Soaking up the brilliance of Kent State’s Gene Sasso

Update 2/26/13: This morning, Inside Higher Education (a national trade publication) featured Gene’s story — more evidence that an angry groundswell cannot be silenced. In the interest of transparency, I cooperated with the reporter — something I hope every faculty member in a School of Journalism would do. 

The story, titled Succeed and Lose Your Job, is damaging to Kent State, but it provides an important lesson about listening to one’s stakeholders. We teach these sorts of case studies all the time in our classes. Now we’re one of them. More on that in a future post.

________________________________________________________________ 

Once in a while you meet someone who flat-out gets it. And if you’re lucky enough to work with that person, you can’t help but soak up some of his genius.

Gene Sasso

Gene Sasso

For the past 30 months, I’ve been fortunate to feed on the intellect of Eugene Sasso – the architect and the “vision guy” behind Kent State’s Online PR Master’s program. I’ve come to admire Gene for his brilliance and for the measurable results he produces for our university.

We’ve also become good friends.

In his short time at Kent State, Gene has met every objective set for him. His bottom line: a program with 260+ students, $6 million in revenue, and a student retention rate of 90%+. It’s a track record that, in the “real world,” earns you a huge bonus.

But, alas, I post this “Ode to Gene Sasso” on the occasion of his dismissal. The Kent State administration has opted not to renew Gene’s contract for 2013-14.

WTF?

Academic politics and academic decisions have mystified me for 21 years now. Those who ordered Gene’s dismissal aren’t telling us why, nor are they telling Gene why. That’s how it works in our little ivory tower.

But I don’t write today to generate angst or to point fingers. What’s done is done. This post is to celebrate the most productive 30-month performance I’ve seen in my 38-year career, and to salute the person responsible.

Gene came to Kent State to guide the start-up of what’s become the most successful graduate program launch in school history. He exceeded goals in every category – recruiting, enrollment, tuition revenue, and student retention.

Gene created the vision for the program and summed it up in 3 little words: Support Student Success. Working with Dr. Bob Batchelor, Gene built the complex machinery that helped us fulfill the vision. Sure, we helped him do it. No leader gets there alone. But everyone associated with the program knows who led us to the Promised Land in record time. Moses could learn a thing or two from Gene Sasso 🙂

Excellence in Teaching

Given his administrative load, teaching is only about 25% of Gene’s work. And he’s exceptionally good at it. With the start-up work behind him, he was looking forward to expanding his role in our classrooms, online and on campus. Gene particularly loves working with our large contingent of Chinese students, who have come to revere him as adviser, mentor and father figure.

Through all of this, Gene never took his eye off the prize: supporting student success. Yeah, he stepped on a few toes to maintain the integrity of the program, But we all did. Pushing back is what responsible managers do.

We’re all proud of what we achieved here, and our school is a better place as a result of Gene’s work and dedication.

Quality trumps quantity

Gene’s greatest attribute remains a steadfast refusal to sacrifice quality for quantity. And that requires a willingness to challenge authority. As an accomplished marketer, Gene understands that when you cheapen the brand you almost always kill it.

Our program won’t be as good without Gene Sasso, and my own work won’t be as rewarding or inspired. But Gene is well positioned to help another college or university light up the Internet with quality online education.

Because he flat-out gets it.

#      #      #

Disclosure: I’ve known about the decision to fire Gene for a little over 2 weeks but have postponed this writing in the hope we might arrive at a sensible compromise to keep him here. Since my diplomatic efforts have failed, it is appropriate that this salute be published.

 

37 thoughts on “Soaking up the brilliance of Kent State’s Gene Sasso

  1. I’ve been a facilitator in the Online PR Master’s program only since September 2011, but in that brief time I’ve learned everything said above about Gene’s talent, innovation and insistence on quality is true. I salute his dedication to protecting the high-quality brand you, Gene and Bob have built for this program. Losing Gene will be a blow to the program. Losing the program’s strong brand identity would be even worse.

    • Dr. Boone: You and I have been playing this branding game for more years than I care to count. We both know the damage that can occur when you lose a key player. It’s especially critical in this case, as we have just one-and-a-half key players left!

