Job encourages community service

by Halle Meister

Emma Palasak, ‘22, is currently employed with U.S. Engineering as a public relations, communications, and marketing proposal specialist, but in her downtime, she volunteers as a reading mentor for Lead to Read KC.

“It’s crazy to think how fast college flew by; it still feels like I just left yesterday,” Palasak said.

Along with improving her professional skills, she is also impacting the hearts of others through community service.

“The company I’m working for is a perfect fit because they support and encourage giving back and making a change,” Palasak said.

From 1996 to 2022, U.S. Engineering has been putting on a Christmas Give Back project, which is for team members in the Midwest region. The team adopts 70 children for the holidays for a give-back project. This past year, Palasak was given the opportunity to oversee the project and loved it.

“Being able to orchestrate this and help play Santa for thousands of children in the Kansas City area is one reason why I love my job,” Palasak said.

Palasak grew up in Bentonville, Arkansas, and was recruited to play volleyball at Washburn while studying mass media in 2018. Within the four years of her college experience, Palasak was building relationships and skills that got her to where she is now.

Palasak worked with Student Media as an advertising and promotions manager. Then, she interned with Hyperion in public relations. Having these experiences led to getting an internship that turned into a full-time job.

“Emma was really invested in practicing public relations skills while she was in mass media and I think that’s why she’s so successful now,” said Kristen Grimmer, an associate professor in mass media.

Apart from her job, Palasak is passionate about giving back.

Palasak said that growing up and watching her mom teach kids in the school system inspired her to pursue being part of the Lead to Read program, which was created to support the social, emotional, and reading skills that are foundational for success by advancing platforms and community volunteers.

Emma Palasak invests in the younger generation by reading to students. She wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mom, who is a teacher.

Palasak now connects with students in first through third grades by providing them with 30 minutes of one-on-one reading and mentoring support during one lunch hour each week.

“I have always had a passion to teach kids because I love seeing them grow and make a difference in their life,” Palasak said.

Palasak said she is proud to be able to give back in such a profound way and is thankful she has a job that not only allows her to do this, but encourages her to.