At Stukent®, we are proud to spotlight educators who bring passion, innovation, and real-world connections into their classrooms. This month, we are excited to recognize Deborah Kania, business and marketing faculty at Craven Community College, whose teaching philosophy centers on empowering students through hands-on learning and real-world relevance.
From Boardroom to Classroom
For Kania, becoming a full-time educator wasn’t just a career move — it was a dream fulfilled.
“Becoming an instructor is a bucket list accomplishment,” Kania said. “I started teaching part time 20 years ago while serving as a marketing executive. After my first course, I was hooked. I said to myself then that I hoped to teach full time someday.”
That lifelong passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom. Kania has authored and coauthored several professional marketing books, viewing them as an extension of her educator’s spirit.
“It was a lot of work, and it really stretched me,” she said, “but it was equally rewarding to educate others through the written word.”
Kania also brings entrepreneurial experience to her teaching. She founded and ran a marketing agency for nearly a decade, helping small businesses grow and thrive. In 2016, she launched Autismazing.org, a nonprofit that promotes education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for autistic young people.
“It’s rewarding to make a difference,” she said.
Helping Students Overcome Challenges and Thrive
Teaching at a community college presents unique challenges and opportunities that Kania embraces wholeheartedly.
“My favorite part about teaching is witnessing students embrace the learning process and succeed,” she said. “This can be challenging for students these days — especially community college students because many of them are working, parenting, or both while seeking their degrees.”
Kania focuses on building practical, engaging experiences that help students stay motivated and see the value of what they’re learning. Her courses are designed to bridge the gap between academic concepts and real-world applications.
Learning That Feels Like Living
To give her students a more engaging and immersive learning experience, Kania integrates Stukent Simternships® into her online and in-person classes. These interactive simulations allow students to apply concepts in realistic, hands-on scenarios — and they’ve made a big difference for her students.
She uses the Stukent Social Media Marketing Simternship and the Stukent Personal Finance Simulation.
“The biggest benefit is the ability to apply the concepts they are learning through an engaging and interactive way,” she said. “This is especially useful for online students because it brings the course to life.”
Kania also goes a step further by pairing simulations with semester-long projects that deepen the learning experience. In her Personal Finance course, students complete the 30-Day Budget project to develop real-world money management skills. In Social Media Marketing, they create a multipart campaign plan for a brand they’re passionate about.
“It really gets them excited about creating their plan,” she said.
An Educator Making a Lasting Impact
Whether through her writing, entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, or day-to-day teaching, Deborah Kania’s mission is clear: to make learning meaningful and accessible. Her integration of simulations into project-based learning helps students stay engaged, build confidence, and prepare for what comes next.
Each month, Stukent highlights a standout higher education instructor. Those selected use Stukent products in the classroom and exemplify Stukent core values and mission to help educators help students help the world.
To learn more about Stukent Simternships and how they can support your students’ success, visit our website.
