
This week we will learn about Nyah Hodges (she/her/hers): a Public Relations Specialist who currently utilizes her strategic communication skills as an Associate Corporate Communication Specialist at Dow Chemical’s Global Headquarters. Through this episode, we will learn about Nyah and how her corporation prioritizes a safe workspace by implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices.
A recent Central Michigan University graduate, Nyah is a diligent professional who has garnered a resume of PR opportunities during her time in college, helping her maneuver and learn about various career avenues with a public relations degree. While in school, she was involved with Central Michigan's Public Relations Society of America Chapter serving as its Director of Member Services. She also has acquired an impressive amount of awards during her time at CMU.
Connect with Nyah
LinkedIn: Nyah Hodges
Jun 28, 2022
25 min

This week features a previous GVSU Alum. Morgan is a communications and public relations professional based in Chicago. She specializes in digital communications, social media marketing, and content creation.
Morgan is currently the Communications Manager for the Illinois Supreme Court. Through this position, Morgan is responsible for providing ongoing support across the judicial branch in all manner of design and content creation. Similarly, she writes and manages official judicial branch communications including the Court’s social media and the Annual Report of the Illinois Courts. In her spare time, she is a Co-Founder of her own women-owned marketing and communications agency based in Chicago called Roof17. This agency specializes in working with small business owners to boost their brand awareness through digital marketing innovation.
While at Grand Valley, Morgan served as the CEO of GrandPR and on the PRSSA E-Board. She was named Public Relations Student of the Year by West Michigan PRSA in 2014. Throughout this episode, we will learn about Morgan and how her accomplishments led her to her success in PR.
Connect with Morgan:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/morganyingst/
Twitter: twitter.com/morganyingst
Connect with Olivia:
Instagram: @OliviaDolley
LinkedIn: Olivia Dolley
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Jun 14, 2022
18 min

You've heard his voice all year long but how well do you really know Brady Mills? If you didn’t know already, Brady was the previous host of PR Hangover. He is an individual who does everything with intention and his dedication and perseverance will guide him to success. Brady is an incoming senior at Grand Valley State University where he studies advertising & public relations (with a PR emphasis) and public & nonprofit administration with a French minor. It is easy for him to stay busy on his feet between his school work and all of his extra circular. When he has free time, (which is probably not often), you could catch him throwing extravagantly goofy events with friends, reading, traveling, or discussing topics pertaining to faith, morality, and Kung Fu Panda.
Connect with Brady:
Instagram: @brady_mills_
LinkedIn: Brady Mills
Connect with Olivia:
Instagram: @OliviaDolley
LinkedIn: Olivia Dolley
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
May 31, 2022
21 min

When David Robinson first set foot on the red carpet as a volunteer, he knew he’d be back for more. Today, he is a successful publicist working with academy award-winning films and renowned gospel artists, conducting media relations and marketing for his clients. (Plus, he’s a GVSU alum!)
But the journey from West Michigan to Atlanta did not happen overnight. In this episode, David discusses his entry to the entertainment industry, what work as a publicist entails, and specific practical tactics that have led him to build lasting relationships with a vast network of professionals.
Connect with David:
Website: www.thedavidbrand.com
Instagram: @thedavidbrand
Facebook: The David Brand
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Apr 27, 2022
31 min

This influencer marketer knows her industry front and back... literally. Why? Because she’s an influencer herself.
Ayanna Bozeman (AKA Ayanna Alexis) is an Abercrombie & Fitch influencer marketing specialist who has quite the following of her own, creating lifestyle and fashion content for audiences on Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Ayanna joins the show to discuss her experience and the lessons she has learned from content creation, professional life, and her journey on both sides of the influencer marketing field. Listen in as she shares how she approaches starting conversations with influencers, and stick around for practical advice to students looking to follow in her footsteps!
Connect with Ayanna:
Instagram: @ayannaalexis
LinkedIn: Ayanna Bozeman
Youtube: Ayanna Alexis
TikTok: @ayannaalexiss
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Apr 11, 2022
29 min

