Communication Majors’ Night, September 10, 8:00

09/06/2012 8:51 PM

Department of Communication Majors’ Night

Monday, September 10, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

Michel Student Center Ballroom

Guest Speak was Kathy Smith, Bradley Alum and Public Relations Manager Simantel Group, LTD.

Kathy graduated from Bradley University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in creative writing. After college, she moved to New York City where she worked as the assistant photo editor for Soap Opera Digest magazine. The photo shoot experience she gained there landed Kathy her next position within the creative department at EMI Recording Label Group in Nashville, TN. Before arriving at Simantel last fall, Kathy spent the past 7.5 years in Chicago, where she gained the bulk

of her advertising expertise. She worked on national accounts on both the agency side and also in media advertising sales; including, ABC Radio Network, Turner Broadcasting and Brandimage Desgrippes and Laga, where she managed the rebranding project for Healthy Choice. At Simantel, Kathy’s role includes a wide variety of work and differs every day – from social media branding to developing content for news stories, and also researching new business networking opportunities and speaking engagements. In her free time, Kathy actively participates in the running community, serves on the board of Keep Peoria Beautiful and teaches an indoor cycling class at the LOOP Cycling Studio, located in the Metro Centre.

Student organizations representing the concentrations in the department were represented, introduced by Dr. Gullifor, and spoke to new students.   Dr. Ron Koperski was recognized and thanked for his years of service to the department and Bradley University.  Dr. Koperski will retire at the end of the 2012-2013 academic year.