“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.” --Jamie Paolinetti
My academic career has been challenging and stressful, but incredibly rewarding. As a student of the Manship School of Mass Communication and the LSU Honors College, I constantly strive to uphold high academic standards and integrity. Being a part of this curriculum has challenged me to think critically, become educated in current affairs, and helped me realize that I want to dedicate my life to the political world.
A concentration in Political Communication from the Manship School "develops skills in interpreting and communicating information to mass media practitioners and other individuals involved in the political process. Students normally aspire to careers in public or governmental communication, political reporting, or political campaigns."
--General Catalog, 2012-2013, www.lsu.edu
A concentration in Political Communication from the Manship School "develops skills in interpreting and communicating information to mass media practitioners and other individuals involved in the political process. Students normally aspire to careers in public or governmental communication, political reporting, or political campaigns."
--General Catalog, 2012-2013, www.lsu.edu
Upper Division Honors Thesis
As a student of the LSU Honors College, one of the culminating experiences is the completion of a Honors Undergraduate Thesis. With a thesis director, students are encouraged to research a topic related to their degree program, and defend their research before a three-member committee.
My thesis director, Professor Bob Mann, supervised my research regarding voter participation and motivation across college campuses. My purpose was to discover ideas that college campuses can use to further encourage students to become more involved in the political process via voting. Gathering my data through two focus groups, I completed my thesis and it was approved in April, 2013. You may view the document here.
My thesis director, Professor Bob Mann, supervised my research regarding voter participation and motivation across college campuses. My purpose was to discover ideas that college campuses can use to further encourage students to become more involved in the political process via voting. Gathering my data through two focus groups, I completed my thesis and it was approved in April, 2013. You may view the document here.
Finalist, The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
During my time at the LSU Honors College, I applied for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which is a graduate school scholarship given to students committed to a career in public service. I had the honor of being chosen as a finalist, and participated in interviews in Fort Worth, TX, with finalists from Texas and Louisiana. Even though I was not selected as a Truman Scholar, the application pushed me to focus and develop my passions and career plan, and I learned how to defend those in a professional interview setting. You can read an article by LSU University Relations here.
As a component of the application, I was required to write a piece of policy that corresponded with a problem I saw in society. This was incredibly challenging, as I was not familiar with writing policy, but it helped me decide what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I was able to meet twelve other amazing students who will accomplish incredible things for our country and it was an honor to be recognized for my ideas and vision. You can see excerpts of my application and policy proposal below.
As a component of the application, I was required to write a piece of policy that corresponded with a problem I saw in society. This was incredibly challenging, as I was not familiar with writing policy, but it helped me decide what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I was able to meet twelve other amazing students who will accomplish incredible things for our country and it was an honor to be recognized for my ideas and vision. You can see excerpts of my application and policy proposal below.
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CxC's Distinguished Communicator Certification
LSU Distinguished Communicators is a unique academic excellence program where students work to refine their communication skills and learn discipline-specific approaches to communication that will enable them to excel in their chosen profession. Candidates are required to build a digital portfolio, demonstrating proficiency in written, spoken, visual, and technological communication. They must also show successful use of their communication skills in leadership roles and community service. Upon successful completion of the program, these students posses the competitive skills and knowledge needed for 21st century leadership.
--taken from CxC's website
As a candidate for the DCOMM certification, this website serves as my public portfolio, highlighting my accomplishments and qualities that I believe are evidence of a distinguished communicator.
--taken from CxC's website
As a candidate for the DCOMM certification, this website serves as my public portfolio, highlighting my accomplishments and qualities that I believe are evidence of a distinguished communicator.
Images courtesy of: 1. LSU Manship School of Mass Communication; 2. LSU Honors College; 3. LSU Communication across the Curriculum's Twitter default picture. Header photos are personal pictures.