Each semester the WVU Marketing Communications Online Programs are excited to welcome a new group of students into the Reed School of Media and Communications! 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 world’s most elite agencies and brands. Each student brings a unique style and perspective to the program.
Meet some of the students who will be joining the WVU Marketing Communications Community in the fall semester:
I’d like to add that to whoever is reading this in the future, if you're struggling to make up your mind on what you want to pursue, you’ll never know what you want if you don’t try. Victoria Emma Achatz
Victoria Emma Achatz
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Healthcare Communications Specialization
Dallas, Texas
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose a WVU Marketing Communications degree because I love healthcare, which might sound a little contradictory but, because of my background in Clinical Laboratory Science, I want to bridge the gap between science and communication. The goal of my career is to be a communications advocate for people in STEM, whether that be in Quality Control, Medical Writing, or another path I discover through this program. I want to help scientists more effectively communicate what they know to people from other backgrounds or even to each other.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of Marketing Communications, I’m (of course) interested in science, but I also love art in all forms, and history. Outside of school and my career I love spending time with my miniature golden retriever (Remy), spending time with my friends, exercising, drawing, reading, and playing video games. I am always expanding my interests and finding new hobbies to try or reading medical journals and learning new things.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I’m most looking forward to learning new things. I think this program will completely change the way I think and I’m looking forward to learning about a different field of study; one I really don’t have any previous knowledge or experience with. I’m also looking forward to meeting different people from different backgrounds. I’ve already met a lot of interesting people during my online orientation so I’m looking forward to working more with them and potentially meeting even more people through my future courses.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
After graduation, I hope this degree helps me in ways I can’t really predict right now. I’m not sure what area in the mesh of communications, marketing, and healthcare that I will land on in the future but I’m looking forward to expanding my credentials in order to rise to whatever goals I may pursue.
I have always lived by the quote, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." While there are obviously highs and lows in all professions, I strive to have a career that I truly enjoy and one that is worth all of the hardships. I am so excited to explore a field that I have discovered to be a passion of mine through WVU's IMC program! Darien Cropper
Darien Cropper
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Creative Strategy Specialization
Programs & Communications Coordinator, Kidzu Children's Museum
Cary, North Carolina
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
WVU's M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications seems like the ideal graduate degree for someone interested in strengthening their marketing skills while working full-time like myself. 100% online and completely asynchronous coursework provides the flexibility for me to work around my own schedule. The course options and focus areas were a huge selling point for me as well. I'm excited to develop my visual design skills through the Creative Strategy specialization while also learning the fundamentals of marketing and communications.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
In my free time, I enjoy working out, thrifting, cooking, traveling, and spending time with my husband and 4-year-old black lab, Pepper!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Since I have a background in cultural anthropology, I am really looking forward to learning how to correctly identify my target audience and then construct an appropriate marketing strategy for that audience. My creative side is also thrilled to explore how I can design more effective visual content for social media posts, flyers, and graphics.
I love that WVU has a partnership with the Defense Information School. I loved my time at DINFOS so much, and I am excited to build off what I learned there! Allie Curtis
Allie Curtis
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications + DINFOS
Public Affairs Officer
Rhode Island National Guard
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I love that WVU has a partnership with the Defense Information School. I loved my time at DINFOS so much, and I am excited to build off what I learned there!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I am an avid reader — I typically read at least one book per week! I’m on a quest to run the 6th largest marathons in the world and will be running my 2nd in the series at the New York Marathon this fall. I also am big into animal rescue, and have three at home, my cat Brady, and dogs Goose and Charlie!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am ready to completely nerd out in our classes on branding and audience engagement.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I am always looking to improve my craft and I am excited to strengthen skills in communications and become a better mentor and leader for my Soldiers and Airmen.
I am looking forward to the entire coursework in the program. However, I am most excited about learning more about researching and creating solutions for brands to help them spread their message. Mary Dameron
Mary Dameron
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Creative Strategy Specialization
Gap Mills, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I choose the IMC degree because some of my friends suggested the program to me. I knew before applying, that WVU is a great school with an excellent reputation. I also saw the value that the program would add to my professional career.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I love photography and travel. I take great pride in capturing the beauty around me. Also living in West Virginia, there is so much beautiful scenery and wildlife to see. I read a lot of nonfiction, but I also enjoy Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to the entire coursework in the program. However, I am most excited about learning more about researching and creating solutions for brands to help them spread their message.
I’m hopeful that I’ll have the skills necessary to transition my career into being able to take on the social media and digital marketing needs for brands. Lillia Green
Lillia Green
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Content Creator for Social Media
Pullman, WA
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
Because of its student-centered commitment, and alignment of the program with my professional goals!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I’m an aspiring yoga teacher, about to head into teacher training! I’m also a hobbyist who enjoys chess, yo-yo, singing, playing the ukulele, among other interests.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Learning and growing my skills, and forming connections with others!
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I’m hopeful that I’ll have the skills necessary to transition my career into being able to take on the social media and digital marketing needs for brands.
Quote I Live By
Every morning you are faced with two choices: Continue to sleep on your dreams or get up and chase them.
