School of Communication alumna and “The First Lady of Sales” Dr. Cindy McGovern has built her career around using communication to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders.
As the CEO of Orange Leaf Consulting & Academy, a keynote speaker, consultant, and 2x Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Sell Yourself” and “Every Job Is a Sales Job,” she credits her time at Florida State University (FSU) with building her strong foundation in organizational communication and personal branding.
“The School of Communication wasn’t just a department; it was a community of thought leaders, status quo challengers, and visionaries,” McGovern said. “They challenged the way I saw the world and made me want to learn.”
Her decision to attend FSU was shaped by both academic ambition and school spirit. “I chose Florida State University because I have been an FSU fan since I can remember,” McGovern said. “But I also wanted a program that challenged me academically, and also felt like home, and FSU delivered both.”
During her time at FSU, McGovern realized that communication wasn’t just a degree; it was a superpower. Her studies in organizational communication gave her a better understanding of how people interact, why teams succeed, and how leaders can inspire change. “It laid the foundation for everything I do today as a business consultant and coach,” she said.
One moment at FSU stood out to her as a turning point in her career. “It was right before I was defending my dissertation, and a professor gave me one of the most powerful lessons I have ever learned in my life: how you show up matters,” she said.
This lesson guides McGovern’s work today, whether she’s coaching a CEO or a new graduate, reminding them that the words they use, their tone of voice, and their presence always contribute to their personal brand.
For current students, she urges them to take advantage of the versatility of the degree.
“Say yes before you think you’re ready. Don’t wait because if you do, you’ll never be ready. Ready is a myth. Just go for it now,” McGovern said. “Your communication degree isn’t a ticket to just one kind of job, it’s a backstage pass to just about any industry.”
McGovern believes that using communication to establish a personal brand is one of the most powerful tools students have. She reminds them that in every interaction, they’re selling the most valuable product there is: themselves.