Kimberlyn Joy Hocker, anyone who knows her is excited to be in her company. Outgoing, spontaneous, and adventurous are only a few words to describe her. With great excitement I get to introduce her to PRSSA, for which she is very excited to be involved and make a difference. Balancing school and studying along with being an inspirational person and friend, I can’t wait to see what is in store for her!  

What inspired you to join PRSSA?
I thought it was a great way for me to network and learn more about public relations and building relationships with people in the same major is important to me. dance in career, practice and opportunity. 

What is your favorite memory at ISU?
Some of my favorite memories from college are with my friends, I don’t have any specific ones but having photo-shoots on the quad, bike rides into the sunset, adventures, and making every moment worth being the best times of your life.  

What are a few things on your bucket list?
All in for the thrill I want to go skydiving, snorkeling, scuba diving, zip lining, ride an elephant, helicopter ride cliff diving  hot air balloon ride. Being worldly and educated is such an important aspect to living life to the fullest.  

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully, a large corporation working in the city of Chicago’s Linkin Park, having a dog of course, possibly being engaged and traveling and taking memorable vacations in between work and family.   

Who inspires you the most?
It may seem cliché but with the strength of my mom she is the most inspiring, she supports me no matter what and encourages me to never give up and follow my dreams.


Questions composed by Kristin Lynch.

Executive board member, Tyler Fiesel is the Digital Media Director of the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and also over sees the Relations committee. Tyler's exceptional leadership, written and verbal skills have led him to the involvement with the positions he holds in ISU PRSSA. In the Relations committee, writers can improve their writing and build a portfolio during their pre-professional career. Tyler opens up about his leadership style, which many may find useful while working in a group setting.



Tell me about yourself and how you ended up studying public relations?
I originally came to ISU to study history, but I became more involved with advertising. My verbal and written communication skills led me to lean towards a degree in public relations. I chose public relations because it is an industry that keeps you on your toes. The industry is always changing and it allows you to be creative while having a job that is challenging and unique.

What motivates you to be a leader?
As a leader, my natural instinct to help people and leading by example is what motivates me to be better. Leadership allows me to have a better chance to help more people rather than just being an active member. Learning also motivates me in leadership. I learn a lot from my peers and whatever I can learn from them will help me become a better and more effective leader.

What is your advice to any new or current ISU PRSSA member from a leadership point of view?
My advice to any new or current ISU PRSSA members is to never be afraid to ask questions or get involved. The best way to do that is to step outside of your comfort zone. If you don't understand something or you want to become more involved but are not sure hot to go about it, the executive board members are your resources.

How do you go about resolving conflict?
When conflict arises, it is important to let the other person speak their mind. This way, from your perspective, you have a better idea of where the person is coming from. Sometimes, admitting that you are wrong and coming to a mutual agreement after hearing the opposing argument is an easy way to resolve conflict. It links back to learning, conflict gives someone the opportunity to learn and expand on his or her own perspectives.

How can one benefit from assuming a leadership role in ISU PRSSA?
Assuming a leadership role in ISU PRSSA forces you to interact and problem solve in a small group setting. After college, interaction becomes vital when you land a full time job. Getting the experience of working in a small group and collaborating with others will help you in your professional career.

What do you hope to see from the members of the Chapter this year?
This year in Chapter, I hope to see a group that is involved with what ISU PRSSA is doing. Once the commitment is there, it is not going to be work anymore. It is important to get involved with the committees because they allow ISU PRSSA members to build portfolios and benefit the most from Public Relations Student Society of America.


Questions composed by Brett Cozzi

Miranda Pietschman is a senior public relations major at Illinois State University from Zion, Ill. Pietschman transferred here last fall from community college and has already made ISU her home away from home. As a diehard Redbird with many passions in life, she plans  to make a name for herself professionally using her education from ISU to help her get there.

What have you gained from joining ISU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America?
I joined ISU PRSSA last fall. I have gained a lot from ISU PRSSA, including a great deal of valuable professional skills for the real world and  made a lot of connections which have led me to better things. For example, I would not have landed my current internship at Heartland Community College if I was not a member of ISU PRSSA last spring.

What are your goals for when you graduate?
I previously interned for ARC Media Group and I am a current intern for YWCA McLean County and Heartland Community College. My goal after college is to just be happy. I want to find a job that motivates me to get out of bed every Monday. I am passionate about a lot of things, and I cannot wait to see where that passion takes me.

Describe your dream job.
I am passionate about so many things from education, to poverty alleviation, to health and nutrition. So my dream job would be following one of my many passions, probably in the nonprofit sector. 

What are your hobbies?
I love to weight lift and do yoga. I am also a big fan of eating chocolate. 

Where do you find your greatest motivation/inspiration in life?
I guess my motivation everyday is remembering where I came from and knowing I do not want to go back there. I want to be successful, and that desire pushes me every day.

What is something a lot of people do not know about you?
I have a lot of introverted qualities, which people usually think is a bad quality in the public relations profession. But I feel like it gives me a leg up because introverts know how to listen, a skill I feel goes overlooked too often. Listening can open big doors.

What is your favorite memory from being at ISU?
By far the greatest time I had thanks to ISU was studying abroad this summer with the School of Communication in Paris. It was the time of my life.

Is there any quote that really captures how you live your life?
It is a long quote that I actually just discovered recently. But my favorite part of it is, "She wouldn't let anyone dull her shine because she knew her perseverance would one day open the door to a brighter future."

