KU Professor Leads “Be an Influencer” Summer Program in California
Becky Achen, program director of the Professional Performance degree program, extended KU’s reach and reputation in June by teaching the “Be an Influencer” program at the Summer High School Institute at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Achen began leading the Sports Analytics program in the first year of the institute’s existence while she was a visiting assistant professor at the University of the Pacific. Now in its fourth year, she led two very different programs, “Be an Influencer” and “Sports Analytics,” which allowed her to share her diverse expertise with the next generation of college students. These summer programs offered by Pacific are designed to give students a realistic preview of college life while exploring academic and career pathways.
Achen points out that her involvement in the institute also provided a platform to introduce students to KU’s innovative Professional Performance program. Designed for students interested in careers at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, entertainment, and digital strategy, the degree program equips graduates with the skills necessary to be successful in a variety of career paths.
She worked with approximately 20 “Be an Influencer” students over two weeks, to explore the influencer industry from a strategic, values-driven perspective. Students engaged in personal branding exercises, content creation workshops, and discussions with guest speakers in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and social media strategy.
“This program gives students a realistic view of what it means to be an influencer,” she explained. “I show them it’s not just about popularity -- it’s about purpose, strategy, and authenticity.”
The program challenges common misconceptions about influencer culture and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, consistency, and ethical engagement. Students leave with a clearer understanding of their own values and how to express them through digital platforms.
“Even if they do not plan to become influencers one day, these skills are increasingly relevant in personal and professional contexts,” Achen said.
In the Sports Analytics program, Achen leaned on her years of experience teaching in sport management and marketing prior to coming to KU to help students explore how data is transforming the sports industry. From player performance metrics to fan engagement strategies, students gained hands-on experience with the tools and thinking that drive modern sports decision-making. The camp also introduces students to career paths in sports analytics, marketing, and media, all fields that are rapidly growing and evolving.
Achen said these camps are intense but incredibly rewarding. “They keep me connected to what high school students are thinking and doing, and that insight directly informs how I shape the curriculum at KU.”
Achen’s involvement in the Summer High School Institute is equal parts teaching and listening and learning. Her work with high school students has helped her stay ahead of trends in digital media and youth culture, which influenced the evolution of KU’s Professional Performance degree.
“In many ways, this program set me up for success at KU,” she said. “It gave me a window into the world of incoming students and helped me design a program that meets them where they are, all while preparing them for where they want to go."
“These camps allow me to share what we’re building at KU. It’s exciting to talk to students about how they can turn their passions into a profession and how KU is leading the way in helping them do that.”
Achen’s work in California reflects KU’s broader commitment to innovation, outreach, and student-centered education. By sharing her expertise in these immersive, pre-college environments, she is not only mentoring future college students but also reinforcing KU’s leadership in preparing students for careers in dynamic and exciting career fields.
