Marist SCA Selects Fall 2011 Integrated Communication & Social Media Intern

The Marist College School of Communication and the Arts announced on April 12 its selection of Jessica Hasapis (Class of 2013) as the school's fall 2011 integrated communication and social media intern. Beginning this fall, Jessica will provide direct communication support to the school’s dean, Dr. Steven Ralston; various members of the faculty and staff; and contract employees. Throughout the semester, she will help Dean Ralston manage relationships between the school and its key internal and external audiences through a variety of public relations, advertising, marketing, social media, and other strategic communication efforts.

Jessica Hasapis

Jessica will follow the current spring intern, Alexis Murphy (Class of 2012), a communication major with a double concentration in public relations and advertising. According to Dr. Mark A. Van Dyke, associate professor of communication, who will supervise Jessica's internship activities, "Our school is fortunate to have so many highly-qualified students to select from in this internship program. Alexis Murphy has made valuable contributions to our school's outreach program through her work in social media and media relations." Dr. Van Dyke added, "We had some extremely talented students apply for the fall position. Jessica's superb academic record combined with her unique work experience and social media skills helped her to stand out." (Click here to read more.)

Alexis Murphy

Dr. Van Dyke also said, "Students are also fortunate to have an internship opportunity like this. While we encourage most of our interns to work off campus and experience other professional cultures, this internship offers students like Alexis and Jessica a chance to gain hands-on experience with social media and work directly for a senior administrator. By the time they complete their 15-week internships, Alexis and Jessica will have developed some impressive skills in public relations administration and management."

Jessica is a double major in communication (public relations) and Spanish, with a minor in global studies. She is a Marist Dean's List honoree and academic merit scholarship recipient. She is an active member of Marist's Red Foxes chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, the School of Communication and the Arts Communication Arts Society, and Circle K International (Kiwanis service leadership organization). She is also a member of various leadership programs, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Marist's emerging leadership certificate program. 

Her work experience includes a communication internship with the Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, N.Y., and volunteer positions with Marist's First-Year Program, Leadership Development Program, Ambassador Program, and the Admission's Office Tour Guide Program. 

The School of Communication and the Arts integrated communication and social media internship position was created in spring 2010. A new intern is selected each fall and spring semester. The intern's duties include:

• Design, upload, and update material (text, images, videos, links, etc.) for the school’s Web site(s).
• Write, edit, and distribute public relations, advertising, and marketing materials (press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, video releases, pitches, etc.) about accomplishments of students and faculty, significant events, and other newsworthy items.
• Assist as necessary with media relations.
• Write, upload, and update material and membership databases on professional networks (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter etc.).
• Create content, help distribute, and monitor communication on social media (Twitter, blogs, etc.).
• Serve as liaison with student communication groups (PRSSA, Communication Arts Society, Advertising Club, etc.)
• Conduct research and evaluation as needed.
• Develop a social media strategy for COA (rules, limits, regulations)

Students interested in applying for this internship in the future should contact Dr. Van Dyke at mark.vandyke@marist.edu or the current intern at maristsca@gmail.com.