  2. Bill, your post was a great obituary to KSU’s loss. Gene brought more than a great student dynamic to campus, both online and offline, he also delivered a wealth of contacts of PR professionals who served as adjunct faculty. They stepped up and supported the coursework, despite the software’s inequities and difficulties. Their Gene-inspired involvement is why the program grew so large. They did it because they believed in Gene and Gene asked them to believe in KSU. Their combined patience and tolerance gave Gene’s online program a chance to launch, as they each encouraged connections between those who have done it and those who are willing to go there next. Unfortunately, success can be intoxicating and the vision of those closest can be blinded by their own hubris. I’m afraid that’s the failing of my PR Kent. Wow, that was painful to type. But as this post testifies, blinded by hubris is not a failing of Bill Sledzik’s. Gene is blessed to know that. So are we. Each of us. I’m looking forward to the graces that bless Gene next.

      • I never read your post as Gene’s eulogy. I intended that label be placed on KSU. I’m confident Gene is making valuable discoveries as this event has to have caused him to take stock in all the hard-earned gains and experiences he has earned as a result of launching a highly successful online graduate program. More so, he’s gained knowledge of how wonderfully his efforts have impacted those he has served, as many students and faculty have come forward to express their support for him and his efforts. KSU, on the other hand, is demonstrating that the institution has lost its way and is struggling to follow a mission that places the student first. As the support for Gene testifies, he never lost sight of this mission, which is why KSU might not have fully witnessed his good deeds.

  3. Bill – I’m sad to see you post this. I’ve had the honor of working for Gene for over a year now, and couldn’t agree more with all of the words you shared in that post. Riding this tidal wave that is the success of the MAJMC/PR program for the past year has been a thrill – and it’s due to the hard work that you, Gene, and Bob put into it. You should all be proud of the work done here – particularly Gene. I hope he leaves with his head held high and no regrets. He’s achieved greatness.

  4. As a relatively new student in the online PR program, I didn’t know Gene Sasso, but I can’t help but view this as disappointing news–and potentially damaging news to the PR program. It doesn’t reflect well on KSU support of the program, particularly coupled with your previous post about the “KSU tax.” Does KSU want 260 students worrying about whether the program will still be there when they plan to graduate, or whether the program will still maintain a good reputation? Frankly, it has me a little worried, since I’m on a slow track through the program, relying on employer reimbursement. These actions could also damage recruitment of new students and instructors. KSU, listen to your PR professors and do the right thing by the PR program. This has the makings of a case study for PR Management involving failure to listen to stakeholders.

  5. Kirsten: Come what may, I will see that you get through. As Gene always insisted: Support student success. We WILL continue to do that, though it ain’t gettin’ any easier 🙂

  6. As one of the program’s graduates, I can attest to Gene’s dedication to his students and the university over the last few years. Many of us newly minted alums are deeply disappointed about Gene’s pending departure and are concerned for the program’s future.

  7. This is terrible news. Gene helped me so much as I started my first grad course. With his help I was inspired to keep going and to not give up. His comments on my work meant the world to me. I can’t believe he won’t be here when I graduate. I was so looking forward to meeting him when I made the trip to KSU for the piece of paper that tells the world “I Did It!” Truth be told – I couldn’t have done it without his help.
    Thank you Gene, for this program, for your guidance, for your encouragement. I am in shock.
    ~abbey

  8. Some business decisions are hard to comprehend and this is one of them. Gene Sasso should be rewarded and congratulated for the online program he managed.As an administrator he was never too busy to offer encouragement. When I felt I couldn’t go on in the Master’s program, it was Gene who gave me the reassurance to continue. Thanks Gene. You shouldn’t have to walk away from this job but if you must.. walk away with your head held high.
    Good Luck in your next endeavor.

