At first glance, it might seem unbelievable: a professor who drives nearly 500 miles, crossing five states, to teach a few days of class every week. But for public relations professor Jack Jeffery, the weekly commute from Lima, Ohio to App State isn’t a burden; it’s a choice rooted in fulfillment. As Jeffery puts it, “I had to try it.”
As the final days of Jeffery’s last in-person semester approach, there’s much to reflect on about the mark he’s made at App State. Since 2020, Jeffery has made the roughly 475-mile journey from Ohio to Boone almost every week. Jeffery describes his demanding routine, teaching classes Tuesday through Thursday, then driving back to Ohio for the weekend before returning early Monday morning, often leaving at 5 a.m.
The drive takes him through Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Over time, Jeffery said he’s developed a rhythm with familiar stops, favorite radio stations and a mindset that keeps the distance manageable.
“I just knew,” he said. “I enjoyed teaching more than I did the practitioner work.”
Jeffery said teaching, at first, was something he did on the side. Like many public relations professionals, he started as a journalist at a newspaper. He worked in media relations for nearly three decades, working as a sports reporter and copy editor for newspapers in Ohio, Texas and Florida.
One pivotal moment changed everything for him. When the job opportunity at App State came along in 2020, Jeffery said it wasn’t an easy decision. It meant uprooting his routine and committing to a long-distance lifestyle. But his wife asked him a question that ultimately made the decision clear.
Sally, Jeffery’s wife, said to him, “If you turn this down, will you regret it?” His answer: “Only every day for the rest of my life.” So he said yes. Despite the long hours and unpredictable weather, Jeffery remains committed. For him, the reason is simple. “At the end of the line, I get to hang out with App State students,” Jeffery said.
Although remote work became common during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeffery strongly believes communication students need to be physically present with one another.
“Com students, you read the room,” Jeffery said. “You can’t do that online.”
That in-person connection is something his students notice as well. Senior public relations major Daize Comer said Jeffery’s dedication has a direct impact on how students approach his class.
“Knowing how far he drives just to be here honestly changes how you see the class,” Comer said. “It makes you want to show up and take it seriously. He doesn’t just teach PR, he actually cares about us as people and our futures.”
For a field built on relationships, emotional intelligence and interpersonal awareness, Jeffery sees the classroom as an essential training ground. Jeffery’s class is not just about learning how to write press releases; it’s about understanding people.
When asked what stands out the most about his time at App State, Jeffery’s answer comes without hesitation: the students. Having worked at other universities, he said there’s something distinct about the culture in Boone.
“There’s no students like App State students,” he said. “You guys are so engaged and personable.”
Jeffery measures his success as a professor not by grades or evaluations but by what happens after his students leave the classroom. The most meaningful moments often come later, when former students reach out, share their successes or reflect on lessons that clicked for them when working in the real world, Jeffery said.
“If I’m doing my job, when you’re in your internship or job, you’re going to send me an email and ask me something,” Jeffery said.
One such moment involved a former student who struggled in classes. Months later, she reached out during her internship, proving to Jeffery that sometimes the best thing a teacher can do is step back and let students figure things out on their own.
“It wasn’t about me,” he said. “It was about her.”
Despite the long hours, constant traveling and eventual transition into remote teaching, Jeffery describes his time at App State in one word — “fulfilling.”
“I can’t believe how fortunate I got,” he said. “These are some of the best years of my life.”
If there’s one piece of advice Jeffery hopes his students carry with them, it’s this: “You’ll figure it out.” He encourages students to embrace uncertainty, trust their instincts and lean on relationships. “Start talking to people. Start making connections,” Jeffery said. “You’ve got 40 years to retire; it’s okay.”
