Each semester the WVU Marketing Communications online programs are 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 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 Network in the Spring 2023 semester:
Nicolina Converso
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications DINFOS
U.S. Coast Guard
Washington DC
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
For my career in the Coast Guard.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I love helping people and volunteering.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am excited to network and learn new skills.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope that I will be able to stay in public affairs with the Coast Guard and also pursue a degree in Law.
Jenna Cooper
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Marketing Assistant - Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal
Wellsburg, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree to expand my knowledge of how marketing can be applied internally and externally. I've interned in four different industries, so I want to gain the skills to use my knowledge in any industry I work in.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of marketing, I have a wide range of interests. You can usually find me at the gym; it's become an after-work habit. I love to explore all genres and decades of music and collect vinyl records. I also love to spend quality time with my dogs – Winnie and Rue. I am always down for an adventure, whether it involves exploring a new store, restaurant, city or hiking trail. Sign me up!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
What I am most looking forward to throughout my studies is connecting with my adjunct professors and hearing about their field experiences. I'm intrigued by how different marketing can be between various industries, so I'm excited to learn about them and listen to their stories!
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
After graduation, I hope this degree will advance my career by allowing me to change how companies and corporations approach internal marketing. So much time is spent focusing on our target audience that we sometimes need help remembering the audience in our offices. Most team members lose sight of what their company stands for and its mission. By actively pursuing internal marketing, team members can better understand the company's vision and generate a drive to spread that vision.
Damilola Fasinu
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Data Marketing Communications Area of Emphasis
Graduate Assistant, WVU
Morgantown, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
My decision to pursue graduate studies was inspired by a drive to contribute to a human-centered approach in a bid to interconnect marketing communication significantly. One of the significant problems organizations encounter is a misalignment between their product/service and the customer’s needs which accounts for the reason startups fail in the first few years of their operation. My primary purpose is, therefore, to assist in resolving this problem, which necessitates advanced training in Integrated Marketing Communication.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
My other interests are: improving the quality of life of African women immigrants entrepreneurs. Another interest of mine is fashion design. I have a master’s degree in Design and Merchandising.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I look forward to a strong support system, active and conducive environment for learning.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
Advancing my study is an opportunity to be a professional communicator who successfully engages diverse and global audiences for organizations. Hence, resulting in a sizable profit for the organization and improving the economic stability and sustainability of the nation.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
As a person of faith, and with so many things on my plate at the moment (a full time Ph.D. student and a wife, and mother)... My go to line is... "Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me."
Angelica Greathouse
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Pensacola, Fl
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
WVU has the most updated and user friendly program. I love the fact that while getting your degree you can get certifications for companies for your future employment. I have a couple of friends who have graduated from WVU and had nothing but amazing things to say about it.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I love anything dealing with art and puns. I enjoy reading, gym time and hanging out with my husband, two cats and friends. Occasionally, I enjoy experimenting with cooking. I am not the best at cooking, but I am always trying to improve.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Getting back into school and actually learning things that I will use in my future career.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope it will give me a foot in the door. I have been serving in the military for the past six years so a career switch is happening, and it is difficult when you have been doing one thing in the military that doesn't really translate into life outside of the military.
Mason Harp
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Coca-Cola Campus Ambassador at The Coca-Cola Company and Graduate Assistant at
WVU Extension
Morgantown, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose this degree program because I wanted to learn more about marketing promotions and how to make a great marketing proposal.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Running and Cooking.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
To get feedback from professionals who currently work in the industry!
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope to use the skills I’ve learned to achieve my dream job.
