If Sara Champlin hopes to impart one message to her students, it's to simply be yourself.

"I want them to know that whoever they are -- that's the answer. I want them to listen to their gut, honor their life experiences and trust themselves," says Champlin, an associate professor of advertising in the Mayborn School of Journalism. "We want a classroom to be a place where you can feel like yourself."

Champlin's supportive attitude is just one of many characteristics that earned her the 2025-26 UNT 'Fessor Graham Award. Presented annually by the UNT Student Government Association, the award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding service to students. It's also the highest honor given by the student body.

"It was amazing to receive the award because 'Fessor Graham was someone who was working around the clock to help students succeed. I think our advertising program has that same spirit. I feel lucky that I get to work with faculty who share that same mindset."

Champlin has taught advertising and strategy at UNT for 11 years after earning her Ph.D. A self-described "people person," she views teaching as a reciprocal experience between educator and student, where both parties are learning from each other. In a similar way, she imparts to her students the importance of staying curious about their audiences.

"We explore what motivates people: why they do what they do, why they like what they like. We discover how people become committed to specific brands and what drives that commitment."

But Champlin says advertising these days is deeper than learning about human behavior. In the digital age, those same humans want to be seen and experience connection -- in other words, people crave a true reciprocal experience.

"Advertising in 2026 isn't just about selling things in the traditional sense. We can create content that people genuinely enjoy, follow, connect with," she says. "Advertising can be art, it can be funny, it can be sentimental. It can showcase who we are as people."

Connecting with students isn't Champlin's only priority. When she was asked to create a new bachelor of science degree for advertising in 2022, she knew she wanted to focus on work-integrated learning and hands-on experiences that would support student success. Under the new ADVG degree, advertising students receive project feedback from industry professionals, develop working relationships with advertising agencies and participate in (and win) national competitions.

"We aren't just preparing students for the future. We're preparing them to advance the future," she says. "We want our students to enter their careers ready for anything. We are really proud of the program's growth."

As Champlin reflects on being recognized for her impact on students, she remembers an educator who impacted her in turn: retired UNT advertising professor Sheri Broyles, known to students and colleagues as "Dr. B," who passed away in 2022. Champlin credits Dr. B with inspiring her connection-focused approach to teaching -- and with giving her the confidence to be herself.