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 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 Fall 2023 semester:
Asia Allen
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Marketing Communications Coordinator
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I love traveling and trying new foods!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I’m looking forward to applying my work experience and what I learn in school to my assignments and projects.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope this degree will lead me to social media marketing.
Kylie Brosnan
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree because of the program's support, opportunities, and flexibility. I knew I wanted to earn my master's from a program that would offer me the support and network to succeed and thrive in my career. After completing an online information session with WVU, it was clear that this program was a perfect fit for me!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of Marketing Communications, I am very passionate about art and women's rights. I have used my communication and design skills to create a permanent installation on my undergraduate campus showcasing milestones in American women's history. This project solidified my want to pursue a career that would allow me to use my creativity and writing skills.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am most looking forward to taking my electives during the program. My area of emphasis is in Creative Strategy, and I am so excited to build on the foundation I received in undergrad with the knowledge and expertise of the IMC program. These electives will allow me to explore and learn about practical applications in creative fields.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope that earning my graduate degree will make me a stronger candidate in the job market. The time and effort that I will put towards this program are just a small example of the hard work and dedication that make me who I am. I am also looking forward to the networking and connections that earning my degree will offer me.
Megan Cumpston
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Clear Mountain Bank - Teller
Morgantown, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose the WVU IMC graduate program because the field is constantly evolving and changing — which means that we have to be constantly evolving and changing. I wanted a program that would help me do so, which is why I pursued this graduate program.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the great state of West Virginia and trying new local restaurants. I spend a lot of my weekends in the eastern panhandle (Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Charles Town, Shepherdstown area), as it is one of my favorite regions in the state, packed with lots of history and fun things to do. I love all things history, especially historical political figures, and enjoy watching documentaries and reading to learn more about those subjects!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
The thing I am looking forward to the most throughout my studies is learning and growing professionally and as a person. The skills we will learn will not only help us grow as practitioners but as individuals as well.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
One of my favorite quotes is from Taylor Swift, "... Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind."
Abby Hanlon
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Huntington, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I really wanted to expand my knowledge in Marketing as I did not really get the chance to do so while pursuing my bachelor's degree. I was also very interested in the Creative Strategy specialization, so I found that the Integrated Marketing Communications program suited my needs best.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I love reading (curling up on the couch with a book and my cat Loki is the best form of stress relief). I also enjoy taking yoga classes, and even help with content creation for a local yoga/fitness studio. I also enjoy watching all kinds of sports.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am most looking forward to all of the curriculum that I didn't get to take during my undergraduate. I love all things writing, social media, and content creation based, so naturally I am very excited about any of the courses involving those topics. I am also excited to meet new people and hopefully make some friends, even with the online class setting.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I am hoping that this degree will allow me to expand my knowledge and talents so that I can be open to pursuing many different avenues of careers in media. I am very indecisive when it comes to a dream job, so I like to have my options.
Brinley Hobbs
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Hurricane, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I wish I had an answer, but as of right now my only answer was that it just felt right. I never really thought about going back to school to earn a master's degree, but when I started to do research and looked into WVU, it all just kind of made sense and fit into place.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I live for college football. It's my favorite time of the year. Really anything that has to do with sports, and I'm all in. My husband and I also really love visiting college campuses, and when we visit a place we've never been before we always try to find the nearest college campus to walk around!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to the growth that I will get to experience in my studies and out of my studies. I am excited for the challenge and to accomplish something I never thought I'd ever do.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope this program will expand my abilities and skills in digital marketing, and more specifically with SEO. I hope that this program will help me to reach levels that I could've never imagined.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
"Be a powerful force for good." -M. Russell Ballard
Chelsea Ice-Toothman
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Fairmont, WV
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose to pursue the Digital Marketing Communications graduate degree at WVU to help me in my pursuit as an entrepreneur. My goal in joining this program is to learn how the different strategies of marketing and communications can help in my future business ventures while also searching for a new and exciting career.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I am passionate about many things, but my top two are interior design and houseplants! I recently have started my own small pop-up plant boutique! When I am not working towards my business goals, I enjoy spending time with my two dogs Champ and Zeta and my cat Knox. I enjoy having new experiences and try to travel as much as I can.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to learning and expanding my knowledge in marketing and communications, growing more as a person and networking with others in the space.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I hope that this degree will give me the understanding and confidence to run my own business with the knowledge of how to expand and market myself to the fullest extent. I also wish to explore a career change from what I have been doing for the past 10 years. I feel it is time for a change and I believe this degree is the perfect way to make that change.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
“The only person that has power to put boundaries on your dreams is you.” — Trent Shelton
Natalie Lacek
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Pittsburgh, PA
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications graduate degree because the course schedule and classes were aligned with exactly what I was looking for to take my photography business to the next level.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
One of my interests besides marketing communications is photography. I got my first camera in middle school and have not put one down since. I got my undergraduate degree in photography and currently operate my own photography business based in Pittsburgh, PA!
