Advisor: Dr. Stacey Connaughton
Associate Professor PhD University of Texas-Austin
M.A. University of Texas
B.A. Saint Olaf College
Dr. Connaughton examines identification and leadership in geographically distributed organizational contexts. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, her work seeks to understand the communicative processes which inspire connection and disconnection to various targets in our social world. She often investigates these issues in distributed organizations such as political parties and global corporations, and she is particularly interested in one often under-represented population, Latinos. Dr. Connaughton is a Senior Consortium Research Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Institute, and she has facilitated workshops and written guidebooks for corporate, governmental, educational administrative, and student groups in the areas of leadership, team-building, and strategic planning in the United States and Canada. Visit her page at Purdue Communication Department.
M.A. University of Texas
B.A. Saint Olaf College
Dr. Connaughton examines identification and leadership in geographically distributed organizational contexts. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, her work seeks to understand the communicative processes which inspire connection and disconnection to various targets in our social world. She often investigates these issues in distributed organizations such as political parties and global corporations, and she is particularly interested in one often under-represented population, Latinos. Dr. Connaughton is a Senior Consortium Research Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Institute, and she has facilitated workshops and written guidebooks for corporate, governmental, educational administrative, and student groups in the areas of leadership, team-building, and strategic planning in the United States and Canada. Visit her page at Purdue Communication Department.
President: Julie Smith
Major: Public Relations and Advertising
Year: Senior
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Music, Watching Sports, Running, Shopping, Spending time with Friends and Family
Fun Fact: My family bought our current house from Kim Kardashian's new husband, Kris Humphries' family.
This summer... Studied abroad in London and worked at a public relations and event planning internship for a political organization.
For this semester... Busy being the president of AWC and VP of PR for Pi Sigma Epsilon Sales and Marketing Fraternity.
Future Plans: to work for a PR agency that has a client list of athletes. I want to help them put on various fundraisers and charity events for their different foundations.
Current COM classes: 314, 252, 435, 356, 495
Previous COM classes: 114, 102, 250, 318, 204, 253, 256, 304, 312, 212
Year: Senior
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Music, Watching Sports, Running, Shopping, Spending time with Friends and Family
Fun Fact: My family bought our current house from Kim Kardashian's new husband, Kris Humphries' family.
This summer... Studied abroad in London and worked at a public relations and event planning internship for a political organization.
For this semester... Busy being the president of AWC and VP of PR for Pi Sigma Epsilon Sales and Marketing Fraternity.
Future Plans: to work for a PR agency that has a client list of athletes. I want to help them put on various fundraisers and charity events for their different foundations.
Current COM classes: 314, 252, 435, 356, 495
Previous COM classes: 114, 102, 250, 318, 204, 253, 256, 304, 312, 212
Vice President: Irene Wang
Major: Mass Communication
Year: Junior
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Hobbies: making friends, fashion, shopping, watching movies, music, afternoon tea, and traveling
Fun Fact: I have no sense of direction.
This summer... Studied abroad in London and interned for Beauty and the Dirt, a beauty and fashion website, and took COM303 with Professor Boyd.
For this semester... Working for the CCO and taking some fashion classes.
Future Plans: To be a fashion journalist/PR agent in New York City.
Current COM classes: 256, 311, 314
Previous COM classes: 114, 102, 204, 250, 318, 376, 330, 214
Year: Junior
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Hobbies: making friends, fashion, shopping, watching movies, music, afternoon tea, and traveling
Fun Fact: I have no sense of direction.
This summer... Studied abroad in London and interned for Beauty and the Dirt, a beauty and fashion website, and took COM303 with Professor Boyd.
For this semester... Working for the CCO and taking some fashion classes.
Future Plans: To be a fashion journalist/PR agent in New York City.
