COM Week 2016 Program by Bobby Bobbitt

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LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR WELCOME TO COM WEEK 2016 Communication Week is one of the most important traditions in the School of Communication. For more than three decades, this event has provided opportunities for current students to network with, and learn from accomplished alumni and professionals working in a diverse array of communication professions. COM Week 2016 spans four days and includes seven panels, five keynotes, a documentary film festival, a career institute, and the annual awards and scholarship luncheon. This year’s theme, “Ignite Your Passion,” highlights the many ways that our students and alumni are pursuing their passion for communication in a wide variety of settings. You should take full advantage of everything that COM Week has to offer. To help you do that, this schedule will guide you through all of the events, panels, and keynotes. By attending COM Week you’ll gain a new appreciation for how to apply your communication degree and learn about some of the career paths that are possible. I urge all of you to participate actively in COM Week 2016. Our COM Week interns and staff have worked extraordinarily hard to bring a range of interesting, informative, and innovative events to campus. I look forward to seeing you at COM Week 2016! Sincerely,

Dr. Stephen Hunt Executive Director, School of Communication Illinois State University

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MEET THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS MONALISA BROWN

Reality TV Star and Motivational Public Speaker

MonaLisa Brown is not only an internationally recognized speaker and CEO of It Factor Agency Inc. she is also author of the soonto-be-released book, What’s Your Reality, and a radio host of the nationally syndicated radio show Sucka’s Need 2 Know! She got her start in reality television when she was featured in season three of the VH1 series Flavor of Love. MonaLisa Brown considers herself to be one of the nation’s leading authorities in utilizing a powerful delivery. Brown also prides herself on contributing new insights to teach, inspire, and change lives.

DAVID CONGALTON

Radio Personality, Screen Writer, and Author

David Congalton is an award-winning author, screenwriter, and radio personality. Congalton wrote the original screenplay for the 2014 feature film comedy Authors Anonymous. A second original screenplay by Congalton, Seven Sisters, is currently in pre-production. Congalton is also a producer on the low-budget horror/thriller Day Six, currently in post-production. A former newspaper columnist and freelance magazine writer, Congalton continues to be a popular radio talk show host in Central California, about to celebrate his 24th anniversary on the air.

MARLENE DIETZ

Owner and President, Dynamic Leadership Development

While most students can identify Marlene Dietz as the “first lady” and leading ambassador for Illinois State University, her four decades in professional development, education and leadership bring an inspiring perspective to COM Week 2016. She has owned her own company, Dynamic Leadership Development, for 14 years, and has more than 17 years of sales and service experience in the employee benefit industry. Dietz also spent five years with CI International (a Denver-based professional development company). With a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University and an MBA from Baker University, her training expertise includes communication, public speaking, leadership development, change management, organizational assessment, teambuilding, effective writing, congressional testimony preparation.

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LEE GORDON

Director of Global Public Relations, Mercury Marine

Lee Gordon is the Director of Global Public Relations for Mercury Marine. The Illinois State grad (‘97) spent 15 years as a sports/news television anchor for CBS and FOX affiliates in: Chicago, Illinois; Billings, Montana; and Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to moving to Mercury Marine, Gordon was the VP of Corporate Communications at 180 Communications, a PR firm in Florida.

JENNIFER GORSKI FIELDS

Consumer Media Relations Expert at Abbott Headquarters

Jennifer Gorski Fields is best known for her 9+ years combined in-house and PR agency experience with an emphasis on Media Relations, Media Training ,and a penchant for strategic thinking. Some of her greatest achievements are linked to her personally developed Trifecta model approach, cultivated connections, and multiple national placements, which include Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America, Ellen, Letterman, Kimmel, 20/20, Colbert Report, Howard Stern, Time, NPR, Nat Geo, Associated Press, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Time, and USA Today.

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MONDAY APRIL 4 9-11:00 AM......... COFFEE AND COMMUNICATION Fell Hall Lobby Enjoy free coffee provided by Fusion Brew. You will have a chance to

connect with faculty, alumni, panelists, and other students.

9-10:00 AM.......... MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM PANEL FEL 446 Bringing different areas of journalism together to talk about their

convergence.

