Senior to Watch: Michelle Czosnyka

Michelle Czosnyka is an exemplary public relations major who is an active leader on campus. Czosnyka transferred to Illinois State University last year as a junior and will be graduating in May. She first heard of the ISU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America for her “Get Involved Project” in COM 178: Introduction to Public Relations. After learning more about ISU PRSSA, she became a dues-paying member to take advantage of all the opportunities the organization has to offer.

Besides her involvement with ISU PRSSA, Czosnyka is involved with Students Today Leaders Forever, a service organization that is student led and funded. Over spring break, she is attending a service trip called the Pay it Forward Tour. She is leading a bus with four other students as they travel to seven cities in nine days to do various service projects. Czosnyka strongly believes in giving back through the little things that we are capable of doing.

Czosnyka also stays busy as an intern for ISU’s athletics communications department. She has worked  work on projects for ISU sports teams. Her favorite memories from this internship are being on the football field during a game and the first kickoff of the season.

Upon graduation in May, she would love to continue working in sports and possibly work for a public relations agency managing sports related clients. Her internship opportunity at ISU has helped Czosnyka feel capable and ready to pursue a career in sports.  

Not only does Czosnyka find motivation from her internship with athletics communications, but also from her family. She is thankful for everything her parents have done for her and wants to prove that she is deserving of her degree. Czosnyka is a very self-motivated individual that will not have opportunities handed to her but earn them every step of the way.

Czosnyka described her approach to life in a quote by Winston Churchill:

“It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.”

Czosnyka is a caring and giving individual who not only wants to pursue her dreams, but also gives back along the way and shows she truly does live for something.

Interview by Alex Danko

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