There’s more to employee advocacy than meets the eye. Brandi Boatner, a PR veteran working in digital and employee advocacy at IBM, is an advocate for people, company, and career. A former PRSA president with years in the public relations world, Brandi knows the ropes of both external and internal strategic communications.
In this episode, we discuss Brandi’s shift to employee advocacy, how it differs from her “traditional” PR experience, and how she has been able to connect with thousands of IBM employees from around the world. She shares her excitement about IBM’s recent launch, “Let’s create.”
She also speaks right to us students with words of encouragement that every pre-professional needs to hear… Join in!
Watch the “Let’s Create” launch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSTX0qdBAsI
Connect with Brandi:
Twitter: @ThinkBluePR
LinkedIn: Brandi Boatner
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Mar 25, 2022
29 min

PR pros and journalists, despite key differences in their approach, have a lot in common. So how can these two distinct roles work together to advocate for community members in difficult situations where the wellbeing of communities is at stake?
Bryce Huffman, a reporter and producer for BridgeDetroit, has interacted with many communications professionals over the years. He knows firsthand the tension and the collaboration that can come from these important relationships.
Join us as we talk about covering sensitive news stories, using writing tactics that cause readers to care, and supporting journalists in their work(and vice versa). Bryce also shares some wisdom to help PR and journalism students work through the differences in careers and choose a route that fits them best.
Listen on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Connect with Bryce:
Twitter: @BryceHuffman313
LinkedIn: Bryce Huffman
BridgeDetroit:
www.bridgedetroit.com/
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Mar 2, 2022
29 min

There are already hundreds of tools in a PR pro's arsenal. Why care about podcasting?
Robert Johnson, a seasoned podcaster and public relations practitioner, shares just how impactful a podcast can be for clients. No matter the industry, there is space for a podcast if a brand can execute it effectively.
As a host and producer of PR industry podcast PR Nation and Strategic Communications Officer at Riester Public Affairs, Robert is an expert at building podcasts for clients. Starting in radio as a 14-year-old, he knows his way around a microphone… and he thinks you can too.
Tune in to hear just why Robert thinks podcasting is important, its relevance to our lives as PR students, and what it takes to start a podcast of your own.
Feb 15, 2022
27 min

What does it take to work at a world-renowned agency? GVSU alumna Melissa Albano is an assistant account executive at Edelman, an agency that has ranked #1 of Global PR Firms.
Clearly, she’s doing something correctly.
So what’s her “it” factor?
Join Melissa as she shares her journey of joining Edelman, her client work with Taco Bell, transitioning from corporate to firm life, and how she and a Trader Joe’s seasoning have lots in common. Melissa packs encouragement, motivation, and advice into this episode that any student should hear.
Listen on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Spotify, and Soundcloud.
Looking to get to know Melissa and make a connection at Edelman? Shoot her a message on LinkedIn!
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: @melissa_albano
LinkedIn: Melissa Albano
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Jan 31, 2022
29 min

What College Can’t Teach You: A Post-grad Conversation (w/ Allison Canter, Carson Kunnen, and Morgan Layne)
Some things can’t be taught in school. The awkwardness of settling into the ‘real world’ after college is one of those things. Today, recent GVSU Advertising and Public Relations graduates Allison Canter, Carson Kunnen, and Morgan Layne share their experiences of transitioning from involved students to young professionals.
From finding joy in the mundane aspects of adult life to celebrating victories on the new job, we cover it all. Allison, Carson, and Morgan reflect on adjusting to unexpected career positions, opportunities they wish they had pursued in college, and advice to their undergraduate selves.
Undergrads, you won’t want to miss this one.
Connect with Allison:
Instagram: @allisoncanter
LinkedIn: Allison Canter
Connect with Carson:
Twitter: @ckunnen12
LinkedIn: Carson Kunnen
Connect with Morgan:
Instagram: @morgnlayne
LinkedIn: Morgan Layne
Follow GVPRSSA:
Website: https://gvprssa.com/
Instagram: @gv_prssa
Facebook: @GVPRSSA
Twitter: @GV_PRSSA
Jan 16, 2022
36 min
Load more