Billboard Magazine, and many more

JIM KIRK | Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at Sun Times Media SCOTT GLEESON | Sports Editor and Reporter at USA Today ALEX RESIDE | Photojournalist at Rolling Stone, Atlantic Records, 11:30-2:00 PM.......AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON Circus Room - BSC 3-3:50 PM............. POLITICAL COMMUNICATION PANEL CVA 151 Professionals in political communication discuss how politics and

the way politicians communicate, affect the lives of every person on the planet.

GRIFFIN HAMMOND | Documentary Filmmaker at Bloomberg Politics LAUREN HUFFMAN | Deputy Press Secretary for Mayor

Rahm Emanuel

DYLAN WILLIAMSON | Graduate Student at ISU 4-5:15 PM........... THE DL ON PR PANEL FEL 148 Public relations professionals discuss the differences and

similarities among the three main branches of public relations: corporate, agency, and institutional.

Relations at COUNTRY Financial

of McLean County

MELISSA LIBERT | Project Manager in Public Affairs and Media

KAITIE RIES | Senior Digital Associate at Weber Shandwick Chicago ALI SEYS | Marketing and Communication Manager at United Way 7-8:15 PM............. AWC HOSTS: MS. MARLENE DIETZ | Keynote Caterpillar Auditorium - COB 139 MARLENE DIETZ | Owner and President, Dynamic Leadership Development

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meet the panelists MARLENE DIETZ

SCOTT GLEESON

GRIFFIN HAMMOND

LAUREN HUFFMAN

JIM KIRK

MELISSA LIBERT

ALEX RESIDE

KAITIE RIES

ALI SEYS

DYLAN WILLIAMSON

Dynamic Leadership Development Normal, Illinois

Bloomberg Politics New York, New York

Sun Times Media Chicago, Illinois

Rollingston, Atlantic Records, Billboard Magazine New York, New York

United Way of McLean County Normal, Illinois

USA Today Los Angeles, California

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago Chicago, Illinois

COUNTRY Financial Bloomington, Illinois

Weber Shandwick Chicago, Illinois

Graduate Student at ISU Normal, Illinois

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TUESDAY APRIL 5 9:35-10:50 AM....... GLOBAL PUBLIC RELATIONS | Keynote Capen Auditorium - EDW 235 LEE GORDON | Director of Global Public Relations at Mercury Marine 12:35-1:50 PM....... CATERPILLAR ON CRISIS COMMUNICATION FEL 123 As a sub-specialty of public relations, crisis communication is

a key aspect for any organization, individual, or company. Crisis communication can consist of an individual or a team depending on whom is represented.

Information Services at CAT

eCommunications, Global Government & Corporate Affairs at CAT

Europe Distribution Services at CAT

Government & Corporate Affairs at CAT

Enterprise System Group at CAT

Government & Corporate Affairs at CAT

MEGHAN LUNDEEN | Division Communications Manager, Global EMILY NELMS | Communications Representative, DAREN YERGLER | Lead Human Resource Manager, Americas &

RUSTY DUNN | Manger of Sustainability & Innovation, Global NICOLE SEGNERI | Communications Representative, Caterpillar KIM HARKEN (MODERATOR) | Communications Supervisor, Global 2-3:15 PM............. GRAPHIC ARTS IN COMMUNICATION FEL 123 Take a look at the the world of communication with a different perspective. GEOFF GODWIN | Software Developer at Discover Financial Services JACOB DEGEAL | Creative Operations Manager at ISU Web and Interactive Communications

BOBBY BOBBITT | Marketing Communications Coordinator at ISU

Conference Services

6-7:00 PM............. TV10 AND WZND PRESENT: FROM THE BASEMENT UP CVA 151 Having a degree from one of the best communication programs in the

country, these Illinois State University alums return to share their professional experiences in television and radio.

