INTERVIEW:

Why did you choose to study at Marshall University?
Marshall University has the largest sense of community among the different universities I looked into attending. This is exemplified by the historically significant plane crash of 1970 and the ceremony they continues today. The way the community and campus come together on the anniversary showed to me how the university is one big family.

What do you like best about your degree program?
What I love best about my degree program is that my own skills are constantly being challenged and intensified. These skills, through advertising and public relations, are ones I use everyday in my life and professional track in both leadership development and personal growth.

What was your biggest surprise about graduate school?
My biggest surprise about graduate school is how well I am doing as compared to my undergraduate experience at Marshall. I have learned that I am a lot more focused in regards to my studies and am able to see the difference my graduate experience is having within my life everyday. Yes, I am a few years older and more mature; this I believe has groomed me for the best possible graduate experience.

What is the best class you have had and why?
The best class I have had to date would be Mass Media Ethics and Law. During undergrad, I had separate classes that covered the topics in their own respect. In my graduate program, the two are combined to form one class that addresses the two in relation. It was very interesting to approach issues from both angles and Chris Swindell did an amazing job keeping my interest in the subject matter.

What are your plans after graduate school?
After graduate school, I would like to continue my work in the field of Fraternity and Sorority Life. I would like to use my public relations/advertising skills to aid in the fraternal movement and fight the negative stereotypes associated with it. This is something I am already making great strides with here at Marshall and would like the opportunity to use my skill set more on the national level.

If you had not gone to graduate school, what other path would you have followed?
If I had not gone to graduate school, I honestly believe I would be stuck in some dead end job without any real direction. It wasn’t until my graduate experience that I finally figured out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and what I am truly passionate about.

What do you do outside of your studies for fun?:
Outside of my studies for fun I like to volunteer with the national office of my own fraternity. I serve as the Regional Vice President and provide direction and advice to chapters and members within five states. This is something I am really great at and having the knowledge that I make a difference everyday in people’s lives is more fun or rewarding than any other “fun” activity.

Tell us one thing about yourself that might surprise your friends?
One thing about myself that may surprise my friends is how active and involved I am with school, my graduate assistant position and volunteer roles. I have a great deal of varying responsibilities and sometimes surprise myself with my level of involvement.