Great Lakes Mall Challenges Students to Develop Marketing Plans for Renovation

This fall, the marketing students at Cleveland State University are getting real-world experience by working with .

At the start of the semester, which began in late August, students wrote a strategy document and submitted it to their professor, Kimberly Ruggeri, for feedback.

Once approved, the students will use that strategy to develop a full marketing and advertising plan that will include media and creative recommendations for the mall.

"This is a great hands-on project that helps prepare our students for the business world," said Ruggeri, the integrated marketing communication professor at Cleveland State University. 

The and includes new inside and outside features, such as additional seating, a remodeled food court, updated restrooms, redesigned mall entrances, landscaping, flooring and lighting.

"We’re pleased to provide CSU students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the classroom," said Renee Lanzara, the director of marketing for the mall. "Our renovations are expected to be complete later this year, and we're excited to see if we can incorporate the students’ ideas in our plan to market our many new and updated features."

This is the second time Great Lakes Mall has partnered with students at CSU. The students also developed advertising strategies for , a local teen band competition held in July.