From Behind the Desk: Jennifer Chang Coupland

My name is Jennifer Chang Coupland, and I am Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing. I’ve been here for15 years and enjoy the ebb and flow of life in at Penn State. I grew up in California, went to Berkeley, worked for a public relations firm in San Diego, and then onto Northwestern for my M.S. and Ph.D. I never imagined how much I’d love living in Happy Valley.

I have taught mostly at the undergraduate level— Principles of Marketing, Advertising and Promotions Management, and Honors Marketing. I currently teach three sections of the principles course in the Forum. Though it was very hard at first, I love the large auditorium classes. Marketing by nature is relatable since we are all consumers. This gives me an opportunity to take what’s familiar to students—popular brands, consumer trends—and demonstrate the analytical, “I never thought of that before” side. I’m always looking for interesting commercials and trying to think of clicker questions that might defy our common knowledge.

I’ve taught Advertising ever year for the past 15 years. I enjoy the interaction and discussion in the smaller setting. We can look at an ad and analyze it for quite a long time. The class is project based, ending with a showcase of students’ commercials and other integrated marketing concepts, often for real clients. It is rewarding to see the students’ hard work come together.

While not teaching, I work with the Schreyer honors scholars and really enjoy events like Parents & Families Weekend and Graduation. Last year, my family and I had the unique opportunity to live in an English village. I appreciated learning about consumer culture while abroad. I wish everyone could have this opportunity and can’t wait to share it with my marketing classes.

-Jennifer Coupland, Marketing Professor