Students in the Casper College Marketing program were able to go beyond classroom learning by attending the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 State of the Community — Community Partners Edition.
Casper College Marketing Students Connect with Business Leaders
“Students heard directly from local leaders, observed real-world marketing and community engagement, and networked with professionals while learning how businesses, education, tourism, economic development, and community organizations work together in Casper,” said Ginny Garner, Casper College hospitality and marketing instructor.
The class and Garner attended the luncheon as guests of Chris Lorenzen, Casper College Strategic Communications and Marketing director. Lorenzen, along with Natrona County School District No. 1 Superintendent Angela Hensley, Casper Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Melissa Hugget, and Visit Casper CEO Annette Pitts, shared updates on their organizations during the event.
The participation of Casper College students in the State of the Community event exemplifies the real-world opportunities the college offers and reflects the school’s belief and practice of putting students first. As noted in the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, Casper College aims to provide a transformative educational experience for students … where they feel that they are part of a community that is passionate about helping them to learn, grow, and succeed at college.”
“Casper College connects classroom learning with the local business community and provides students with experiential learning and professional networking opportunities,” noted Garner.
A Q&A was held following the presentations, and the students were able to ask questions and engage in a meaningful learning experience with those working in successful leadership positions in the Casper community. Several of those students remarked on what they had learned and gained from the experience.
Experiential Learning and Student Perspectives
“I thought each speaker did a great job with their presentations, and I felt there was a lot of really useful information regarding where some of our local officials see Casper going,” said Jerome Grayson, a nontraditional freshman student from Glenrock. Originally from Allison, Texas, Grayson is a marketing major. One of the topics at the gathering that caught his attention was the Casper Anthem contest sponsored by Visit Casper. “It was really hard for me to ignore the proposed “$10,000” Casper song contest since that’s what brought me to Casper College,” he said. “It really was a great experience; it was a privilege to have the opportunity to represent Casper College and the school business.”
“I also learned a lot of the heart behind what we do, and truly how much Casper College cares about their students. I love hearing about the heart of businesses big or small in Casper, and how the smallest impacts leave huge imprints,” said Madieh “Maddie” McCloud. A sophomore from Kemmerer, Wyoming, McCloud helps post social media updates for the Casper College rodeo team in addition to her studies.
Academic Assistant for the Casper College School of Business and Industry, Tiana Saunders, also attended the event and noted that it was a great opportunity for the marketing students to meet and connect with their potential future employers. “It was refreshing to see all the support in the room and to feel like we are all in this together. Being in a room full of professionals, watching what you learn in class come to life and be used in real time, was beneficial for the students to understand that the education they are pursuing is important,” she said.
“There are many reasons why it was important to take students to this event, but I think the most important is that they got to see how valuable their education is. It was a great way for them to see their degrees in action and (to see) that they can have a successful future in front of them,” said Saunders.
The Casper College Marketing Department is led by Garner. The marketing skills taught are universal and highly transferable across industries, from nonprofits to tech startups. Job opportunities include social media manager, market research analyst, advertising account executive, digital marketing specialist, public relations assistant, retail manager, sales representative, and more.
Both traditional and nontraditional students are welcome to attend classes in person or online. Casper College offers Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degrees in marketing, along with a marketing certificate.
For more information, contact Garner at 307-268-2600 or virginia.garner@caspercollege.edu, or Saunders at 307-268-2494 or tiana.saunders@caspercollege.edu.
At a Glance
- News Focus: Casper College marketing students attended the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce 2026 State of the Community luncheon to observe civic marketing, connect with potential employers, and apply classroom concepts in a professional setting.
- Key Participants: Ginny Garner, Casper College hospitality and marketing instructor; Tiana Saunders, School of Business and Industry academic assistant; marketing students Jerome Grayson and Madieh “Maddie” McCloud; Chris Lorenzen, strategic communications and marketing director.
- Key Takeaways and Statistics: Students engaged directly with local community executives during a post-presentation Q&A session, gaining exposure to careers across advertising, public relations, market research, and digital marketing, supported by Casper College associate degree and certificate pathways.
- Degree and Certificate Options: Casper College offers Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degrees in marketing, along with a marketing certificate.
