Each semester the WVU Marketing Communications online programs is excited to welcome a new group of individuals into the MCNetwork. The WVU Marketing Communications graduate student population consistently varies in their levels of experience and expertise, with some just completing their undergraduate studies to those holding senior-leadership positions at the worlds most elite agencies and brands. Each students brings unique style and perspective to the program.
Meet some of the students who will be joining the WVU Marketing Communications Network in the fall semester:
Dwane Holloman
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Media Specialist at PA House Democratic Caucus
What are your interests outside of marketing?
Outside of marketing, my interests are watching sports, playing sports, freelance graphic design and video games.
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU M.S. Digital Marketing Communications degree?
In my undergrad at Albright College, I majored in Digital Communications and minored in film/video. I chose to pursue the WVU M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications degree because I felt the program fit my wants and needs as well as fit into my schedule by being online.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to digging deeper into the creative side of digital marketing as well as rounding out my overall skillset as a communications professional. Until recently I did not believe a graduate program after my first four years of school was for me, but when I saw that this program provided the opportunity to focus on the creative aspects of marketing, I was all in. WVU was also my close second choice when I was deciding where to go to college after high school.
What class are you most excited to take?
The class I am most excited to take is Digital Media Communication Campaigns. I believe it will give me an opportunity to use the skills I can throughout undergrad, work and the first two semesters and have something concrete to take to future job interviews and present as what value I provide for a company.
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a job title resembling “Creative Marketing Manager.” The master’s program at WVU will provide the additional qualifications required to advance upward in my current position as well as facilitate external opportunities because I will have the certifications along with the practical skills needed to complete the duties of that leadership level position.
Noelle Haselhuhn
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
AmeriCorps VISTA Member for nonprofit Communities in Schools of Mid-America as
a member of the Research and Development Team
What are your interests outside of marketing?
I am interested in animals and am currently applying to work as a volunteer at my community's local animal shelter! In fact, outside of work, you can usually find me on a hike or run with my dog Boxer, Bear. If I'm not outside enjoying nature, you can usually find me curled up with a puzzle while watching Law and Order SVU, Great British Baking Show or New Girl.
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU M.S. Digital Marketing Communications degree?
During a previous internship, I worked as a Communications Intern where I handled the company's social media. This experience ignited a passion for all things concerning communication. My undergrad was in Political Science, and I wanted to expand my knowledge in this area. What a better way to do that than go to grad school! While researching for a graduate program, West Virginia University's M.S. in Digital Marketing Communications perked my interest due to its course content and the certificates one earns while earning his or her degree. I looked at a few other programs, but WVU really had everything I was looking for. It was truly a no-brainer for me!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Mostly, I am looking forward to learning new skills. I didn't study marketing or communications in my undergrad. So, everything is going to be new for me. I love learning new things and cannot wait to dive in and learn as much as possible!
What class are you most excited to take?
I am honestly excited about each of my classes, but I am most excited to take the Digital Storytelling course and the Digital Video Production course. I have minimal experience working with videos, and I think this is a critical skillset to have. I am excited to learn more about video production and editing.
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope to enter the nonprofit sector, working in digital communications. This degree will help give me the essential skills needed to succeed in this type of career.
Jocelyn Kirchner
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Full time student
What are your interests outside of marketing?
Before working toward earning my degree in digital marketing, I was in the secondary education field and wanted to help the future generations flourish. The creative and wondrous way young innocent eyes see the world is fascinating to me and instead of diminishing that to teach how to find and create civil order, I wanted to help students find answers to the questions that would help them create their most authentic selves. I believe it is only when we find that internal calling that we begin to realize what we are capable of. Sometimes, all that’s needed are unbiased and non-judging words from a wiser soul to help find one's own voice. I had a few great mentors in my life that were exactly that for me and I hoped I could pay it forward by continuing to be that for others.
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU M.S. Digital Marketing Communications degree?
I found that the M.S. Digital Marketing Communications degree that WVU offered was unlike any other when comparing similar programs at different schools. It was proactively reassuring to see how many resources WVU offered to its postgraduates when it came to networking opportunities, internships, mentorships and endless opportunities for future employment/growth! Ultimately, I felt that I may be able to get similar certificates and even course material at a number of different reputable schools but what WVU offers is the piece of mind that after I have my diploma, I will not be left to fend for myself and figure out how to utilize the degree I dedicated everything to. With WVU I feel secure in making such a financial and life altering decision. I can see beyond my degree with WVU as a support system for our shared future successes.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
What I am most looking forward to throughout my studies is learning how to put my dreams to reality. I have a lot of ideas on how I would like to use my degree but being newer to this field there is still so much that I have to learn. I am looking forward to bringing a creative and educational mind to marketing because I think there may be perspectives to represent in modern marketing that are underutilized. I also l think we are stronger together than we could ever be alone and through networking and working together I believe we can help each other succeed. I look forward to sharing that with future colleagues.
What class are you most excited to take?
I am most excited to take (IMC 643) Digital Video Productions for so many reasons. While I was in high school, I wanted to travel the world and create art from my experiences (photography, film, etc.) in hopes to make some sort of positive contribution and difference to the world. However, after I had my daughter my thoughts, perspective and priorities changed so my goals did too. I went from high school directly to college with an 18-month-old baby jostled to my hip and the aspiration to influence the world. I got my undergrad double majoring in Secondary Education & Literary Analysis and for a while that felt like enough. Until I was on the verge of burning out (before even getting a tenured position) and then a global pandemic happened, and my new role and responsibilities tripled. I knew my heart wasn’t in teaching and it felt even more difficult to do so completely virtually. What felt in many ways like failing by giving up my teaching career was just realizing that I had settled for something less long ago and now I get to reclaim some dignity and make up for lost time by going back to school and redesigning a life that I feel truly satisfied with. I am ready to bring my passion and my creative adaptable mindset to any challenge Grad school throws my way (and I can imagine there might be just a few).
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
In an ideal world my degree will help me achieve my goal of combining my passion and my skill to build a network of collaborators who also find entertaining, reliable and evergreen content a pivotal tool in sustainable marketing and communications.
Christine Wilcox
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Advocate at the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living
What are your interests outside of marketing?
I enjoy spending time with my 14 year old son, and my 6 year old Cocker Spaniel. I like to bake as well!
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU M.S. Digital Marketing Communications degree?
This is a program that wasn't around when I was in college the first time. I feel like it will be a great add on to my Communications degree I already have, and will push me into the modern uses of my skills.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am really excited to learn new things. Gaining experience with computer programs I've not really had a chance to use before is something that interest me.
What class are you most excited to take?
All of them are something I look forward to in one way or another. Social Media and Marketing seems like it should be enlightening. Maybe I will finally learn what in my algorithm gets me so many travel ads!
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope the new degree and the knowledge I will gain from earning it will set me on a new career path and an exciting future!
Interested in growing your career with a master's degree in Data, Digital or Integrated Marketing Communications? Request more information today!