Current COM classes: 256, 311, 314
Previous COM classes: 114, 102, 204, 250, 318, 376, 330, 214
Secretary: Brenda Gillam
Major: Public Relations and Advertising
Year: Senior
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, doing anything crafty
Fun Fact: I own a chinchilla named Jak and he is awesome and really soft
This summer... I went to China for two and a half weeks and go to climb the Great Wall
Plans for the semester... Finishing up my final semester at Purdue and interning at United Way of Greater Lafayette
Future Plans: Working in advertising for a non-profit in Charleston, SC or somewhere equally warm
Current COM classes: 314, 435, 336, 356
Previous COM Classes: 102, 114, 204, 250, 253, 256, 491, 212, 312, 324
Year: Senior
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, doing anything crafty
Fun Fact: I own a chinchilla named Jak and he is awesome and really soft
This summer... I went to China for two and a half weeks and go to climb the Great Wall
Plans for the semester... Finishing up my final semester at Purdue and interning at United Way of Greater Lafayette
Future Plans: Working in advertising for a non-profit in Charleston, SC or somewhere equally warm
Current COM classes: 314, 435, 336, 356
Previous COM Classes: 102, 114, 204, 250, 253, 256, 491, 212, 312, 324
Treasurer: Nykky Robinson
Major: Communication- Human Relations
Year: Junior
Hometown: Merrillville, Indiana
Hobbies: I write and perform spoken word poetry, cooking and volunteering
Fun Fact: Growing up, I named all my pets after playing cards- my two favorite were Ace and Queen
This summer... Interned for the Student Access Transition Success (STATS) Office and Purdue Promise where I helped first generation freshmen with their transition to college, along with planning large scale social events
For this semester... Being an ambassador for the Office of the Dean of Students and participating in Miss Purdue
Future Plans: My career goal is to earn my doctorate in student affairs and educational administration and become a Dean at a major university
Current COM classes: 212, 250
Previous COM classes: 102, 114, 204, 318, 320
Year: Junior
Hometown: Merrillville, Indiana
Hobbies: I write and perform spoken word poetry, cooking and volunteering
Fun Fact: Growing up, I named all my pets after playing cards- my two favorite were Ace and Queen
This summer... Interned for the Student Access Transition Success (STATS) Office and Purdue Promise where I helped first generation freshmen with their transition to college, along with planning large scale social events
For this semester... Being an ambassador for the Office of the Dean of Students and participating in Miss Purdue
Future Plans: My career goal is to earn my doctorate in student affairs and educational administration and become a Dean at a major university
Current COM classes: 212, 250
Previous COM classes: 102, 114, 204, 318, 320
Public Relations Director: Megan Fingert
Major: Public Relations
Year: Senior
Hometown: Camarillo, California
Hobbies: Cooking, ballet, singing, guitar, writing, traveling, Disneyland
Fun Fact: I spent two summers studying Creative Writing at Cambridge University in England.
This summer... London Internship Program
Plans for the semester: PR and Marketing for Hungryboiler.com
Future Plans: Working for a PR or Advertising firm located in a sunny and warm state!
Current COM classes: 324, 252, 495, 356
Previous COM classes: 102, 204, 318, 212, 250, 435, 253, 256
Year: Senior
Hometown: Camarillo, California
Hobbies: Cooking, ballet, singing, guitar, writing, traveling, Disneyland
Fun Fact: I spent two summers studying Creative Writing at Cambridge University in England.
This summer... London Internship Program
Plans for the semester: PR and Marketing for Hungryboiler.com
Future Plans: Working for a PR or Advertising firm located in a sunny and warm state!
Current COM classes: 324, 252, 495, 356
Previous COM classes: 102, 204, 318, 212, 250, 435, 253, 256
Special Events Coordinator: Rachel Hibner
Major: Public Relations
Year: Junior
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Hobbies: scrapbooking, decorating anything and everything, running
Fun Fact: I am dating one of the Purdue Petes
This summer... Interned with Vision Event Management producing running events across the country.
Plans for the semester: Interning for the Purdue Sports Marketing division, as well as working for VIsion Event Management doing their social media, customer service and also working events from time to time.
Future Plans: Her dream is to become the event planner for the White House, but if that does not work out she wants to work for a sports team planning their events.
Current COM classes: 304, 318, 256
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204
Year: Junior
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Hobbies: scrapbooking, decorating anything and everything, running
Fun Fact: I am dating one of the Purdue Petes
This summer... Interned with Vision Event Management producing running events across the country.
Plans for the semester: Interning for the Purdue Sports Marketing division, as well as working for VIsion Event Management doing their social media, customer service and also working events from time to time.
Future Plans: Her dream is to become the event planner for the White House, but if that does not work out she wants to work for a sports team planning their events.
Current COM classes: 304, 318, 256
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204
Newsletter Editor: Meredith Barack
Major: Mass Communication
Year: Senior
Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois
Hobbies: Traveling, shopping, cooking
Fun Fact: I attended a television hosting seminar in the Summer of 2010 and got to meet Giuliana Rancic!
This summer... Internship with CONAN on TBS
Plans for the semester: A work in progress.
Future Plans: To work in the television industry- hopefully in front of the camera!
Current COM classes: 330, 332, 351
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204, 318, 490, 212, 324, 252, 261, 304, 312
Year: Senior
Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois
Hobbies: Traveling, shopping, cooking
Fun Fact: I attended a television hosting seminar in the Summer of 2010 and got to meet Giuliana Rancic!
