentorship, research collaboration and executive engagement activities.
“Programs like this strengthen the connection between industry and academia,” said Dean Kay Palan of the Culverhouse College of Business. “By bringing experienced marketing leaders into our classrooms and research community, we create meaningful learning opportunities for students while fostering collaboration that benefits the broader marketing profession.”
The CMO-in-Residence Program is built around three areas of engagement:
- Inspiring students through classroom and campus experiences
- Collaborating with faculty on research and business challenges
- Participating in executive education opportunities focused on leadership and organizational impact
The residency is designed to create value for multiple stakeholders. Participating executives gain opportunities for thought leadership, professional development and peer networking. Their organizations benefit from access to emerging research, recruitment opportunities and collaboration with faculty and students. Students receive direct exposure to senior marketing leaders and contemporary business challenges, while faculty gain perspectives that help strengthen the connection between scholarship and practice.
The first on-campus session for the inaugural cohort is scheduled for Nov. 4–5. Applications for the current cohort are open through Sept. 25.
The program is open to executives who:
- Hold the most senior marketing role within their organization
- Possess at least 15 years of professional marketing experience
- Demonstrate a record of excellence, innovation, and ethical leadership
Because annual openings are limited, participation is competitive and based on application and peer review.
The program leverages the strengths of Culverhouse’s Department of Marketing, whose faculty have contributed significant research in areas such as branding, analytics, and marketing strategy. Through the residency, executives will have opportunities to engage with scholars while exploring topics ranging from artificial intelligence and personalization to organizational leadership and business growth.
Our goal is to create a community where senior marketing leaders can both contribute and continue learning,” said William Koleszar, a three-time chief marketing officer who serves as an instructor of marketing at Culverhouse and a senior research fellow at the Chief Marketing Officer Institute. “The CMO-in-Residence Program provides a unique opportunity to shape future marketing professionals while engaging with cutting-edge research and fellow executives who are leading change across the industry.”
For more information about the CMO-in-Residence Program or to apply, visit the program website here.