Where are you from? Why did you choose to attend FSU Panama City?  

I am originally from Dothan, Alabama, the peanut capital of the world. I chose to attend FSU Panama City due to its close vicinity to home, the wide array of programs offered on the campus, and of course, the beautiful water-views on campus! 

What inspired you to choose your degree program? 

My inspiration to choose the Professional Communication bachelor’s degree program stemmed from my first job, which was lifeguarding. I worked at a city pool in Dothan and helped with the swim team. We started needing to recruit more swimmers so that is how I got my first taste of marketing. I knew once I started marketing efforts for the swim team that it was something I wanted to do long-term. I then applied for a social media position at the Dothan Regional Airport and fell even more in love with social media marketing specifically, but also digital marketing, print marketing, and 360 marketing and advertising. I was enrolled in a community college program when I was working full time at the airport, and I am so thankful to the airport director for giving me my “first big break.” I will forever be so thankful for that opportunity because it truly was my steppingstone to launch my professional career.

So, when choosing where to complete my 4-year degree I did much research and was told by a friend about Florida State’s Panama City campus. I toured the campus, met with the faculty director Dr. Brian Parker, and fell in love with the Professional Communication bachelor’s degree program. He even let me sit in on a class the summer before I transferred to get an idea of what the program would be like. From there, Dr. Parker told me about the “Pathway Program;” a unique program allowing undergraduate students to take graduate courses, expediting your graduate program. Once I was told about the combined bachelor’s/master’s in Professional Communication program, I was sold. I will be graduating in May with my master’s degree and was enrolled in Graduate School for only three semesters due to partaking in the combined bachelor’s/master’s in Professional Communication program! It’s an amazing program and I encourage every student to give it a try! At worst, if you don’t want to pursue a graduate degree at the end of it, you will graduate with your bachelor’s degree and have gotten to learn the expectations of a graduate program.

What has your experience been so far in the program?

My experience has been incredible! I have found life-long friends in the program and truly enjoyed the classes. One of my favorite things about this program include the theories we are taught about in class and then executing these skills through projects to prove utilization. This method of teaching not only the theories in abstract but giving us the skills to utilize them in the field really makes this program stand out against others in the area.

What aspect of your area of study do you find most fascinating?

I really enjoyed Integrated Marketing Communications because it helped me see which brands are marketing effectively and efficiently from an outside perspective. I also really loved Group Dynamics and Intercultural Communication. All the classes have really helped me shape my thought-processes to make informed decisions in real-life scenarios,

Who are the faculty or staff members that have helped or inspired you?  

All of them! I really miss Dr. Reed who had to move away. Dr. Parker, Dr. Sellers, and Dr. Lawrence have all been such amazing mentors to me in so many ways! Dr. Parker has guided me through my love for integrated marketing communications and consumer behavior. Dr. Sellers has taught me so much about digital design and research methods. His passion and dedication to students is heavily evident in his work. Dr. Lawrence really ignited my interest in group dynamics and interpersonal communication.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing schoolwork?  

When I am not doing schoolwork, I am hanging out with my dog Chip and my fiancé Zach! We all love going on walks outside, kayaking and paddleboarding, anything else outside!

After you graduate, what are your plans? 

My plans after graduation include working at my job that I love so so much! I work at Destination Panama City as the Interactive Marketing Manager, and I could not be more in love with my job. I would also like to travel more and take my dog on some awesome road trips! 

What advice do you have for fellow students?  

My advice to fellow students is to acknowledge that your teachers are here to help you succeed. Become friends with those in your class, don’t be afraid to get to know your professors. We have an amazing campus here and the people here are truly student-focused and we are all on the same team.  

Combined BS/MS Professional Communication program