Degree: MA, Communication 2012

Title: Director of the Educator Effectiveness Department at the Illinois State Board of Education

How has the Comm Program helped prepare you for your job? Being able to confidently speak in front of a group of people and being able to successfully communicate my ideas in writing helped me succeed.

Future goals: I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Education Policy and Organizational Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Favorite thing about the UIS Comm Program: I loved the small class sizes at UIS. I was able to get to know my professors very well. The small class (and program) size allowed me to receive a lot of one-on-one support from my advisor, which was key to me being able to write a strong thesis and successfully complete my program.

Best advice for new graduates: Try to find an avenue for free graduate school! If you begin working your first full-time job, or if you pursue a new job after your undergraduate studies, some employers offer tuition reimbursement. I also encourage everyone to look into the Graduate Public Service Internship (GPSI) program I participated in this program while I was a graduate student at UIS, and it was a great way to obtain employment experience in state government while receiving free graduate school. I credit this program with increasing my interest in working in state government and with providing me with experience and connections that led to the job I have today.