Students in the Spotlight

"I originally began my college journey after I took a semester off of school after high school graduation. I attended Dean College Palladino school of dance as a dance major. I always knew I wanted to be involved in journalism. However, Dean did not offer the major/minor. As a student at Dean I created my ‘Own” journalism minor by taking classes that would credit when I decided to transfer. After a year at Dean I attended The Washington Center for Leadership and Success as an intern for the company ACTE. While at this internship I learned marketing, Public relation and journalism skills that eventually helped me decide that journalism was the major and career I wanted to pursue. After my internship I transferred to NKU as a journalism major with a communications minor."

"I decided to join The Northerner to gain experience as a journalist and writer."

"While at NKU was when I had my first story published. It wasn’t a big story- it was just about housing on campus. But this gave my the confidence and push I needed to pursue journalism as a career and to take it seriously."

"I attended the national NABJ convention in 2019 in Miami Florida. NKU funded the trip and this was by far the best educational experience I had while attending the university. NABJ introduced me to a plethora of professionals and career fields within news that I did not know existed. Just being in the atmosphere was thrilling and an experience in itself."

"I advise all students who are interested in a career in news to take a creative route. Journalism is a career field that is not black and white. There is no “blueprint” on how you get there. I started as a dance major and now I am a morning show producer. The only experience I had in journalism before getting this job was published work at the northerner and a internship with FOX19. I suggest every student to take an internship within the news broadcast field if that is what they want to do. This is the easiest way to get in the door in a difficult industry like this. During an internship you can specifically telling managers and news directors that you want to work there and ask questions on how to make it happen. Always ask for what you want when it comes to your career and your dream; because no one is going to “hand” it to you."

"I began at FOX19 as an intern during my last semester senior year. The day I graduated from NKU I was offered a job as a weekend news producer at FOX19. Currently I am the 8am and 11am news producer and I serve as an Executive Producer over the morning show team. As a news producer we are responsible for our show- which is typically one hour. Producers select stories, write scripts for anchors, select video and soundbites related to the story, assist in deciding reporter stories and oversee their live show from start to finish (in the booth with the engineer). Overall Producers are the people who CREATE the various TV/news shows that you know and love."

"Being originally from Louisville, KY I always knew I wanted to venture out and go away to college. NKU was the perfect fit. It wasn't too far from home, I could still go back and visit if I wanted. I chose NKU because of the relatively small class sizes and how welcoming everyone was when I toured. The location is perfect as well. You get the feeling of a small town on campus but you are so close to big cities."

"My favorite NKU memory was just living on campus my first two years and being apart of a community where everyone was trying to accomplish the same goals. It was a fun experience that taught me how to be independent and I was able to meet a lot of people."

"Throughout my time at NKU, I worked with several different professors in my classes on a variety of research papers/projects. Doing this taught me how to write academically, conduct research and think critically. These skills have been a huge help in my career. I also served as a victor guide for incoming freshmen and worked on campus in the Housing Office for 3 years as a Desk Assistant. My senior year I interned at St. Elizabeth as a Marketing and PR intern."

"My advice would be to step out of your comfort zone. College can be scary and overwhelming, but it's what you make of it. I chose a major, health communication, that was literally brand new. No one knew what that was and honestly I didn't either, but I wanted to learn. I can truly say that the content I learned in these classes helps me every day with what I do in my career. If I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I would not be where I am today. Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes and just have an open mind coming into college and you will be successful."

"I'm currently a Communications Specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I work in the internal communications department. Everyday I am in charge of the "Connect Daily NewsLetter" that is sent to over 22,000 employees and board members. I gather and write stories, retrieve images, and interview employees. This process happens every day so that I have enough content for the newsletter and website. I enjoy what I do because of how many people my work reaches!"

"I am a Disability Adjudicator I for the State of Kentucky. I develop the skills that are needed to properly adjudicate Social Security Administration disability claims pertaining to (the Social Security Act) the medical, vocational, and legal standards for disability."

"Throughout my time at NKU, I was involved in organizations such as NKU R.O.C.K.S, student support services (TRIO), health professions club, Ethics Bowl 2019, Lambda Pi Eta (honor society of the National Communication Association), peer mentor for the Campbell County Drug-Free Alliance Summit at NKU, and student representative for the faculty search committee for the health communication department. I had a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the analysis and write-up of a research article on disability health care under medicaid with Dr. Whittney Darnell."