  9. It is always shocking and terribly disappointing to learn that someone is/was treated in an unjust, inappropriate or undeserved way. It becomes even more hurtful when you can relate to this “someone”, and when you know the decision is unfair. I have once posted my reaction about Gene Sasso’s (possible) dismissal on Facebook but will re-post my thinking here and elsewhere: Gene has been one of the most inspiring, supportive and encouraging professors I have had in Kent. He has helped me in many ways to believe in my own strengths and transform into a better professional! I often tell my friends in (the Republic of) Georgia about his mentorship as one of the most approachable and trusted advisors to me as an international student. Not only I value his expertise and professionalism but also his immeasurable support to help me find my way in a completely new environment, thousands of miles away from home. I have had a privilege to be Gene’s student on campus, and have had hopes to become his online student in the near future as I still have to earn my degree. The reason is simple: I trust him as a professional, and I admire his optimism and enthusiasm! I do hope that KSU/JMC will re-visit its decision and retain with no about one of its most skillful, trustworthy and diligent professors. P.S. Should there be an idea for the petition, please, consider me as one of the signatories.

  10. To say I am upset about Gene’s dismissal is an understatement. I’ve known Gene since 2011 when he invited me to join the faculty of the MAJMC/PR program. It was his vision of the program that excited me. He and I have had several exciting conversations about the future of the program and how it could become even stronger in years to come. His support of faculty was immeasurable and I will miss his day-to-day presence.

    The administration’s lack of communication regarding the reason’s behind Gene’s dismissal also disturbs me. Not just does it leave critical questions unanswered, but it makes one wonder how other faculty will be treated in the future.

  11. There is no doubt that Gene’s loss is a terrible blow, especially not knowing what administration wants that’s different from what Gene offers. Gene talked me off many a ledge as I built the ROI class and took on teaching sections in others. His instincts and abilities are the very definition of “professional.” I’m grateful to him for making me a better instructor.

    In some ways, this is a microcosm of the overall change in the employment contract that any of us has. Tenure is doomed, because administrations (just as in companies) want the maximum amount of flexibility in their workforces. There’s a WSJ article (Paul Christiansen: To Outsmart ObamaCare, Go Protean http://on.wsj.com/Yd8VvY) that suggests a future where instead of having a lot of employees, businesses of all stripes will simply contract with other businesses to provide what used to be employees. This mirrors organizational tendencies now to outsource and hire contractors rather than expend the costs of permanent hires. Fast Company years ago talked of a “free agent nation” of contract and subcontract labor, and the academy has made the shift to adjunct from full time in many, many cases.

    Of course, we also can talk of the desirability of this model, but when I do, I just sound like an old guy (which I am) pondering the demise of the past. When universities spend more on facilities, it redirects resources away from faculty (however much they might protest that analysis). In this way, it’s like the government spending on pure pork (state visitor centers, bridges to nowhere, studies on rabbit procreation) while local radio announces the “broken water main deJour” on the air, and we truly seem to be “entertaining ourselves to death,” at least fiscally.

    Gene is caught in the undertow, dang it, and it sucks.
    S.

  12. On the night before the first class graduated from the online PR program, there was so much enthusiasm. We were all excited about the success of this wonderful new program and Gene, along with Bill and Bob, were beaming with pride. We celebrated. As one of the original 16 graduates, we knew we had been a part of something truly special. Our education over the last two years had been top-notch and Gene led the way as we all navigated this new program. It’s so difficult to accept that things could change so quickly. How could something so successful lead to the termination of the individual who piloted the success? I fear for the future of the program and the future value of the degree that I, and so many others, have worked so hard for. I doubt that KSU will change their mind about Gene. My only hope is that another university is waiting in the wings to welcome the genius that KSU so easily let slip away. On that day, I will celebrate once more.

  13. I was very disappointed to hear about KSU letting Professor Sasso go. I only had him for one class, but he was one of the best teachers I had. He took the time to get to know me and my interests (even the weird quirky things) and he always tried to help me, particularly when it came to looking for jobs. Professor Sasso introduced me and my classmates to many professionals in the field and he always sent me job postings and offered to help me network in anyway possible, which is something extremely important that I felt like I missed out on a lot throughout my college years at Kent. He helped me realize what type of organization I wanted to work for, and in fact, I even got a job interview because of him!

    He was a professor that really cared about students and I am sad to see this news.

  14. Can’t say much more than what’s been said above. Gene was always there for me, and I always tried to lend a hand when Gene needed one as well.

