Local businesses juggle countless responsibilities. Fortunately, marketing and brand strategy is one task business owners can leave to BucHouse with confidence.

Created in January 2025 out of the East Tennessee State University School of Marketing and Media, and housed physically in the historic Ashe Street Courthouse, the student-run marketing agency has grown and evolved.

One area of growth is BucHouse being approved as a Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) designation. This enhances the student experience by incorporating reflection after each project to ensure students can evaluate their learning, recognize the skills they developed and better understand the impact of their work.

"Community-engaged learning is at the heart of BucHouse," said Betsy Holleman, marketing professor of practice and BucHouse faculty lead. "Not only do students get real-life agency experience, but they get to work with community partners while making an impact."

The BucHouse model has created a learning experience that benefits both students and local businesses.  

For students, they get a paid opportunity to combine their interests with real problem-solving. Taking lessons learned in College of Business and Technology (CBAT) classes, they apply those concepts and adapt strategies to successfully navigate project challenges. In addition, they are paired with a faculty mentor for guidance and mentorship on the project.

The skills those BucHouse and CBAT students cover is a wide range of marketing and media talents:

  • Marketing
  • Film Production
  • Animation and Visualization
  • Visual Effects
  • Digital and Social Media
  • Public Relations
  • Business Strategy

For business owners, BucHouse provides fresh perspective and creative expertise to elevate their marketing and achieve their goals. By handing off projects to BucHouse, clients can focus on other priorities while gaining access to emerging talent and potentially discover their next marketing or media hire.

"Ultimately, community-engaged learning is preparing students to be career-ready, but also to be a big part of the community where they work and live," said Holleman. "With our variety of expertise, guidance and mentorship, we're excited to give hands-on learning experience to students while supporting the region at large."

To be involved as either a student or potential community partner client, check out the BucHouse webpage!