Alumni Profiles

Trista is a 2006 graduate from Southeast.

She majored in corporate communication and minored in administrative systems management. She was a founding member of COMMrades (now known as Collegiate Communication Organization).

Trista is director of human resources at Ross & Baruzzini, an engineering design and consulting firm headquartered in St. Louis with over 300 employees nationwide. Prior to R&B, Trista worked in the same capacity at Maritz, where she had worked her way up while earning a master’s degree in human resources as well as an MBA. Trista began her career with Cushman Wakefield as an HR assistant and then an HR specialist. Her internship during college was in the PR department at Mercy.

Trista and her husband John (whom she met at Southeast) have two daughters and a son, and reside in the St. Louis area.

Thinking back on her days at Southeast, Trista writes:

"While at Southeast, I helped found COMMrades (now known as Collegiate Communication Association). I enjoyed classes in Managerial Comm as well as taking Persuasion with GW. In addition, I always loved classes with Dr. Weatherson."

Scott is a 2008 graduate from Southeast.

He majored in corporate communication and minored in marketing. He was a founding member of COMMrades (now known as Collegiate Communication Organization).

Scott is a sales representative with Erb Equipment Company in Fenton, MO—a John Deere Construction & Forestry Dealership with eight locations across four states (MO, IL, IN, and KY). He began his career working for Caterpillar.

Recalling his days at Southeast, Scott writes:

"I am forever appreciative of Dr. Glen Williams taking the time to help me refine my resume, an act which helped me land an internship with Caterpillar in Peoria, IL, and my first full-time job with the local Caterpillar dealer in St. Louis. My professors in the department truly cared and were engaged in my education and long-range goals. My colleagues and manager during my Caterpillar internship were especially amazed when Dr. Towns made a trip to Peoria to learn more about my experiences. The on-site visit during an internship is something that separates Southeast from other institutions.

My time spent at Southeast also prepared me to go on to earn both a M.A. in management & leadership from Webster University and an M.B.A. from McKendree University. I know that no matter where my career takes me, Southeast has provided me a solid foundation."

Jessica is a Dec. 2012 graduate of Southeast.

She majored in corporate communication and minored in animal science.

Jessica is an employment branding specialist at Nestlé Purina and previously worked in development for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

While at Southeast, she accepted a graduate assistantship in copywriting while working toward a master’s degree. She writes: “I had no idea that those skills would translate into each of my jobs after college.”

Jessica also emphasizes the importance of being involved/active during college:

“Greek Life not only provided my closest relationships while in school, it also built a network post-grad.”

Alexis is a 2017 graduate from Southeast.

She majored in corporate communication and minored in political science and criminal justice. She was a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Student Government, Alpha Delta Pi, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Southeast Debate Team.

After graduation, Alexis moved to Washington D.C. to work for the United States Congress. She now resides in Jefferson City where she is a legislative assistant for the Missouri House of Representatives. She assists Representative Bill White with the cultivation of upcoming bills, writes letters to different businesses and constituents, and works with citizens of Missouri’s 161st district on various issues.

Alexis reflects on the importance of effective communication, and the role it plays on her everyday life:

"I incorporate many lessons I learned from the courses within my major in my everyday life, both professionally and personally. From surrounding myself with some of the most influential and powerful people in D.C., to talking with local business owners in Joplin, MO., effective communication is essential to any successful interaction. Whether it is a micro expression, eye contact, or a genuine tone, proper communication can make or break a conversation. What I have come to learn is that multiple successful conversations lead to action, and in politics, one action can benefit millions of people across the nation. I have been able to see firsthand the importance of this degree, and I am so grateful that Southeast has been able to provide me with the tools to create a positive impact in today’s society."

Annie is a 2016 graduate of Southeast.

She majored in corporate communication and minored in business administration. She is now pursuing an M.S. in student affairs in higher education at Missouri State. At the same time, Annie works as programming graduate assistant for the Office of Student Engagement at the university, principally working with Student Activities Council. In that capacity, she advises five of the 13 executive members and oversees final approval of the organization’s graphic designs, reviews advisees’ proposals for upcoming events, and purchases supplies and other requisitions.

Annie’s area of study is ideal for her future plans. Student Affairs is a unique division in higher education. Areas under this division include (but are not limited to) Admissions, Conduct, Study Away, and TRIO. Through her program, she studies topics such as diversity and inclusion, finance and governance, and student development theory. Research and assessment are integral parts of her program as well. Her research (current and future) is part of a partnership with various departments and offices within student affairs at Missouri State University. Her involvement within student affairs at Missouri State includes participating in the student affairs’ honor society—Chi Sigma Alpha, serving as the Cohort 11 representative to the Student Affairs in Higher Education Program Advisory Board, and as a member of the marketing subcommittee for the Graduate Recruitment Weekend committee. Annie hopes to participate in a summer internship program through NODA, the professional organization related to orientation. She hopes to continue to build relationships with her students and peers. She aspires to help students recognize and fulfill their potential, discover their passion, and create a sense of community/belonging.