    Gene asked that I consider being interviewed by the alumni magazine about the program, I did so. Gene wanted to put me on tape to extoll the program for overseas markets, I did so. Gene wanted me on conference calls with potential new admissions, I wanted to, but work scheduling wouldn’t allow it.

    I was happy to do all of this. Gene was giving so much, it was a little way I could repay the favor.

    Gene took the PR program onto Facebook and LinkedIn, not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

    And, if there’s nothing more to speak to his character, consider this. Through all of this, Gene is STILL offering his help to me and I seek to transition from one profession to the other.

    I’ve said this elsewhere, but it bears repeating. I’m a two-time grad of Kent State. I wear the Golden Flashes colors with pride. I’m happy to defend the University against the “Kent Read, Kent Write” label.

    But, decisions like this make me feel a little ashamed of my alma mater. Gene is a tremendous asset that’s being shown the door. I agree with Bill in saying that I hope Akron sees what he has done, and provides him a new home.

  15. Thank you, Bill, for your thoughts. I too have been fortunate to know Gene. He has inspired my own work in many ways and I was looking forward to many years of collaboration with my College colleague. I am greatly troubled that we will not be able to work together in the future as planned (but we won’t let that stop us from working together beyond university doors, I hope).

  16. Gene was an integral part of the online PR program. I’m sure everyone will be sad to lose his wisdom and expertise. Having formerly been in charge of the advising and recruiting for this program, I have first-hand insight into the time, effort and passion that he brought to the program. We are all lucky to have worked with him either as colleagues or as students.

  17. I still can’t believe the decision had been made to Professor Sasso. As one of his students, I had a great experience from Professor Sasso. He is the most helpful and nicest person I’ve seen in so many years. He is excellent with teaching PR management course, which is a core course required by our program; he is a great source of social network, since I’ve known a lot of friends, co-works, and amazing professionals via him; and he is a great, like you said, father figure and friend to me.

    I think one of the major goals for us to get a higher education degree is to be more competitive in the future job market. I also know the toughness to find a job after graduation, especially after 2008’s collapse. It is said 9 out of 10 first job is gained not by tossing resumes to random companies, but via social networking. To help us establish social network of our own, Professor Sasso arranged social network trip for the entire class last spring semester. We visited four companies in Cleveland- Rosetta, Wyse Advertising, Dix & Eaton, and SmartShape, ranging from PR agency, marketing agency, Ad agency, to design firm. I think those firms in Cleveland represent our graduate’s future jobs and opportunities. The outcome is no doubt in high energy and effective. I made some genuine friends in those firms. For example, Mike Maczuzak, the president of SmartShape. This, again, leads to the idea and opportunity for my master’s project- design a Chinese social media plan for Sundberg-Ferar, the second oldest product design firm in America. If it was not Professor Sass, none of these great things wouldn’t happen to me, to other PR graduate students as well. Plus, if it is not him, I won’t have my Master’s Project idea and support.This is the special support we are not going to accept from anybody else.

    I think his leaving is a great loss for our students. We lost a great advisor, a wise mentor, and a good friend. At this point, I just wanna salute his excellent job and hope they can change the decision.

  18. Gene is the reason I pursued my KSU MAPR online and the driving force that encouraged my on-time completion of the program. The assistance he provided on my thesis was invaluable. Based on my experience and those of my classmates, he is a common denominator in our academic success.

    Even online programs have a culture. Gene is instrumental to the welcoming and nurturing culture of the online experience. It’s easy for administrators to overlook one’s contribution to the persona of a program. I hope the decision makers are getting a better appreciation of the impact this individual has on the backend and the front end of the program.

  19. This morning, I posted this message to my Facebook group, Alliance for PRKent. The 5 points outlined are those that Gene and all of us on the faculty live by. If you’d like to join the group, click the link and request an invitation.

    Feeling energized today, and not because it’s Friday.

    So many PRKent faithful connected with me this week to ask, “How can I help to ensure the quality of our program for the long run?”

    All of these phone calls, Facebook DMs and emails underscore these 5 tenets of PR that you hear each day in our classrooms:

    1) Performance trumps communication. Do right by your stakeholders and serving their needs. When you do that, the communicating part is easy — sometimes unnecessary.