ZACH BERNARD | All Things Considered Host and Reporter at WBOI TOM BARNAS | Morning Show Host and Bears Radio Producer at WGN PATRICK BARRINS | Radio Producer at WDAY JEFF HAGER | Director of Community Relations at Normal CornBelters 8-9:00 PM............. PRSSA PRESENTS: PR AND THE BIG BUSINESS PICTURE | Keynote SCH 138 JENNIFER GORSKI FIELDS | Consumer Media Relations Expert at Abbott Laboratories

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meet the panelists TOM BARNAS

PATRICK BARRINS

ZACH BERNARD

BOBBY BOBBITT

JACOB DEGEAL

RUSTY DUNN

GEOFF GODWIN

LEE GORDON

JENNIFER GORSKI FIELDS

WGN Morning News Chicago, Illinois

ISU Conference Services Normal, Illinois

Discover Financial Services Riverwoods, Illinois

JEFF HAGER Normal CornBelters Normal, Illinois

EMILY NELMS

Caterpillar Peoria, Illinois

970 WDAY AM Fargo, North Dakota

ISU Web and Interactive Normal, Illinois

Mercury Marine Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

89.1 WBOI Fort Wayne, Indiana

Caterpillar Peoria, Illinois

Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park, Illinois

KIM HARKEN

MEGHAN LUNDEEN

NICOLE SEGNERI

DAREN YERGLER

Caterpillar Peoria, Illinois

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 6 9-10:00 AM........... CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PANEL FEL 152 Corporate Social Responsibility is now becoming a part of a

companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission and values as people begin to put more pressure on corporate America to give back to their communities. Corporate responsibility ranges between social, civic, environmental, and sustainability causes and programs, and can be implemented in countless ways.

Illinois State University

JEFF PRITTS | General Manager at Bloomington-Normal Marriott MELISSA NERGARD | Director Sustainability at Office of Sustainability JAY VERNER | Manager of Public Affairs and Media Relations at

COUNTRY Financial

12-1:00 PM........... THE UGLY TRUTH OF REALITY TV | Keynote SCH 130 MONALISA BROWN | Reality TV Star and Motivational Public Speaker 6-8:00 PM............. THE DOCUMENTARY PROJECT: FEATURING DAVID CONGALTON Capen Auditorium - EDW 235 The 10th annual Documentary Project Film Festival featuring David

Congalton, award winning screen-writer, author, and radio personality.

DAVID CONGALTON | Radio Personality, Screen Writer, and Author

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meet the panelists MONALISA BROWN

DAVID CONGALTON

MELISSA NERGARD

JEFF PRITTS

Reality TV Star and Motivational Public Speaker Chicago, Illinois

ISU Office of Sustainability Normal, Illinois

Radio Personality, Screen Writer, and Author San Luis Obispo, California

Bloomington-Normal Mattiott Bloomington, Illinois

JAY VERNER

COUNTRY Financial Normal, Illinois

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THURSDAY APRIL 7 9:00 AM-Noon...COM WEEK CAREER INSTITUTE Brown Ballroom - Bone Student Center NETWORKING SEGMENT | Featuring recruiting professionals from: 22nd Century Media Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois Bloomington Thunder Hockey Coyote Cumulus Media Great Plains LIFE Foundation Great Plains Media Hearts at Home ISU Athletics Communication

EDUCATION SEGMENT | Elevator Pitches Graduate School Interviewing Job Searches Job Shadowing

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ISU Athletics Marketing Normal CornBelters Radio Bloomington School of Communication Promotion and Development Team Special Olympics Illinois University Tees WDRV The Drive 97.1/96.9 YWCA McLean County ...AND MORE

Featuring tables on: Landing an Internship LinkedIn Portfolios Résumés

COM WEEK CAREER INSTITUTE The COM Week Career Institute is an excellent way for students to improve their professional skills and gain valuable insight into career development. The COM Week Career Institute features an education segment and a networking segment, both of which feature more than 25 professionals in communication-related professions. The education segment allows students to ask questions about résumés, portfolios, interviewing, and more answered by professionals. The networking segment allows students to meet with recruiting professionals from corporations, institutions, and small businesses to make connections to attain internships and jobs. Talk to professionals one-on-one to gain more insight on how to get where you want to be. The Career Institute is perfect for all students regardless of your major or year in school. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to enhance your professionalism and perfect your skills to land your dream job!

DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL The Documentary Film Festival, sponsored by the ISU Documentary Project, is a venue to present student-made documentaries. The festival celebrates the hard work of the students and faculty involved in the project and allows students to present films addressing socio-political issues in society today. Each year, the ISU Documentary Project invites an accomplished documentarian to present their work. Documentaries are a powerful tool in the struggle for social change. The Documentary Film Festival is a fulfilling experience for students that have a passion for documentary film or just want to support others’ efforts for social change. Come on out and do your part in changing the world by watching some docs!

