Heuss Printing: Student Career Tour

Career Tour for Communication Studies Students Hosted by Heuss Printing of Ames

Six students from the Communication Studies Program recently were treated to an eye-opening career tour by our program’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Kori Heuss, owner and leader of Heuss Printing in Ames. Kori tells us that she wanted to provide our students with “a behind-the scenes look at how ideas move through Heuss Printing – from concept to finished product.” Kori devoted a full afternoon to equipping and helping our students, providing an extensive and informative tour. Kori explains, “We walked through each area of the shop, including design, press, bindery, mailing, and apparel, so they could see how each part connects and how much coordination it takes to deliver a final piece that represents a client well.” Student Nate Hochstetler was quite impressed by seeing the printing process unfold, which surprisingly fostered a nostalgic feeling for him. Nate explains, “It was really cool to see the daily operations and the work Heuss does for local businesses. I got a kick out of seeing them print the Hickory Park menus that I remember drawing on as a little kid!”

Heuss Printing has partnered with businesses near and far, from local to national to international clients. As the company’s motto proclaims, “The vision – to communicate yours.” Kori continually strives to bring each customer’s vision to fruition. Tour participant Emilee Schlegel saw this vision in action, proclaiming, “I really enjoyed that we were not just learning about the business and process aspects of the printing industry, but that Kori also gave us a lot of very valuable information on the kind of personal communication it takes to succeed. She especially taught us how to understand that the fostering of client relationships is always coming into play.” Clients are so important to Kori that her company uses the phrase, “The customer is the reason for our existence.” It was Kori’s goal to pass this lesson on to our Communication Studies students.

Building personal and authentic bonds

Just like Kori and her company are constantly building strong connections with clients, Kori built personal bonds with our students who visited her business. Tour attendee Jordan Jones states, “It was amazing learning from Kori. Her authenticity stood out as she spoke honestly about the challenges of being a CEO. That level of transparency made her perspective both relatable and impactful.” Student Eli Martinus added, “It was so neat that after the tour of the facility, including the workshops and offices, we all sat down in the conference room and got a chance to ask Kori all our personal questions. Being able to ask the CEO direct questions about what it takes to be a leader and about different aspects of marketing was very personally meaningful.”

Kori’s tour was extensive and authentic. She tells us that our students “had the opportunity to meet the members of our team and to hear directly from the people doing the work each day, which added a very real, practical layer to what they were learning.” That personal touch and authentic approach were praised by our students who toured Heuss Printing. Ava von Donselaar says, “Honestly, what impacted me the most was Kori Heuss. She was just incredible! She is so warm and genuine and is completely people-centered. You can tell Kori really cares about meeting people where they’re at, and that’s something that really stuck with me. It truly made the experience feel special in a way I didn’t expect. It also made me reflect on the kind of environment I want to be part of in the future. Seeing how much Kori values people and relationships, not just the work itself, really stood out to me. Seeing that kind of culture in action reinforces for me what approach I want to bring to my work in the future, like Kori.”

The feeling was mutual

Just as our students complimented Kori, she likewise complimented the students and praised the career preparation they are receiving in the Communication Studies program. Kori affirmed, “The students asked very thoughtful questions about entrepreneurship, growth, and how to navigate uncertainty early in their careers.” Kori elaborated further by adding, “What stood out the most to me was how talented, bright, and genuinely engaged these students are.  This wasn’t a passive tour – the students were curious, present, and willing to think through real questions about their future and the role they want to play in it.” Kori applauded the current work of her alma mater program by saying, “It was a meaningful experience to connect with a group of students who are clearly being supported and challenged in the right ways by the Communication Studies Program. They all spoke so highly of their program and of the level of care and connection they feel, both inside and outside the classroom.”

The importance of communication in the workplace

One last element Kori highlighted for our students during their time together was the importance of communication in the workplace. She explains, “We discussed how communication, decision-making, and responsibility show up in business every day. We talked about the human side of business – how relationships, trust, and follow-through matter just as much as technical skill. We especially focused on the crucial role that integrated, good communication patterns and practices play in the outcome and success of the business.” The emphasis on excellent communication resonated for student Jordan Jones, current president of the Communication Studies Club. Jordan said, “It was especially valuable to see how concepts from my leadership and communication classes apply in a real-world business setting. What I am learning in my classes applies directly in my future career.” Club Vice President Ava Von Donselaar chimed in, “I loved learning how much communication and intention goes into working with each and every person they serve.” This other orientation and personalized communication are at the heart of what is taught in the Communication Studies Program – this was true when Kori was our student and still is true today.

An opportunity!

Alumni, if you reside in central Iowa and would be willing to host a career tour at your workplace for a group of students from our program, please contact our director, Dr. Stacy Tye-Williams at styewill@iastate.edu. Our program is working hard to prepare our students for their careers with excellent communication skills that are immediately applicable in their workplace, as well as in their personal lives.