<p>Ana Mims is a practitioner through and through. As a faculty member in the&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" title="MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication">MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication</a>&nbsp;program at NYU SPS, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, ensuring that her students leave ready to tackle the challenges of their chosen fields. With a career spanning four continents and over 20 years, her journey to the classroom has been anything but traditional.</p>

<p>Mims studied history and political science at Barry University in South Florida and holds degrees and post-graduate certifications from Harvard Business School, Dartmouth Tuck-Singapore Management University, Nova Southeastern University, and Florida State University/ASAE. After undergrad, she moved to Capitol Hill, where she worked for Congressman Bill Lehman, the chair of the Transportation Committee at the time.&nbsp;</p> <p>After her stint in government, Mims transitioned into lobbying, first with nonprofits and then with corporate clients. This experience led to a long and successful corporate career, building up to her role as a fractional CEO, a position that has taken her to various parts of the globe.&nbsp;<br> </p> <p>But soon after, Mims received an unexpected call that would change the course of her career. Michael Diamond, a mentor and advocate, reached out to her with a teaching opportunity at NYU SPS. After thoughtful consideration, she joined the NYU SPS family three years ago, eager to give back to students and share the knowledge she had amassed over the years.</p>

<p>For Mims, teaching is a means to provide students with the practical experience and insight that she felt was lacking in her own academic experience.&nbsp;</p> <p>&quot;When I was in school, everything was very academic. When you got out into the workforce, there was a disconnect. One of the things I love about NYU SPS is that the professors are all practitioners. Students get the academic material, but it's infused with real-world experiences.&quot;&nbsp;<br> </p> <p>This emphasis on hands-on, actionable knowledge is what makes her classes unique. Her commitment to preparing students for the realities of the professional world is evident in her teaching style.<br> </p> <p>Mims is still deeply involved in the business world. She continues to run companies, serve on boards, and engage in a variety of roles in the industry. It is this ongoing engagement that fuels her classroom discussions. &quot;Last week, a few students said to me: We loved the homework because it felt like we were at a job doing what you asked us to do. It felt very real-world to us,&quot; Mims shares. Her goal is to make sure that students feel prepared when they walk into their first job interviews, ready to tackle the challenges and expectations of their chosen career path.</p>

<p>Translating her corporate experience into an academic setting was not without its challenges. Mims admits that when she first spoke with Michael Diamond about joining NYU SPS, she was unsure how to transition from presenting to executives and boards to teaching students. &quot;He said, 'Don't worry, we'll train you,'&quot; she recalls. With the support of NYU SPS, Mims found her stride in the classroom, constantly learning and refining her approach. This collaborative spirit extends beyond the faculty, as she finds the mentoring culture at SPS invaluable, allowing her to adapt her curriculum to keep it fresh and relevant.</p> <p>Mims' success in the classroom is evident when students use the assignments from her courses to secure internships and jobs. &quot;When students come back and say they used the strategies they created in my class for interviews, that's success to me,&quot; she states. Watching students evolve over the term, from struggling with challenging assignments to embracing the process and thinking critically, fuels her passion for teaching. &quot;At first, they think I'm the toughest teacher they have. But by week four or five, they start to see the value,&quot; Mims says with a smile.</p>

<p>Mentorship is a theme that runs deep in Instructor Mims' work. In her C-Suite Perspective and Leadership course, she emphasizes the importance of both traditional and reverse mentorship. &quot;It's critical to have a teachable posture,&quot; she says, &quot;to learn from other professionals around you.&quot; Mims continues to seek out mentors, sometimes even reversing the roles with those she has mentored in the past. She encourages students to seek mentors not only in their own field but also from diverse backgrounds and experiences, emphasizing that they should be open to learning at every stage of their careers.</p> <p>Mims' classroom is a dynamic space where students are challenged to think critically and adapt to the ever-changing world of public relations. Each week, students discuss current news events, exploring their PR value and dissecting their impact. &quot;I always find myself gathering data points from the discussions,&quot; she says. This exchange of perspectives is a valuable learning opportunity for Mims, too. She marvels at her students' creativity and the innovative ways they approach PR strategies and campaigns. In fact, some of her students have gone on to work for companies she's involved with, further cementing the reciprocal nature of the classroom experience.</p>

<p>Mims also addresses the impact of technology in public relations. While AI and generative technologies are changing the landscape, she firmly believes in the irreplaceable human touch that only skilled professionals can provide. &quot;Get all the background that you want from AI, but you're the ones that are going to have to pull the points together and come up with the unique position,&quot; she advises. To her, AI is a tool to streamline tasks, but it's up to the practitioners to bring in the nuanced insights and strategies that drive successful campaigns.</p> <p>As for students who are navigating the hustle and bustle of New York City, Mims offers sage advice: pace yourself and build a supportive network. She sees NYU SPS's emphasis on group projects and teamwork as an invaluable opportunity for students to form meaningful connections.&nbsp;</p> <p>&quot;From the onset, you start forming a group of people in your classes, and that's a good place to start,&quot; she notes. Additionally, she encourages students to get involved in the school's various clubs and activities, such as the PR League and the Integrated Marketing Association, to extend their networks and gain valuable industry exposure.</p> <p>Looking back on her career and the path that led her to NYU SPS, Mims is both grateful and excited for the future. &quot;You have a really unique opportunity in this program. Each of the professors can recommend you for internships, jobs, offer advice, and mentorship. That's huge,&quot; she notes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Mims embodies the NYU SPS mission of putting theory into practice. She ensures that each of her students leaves with a toolkit full of real-world skills, ready to make their mark in the fast-paced world of public relations.</p> <p>Gain industry experience at NYU SPS, where New York City is your classroom. Join the next generation of PR professionals when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" title="MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication">MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication</a> today.</p>