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Alumni Spotlights

  • A degree in Communication can be part of an exciting and diverse undergraduate experience, which helps our students thrive in dynamic professional roles. In this alumni profile, Tyler Balkin's shares how her knowledge and skills in Communication helped her navigate the world of Public Relations. Tyler currently serves as a Senior Media Relations Specialist at Walker Sands Communication...
  • Being a Communication major opens doors for many future career paths, whether it is in a corporate, nonprofit, international, or educational setting. Rita Mannelli sat down with us during her tenure as the Director of Marketing and Communications at DePaul University School of Music. Her communication education has landed her a great position dealing with several aspects of communication...
  • As the Partner Engagement Manager at Netflix, Peter Cohen develops relationships with internet service providers and technology partners across the United States and Canada. Prior to his time at Netflix, he worked at Amazon.com where he served as a Peering Manager. Mr. Cohen graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 with a B.S. in Speech Communication. 1....
  • Current Position: Some of you may remember me as an instructor and academic advisor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois.  Since then, I moved to Colorado and transitioned from working with undergraduate students in Communication to advising graduate students in a completely different field—Mechanical Engineering.  The change in scenery and...
  • Mary works as a Business Development Manager in the healthcare industry, where she is responsible for collaborating with clients and colleagues across the industry. She completed her BA in 2003 and her MS in Health Communication in 2012. The research, writing, and strategic communication skills she gained at a Communication major are central to her day-to-day efforts. In this spotlight, Mary...
  • Mark currently works in publishing, where he curates content for healthcare professionals across many mediums. In this spotlight, Mark talks about the student groups and courses that enriched his undergraduate experience in the Communication program.   What is your favorite part about your current position? How did you get to where you are now? I have been in the field...
  • Kelsey works as a communication and media coordinator, where she combines her knowledge of persuasive campaigns with an understanding of public policy messages, two topics she studied during her graduate coursework. In this spotlight, Kelsey discusses the skills and knowledge she gained during her years at UIUC.  What is your favorite part about your current position? How did...
  • Lindsey Bergstahler currently serves as the Director of Content Marketing Solutions for the American Hospital Association (AHA), in which she designs and implements outreach strategies to connect healthcare companies with the AHA’s members and other healthcare decision makers. Prior to her time at the AHA, Dunn managed content development for Becker's Hospital Review, helping the...
  • Casey Murphy is currently a managing supervisor at the marketing and public relations firm Fleishman Hillard. Murphy received her B.A. in Communication from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2008.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Speech Communication Departmental Distinction and served as a Speech Communication Leader. Her previous position was the Product Owner for cat.com...
  • Mike works in marketing, where his communication training equipped him to think about the needs of audiences and craft messages that can help clients meet their goals. In this spotlight, Mike talks about how central his communication degree has been to his professional success, and offers advice for current undergraduates.   What have been some of your greatest accomplishments...