     Look out, Ryan Seacrest! Senior public relations major, Ellen Devereux is ready to give the jack-of-all-trades a run for his money. With her passionate personality and a can-do attitude, Devereux is ready to step into her new position as the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America Blog Chair with plenty of ideas and plenty of pink!
     
     Coming to Illinois State University from Decatur, Ill., Devereux is pursuing a psychology minor in addition to her public relations major. As an active member of ISU PRSSA, she is committed to sharing the stories of other members through her new role as blog chair. She hopes to someday apply her PRSSA experience to event planning for a major company. Also, she hopes to share her charisma with her co-workers and clients. Anyone who is lucky enough to meet Devereux knows that her charisma is infectious and her work ethic is exceptional. Her Aunt Teresa is to thank, as she is the source for Devereux’s work ethic.
    
      “My aunt Teresa is one of the smartest people I know and has always done well for herself and worked hard to get to where she is. She is the coolest aunt and I hope to be just like her when I enter the public relations industry.”

     When she is not assigning blogs to the members of ISU PRSSA, Devereux is a member of the on-campus PINK street team. Also, she is planning her 13th trip to Disney World, a vacation spot her parents’ have been taking her “since she was potty trained.” 

     With an exuberant personality and a passion for public relations, it’s no wonder why Devereux is an exciting addition to the Relations Committee of ISU PRSSA. She is overwhelmingly generous, too: her advice to new students? “Try something new and do not be afraid to be yourself!” Luckily, being yourself is something Devereux is great at. Somebody should warn Ryan Seacrest.


Written by Kelsey Farrell

From Chicago Ridge, Ill., a small southern suburb of Chicago, this 19 year old chose to continue her education here, at Illinois State University. Chloe Kasper is studying public relations and with a minor in in Latin American, Latina, and Latino studies. Outside of her studies, this energetic and outgoing sophomore loves to sing and somehow manages to incorporate music into her daily routine. Keep reading to see what else Chloe does during her crazy, college filled lifestyle.

Who/what influenced you to decide you wanted to study public relations?

In high school, I was the editor-in-chief of both my high school’s newspaper and yearbook. I was also the captain of our show choir. Through those leadership experiences and from the guidance I received from advisors, it was then I realized how much I enjoyed using my skills to communicate with others. Deciding to major in public relations was my way of combining what I love to do and what I want to do in the future.

What do you hope to learn from the ISU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America?

As a returning member, I have already learned so much. My hope for the future is that I continue learning how to integrate my unique set of skills and my experiences into my work and future career as a professional.

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of ISU PRSSA?

Besides being a member of ISU PRSSA, I am also a writer for the ISU Chapter of Her Campus. Her Campus is an organization made up of other writers who all have the same goal to create an online community for readers on, and off campus. Also, I am a member of the ISU Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Outside of academics, I love doing yoga

Any volunteer/internships/jobs you have done?

Last semester, I was offered a teaching assistant position for the class, Introduction to Latin American and Latina and Latino Studies, which was a great experience that helped to reinforce that I was in the right place with public relations.  Also, this past summer, I accepted a position as a supervisor for Chicago Ridge’s park district. I learned new skills as an employee, while also learning skills that specifically have to do with being a leader in the workforce.

What would you like to do with public relations, after graduation?

I am open to exploring the world of public relations and all it has to offer. My dream job would be doing public relations in the music industry. My goal for after graduation is to have a secure job with an organization that means something special to me.

Questions composed by: Allie Trosper

   Like a true public relations professional, when Alex Danko walks into a room his confidence and good-natured attitude demand the attention and respect of those around him. Originally from Streator, Ill.,, this public relations student joined the Illinois State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America last fall as a community college transfer student. After learning about the benefits of ISU PRSSA through COM 178: Introduction to Public Relations, Danko knew that joining the organization would set him in the right direction for a career in public relations.

   Loyalty, comedy, and outgoingness are three traits that have allowed Danko to take full advantage of every opportunity ISU PRSSA has offered him. Last year, he contributed these talents to the Relations committee in which he was, and still is, an active writer. As he builds his resume, Danko is preparing himself for a post-graduation career with either a public relations or advertising agency. “It honestly seems like the best career for me,” Danko says of a possible agency job. “I want to able to represent multiple clients and use my communication skills to convey what the client wants between them and the agency.” Aside from this, Danko also envisions himself starting his own business close to home. “I love where I am from and I love the great friends and family I have there. I really love the idea of working for small businesses back home.”

   This year in ISU PRSSA, Danko plans to cultivate his family-orientated nature by becoming a mentor to a new ISU PRSSA member  through the mentor/mentee program. “I’m always making new friends and trying to put myself out there as much as possible, so that I can be exposed to new experiences and people.” Last year, Danko was a mentee and through this program, he got advice on classes and gained a better grasp on how to navigate and reap the full benefits of his membership. “I hope to return the favor to someone that is new to the organization so that they can feel more comfortable here.”

   When he’s not devoting his time to ISU PRSSA, Danko can be found lifting at the gym, watching movies, or simply spending quality time strengthening relationships with his family and friends. “I am one of those people that you can always go to. Once I am your friend, I am at your side no matter what.” This outgoing senior definitely walks to the beat of his own drum. When asked what the theme song for his life would be, Danko says that he would pick the entrance theme for pro-wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “No way does that play and people do not stop what they are doing and look my way.” Whether he is running his own business, or working in an agency office, Danko’s charisma, passion, and determination will definitely earn him much success in a career in public relations.

Interview by Deja Whitt