Meet the Newest Fall 2024 WVU Marketing Communications Students

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 students just completing their undergraduate studies while others hold 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 2024 semester:

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Julia Ahaesy

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
DINFOS Cohort | Digital and Social Media
Public Affairs Specialist at the Massachusetts Air National Guard
Somerset, MA

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

With West Virginia University's unique partnership with the Defense Information School and affordable tuition with its military discount, the WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree program was a no-brainer! I am confident this strong program and its excellent team of professors will help to excel in my career as I work to continue growing in my profession. I appreciate the opportunity to strengthen my skills alongside my military public affairs peers in the Military DINFOS IMC Cohort.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

I am most passionate about storytelling — illuminating the beautiful and terrible things about life that make us feel less alone, bringing our emotions to the surface, amplifying the voices of others and keeping the public properly informed. This career field allows me to do just that.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

I am a big musical theatre nerd and have been since I was a kid. I am also a big fan of fashion and have worked on the industry's editorial and public relations side throughout my career. My other interests include traveling, art and writing.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

I look forward to connecting with new people who are also passionate about the Marketing and Communications field.

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

After learning from the experience and wisdom of WVU's Marketing Communications professors and connecting with my classmates, I hope to take the advice and guidance I receive from this program and use it every day to make better decisions and seek more opportunities for advancement.

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Amanda Baker

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
DINFOS Cohort

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree because I love how accessible this program is for busy military parents like me. I can maintain my professional and personal life while getting after my lifelong goal.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

My career in the military in Public Affairs has led me toward marketing. Our career field is advancing rapidly and through marketing channels, we can enhance our recruitment and retention programs.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

My interests outside of school are spending quality time with my husband and our two little boys who are ages 2 and 4 years old. I love reading, writing, cooking, relaxing, doing yoga and dancing.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

I am most looking forward to learning more about audience insight and the psychology behind consumers. I would love to know more about how to reach a specific audience and build a campaign around that.

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

I hope this degree will help me work in higher-level strategic planning and help inform leadership on best practices.

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Matthew Bush

Digital and Social Media Graduate Certificate
Proposal Coordinator
Indiana, PA

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

I chose this certificate program because I wanted to make myself more competitive in the job market. My background is in English/Writing, and the opportunity to use my creative talents online was very appealing.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

The advent of Social Media has had a profound impact on the way we relate to each other and how businesses market their products. Being skilled in Digital Marketing on Social Media will allow me to use my creative skills just about anywhere; almost every business, from Walmart to Mom & Pop shops, has a social media presence.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

I love reading, writing, and playing video games. One of my short stories is published in a literary magazine, The Main Street Rag. I also enjoy running and weightlifting.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

I'm looking forward to using my creative ability to create an ad campaign for a business/product. I can't wait to interact with my peers and brainstorm new ideas!

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

Currently, I have no control over the content I work on. I hope that I will be able to rise to a management position and have a degree of creative control as well as the opportunity to mentor the employees under me.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." — Lao Tzu

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Abigail Carey

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
DINFOS Cohort
Public Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Army
Odenton, MD

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

I chose to pursue a WVU Marketing and Communications Graduate Degree after attending the Defense Information School. I liked that the military instruction that I had gone through partnered with this university, so I knew that I could trust them. I am relatively early in my career, so I would like to learn now and set myself up for success in the future.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

In 2022, I got the chance to intern at the U.S. Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) Digital Media Division. I loved learning about the Army and telling the Army story. Since then, I have worked at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, other offices in OCPA and U.S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

Outside of Marketing Communications, I enjoy cuddling with my cat Emmie, watching all things Star Wars and baking sweet treats for my friends.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

Throughout my studies, I am looking forward to learning from other professors who have been in my shoes in military public affairs. Marketing and public affairs is very different from the private sector, so I am excited to learn about how they have dealt with things I am going through right now.

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

I hope this degree will give me the tools I need to become a good leader, so that one day I can run my own office.

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Jason Jacobs

Digital Marketing Communications, M.S.
Albuquerque, NM

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

To be honest, WVU was not my first choice, I had originally looked at going for a second Bachelor's degree but after discussing the situation with my VA education counselor, she had given me information on WVU and the Marketing and Communications program.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

After discussing my options and then gaining my acceptance to WVU, I began deeper research into various career paths that combine my current degree in Space Studies with this Graduate degree and came up with seven fields that were promising. At the top of the list were Science Communication, Virtual Reality and Simulation and Social Media Management. Virtual Reality is my number one choice as I could use it to help create interactive media for anyone interested in space topics, which is a passion of mine.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

I love motorcycles, talking space, rocketry, and more motorcycles, I am VP of a local motorcycle club and we are always riding. Of course, we cannot forget video games. Between my computer and consoles, I have a little over 200 games. I enjoy teaching and I did teach as a Leadership and Aerospace Education Instructor through the Civil Air Patrol and with Albuquerque Public Schools.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

I am looking forward to the Virtual Reality class. I would like to start making educational content to add to YouTube for students to access or gain the skills to go work with NASA which has always been my dream from when I was a kid.

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

Ultimately, I feel this degree will overcome many of the hurdles my disabilities have caused when getting hired. While I do understand the issues and liabilities associated with working in the fields I was previously attempting to work in, this will open a new door or many doors and they are not in the same field.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? Or a quote you'd like to provide?

Never give up, regardless of the situation. Failure is never final until you decide to quit.

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Angelo Jasa-Phillips

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
Executive Cohort
Director of Digital and Social Media
Washington, DC

Angelo Jasa-Phillips researched graduate programs nationwide and ultimately chose WVU’s Integrated Marketing Communications program. Factors influencing his decision included the convenience of asynchronous classes, the program's pace, the balance between textbook and real-world work, practitioner faculty, and recommendations from alumni.

Read Angelo's Making Your Mark Feature

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Victoria Ochoa

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
DINFOS Cohort
Senior Communications Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN

Victoria Ochoa realized the power of communication to bridge gaps and tell important stories during her time in the Navy. As she transitioned to civilian life, she knew she wanted to continue making an impact. For her, marketing and communications isn’t just a career—it’s a way to connect, inspire, and bring people together.

Read Victoria's Making Your Mark Feature

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Sarah Perlman

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
Executive Cohort
Owner of Silverbrook Marketing
Manassas, VA

Sarah Perlman, who has always strived to stay relevant in the marcom industry, is now pursuing her master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications because it is the right time, the right price and the right amount of flexibility for her.

Read Sarah's Making Your Mark Feature

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Marissa Raczynski

Integrated Marketing Communications, M.S.
Stockholm, NJ

Why did you choose to pursue a WVU Marketing Communications Graduate Degree?

I chose to pursue a Marketing Communications graduate degree at WVU because I wanted to build upon the skills that I learned while in the workforce.

What has led you to the Marketing and Communications Career Path?

I had an opportunity to work for a full-service advertising agency in NYC and I fell in love with the culture of the industry. Being able to work with the client and creative team to create pieces that can lead people to learn more about a product or medication is an exciting process that I want to be a part of.

What are your interests outside of Marketing Communications?

Outside of Marketing Communications, I enjoy a variety of activities including knitting, playing the Bassoon, riding my motorcycle, completing a goal of visiting all 63 US National Parks, and spending time with my boyfriend at the Jersey Shore.

What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?

I’m looking forward to learning more about the marketing industry and being able to advance my career.

How do you hope this degree will advance your career after graduation?

After graduation, my hope is that I will be able to reach the next level in an account services department at an ad agency.

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