USD’s Emily Quinn Gives Insight into Marketing Education at USD – Sioux Falls, Beacom School of Business
A veteran of the marketing and business industries, Quinn spent 15 years in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis and Santa Monica before becoming a Coyote. In 2016, she accepted a role with USD as an adjunct professor at USD – Sioux Falls. Soon after, she accepted a full-time position allowing her to teach at both the Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses and online.
Quinn is now leaning into her passions as a marketing instructor at the USD Beacom School of Business, where she teaches a variety of marketing courses and mentors students.
Whether she’s leading online classes or delivering lectures on the USD – Sioux Falls or Vermillion campus, Quinn’s passion for marketing and student development is evident. As a faculty advisor for the Beacom School of Business Marketing Club, she brings a distinctive instructional style that emphasizes creativity and encourages students to engage and express their perspectives on course materials.
We sat down with Quinn for insight into her marketing courses and how USD – Sioux Falls is helping students in the Sioux Falls area pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders.
How do you see USD – Sioux Falls meeting a need in the Sioux Falls community?
As Sioux Falls has grown and evolved over the past two decades, so have the educational needs of the community. One of the greatest advantages of USD – Sioux Falls is its close connection to the region's thriving business and nonprofit sectors. Students have direct access to the people and organizations that are driving economic growth, innovation and community impact.
The Sioux Falls community provides countless examples of successful businesses and organizations that students can learn from firsthand. Rather than relying solely on case studies from other markets, we can point to local examples and connect classroom concepts directly to real-world applications happening in our own backyard.
What distinguishes USD marketing education from other regional universities or online programs?
USD offers a forward-thinking marketing education that combines academic rigor with real-world relevance. The Beacom School of Business continues to innovate through initiatives such as our new Sales Center and strong partnerships with business leaders throughout the region. Students also benefit from learning from faculty who have both academic credentials and professional industry experience and expertise in the areas of sales, AI, brand management, consumer behavior, digital marketing and marketing strategy.
One of the things that makes the USD Beacom School of Business unique is our long-standing AACSB accreditation, which signifies that we meet the highest standards in business education and are recognized among the top business schools in the country.
What are some of the benefits you see for your students having access to business classes right here in Sioux Falls?
Many of our USD – Sioux Falls students are already working in local businesses or their family’s business. This allows them to bring valuable, real-world experiences into classroom discussions and connect the theory we learn in our textbooks with practice in meaningful ways. It also creates a mutually beneficial relationship where students enhance their learning while local businesses benefit from fresh ideas and new perspectives.
How do USD – Sioux Falls and the Beacom School of Business continue to ensure marketable skills are embedded into the curriculum? How does the university support students who want to combine marketing with other fields like analytics, entrepreneurship or finance?
One of my favorite quotes comes from David Packard, co-founder of Hewlet Packard: "Marketing is too important to be left only to the marketing department."
That quote reflects the interdisciplinary nature of successful businesses. Marketing touches nearly every aspect of an organization, from customer experience and innovation to sales and strategy. At USD – Sioux Falls and the Beacom School of Business, we focus on developing skills that employers consistently value, including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and adaptability.
One of the advantages of USD is our size and flexibility. Students have opportunities to explore interests across disciplines and customize their educational experience based on their career goals. In addition, programs such as the Coyote Business Consulting program allow students from a variety of majors to collaborate on real-world projects for actual businesses. These experiences help students develop cross-functional skills and gain practical experience that integrates all business disciplines.
How do local companies in Sioux Falls contribute to shaping your curriculum or class projects?
Growth and development are constant themes in Sioux Falls. Nearly every day, local businesses are responding to new opportunities, challenges and market changes. This reinforces the importance of adaptability, innovation and lifelong learning.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in preparing students not just for their first job, but for an entire career. I emphasize professional communication, a strong sense of urgency, accountability and adaptability skills that remain valuable regardless of industry, role or workplace setting. Local business trends and challenges frequently inform class discussions and assignments.
USD – Sioux Falls and the Beacom School of Business do a great job of connecting students to a wider professional network in the Sioux Falls area. Can you describe the professional development opportunities business students have and how they gain exposure to the business industry in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls has an exceptionally vibrant business community, particularly within the marketing and advertising industries. Many local agencies and professionals are doing work for national and international brands, providing students with a level of expertise and exposure that is uncommon in communities of this size in the Midwest.
Students gain access to these professionals through opportunities such as the Sioux Falls Marketing Agency Tour, the Beacom School of Business Marketing club, Coyote Business Consulting, the Business club, Pi Sigma Epsilon and local guest speakers in classrooms.
What kinds of real-world marketing challenges do you see Sioux Falls businesses currently facing that students get exposed to?
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations operate, creating both opportunities and challenges. While AI can improve efficiency and automate tasks, it still requires human creativity, strategic thinking and ethical decision-making to be effective. On the other side, digital marketing continues to evolve rapidly. Students are now entering the profession during a period of significant change, which presents exciting opportunities to shape the industry’s future. Understanding how to adapt to these shifts is an important part of their educational experience.
How do you see the marketing field in Sioux Falls evolving over the next five to 10 years?
Marketing is a field that’s always changing, particularly as AI becomes more integrated into business operations. While technology will change many aspects of the profession, the need for authentic human connection, creativity and strategic thinking will remain strong.
As search behaviors online and consumer expectations continue to shift, organizations will increasingly rely on marketers who can blend data, technology and human insight. These changes will create exciting new career opportunities for the next generation of marketing professionals.
In what ways do networking events in Sioux Falls help students transition into full-time marketing roles after graduation?
Networking is an essential professional skill, and, like any skill, it improves with practice. Events throughout Sioux Falls provide USD students with opportunities to develop their confidence in building relationships, engaging in professional conversations and expanding their networks.
I often tell students that emotional intelligence and the ability to make meaningful connections are critical career skills—relationships matter. While networking can feel uncomfortable at first, it is rewarding to watch students grow in confidence and begin building relationships that often lead to internships, mentorships and full-time job opportunities.
How has being in Sioux Falls changed the way you approach teaching marketing compared to a traditional campus setting?
USD has outstanding students on both the Sioux Falls and Vermillion campuses, and their commitment to learning remains consistent regardless of location. What Sioux Falls offers is additional flexibility and accessibility for students who are balancing work, family and educational goals.
As many can relate, life circumstances can change quickly, and providing multiple pathways to earning a degree at USD allows students to make choices that best fit their needs. Whether students are attending classes in Sioux Falls, Vermillion, online or through a combination of formats, USD’s goal is to help them achieve their educational aspirations and provide the options to do so.
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