Major: 
Integrated Strategic Communication
Year Graduated: 
1997
Hometown: 
Villa Hills, KY
Current City: 
Villa Hills, KY
Current Employer: 
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Top played song on your playlist?: 
Beautiful Day by U2
Where has your CI degree taken you?: 

My degree has taken me to Cincinnati to work for one of the top zoos in the nation. It has given me some amazing opportunities and experiences I’ll never forget. I was fortunate enough to help document the release of one our manatees in Miami, Florida as part of our Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Program.  I have also been able to share some many extraordinary stories including: the first birth of a Sumatran rhino in more than 112 years; a hippo named Fiona, born six weeks early and a baby gorilla that was raised by human surrogates. I’ve also had the privilege of leading two groups to Kenya and Tanzania, where I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with another UK Alumni and college roommate.

What is your favorite thing about your job?: 

 Working alongside some pretty incredible people. I love what I do and still consider it the best job in the world after 20 years.

What¹s the most valuable thing you learned in CI?: 

I’ve learned that creativity, passion and teamwork can take you a long way.

What advice would you give to current CI students?: 

Enjoy the journey.  Looking back, it felt like everyone was racing through college to move on to a career. Enjoy the college experience. You’ll miss it one day. Find something you are passionate about and stick with it. I live by the phrase, “Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be happy.”