A Wayne State College professor is taking his role beyond the classroom and into city hall after being appointed last year to Wayne’s city council while continuing to teach full-time.
For Communications Professor Dr. Joe Whitt, the decision to serve wasn’t just about politics, it was about place. Having grown up in Wayne, attended college at WSC and now returned to raise a family, his connection to the community runs deep.
“I care deeply about Wayne, its future and the people who live and visit here,” Whitt said. “I’ve felt called to public service for a while. Being a communicator without participating in public life always felt a little incomplete.”
That mindset made local government feel like a natural extension of his work. Whitt describes city council as “communication in action,” where discussions and decisions directly shape the everyday life of community members.
Balancing both roles, professor and council member, comes down to finding a rhythm. Like many who serve in local government, Whitt manages a full-time career alongside public service responsibilities.
“The council is designed to be made up of ordinary citizens with full lives and careers,” Whitt said. “It fits well with folks who can wrap up a typical workday before transitioning to council meetings in the evenings.”
Rather than seeing the dual roles as overwhelming, Whitt views them as complementary.
“As a professor, I have an allegiance to serve our campus community. As a citizen on council, I have an allegiance to serve our broader community of Wayne,” Whitt said. “I’m honored to serve in both capacities.”
Whitt’s involvement in city government has also influenced his approach in the classroom. With firsthand experience in public decision-making, he is able to give students real-world examples of how communication plays out beyond theory.
“It’s made the stakes of communication and relationships more visible,” Whitt said. “I can bring in real examples of how advocacy, listening, conflict and decision-making actually play out in a community.”
While there are no strict rules limiting his ability to hold both positions, Whitt said there is an importance in maintaining strong personal values in both roles.
“I strive to uphold values that matter to me: transparency, respect and fairness,” Whitt said.
Whitt also believes that having a faculty member on city council can be a benefit to the community, especially when it comes to problem-solving and collaboration.
“As a professor, you’re trained to listen, ask questions and work through complex issues,” Whitt said. “Those skills translate well to public service.”
For Whitt, one of the most rewarding parts of serving both roles is the opportunity to influence students beyond academics.
“The most rewarding part is being able to plant the seed for students, that they too can be involved in community building and place making,” Whitt said. “We all are bestowed with a voice and that’s all you need to make a difference.”
By bridging the gap between campus and community, Whitt hopes to encourage more students to see themselves as active participants in the places they call home.