I'm excited to start this journey and look forward to growing both personally and professionally over these next two years! Megan Hansen
Megan Hansen
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Digital & Social Media Specialization
Communications Specialist, UC Davis Health
Sacramento, California
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
My name is Megan Hansen (she/her/hers) and I am in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program with the Digital and Social Media Specialization. With more than a decade of post-baccalaureate experience under my belt, I decided the time was right to embark on a new journey and elevate my skills through additional education. I am thrilled to have found the IMC program at West Virginia University because it incorporates all the various facets of the marketing and communications world that I am seeking to understand on a deeper level. I appreciate that this program is asynchronous so I can continue to work full-time and still be present for my family.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I am a high school teacher’s wife celebrating 10 years of marriage and the mom of a Kindergartener. I live in California and love baking, cooking, Broadway musicals, meditation and animals. My house consists of a small menagerie complete with a dog, snake, gecko and frog. I am happiest near the ocean, eating good food with those I love.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am most looking forward to learning how to take all the various platforms and methods for communicating and marketing a program and marrying it into a cohesive campaign. I am also extremely interested in learning more about marketing research and direct and digital marketing as those are big areas of opportunity for my professional growth.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I'm hoping to put everything I learn in this program into immediate action at my current job, but after graduation I hope to take on more advanced and leadership roles within my organization.
I didn't have the time to pursue a graduate degree while on active duty and have no formal communication training outside of DINFOS. This cohort is exactly the type of program that will help me with my current job as well as provide me the flexibility needed to work around my schedule. Curtis Hill
Curtis Hill
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications + DINFOS
Public Affairs Officer, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton, CA
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I didn't have the time to pursue a graduate degree while on active duty and have no formal communication training outside of DINFOS. This cohort is exactly the type of program that will help me with my current job as well as provide me the flexibility needed to work around my schedule.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Physical fitness, motorcycle riding, and playing guitar.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Learning from others and getting a better understanding of research and assessment.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope this will help me perform at a higher level in my current position.
Quote I Live By
"If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!"
I chose the WVU digital marketing masters degree because the curriculum best matched my interests and was relevant to current marketing trends and industry needs. The program is also unique in that several industry certifications are built into the program such as Hubspot, SEMrush, Adobe Premiere & Hootsuite. Jason Iannarelli
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Buffalo, NY
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose the WVU digital marketing masters degree because the curriculum best matched my interests and was relevant to current marketing trends and industry needs. The program is also unique in that several industry certifications are built into the program such as Hubspot, SEMrush, Adobe Premiere & Hootsuite.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I am passionate about sports, golf, entertainment, movies and the Buffalo Bills!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to learning new skills and making new contacts in the marketing field.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I just graduated with my bachelors and felt adding to my education soon after would enhance my skills for a career in the sports or entertainment industry.
I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree to learn a new side of communications. I've worked in the field for the past 10 years, and I wanted to challenge myself to look at the data-driven, quantitative side of things ... I wanted the opportunity to take a big-picture approach and look at strategy more in depth. With such a dynamic field, it was important to me to stay up-to-date! Marissa Lemar
Marissa Lemar
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications + DINFOS
English Instructor, United States Naval Academy and Digital Manager, Deloitte
Annapolis, MD
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree to learn a new side of communications. I've worked in the field for the past 10 years, and I wanted to challenge myself to look at the data-driven, quantitative side of things. I've been really hands-on in my experience so far, with developing copy, planning, and reviewing drafts, for example. But I wanted the opportunity to take a big-picture approach and look at strategy more in depth. With such a dynamic field, it was important to me to stay up-to-date!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of Marketing Communications I love to write, run, and travel. I have a 2.5-year-old daughter, so chasing after her keeps me busy as well.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Throughout my studies, I'm most looking forward to being in a cohort with other DINFOS graduates. I'm a public affairs officer in the Navy Reserve, and I'm happy to rejoin a group familiar with military public affairs. I love learning from other people's experiences, and I think the ability to apply a public affairs lens to my studies is incredibly unique.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
After graduating, I hope to be more prepared to serve in a management role in communications. I've led digital teams in the past, but I'm excited to gain the skills that will allow me to succeed in leading all aspects of marketing communications.
I recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in Advertising and Public Relations two years early, and I knew I wasn’t quite ready to leave WVU yet! I chose WVU’s DMC program because how great of experience I have had with the Reed College and knew I couldn’t go anywhere else! Morgan Sherwood
Morgan Sherwood
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Martinsburg, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in Advertising and Public Relations two years early, and I knew I wasn’t quite ready to leave WVU yet! I chose WVU’s DMC program because how great of experience I have had with the Reed College and knew I couldn’t go anywhere else!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of Marketing Communications I am often playing katy my dog, Chloe.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to really continue my knowledge and education of marketing, so I can provide my future employers with my best work!
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope this degree will help set me above my competitors within the job market and really help me become a versatile tool.
After completing my bachelor's degree in Business Administration in spring of this year, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in marketing, and I decided to further my education in an area that would allow me to excel in this field. Upon researching graduate programs, I learned about WVU's online IMC program, and it had everything I was looking for, most notably a flexible schedule with various course options tailored to my interests. Alyssa Tennant
Alyssa Tennant
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Creative Strategy Specialization
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
After completing my bachelor's degree in Business Administration in spring of this year, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in marketing, and I decided to further my education in an area that would allow me to excel in this field. Upon researching graduate programs, I learned about WVU's online IMC program, and it had everything I was looking for, most notably a flexible schedule with various course options tailored to my interests.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of Marketing Communications, I have many interests and hobbies, some of which include exercising, attending concerts, shopping, and watching The Office. I am also a big sports fan, and as a West Virginia native, I grew up cheering on the Mountaineers.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Throughout my studies, I am most looking forward to the Creative Strategy courses where I hope to learn how to better translate my creativity into effective marketing content. I am also excited to build meaningful connections with my peers and mentors.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I am confident that this degree will expose me to real-world IMC experiences and provide me with an abundance of meaningful knowledge that will make me a better marketer overall. I also hope this degree will introduce me to the many career opportunities in IMC and allow me to gain a better idea of which opportunities I would like to pursue after graduation.
Interested in growing your career with a master's degree in Data, Digital or Integrated Marketing Communications? Request more information today!