Victoria McAdoo
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications DINFOS
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Army
Fort Knox, KY
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
After completing an intense course at the Defense Information School, (DINFOS) I realized how much more of an asset I could be to my organization with additional education and training. WVU offered me the opportunity to expand my skill set with career and goal specific courses designed for the modern public affairs / communications professional.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Working in public affairs, I am often dealing with people all the time. When I have some alone time, I enjoy working out at the gym and practicing Tae Kwon Do. If I want a little more company, I take my dog to the dog park. I also enjoy writing songs and poems. As the spouse of an active-duty soldier, I am always also looking for ways to further impact the military community through volunteering at our stationed post.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I know it is going to be challenging. Having been out of school for some time, in addition to working full time, the thought of the start of the semester scares me! However, I know that the program is designed to promote my educational and professional growth, so I am looking forward to learning all that I don't know as it pertains to my career.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
It is my expectation that once I obtain my degree from WVU, I will be seen and valued as a marketable, employable, experienced professional in the marketing and communications/ public relations profession. I look forward to new employment opportunities and networking within the field.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
I love the quote, "It's never too late to be what you might've been" by George Eliot.
I think this quote can really resonate with the graduate students like myself who might be nervous about having been out of school for a while or are starting a career change. Somewhere deep down we all know what or who we want to be and just need a push getting there. WVU very well could serve as that push, so let's get it done!
Abigail Montgomery
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Creative Strategy Area of Emphasis
Web & Graphic Designer at the WVU College of Creative Arts
Grafton, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
As a graphic design major, I always wanted to pursue my education further. There's always something new to learn as a graphic designer. Technology is always evolving and the methods and practices an artist uses changes along with it. There are also an incredible amount of facets to the industry, marketing being a big one, and I felt that the next step in my journey as an artist was to learn how to appropriately market and advertise my work.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
As a native West Virginian, I always take every opportunity to be outside with my dog and enjoy our wonderful state, whether that be just around our little neighborhood in Morgantown or on a serious hiking trip. I am also interested in the well being of our state and want to volunteer in any way I can to aid in the growth and prosperity of the people and things that live here — as well as support local makers by visiting shops and galleries.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am most looking forward to exploring this new area of graphic design and gaining new skills that will make me a stronger artist.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
No matter what job I'm at or what job I'm doing, this program will give me the tools I need to become a stronger artist and, therefore, a stronger employee when it comes to marketing the things that I create.
Charlie Nichols
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications DINFOS
U.S. Air Force
Gulfport, MI
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I wanted to pursue a marketing communications degree because it will teach me skills relevant to my career in public affairs.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I’m an avid golfer and hiker, as well as a student pilot.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I’m looking forward to learning about the history and traditions of West Virginia University.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I’m hoping that after graduating I will have the knowledge and experience needed to reach the right audiences online when communicating my unit’s mission.
Katie Thomas
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Digital and Social Media Area of Emphasis
Marketing & Content Creation Coordinator, Civitas
Littlestown, PA
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
This program will give me the knowledge I need to grow in my field.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
In my personal time I am an avid reader, outdoor lover, amateur gardener and baker.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am most excited by the extensive list of electives this program offers. With content options from storytelling, research and strategy, this degree can be tailored to give me the best education for my present and future career goals.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
This program will allow me to apply the principles I learn in my current position and make connections that will be important for my future. In addition, being an active part of this WVU community will guide and impact the rest of my life.
Olga Vento
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Marketing Director
Maryland
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I started working in the marketing department at my job, and I discovered that this was something I wanted to do in my life, so I decided to pursue further education to be a better professional. Something I enjoy about my job is designing marketing campaigns, brainstorming ideas to engage our target audience and editing videos. I am sure that this program will help me to improve my marketing skills to put them into practice at my job.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Something I enjoy doing besides my job is dancing socially for fun, creating content for my TikTok channel, painting, coloring and meditating. These activities make me feel energized to get ready for my everyday duties.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to getting to know people involved in this area so that we can share experiences and our love for the science of marketing, and who knows? Maybe we will end up working on a project together.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
My intention with this degree is to absorb all the information in each course so I can apply it in my workplace. I am also convinced that this experience will push my career forward because the curriculum in the program has courses related to what I am doing right now.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
One of my mottos in life is: "Look for the opportunity, do not expect the opportunity to come to you."
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