"I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at the University of Kentucky International Center where I was a journalism and copyright intern. I also interned at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as an inside sales intern (licensed health insurance agent). I had many great memories at NKU, but my all time favorite was having the opportunity to speak at the 2019 commencement ceremony. I will always be thankful for the time and connections that I made during my experience at NKU."

"My advice to students: In the midst of adversity, always seek to find the upside. Reach out of your comfort zone and always have a willingness to learn. If you have a specific goal you’d like to achieve, write it down, affirm it, put in the work, and most importantly trust the process."

"I have worked for WLWT News 5 as a General Assignment Reporter since December 2015.  Currently, I am a nightside reporter, meaning I cover the news from 2:30PM to 11:30PM each night and primarily focus on pulling together stories from the field for the 10PM and 11PM newscasts. This can mean everything from covering an exciting night for the Cincinnati Reds or Cincinnati Bengals, to a feature story about a local charity helping a family in need, to an extreme contrast of breaking news where there's been a dramatic car crash or a devastating shooting in a neighborhood. I've covered countless stories for WLWT including corruption at Cincinnati City Hall, the Fifth Third Center shooting, holiday travel and snowy days around the area, and the devastation felt by fans as Joe Burrow got hurt this year."

"I oftentimes look back at my time at NKU and wished I'd been more involved. During my time at NKU, I took as many classes as I could while also holding down a part-time job as a bank teller, working about 25-35 hours a week depending on the week. 

I know many students at NKU find themselves trying to find that delicate balance and make some memories. I will say, when I had free time or an off day from all of the normal responsibilities I carried, I really enjoyed visiting the library and the Campus Recreation Center (before it was renovated) to keep my mind and my body on the up and up. 

I also enjoyed watching a few NKU basketball games when I could. I made some of the best friends of my life while I lived in Norse Hall. We all came from different parts of the region, but we shared a lot of love for one another and our dreams and goals."

"My favorite NKU memory would likely be the opening of Griffin Hall. No, it's not named after me! Though, I wish I could take the credit for such a fantastic facility. 

While I was studying Electronic Media and Broadcasting, I was spending the majority of my time in Landrum Hall. We were lucky to be able to shoot video and interviews on tape, ingest it (make it a file on the computer) and edit it once that was complete. When Griffin Hall opened, it presented a new world for those of us who dreamed of being in the television news business. I had never felt so proud or so empowered to chase my dream!"

"My advice for students who are studying today is to embrace who you are and be willing to learn from those around you. Network. Everyone you meet is a contact, a connection and potentially a life-long friend. I interviewed my (now) co-worker and fellow NKU grad, Sheree Paolello, back when I was student at NKU for a project. So, chase your dreams, be aggressive about going after what you want. I applied to probably 80 or 90 television stations across the country for my first job and got one offer. Part of that is all thanks to Wes Akers, who is a professor and invaluable friend and connection, at NKU. While I took a pay cut from being a bank teller to use my degree and got paid $11 an hour to be a one-man-band (do it all by yourself) reporter in northern Wisconsin, it was all worth it to get where I am today. This life is a journey and the world is yours to discover. If someone tells you that you aren't qualified or aren't the right fit for one opportunity, push on, and look forward to something else. You can do it. NKU will believe in you and I believe in you."

"I am a Digital Content Producer for WLEX-TV in Lexington, KY. My day-to-day looks like; finding and writing stories to put on the station website, typing up reporter web stories, posting stories to social media, live streaming events through our LEX 18 app, and cutting clips from the broadcast to put online and on apps like Roku TV."

"While at NKU I made the most out of every opportunity and became very involved! I started as NKU R.O.C.K.S. Vice President, became a Presidential Ambassador, Black Student Union Secretary, Orientation Leader, 2018 Head Orientation Leader, The Northerner Sports Editor, and a Nu Upsilon Black Women’s Honorary member."

"I have many great memories at Northern, but my all-time favorite was one that I haven’t told many people. During my time at NKU, I can honestly say that I somewhat made a name for myself. During the spring semester of my junior year, I received a special text message. It came from an unsaved number, the text was something along the lines of "Hey, I see SGA President flyers posted around campus. How can I vote for you?" It genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I knew I had made an impact on campus but for someone to blindly admit that they’d vote for me as student body president without hearing or seeing my platform meant the world to me. I wasn’t running, so I let them know how to find the candidates, their platforms, and where to vote! (lol). I later found out that the text was from an old childhood friend that ended up at the same college! That message solidified that even though I’m not able to talk to every student/friend I’ve made every single day, that someone is watching you and is influenced by what you do."

