Meet Our Executive Board for the 2019-2020 school year!
Samantha Murphy
Position: President
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Rockaway, New Jersey
Major/Minor: Interpersonal Communications Major, Advertising and Journalism Minors
Other Activities on Campus: Social Media & Marketing Intern at the Career Center, UD Commencement Committee, UDaB participant, Sister of of Alpha Delta Pi sorority
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: Throughout my past three years of college, PRSSA has provided me a space for me to grow professionally in more ways than I could have ever imagined. It has not only furthered my knowledge of the PR profession but has also instilled a passion within me for this field. If not for the large network of people I’ve met and the professional opportunities I’ve been exposed to since joining this organization, I would not not be taking on the position of President. I am most excited to serve as a role model to others by taking what I have learned from PRSSA and passing it along to our members this year.
Email: sammurph@udel.edu
Marissa DiGiacomo
Position: Vice President of External Affairs
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Major/Minor: Mass Communications Major with Advertising and Journalism Minor
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Pi Beta Phi sorority, UDairy Social Media/ Marketing Intern, UD Residence Life & Housing Social Media/ Marketing Intern
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: Ever since being a member of PRSSA, I’ve been in awe of the hard work and dedication that the other leaders and members of the organization have dedicated towards their futures in the field of public relations. When I joined PRSSA freshman year, I was unsure exactly what PR was all about. I was able to get a clear understanding through interesting professional speakers and professional development workshops. Now as a senior executive board member, I’m ready to work along side like- minded motivated women to give back to this organization and make it the most successful year yet.
Email: mdigiaco@udel.edu
Jenna Newman
Position: Vice President of Professional Development
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Major/Minor: Interpersonal Communication Major with Global Studies Minor
Other Activities on Campus: 186 South College Blog, BSM, Delaware Diplomats, Oral Communication Consultant, Writing Center Newsletter Graphic Designer
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: I became a PRSSA member my Freshman year at UD and then I have served on the executive board since my Sophomore year. PRSSA has taught me about leadership and problem solving as I have served in a variety of different capacities. Opportunities on the PRSSA National level have allowed me to travel to Portland, Oregon and build bonds nation-wide that I can then build on both personally and professionally.
Email: jmnewman@udel.edu
Isabella Antignani
Position: Meetings Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania
Major/Minor: Mass Communications Major with a Advertising and Writing Minors
Other activities on Campus: On Advertising and Public Relations Team for UDress, Member of University of Delaware’s Best Buddies chapter
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: PRSSA, to me, means growth and development. PRSSA gives us so many opportunities to thrive and learn, to better ourselves professionally, and to prepare us for real world situations. It is an amazing place to come together with students interested in the same area of studies who are willing to learn from each other and professionals in the field.
Email: iantigna@udel.edu
Katie Coulson
Position: Public Relations Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Major/Minor: Interpersonal Communication Major with Educational Studies Minor
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Editorial Director of University of Delaware’s Spoon University chapter
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: When first joining PRSSA, I knew little about public relations and the public relations world. PRSSA has introduced me what public relations actually is and has encouraged me to be a leader. PRSSA is not only about networking and participating in workshops. It is about gaining connections that can lead to dozens of career paths and learning skills you will benefit from in the future. PRSSA has helped me grow in numerous ways and I can’t wait to work with the other executive members to plan a successful year.
Email: krcoulso@udel.edu
Rachel Ornstein
Position: Finance/Fundraising/Operations Director
Year at UD: Sophomore
Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Major/Minor: Communications Interest Major with Journalism Minor
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: To me, PRSSA is the idea of gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to have a successful future. Students are able to learn alongside others who are just as driven and hardworking as they are themselves, which makes for a very unique learning environment. PRSSA offers many professional opportunities and connections that help prepare students for the real world, and I wish that every student knew about the benefit of being apart of this amazing organization.
Email: ornstein@udel.edu
Kennedy Gayle
Position: Co- Program Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Major/Minor: Media Communications Major with Advertising Minor
Other Activities on Campus: Membership Coordinator for Gamma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Writer and Director on STN 49’s Biweekly Show, Media Intern at Horn Entrepreneurship
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: I joined PRSSA during the 2018 Spring Semester and the organization has helped me to develop and expand my public relations skills. I enjoy the collaborative aspect of the group and always feel supported and encouraged to try new things!
Email: kmgayle@udel.edu
Nicole Vuong
Position: Co- Program Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Fair Haven, NJ
Major/Minor: Interpersonal Communications with Fashion Management and Advertising Minors
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Participates in University of Delaware Alternative Break Program
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: PRSSA has inspired me to work harder, to explore every opportunity, and to take chances. If it weren’t for the previous board members, I wouldn’t be where I am today with the experience I have. They have given me the courage and confidence to meet and connect with new people, as well as motivate me towards a stronger work ethic. I’m excited to work and learn from this year’s executive board and excited to see where the year goes.
Email: nvuong@udel.edu
Ameena Collins
Position: Diversity Director
Year at UD: Junior
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Major/Minor: Political Science and Communications Majors
Other Activities on Campus: Each One Reach One Mentoring Program
What PRSSA Means To Me/How PRSSA Has Inspired Me: It is inspiring to be apart of a club that brings together like minded people to better their professional careers. The concept of PRSSA is even more special to me as the Diversity Chair of the club because I can bring in more like minded people while advocating inclusion which is another important concept to me.
Email: acolli@udel.edu