This summer... Internship with CONAN on TBS
Plans for the semester: A work in progress.
Future Plans: To work in the television industry- hopefully in front of the camera!
Current COM classes: 330, 332, 351
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204, 318, 490, 212, 324, 252, 261, 304, 312
Assistant Newsletter Editor: Lauren Hausermann
Major: Mass Communication
Year: Senior
Hometown: Schaumburg, Illinois
Hobbies: arts and crafts, shopping, reality TV
Fun Fact: I have never had a pet
This summer... Worked at Jamba Juice
Plans for the semester: Preparing for my study abroad in Spring to Florence, Italy
Future Plans: I would love to work in television production ideally for a talk show like Oprah or Ellen.
Current COM classes: 261, 324, 351, 491H
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204, 318, 252, 212
Year: Senior
Hometown: Schaumburg, Illinois
Hobbies: arts and crafts, shopping, reality TV
Fun Fact: I have never had a pet
This summer... Worked at Jamba Juice
Plans for the semester: Preparing for my study abroad in Spring to Florence, Italy
Future Plans: I would love to work in television production ideally for a talk show like Oprah or Ellen.
Current COM classes: 261, 324, 351, 491H
Previous COM classes: 100, 114, 102, 250, 204, 318, 252, 212
Multi-Media Director: Megan Cooperider
Major: Public Relations and Advertising
Year: Senior
Hometown: West Lafayette, Indiana
Hobbies: running, traveling, music, friends, shopping
Fun Fact: I spent the summer of 2010 studying in Florence, Italy then traveled to Belgium, Germany, Spain, London, Portugal, Amsterdam, Rome and
This summer... Worked at IDC (marketing company in Lafayette), waitressed at Arni's, volunteered at the Crisis Center, worked at the Hall of Music doing tape inventory and helping with football video and photo shoots
Plans for the semester: Volunteering at the Crisis Center, producing football and basketball games, keeping the AWC website looking fabulous!
Future Plans: A work in progress.
Current COM classes: 252, 353, 435
Previous COM classes: 114, 100, 204, 304 318, 312, 102, 256, 456
Year: Senior
Hometown: West Lafayette, Indiana
Hobbies: running, traveling, music, friends, shopping
Fun Fact: I spent the summer of 2010 studying in Florence, Italy then traveled to Belgium, Germany, Spain, London, Portugal, Amsterdam, Rome and
This summer... Worked at IDC (marketing company in Lafayette), waitressed at Arni's, volunteered at the Crisis Center, worked at the Hall of Music doing tape inventory and helping with football video and photo shoots
Plans for the semester: Volunteering at the Crisis Center, producing football and basketball games, keeping the AWC website looking fabulous!
Future Plans: A work in progress.
Current COM classes: 252, 353, 435
Previous COM classes: 114, 100, 204, 304 318, 312, 102, 256, 456
Alumni Relations Director: Nicole Kowalcyzk
Major: Public Relations and Advertising, minor in Art and Design
Year: Senior
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Hobbies: Making Jewelry, Running, Trying new things
Fun Fact: I'm a twin and my sister goes to Purdue too!
This summer... Worked as a self-hire; walked dogs, fed cats and fish, nannyed, cleaned a 2nd grade classroom, garden work, jewelry design and repairs, perfected her resume and polished her online networking profiles.
Plans for the semester: She is the new communications intern for St. Thomas Aquinas and Webmaster for Sigma Kappa and looking forward to working with people she loves to be around.
Future Plans: To work for a non-profit or a Teach for America type program for a couple years. She has a passion for missions and wants whatever she ends up doing after her time at Purdue to include helping others.
Current COM classes: 336, 314, 435, 324
Previous COM classes: 114, 250, 318, 253, 256, 112
Year: Senior
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Hobbies: Making Jewelry, Running, Trying new things
Fun Fact: I'm a twin and my sister goes to Purdue too!
This summer... Worked as a self-hire; walked dogs, fed cats and fish, nannyed, cleaned a 2nd grade classroom, garden work, jewelry design and repairs, perfected her resume and polished her online networking profiles.
Plans for the semester: She is the new communications intern for St. Thomas Aquinas and Webmaster for Sigma Kappa and looking forward to working with people she loves to be around.
Future Plans: To work for a non-profit or a Teach for America type program for a couple years. She has a passion for missions and wants whatever she ends up doing after her time at Purdue to include helping others.
Current COM classes: 336, 314, 435, 324
Previous COM classes: 114, 250, 318, 253, 256, 112