The feelings of gratitude are mutual for WVU Reed College of Media students and leaders
of the local nonprofit organizations for which they’re providing advertising and
public relations services.
Each semester, students in Teaching Associate Professor Elizabeth Oppe’s Advertising
and Public Relations capstone course create an integrated communications campaign
for a local nonprofit organization. This semester’s clients include Get Moving!
Inc., United Way/Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, All American Grand Bash, Old
Hemlock Foundation, Monongalia Parks and Recreation and WVU Campus Food Garden.
The seven recipients of the 2023 WVU Reed College of Media IMC & DMC Scholarships
have at least two things in common – a desire to make positive change in their
communities and a clear idea about how to do it.
Recipients Kirsten McAlpin of Sumner, Georgia; Jenna Cooper of Wellsburg, West Virginia;
Megan Hansen of Sacramento, California; Julie Thomm of Charleston, West Virginia;
and Sydney Starkey of Morgantown, West Virginia are enrolled in the College’s online
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) master’s degree program. Alesha Hemeda
of Schenectady, New York, is enrolled in the online Digital Marketing Communications
master’s degree program, and Nicolina Converso of Edgewater, Maryland, is part
of the IMC program’s Defense Information School (DINFOS) cohort of military affiliated
students.
From professional mentorship to volunteering at his alma mater, College of Media
alumnus Brandon Thomas (BSJ, 2010) has made a habit of giving back.
Thomas was recently recognized with the Emerging Leader Award by The Plank Center
for Leadership in Public Relations at their Milestones in Mentoring Gala in Chicago.
The award honors young leaders who are mentoring new public relations professionals,
while also providing reverse mentorship to more senior colleagues, all while advancing
diversity, equity and inclusion.
“WVU News,” the Reed College of Media’s student-produced television newscast,
has been awarded a 2023 Platinum AVA Digital Award for the special edition episode
“Mental Health in America, a Growing Crisis.”
This international creative competition is judged by members of the Association of
Marketing and Communication Professionals and recognizes outstanding achievement
in the concept, direction, design and production of digital media and communication.
Two journalism professors at
West Virginia University’sReed College of Media will lead a series of collaborative community events
throughout Appalachia to explore voting rights and engage young people in democratic
processes with the support of a $300,000 grant from the
Mellon Foundation.
Dana Coester and
Joel Beeson have a 20-year track record of working with key community
members — faith leaders, veterans, educators, parents, youth and civic leaders
— throughout Appalachia, specifically in West Virginia. These relationships will
be the bedrock of a series of nonpartisan virtual and in-person workshops, presentations,
panels and screening events that will help build community resilience to off- and
online disinformation, manipulation and political violence threatening election
integrity and community stability.
Many West Virginia residents will tell you they feel a deep sense of pride for the
state’s unique beauty and Appalachian heritage. Students in Martin Hall Agency
(MHA) launched a campaign during the fall 2022 semester to ensure that pride extends
to agritourism destinations.
“Agritourism offers countless opportunities for West Virginians to learn, seek adventure,
create family traditions and establish a deeper connection to their home state,”
said Dee Singh-Knights, a WVU Extension specialist in agribusiness economics and
management.
During the fall 2022 semester,
WVU Extension partnered with
Martin Hall Agency, the WVU Reed College of Media’s student-run public relations
and advertising agency class, to develop a campaign focused on increasing awareness
of farm-to-table restaurants, farm stays, breweries, cideries and you-pick farms
that provide family-friendly adventures and hands-on experiences unique to Appalachian
culture.
“We know a lot of people travel to the Mountain State for the beautiful landscapes,
adventure experiences and outdoor fun,” said Cheyenne Oakes, senior public relations
student who served as the team’s account executive. “However, what we found in
our research is that increasing awareness of farm-based businesses that share the
history and traditions of Appalachia could encourage leisure travelers to stay
a bit longer.”
This fall, the
Martin Hall Agency (MHA) class partnered with
WVU Extension to elevate the cider industry in West Virginia. The campaign
aimed to increase awareness of and pride in the Mountain State’s deeply rooted
hard apple–cider traditions.
“The Mountain State holds such a significant part in the history and culture behind
apple cider,” said
Dee Singh-Knights, associate professor of resource economics and management
and a specialist for WVU Extension. “We want to recognize, celebrate and educate
others on West Virginia hard cider stemming from Appalachian roots.”