At Southeast, Annie chose Corporate Communication because of her experience in the Honors’ section of Fundamentals of Oral Communication, which introduced her to the field. She appreciated how the skills and material she was learning in the classroom could be applied in any industry. She enjoyed the diversity of classes in the interdisciplinary degree and how the courses challenged both her creativity and intellect in an engaging environment—in the Department of Communication Studies as well as the Department of Management & Marketing. In the Summer of 2015, Annie interned with the License and Title Team at Enterprise Fleet in St. Louis.

During her time at Southeast, Annie served as president of Lambda Pi Eta and was an active member of COMMrades (known now as Collegiate Communication Organization). She was the first “concierge” for the department and the first recipient of Gw’s Achievement & Service Award in Communication Studies. Outside of the department, she was an active participant in the Jane Stephens Honors program, participant of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) partnership program, and orientation leader for the Office of New Student Programs.

Recalling her days at Southeast, Annie writes:

"The Department of Communication Studies provided me a sense of belonging and a support network on campus. I cherish the relationships built with faculty and classmates and the numerous opportunities the department provided me, such as serving as concierge.

My favorite memories include Dr. Williams riding out of class on a miniature bicycle (donning full safety gear), the first years of the Santa Express (with Professors Harris & Holley and my fellow COMMrades), and Dr. Kodish bringing chocolates to class to celebrate Valentine’s Day. My favorite classes from the Department of Communication Studies included Honors Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Persuasion, Organizational Theory, and Experiential Learning Projects where I assisted in the Speaker’s Lab for one project and created a manual for COMMrades and Lambda Pi Eta executives as another project. Thank you, Comm Studies!"

Sean is a 2005 graduate from Southeast.

He majored in communication studies and minored in creative writing. He co-founded COMMrades (now known as Collegiate Communication Organization) and served as the organization’s inaugural president.

Sean has been working in the player development / amateur scouting department of the New York Yankees Baseball Operations in Tampa, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina since the 2017 season.

While at Southeast, Sean relished his time as a student. He credits his experiences working with professors in the Department of Communication and the leadership roles he played at the Show-Me Center, in helping him become the first student from the University to be accepted into the Frank & Peggy Steele Youth Leadership Program at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum.

Before finding his way back into the sport he started his career in, Sean took time to serve his country through the National Service program, AmeriCorps / City Year New York, in underserved communities throughout New York City – which later led to working for the top 10 public relations agency, Porter Novelli (where he focused on Corporate Social Responsibility public relations and sports marketing). Along the way, Sean earned a Master of Public Service Management at DePaul University’s School of Public Service.

Reflecting upon his time at Southeast, Sean writes:

"I was a transfer student into Southeast, after studying abroad the majority of the previous year in my paternal grandparents’ native country of Ireland. The time abroad taught me the value of a university in achieving worthwhile dreams, and Southeast (specifically the Department of Communication Studies) gave me the perfect vehicle to pursue my passions which resulted in national and international opportunities. I am forever grateful for the friendships, fellowships and networks that allowed me to achieve me dreams. Dr. Glen Williams and Catholic Campus Ministries were two (of many) resources that pushed me to be a better student and person, and have allowed me to weave my passions of sport and service into my career. I couldn’t ask for a better three years than my time spent at Southeast."

Danny is a 2007 graduate from Southeast.

He majored in communication studies and minored in recreation. He was an active member of COMMrades (now known as Collegiate Communication Organization), and he led early fundraising efforts with much success. His work, largely behind the scenes, allowed the organization to thrive in its early days.

Danny now helps keep us all safe, working as a coordination center officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He resides in the St. Louis area.

About Southeast, Danny writes:

"My classes were great. I would gladly go back and retake any class with Gw (even the ones that started at 8 a.m.). Dr. Weatherson’s scavenger hunt (in UI 345) was one of the highlights of my time in college.

Usually though, when I look back on my time at Southeast, it isn’t so much the class work that I remember—even though it was important, and I still use lessons learned every day. What I think about mostly is the people. People like my advisor Gw who watched over my path toward graduation and did everything he could to be sure I was prepared for the world after that. People like those in COMMrades. It didn’t matter if we were just having a meeting in Grauel or if we were working on an upcoming event, the team spirit and desire to pull together to get things done made for an exciting time. People like dormitory neighbors. After countless nights hanging out, we became friends for life. What I learned and those I met at Southeast made the experience priceless."