Professor of the Day TCM-1000

CLEARY UNIVERSITY

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Professor of the Day TCM-1000

Inspire first-year students by sharing your life and career story.
Your journey, including challenges, achievements, and lessons is the heart of this experience. Students will reflect on how your story connects with the eight Cleary Mind attributes taught in TCM1000.

About the TCM 1000 Class

Class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays
2 Sessions with 45+ students per session
All first-year students take this class

The class is TCM1000, where TCM = The Cleary Mind. Here, we teach students about and to embody the eight attributes or workplace skills that employers expect from top talent. These are the industry-standard soft skills, professional skills, and employability skills most important to the workplace. (See attached Cleary Mind flyer)

The secret sauce is in telling your life and career story. Think storytime! As genuine and authentic as possible with all your confidence and insecurities, all your highs and lows, and all your achievements and challenges. It’s all about you, your presence, your passion, and your storytelling. They especially love to hear how you came back from challenges, the lessons you learned along the way, and any words of wisdom you would leave with them. Students will ask you many questions after you complete your sharing.

A presentation is only necessary if you want to show one; however, we found that it does add to the experience, and we encourage you to put one together. If anything, you want more pictures and graphics than words.

You can send your presentation by email (preferred), bring a flash drive, or we can connect your laptop by HDMI to the projection screen. Have backups.

As for particular topics to consider, the university integrates the Cleary Mind (Flyer attached) into our curriculum. These are the “professional” or “employability” skills employers expect from star performers. Your talk could reference their importance or real-world applications of those eight attributes ONLY if it were part of your flow. Typically, students will debrief your presentation in the next class and make the Clear Mind Attributes connections. Students love stories about ethical dilemmas (Ethics, Critical Thinking) or stories about how you seized an opportunity to grow your business (Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving), or creative ways you motivated your team to achieve something great (Leadership, Communications, Persuasion, Creative Thinking), etc.

You may also want to discuss your company and the opportunities it offers to students.

Please send me a preferred bio and headshot so we can promote your talk.

Examples of Questions Students May Ask During Q&A

“Looking back, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?”
→ Encourages students to gain wisdom early from hindsight, shaping better decisions (Ethics, Communication).
“What do you look for when hiring someone fresh out of college?”
→ Gives students insight into standing out professionally and aligning their preparation with real-world expectations (Entrepreneurship, Persuasion).
“Can you tell us about a time you failed or made a big mistake—and what you learned from it?”
→ Helps students understand resilience, reflection, and how failure can be a catalyst for growth (Critical Thinking, Ethics).
“Was there a moment in your career when you almost gave up? What pulled you through?”
→ Teaches grit, perseverance, and how to navigate difficult seasons (Leadership, Problem Solving).
“How do you handle imposter syndrome or self-doubt, especially as a leader?”
→ Normalizes internal struggles and teaches strategies for confidence (Creative Thinking, Leadership).
“Was there a person, mentor, or experience that completely changed your trajectory?”
→ Highlights the power of relationships and openness to influence (Ethics, Communication).
“What do you do when you’re under pressure or facing big, uncertain decisions?”
→ Builds emotional intelligence and problem-solving frameworks (Critical Thinking, Problem Solving).
“What’s a risk you took that changed your life—for better or worse?”
→ Encourages bold thinking and helps demystify risk-taking (Entrepreneurship, Leadership).
“How do you keep growing and learning—personally or professionally—now that you’re at the top?”
→ Reinforces lifelong learning and humility (Creative Thinking, Ethics).
“If we forget everything else today, what’s one principle or mindset you believe will always help us succeed?”
→ Seeks a timeless takeaway and gives the presenter a moment to summarize their core life wisdom (Persuasion, Leadership).

Schedule

Time	Activity
10:00 AM	Arrive at Cleary Commons
10:15 AM	Class #1 Begins (Classroom #3)
10:20 AM	Introduction & Presentation (45+ min), followed by Q&A (15+ min)
11:40 AM	Class Ends / Transition to Lunch
11:45 AM	Lunch with President Drimmer at Red Olive (Next door)
1:00 PM	Class #2 Begins (Classroom #3)
1:15 PM	Introduction & Presentation (45+ min), followed by Q&A (15+ min)
2:30 PM	Class Ends
Optional:	3:00 PM – Campus or Career Center Tour • 5:00 PM – Dinner (if out of state)

Cleary University Commons Directions

Address: 3725 Cleary Drive, Howell, MI 48843
Tom Egan cell: (734) 276-5677

When entering campus (#) from Grand River Ave, you will see the big “Cleary Commons” building with signage right in front of you and to the right. Pull right up to the doors (2) in the parking lot (C) under the sign. As you enter those doors to the building, Classroom #3 is across the atrium to the other side of the building. We will also be out there looking for you.

CLEARY UNIVERSITY

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