    2) Quality trumps quantity. Think long-term vs. short-term. Avoid people and clients who opt for quick gain over meaningful investment. Counsel them on unintended consequences. Don’t be a “yes man.”

    3) Focus on relationships. As the late PR prophet Pat Jackson used to say, success in business is ALL about relationships. Money is just how we keep score.

    4) Involvement = Ownership. Involve people in the decisions that affect their lives. It’s how you earn buy-in and support. But this happens ONLY if the organization adapts its own behavior to align with stakeholder needs.

    5) Protect the brand. In my day, we called it reputation — the public perception you earn through your actions and your consistency. Water down the brand and eventually you kill it.

    Enjoy your weekend.

  20. As an instructor for the program, Gene was my first introduction to KSU and I was immediately impressed with his enthusiasm for the MAPR online program. That enthusiasm coupled with true professionalism was present every time I spoke to him. Gene was instrumental in helping to develop a program that I am proud to be associated with and his presence and leadership will be greatly missed.

  21. As an online student I am truly upset by KSU’s decision. I can only imagine what it must feel like as a colleague of Gene’s. I started the MAPR online grad program in Summer 2011 and Gene was my first instructor for PR Management. He gave me the best introduction to this program I could have ever asked for. Returning to school can be scary whether, but Gene did exactly what he set out to do – Support Student Success. Gene also helped me update my resume and was willing to call me to provide advice. As Abbey stated, I was also looking forward to meeting Gene this summer when I graduate from the program. It’s a shame this happened to someone so vital to the PR program’s success, but I wish him the best of luck!

  22. As much Bill’s blog post is complimentary to yours truly, it is a testament to Bill for his courage in standing up for something (and someone) he believes in.

    It is also a kind of summing-up of a larger campaign and process Bill and others have been engaged in, over the past couple of weeks, to speak truth to power, or at least to people who have been vested with authority.

    Hoping that you might elect to post a comment to Bill’s blog, I’ll ask that you consider the man posting the blog, rather than the subject of his post.

    Bill has spearheaded an effort to demonstrate an erosion of trust, and faith, transparency and collegial process, all of which until only recently have been hallmarks, essential qualities, and founding principles of the KSU School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

    Bill is a man among men, a man of high morals and integrity. He has a profound sense of what is right and what deserves questioning, and an abiding responsibility to stand up for the tough questioning. Bill is often the person posing the first, toughest question, not for the sake of doing that, but because he knows the questions that follow help people arrive at the truth of things.

    Bill has a deserved reputation for excellence in education. Bill’s principled, dedicated approach to the scholarship of public relations speaks for itself. His many students over the years speak eloquently, frequently and passionately, for Bill. They learned their lessons well.

    Pay back. Pay forward.

    If you are one of Bill’s former students, here’s a great opportunity to show and tell him what his leadership, his caring mentoring, and his friendship mean to you.

    Bill and Bob Batchelor have been my friends and colleagues over the past 3 years. Without them, I simply could not have succeeded in the accomplishments that Bill attributes to me in his blog.

    Since it looks as though I will not be a part of building an on-going success story with Bill, I ask you to consider posting to this blog or writing a letter to demonstrate your care and concern for Bill and others who must continue to struggle to protect (and hopefully expand) the proud legacy of PRKent and JMC, into the future.

    Some students, alumni, friends and colleagues have sent e-mails and letters to the college Dean (Stanley Wearden), KSU Provost (Todd Diacon), and/or KSU President (Lester Lefton), expressing their feelings about the current, still evolving situation within JMC.

    I am hoping that with your assistance, through your words attached to this effort, our collective representation will help me help Bill in the months and years that follow. Your words and actions are needed now.

    The debt of gratitude that I owe Bill Sledzik is immeasurable. In my 20-year plus career, I have never encountered this kind of support and encouragement. I know that you know: This kind of passionate public display of camaraderie is extraordinarily rare.

    I am fortunate, blessed beyond words, to know and to have worked with Bill. I am a better teacher, and a better person, for having had this incredible opportunity.

    I am hopeful that JMC and PRKent are bigger than the threats currently posed. Erring on the side of caution, I am asking you to consider lending your support to help insure we don’t slide past a tipping point.