"My advice to students would be to go after that internship, job, and/or organization that scares you! I was scared to write for The Northerner at first because I had never written before but that opened up a world of opportunities and friends. I applied for a job at the Enquirer while I was still finishing school and that opened up a world of possibilities for me.

Just go after opportunities that will lead to growth and more opportunities, even if it makes you a little uncomfortable because you are meant to be there or the opportunity wouldn't have been given to you."

"My Future plans are to continue gaining experience in PR while utilizing my income to supplement my entrepreneurial endeavors. Right now, I own an operate an online cookie business called Iconic Dough Co.!"

"I was involved in Black student union, I was a NKU ROCKS mentor, an SGA senator, NPHC Treasurer, a member of the society of leadership and success, and a member of Order the Omega."

"My Favorite NKU memory probably was meeting all my friends and developing forever-lasting relationships with the people I started at NKU with in the ROCKS program."

"My advice for students would be to make sure they grow professionally in every way that they can but also make sure they are enjoying as much of what NKU offers as they can. You’re a student first, but live your life second."

"I currently am a A2 at ESPN. I am responsible for the upkeep of microphones and understanding our world wide audio system. I work on studio shows such as SportsCenter, NFL Live, Outside the Lines and many others. As a team we prepare our talent and crew. Along with studio shows it is our responsibility to work with ESPN's world wide audio equipment. We work with productions across the globe to televise sports to our fans."

"The opportunities available at NKU helped me develop the skill sets that I started to learn in college. I worked on campus doing NKU sporting events. Many of these events were televised and it was my first live television/sporting experience. The hands-on experience that NKU offers really sets its apart. This also gave me the opportunity to get one-on-one advice from professors who have been in this field. I took an internship at Florence Freedom and started as a Production Assistant at Local 12. Both of these jobs gave me the experience I needed and helped me apply everything I was learning in the classroom. I eventually got promoted at Local 12 and became one of their Master Control Operators."

"I have a few favorite NKU memories but the one that sticks out the most would be my study abroad trip to London. I got to be apart of a 2-week study abroad trip with Dr. Yungbluth. Within this communications course we got to experience all sorts of sports. Going to Wimbledon, seeing Arsenal F.C. and Chelsea F.C. stadium, playing netball and countless other memories from that trip will always be something I will remember."

"The main advice I would give is experience everything. Experience is one of the main aspects of a resume that will make you stand out. NKU has a number of resources that can be used if you take advantage of the moment and continue to find those moments. Professors at NKU are willing to teach you anything they can and its up to students to desire more then what is in the classroom."

"Adam Ashley is a PR Professional that has experience working across every aspect of the entertainment, lifestyle, non-profit and corporate PR spectrum; with a proven track record of securing key press hits, creating brand identity with media and audiences, positioning products and services as must-haves, influencing the influential, and providing unmatched client and consumer relations. 

Adam has helped launch some of the world’s most successful theatrical franchises by collaborating on projects with Universal Studios, Fox Entertainment, and Lionsgate; He’s created award campaign(s) for some of television’s most popular primetime and daytime programs; he has served as a unit publicist for over 20 major digital film releases; and has had clients featured in film festivals across the globe. In addition to his film work, Adam has proudly been a team member at Universal Music Group where he has helped build the brands of some of most successful Artist(s) on the planet. His philanthropic work can be seen in fundraising events for United Cerebral Palsy, The Recording Academy, and Love is Louder. 

Adam holds a B.A in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University, and a M.A. in Arts Administration from University of Kentucky. He currently resides in Pasadena, CA where he continues work in the entertainment publicity industry."

"Being selected to represent Northern Kentucky as a delegate for Public Relations Society America’s National Conference in Seattle and National Assembly in Orlando. This experience encouraged me to return home to create NKU’s first student led Public Relations firm. The firm secured clients across the region and offered discounted PR services to some of the Greater Cincinnati top brands."

"Complete as many INTERNSHIPS as humanly possible. In Los Angeles, we start hiring interns in high school. If you have waited until college to start gaining experience in your desired field—then you’re already behind. Internships will give you the experience needed to achieve in the industry after graduating. JOIN AN ORGANIZATION at NKU. Remaining active in your chosen department will help you build confidence and a large network post-graduation. Lastly, FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS in the worlds of the legendary Dolly Parton, .” Dreams are of no value, if they're not equipped with wings”. Let NKU and its faculty provide you with the tools to grow your wings so you can fly successfully in the world. 

Courage+Dreams=Success"