FEATURING: DAVID CONGALTON | Radio Personality, Screen Writer, and Author

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MEET THE SOC PD TEAM ALEXANDRIA JENKINS | Senior Public Relations Major Alexandria Jenkins is a Public Relations major and a Business Administration minor. She is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society and serves as Finance Vice President and co-founder for Endurance Dance Team at Illinois State. Alex is an Instagram fanatic, avid reader and a selfproclaimed iPhoneographer. Alex has interned in Nashville, TN, working on the Development Department for the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has recently accepted an offer for another summer internship in Nashville, TN, at Music City Media, located on Music Row. Alex has also received a full ride scholarship to the University of Kentucky to receive her masters in communication and information.

ALLISON BUEHNER | Senior Communication Studies Major Allison Buehner is a Communication Studies: Organization & Leadership major and a Business Administration minor. Aside from her involvement in the SoC PD team, she works in the Social Media Analytics Command Center and the Advising Office in Fell Hall. Allison has had internships with Redbird Athletics Marketing Team and WUIS/Illinois Issues. During her time at ISU, she has become extremely involved in the Association for Women in Communications, joining the local Bloomington-Normal Professional Board, starting a student chapter at ISU, and recently being elected to the National Board, developing a national student outreach program. Upon graduation, Allison plans to move out of the Central Illinois area to work in marketing or social media analytics.

MARY CULLEN | Junior Journalism Major Mary Cullen is a Journalism major with a double minor in Business Administration and Technical Writing. In addition to the SoC PD, Mary is a Features Reporter for the Vidette, the Social Media Intern at University Marketing and Communications, and a Study Abroad Ambassador. She dreams of one day combining her two passions of writing and traveling by landing a job at a magazine like Rolling Stone. When she is not busy writing, she spends time planning her next big adventure.

BRIAN HANIK | Senior Mass Media Major Brian Hanik is a Mass Media: Media Management, Promotions, and Sales major. He hopes to find a job at a radio station in California. He has spent his time at Illinois State University holding various positions at the Bone Student Center, Career Center, WZND, and he has served as an intern for the School of Communication Promotion and Development team.

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MICHELLE MALONE | Senior Mass Media Major Michelle Malone is Mass Media: Management, Promotions, & Sales major and an English minor. She has spent her time at ISU involved in the SoC PD, as well as holding a staff position in several different departments at WZND. She also has spent a large amount of time working with music business professionals while interning at the Castle Theatre and Kickstand Productions. Her dream is to one day be able to work in concert production and event planning.

ERIN MCVEY | Senior Communication Studies Major Erin McVey is a Communication Studies: Organization & Leadership major. In addition to interning for SoC PD, she also works part time at a doctor’s office in town as a scribe, assisting with paper and computer work. Erin participated in a study abroad program ,which developed her professional skills. She plans to find a career that allows her to travel and continue to progress in the communication field with a business consulting firm. Erin is driven by working to improve individuals and making a team be the best it can be.

LYNN ROSSI | Junior Public Relations Major Lynn Rossi is a Public Relations major with a minor in Civic Engagement and Responsibilities. In addition to being an Honors Student and an SoC PD intern, Lynn has spent her time volunteering for Human Library ISU and most recently, assisting in coordinating a documentary premiere at the Normal Theater. Her involvement as a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sparked her passion for volunteer work and involvement in various non-profit organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Beagle Freedom Project. In the future, she hopes to find work as a fundraising manager for an organization.

JACLYN STEFFENS | Sophomore Graphic Design Major Jaclyn Steffens is pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. She is the graphic design intern in the School of Communication Promotions and Development team. With her degree, Jaclyn hopes to work for an advertising agency in downtown Chicago. In addition to her involvement in the SoC PD, Jaclyn is also a full board member of the University Program Board. She spends her free time improving her portfolio and professional skills.

MADDY WIERUS | Sophomore Mass Media Major Maddy Wierus is pursuing a degree in Mass Media Management, Promotions and Sales with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. She spends her time balancing multiple jobs as a Social Media Manager for The Daily Vidette, an on-air host at WGLT and an anchor and reporter at WZND. Additionally, Wierus has made appearances on Fox 32 News, ABC7, and 97.1FM The Drive in Chicago. Maddy aspires to become a Multimedia Journalist/Television reporter when she graduates. page 14