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to learning in-depth marketing strategies and how to apply
the concepts to real-life experiences.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
As a photographer and entrepreneur, I hope that I can use new skills from this degree to continue building a solid foundation for my current business with creative marketing strategies.
Morgan Lippert
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I first started my undergrad at WVU for teaching. After moving back home and starting my teaching career as a middle school teacher in Ohio, I knew I wanted to return back to WVU for my master's! I chose the IMC program to expand my career horizons!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Whenever I am not studying, I love spending time with my family and my fiancé. We spend a lot of time outdoors, camping, eating new food and playing card games! If I’m not traveling around to different campsites, I love to curl up on my couch with a good book and my four fur babies (three cats named Brooklyn, Harlem, and Winston and one Boston Terrier named Roscoe).
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am very excited to be a student again at WVU! I love learning about new things. Since I am switching fields from education to marketing, I am excited to learn something new!
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
After graduation, I hope that I will be able to fully transition into marketing!
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
Let’s Go Mountaineers!
Stephanie Kline
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Lancaster, PA
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
This program allows me to further my education while working. I also am excited about the built-in certifications!
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Some of my interests are going to the gym, the beach, and getting a drink with family and friends.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I am looking forward to gaining lots of knowledge about the marketing world and building relationships with my professors and fellow classmates.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
With having a bachelor's in communication studies, I hope this degree will open more doors and work alongside my communication skills to help guide me in my future career.
Randy Merced
M.S. Digital Marketing Communications
Parkersburg West Virginia
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
As a former marketing student at the sister school WVU-Parkersburg, the WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree program is the next logical step in furthering my education. I 100% believe that the skills obtained in this program will help me gain an edge in an ever-competitive job market, not to mention the positive reputation of WVU’s academic programs proceeds itself.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
Outside of marketing communications, my interests include but are not limited to gym time (when I can), comic book-themed movies and shows (particularly fond of Batman), collecting various pop culture memorabilia (especially from the 90s), and spending quality time with my family.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Simply put, the knowledge I will gain and the experiences that are to come while obtaining my master's degree.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I graduated from WVU-Parkersburg in December 2022 with the original goal being finding work. Unfortunately, there has been no luck on that front. With that said, I am hoping I will gain the edge I need to finally secure a good-paying career that will benefit myself and my family.
Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?
I would just like to say I am excited to be a mountaineer and look forward to this whole experience.
Charles Montgomery
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Grant, Alabama
Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?
I earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from WVU in 2021 and got a job in TV. I worked at the TV station for a year and a half as a digital reporter, and I enjoyed it at times. However, I decided I wanted to earn a degree that would make me more versatile and educated when it comes to media. Especially when careers in media are changing regularly, I think it's important to be adaptable and versatile. I believe the Integrated Marketing Communications program will provide me with the proper education and experience to make me an all-around better candidate in the media field.
What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?
I enjoy watching sports on a regular basis. My passion is sports and I really enjoy watching football and college basketball. I like to think I'm a good cook, so I cook regularly and I am always trying to find new meals to make. I was always dedicated to reading when I was younger, but during college, I never had the time to read throughout the year. However, now I am reading on a regular basis. I mostly read biographies about US presidents, and I found a passion to learn about the Revolutionary War this year.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Learning new ways to approach media. My background is in journalism, so marketing is a new step for me to take in media. I'm very excited to learn new things and to hone my craft.
How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?
I believe this degree will give me the proper tools and experience to be a top candidate when applying for jobs. I want to be more versatile and experienced in marketing communications, and I believe this program will do that for me.
Feeling FOMO? Interested in growing your career with a master's degree in Data, Digital or Integrated Marketing Communications? Request more information today!