    Thank you for considering this request.

    Thank you for helping me thank Bill Sledzik.

    Thank you for your assistance in protecting PRKent.

    And to Bill (once again): Thank you.

  23. Bill, you are amazing. I love how you fearlessly say what needs to be said. I never had the good fortune to study under Gene but with two classes and the capstone left, was hoping to as he has a wonderful reputation. I lost a significant amount of pride in being a Kent State student after reading your blog. And I am angry. For a school that is supposed to be progressive enough to even have this program, the hypocrisy is staggering. Not giving answers, not doing what is best for the primary publics, including those of us taking significant personal financial risk for even enrolling in the program. This is a case study in what NOT to do yet it is happening anyway. What the Hell are they thinking?? I have total confidence in Sledzik and Batchelor but am dismayed at the decision and at the way the situation was handled. How can they have a great PR program yet be so clueless? Really disappointed in Kent leadership. Thank you for the transparency, Bill. At least you can always be counted on.

  24. Carol,

    You are too kind. Thank you. These comments mean a lot coming from a top performer in this program.

    Bad decisions are made every day in organizations. And those decisions often result in placing quantity over quality and short-term over long-term objectives. The consequences of these decisions on brand integrity and stakeholder trust can’t be overestimated — as comments on this post and the last one illustrate.

    Thanks to the rise of the interactive digital space, we are now empowered to have these conversations in a transparent environment. And management is empowered to join them — or ignore them at their peril.

    Let me summarize this comment by framing the discussion around readings from my SMPR class: Effective organizations listen constantly to the Groundswell with an eye toward tapping the Cognitive Surplus available to us all. Enlightened management embraces Marketing PR 3.0. Unenlightened management stand on the platform, unaware that the Cluetrain has pulled away. (Corny, but true!)

    Looking forward to the day we raise that glass over Somes Sound, Carol. I wish you the best.

    (FYI: My new blog banner shot was taken at Somes Sound at Chambers Cottages.)

  25. Here’s an update for all who have commented on this thread:

    On Friday, Feb. 8, the faculty of the School of Journalism approved a motion that calls upon the JMC director to set aside Gene’s dismissal and to allow his 3rd-year review to proceed on schedule this spring. Every non-tenure-track faculty member at KSU undergoes a series of these performance reviews during their first 9 years of employment, and a large majority of Gene’s colleagues believe he should have the same opportunity.

    This review was to be Gene’s first, but since his contract was targeted for non-renewal, the administration is not obligated to go forward with that review.The faculty’s recommendation to the director is simply that — a recommendation. The director holds the sole power to accept or reject it.

    We can only hope the administration has heard the voices of Gene’s many supporters and voices of his colleagues. I will update you on the administration’s final decision as soon as I’m aware of it. For all who support Gene, it’s time to stand down and allow the administration to reflect on all the feedback they have received.

    BTW, that letter of protest that many of you signed a few weeks back had tremendous impact at Kent State and among the journalism school’s stakeholder groups. In addition to underscoring Gene’s strong case for contract renewal, the letter revealed to our administrators the need to allow and enable stakeholder participation in the decisions that affect their lives. For the long run, that’s an important outcome of this affair.

  26. I do not know who Thor Wasbotten is, but I do know who Gene Sasso is. Gene Sasso is a consummate professional who cares about the academics at KSU, as well as KSU’s students. What a world we live in, where we bring ideas that further an institution both intellectually and fiscally, and then we are given the boot as the “Thank you.”

    This is a wrong, and KSU should make it right.

  27. Hi, Kabi. Thanks for dropping by. What’s unfortunate in this case is that those wielding the power to hire and fire have no frame of reference as to the value Professor Sasso brings to the students in the program. Had they taken the time to review his online classes or to talk with students he helps on a daily basis, they would have developed a different perspective. This is hardly a new phenomenon — in education or in business. It is the students and Professor Sasso who will pay the price here.

  28. Pingback: When the ‘PR Fail’ case is you | ToughSledding

  29. Pingback: A Kent State farewell to Bob Batchelor: scholar, teacher, visionary | ToughSledding

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *