Tag: Yarbrough-Grady Fellows

Four students named Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for Fall 2022

Posted on by Elise Kim

The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has named four students Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for the Fall of 2022: Emily Alexander, Ashley Balsavias, Elise Kim and Emma Stefanik.

Alexander and Stefanik are Yarbrough-Grady Crisis Fellows, and some of their responsibilities include planning for the 2023 Crisis Communication Think Tank Conference, developing social media content, Crisis Communication Coalition member outreach and active discussion of current crisis trends.

Balsavias and Kim are Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellows, and some of their responsibilities include content and graphic creation, helping to develop communications strategies, writing articles and helping to manage Grady College’s social media accounts.

Alexander is a fourth-year public relations student with a minor in English from Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout her time at UGA, she has been involved in many student organizations, such as Alpha Delta Pi sorority and UGA Miracle. She has also served as the public relations assistant for Strike Magazine.

Additionally, Alexander has had multiple internships at both Verde Brand Communications and Heaven Hill Brand.

Upon graduating in May of 2023, Alexander hopes to move to Chicago to pursue a career at a consumer or entertainment-focused public relations agency.

Balsavias is a fourth-year journalism student with a minor in law, jurisprudence and the state and a certificate in news literacy. She is from St. Louis, Missouri, and during her time at UGA, Balsavias has served as a reporter for the Grady Newsource Election Show, a production manager for Grady Newsource and the digital director for Online News Association and Society of Professional Journalists at UGA. She is also a member of DiGamma Kappa and Delta Zeta sorority.

In the summer of 2022, Balsavias was a news and sports intern for Atmosphere TV in Austin, Texas. She was also a Yarbrough-Grady fellow over the summer and is excited to be continuing that role into this semester.

“My favorite part about being a Yarbrough fellow—besides working with the amazing communications team—is that I’m given the freedom to work on projects that I’m interested in,” Balsavias said. “I recently expressed interest in writing more, and now I am working on two feature stories for the college website. I love that I am given the trust and responsibility to work on projects that spark my interest.”

After graduating in May of 2023, she plans to pursue a career as an on-air reporter.

Kim is also a fourth-year student studying journalism and international affairs with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in public affairs communications. She is from Greenville, South Carolina.

Throughout her time at UGA, Kim has been heavily involved in UGA HEROs, serving as a team leader, the recruitment chair and presently the co-executive director. She is also a student tour guide at the UGA Visitors Center and she is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Over the summer of 2022, Kim was selected to participate in the Grady in D.C. study away program and she lived in Delta Hall while interning with PLUS Communications and the Student Press Law Center.

Upon graduating in May of 2023, Kim hopes to move to New York City or to move back to D.C. to work in the communications industry.

Stefanik is a fourth-year public relations major with a fashion merchandising minor from Richmond, Virginia.

She is also a public relations specialist with Talking Dog Agency, a student-led advertising and public relations agency at UGA that gives members the opportunity to create and implement real campaigns for different brands and, in turn, get hands-on experience in the advertising and public relations sphere.

Stefanik has also interned with Strait Insights in Charlotte, North Carolina. After graduation in May of 2023, Stefanik hopes to work at a public relations agency.

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is funded by Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ‘59), an alumnus of Grady College who has helped promote the success of Grady students for many years. Yarbrough also gives back to students via the C. Richard Yarbrough Student Support Fund, which has provided stipends to hundreds of Grady students for more than a decade.

“I am honored to be able to fund fellowships at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia,” said Yarbrough. “I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me.  I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.  The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able, they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”

Four students selected as Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for Fall 2020

Posted on by admin

The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has named the Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for fall 2020: Laura Burr, Sophia Haynes, Sarah McRae and Grant Mitchell.

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is a position that offers four students distinct opportunities to work with Grady College throughout each academic year.

Burr and McRae work with the Crisis Communication Coalition (CCC), the home for research on crisis communication leadership and practice in Grady

Burr (R) and McRae (L), interns for the Crisis Communication Coalition, enjoy a socially distanced coffee together as they work during fall semester.

College. Burr serves as a social media coordinator and promotes content for the CCC, while McRae coordinates the annual Crisis Communication Think Tank in spring 2021, CCC webinars and writing for online blog posts.

Haynes and Mitchell support Grady College’s external relations team to help strategize public relations initiatives and create content for the college’s website and social media channels. Haynes focuses on graphics production and crafts visual content, while Mitchell focuses on public relations and writes articles and news releases.

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is funded by Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ‘59), an alumnus of Grady College who has funded Grady student success for many years. In addition to the fellowship, the C. Richard Yarbrough Student Support Fund has provided stipends to hundreds of Grady students for more than a decade.

Burr, Haynes, McRae and Mitchell have all found success at UGA with diverse experiences in academics, leadership and professional roles.

Burr, from Bishop, Georgia, is a fourth-year student majoring in public relations with minors in Spanish and fashion merchandising. Last year, Burr served as the editor in chief of the UGA Pandora Yearbook. She spent the summer as an internal and executive communication intern with Barings. Burr plans to begin her career at a public relations agency following her graduation in May 2021.

Haynes, from Johns Creek, Georgia, is a third-year student studying journalism and is an intended graphic design major. She serves as a photojournalist and designer for The Red & Black and is a former vice president of the Aperture Club. Haynes also conducts freelance design and photography in her spare time. As her graduation in May 2022 nears, Haynes hopes to bring her love for design, photography and writing together into a career.

McRae, from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is a fourth-year student majoring in public relations and global health. She works as a brand marketing intern for Kitty and Vibe, a swimwear company in New York City, and as a copywriter for Body Awareness Studio, a Pilates studio in Atlanta. McRae wants to work in a creative industry, such as food, art or fashion, after she graduates in May 2021.

Mitchell, from Milton, Georgia, is a fourth-year student studying public relations with a certificate in new media and minors in political science and leadership in student affairs. He is the executive director of the UGA Student Government Association’s First-Year Programs and a director for the campus nonprofit Shop with a Bulldawg. He worked this past summer as a public relations intern at See.Spark.Go and as the summer Yarbrough-Grady Fellow. Mitchell hopes to pursue a career where authentic and inclusive communication can uplift all people.

“I am honored to be able to fund fellowships at Grady College at the University of Georgia,” said Yarbrough. “I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me.  I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.  The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able that they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellows are excited to grow their skills for future careers and help propel Grady College to new heights.

Two senior Grady students named Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for Spring 2020

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Athens, Ga. — The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has named Allison Chenard, a 23-year-old student from Mooresville, North Carolina, and Mary Gardner “MG” Coffee, a 22-year-old student from Dallas, Texas the Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for Spring 2020.  

Chenard is a fourth-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a minor in music. Throughout her time at the University of Georgia, she has been heavily involved in the club sailing team and has served as the race team captain and media chair for all four years. She discovered her love for communications through her work with the sailing team and extended her passion by running media for and representing 38 colleges and universities in the southeastern district of college sailing. She now works as the communications coordinator for over 250 schools across the country. 

Chenard plans to move to Rhode Island after graduation in May of 2020 to pursue media in the sailing industry. 

Also a current fourth-year student, Coffee is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in sociology. Aligning more to her interests, Coffee is also enrolled in the Public Affairs Professional Certificate program on Grady College’s Public Affairs Communications side.  

She decided to attend the University of Georgia after hearing about Grady College’s competitive academic rigor, unique learning opportunities, and commitment to its student’s success. 

Coffee hopes to move to Washington, D.C. full time and work for a large public relations agency after graduating in May 2020. Ultimately, she aims to focus her career in public affairs communications. 

“Grady College has enhanced my education beyond what I thought was possible,” said Coffee. “The dedication displayed by Grady College’s professors, faculty members, and alumni to ensure the level of experience and mentorship students receive is unparalleled. It is an honor to work alongside those who made my education possible as the Yarbrough-Grady Public Relations Fellow.” 

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is a semester long position that offers two student the opportunity to work with the Grady College external relations team to help strategize public relations initiatives and create content for the college’s website and social media channels.  

Focusing on graphics production in her fellowship, Chenard will exercise her design skills by creating materials for Grady College’s news releases, website, and social media platforms.  

Coffee, the PR fellow, will spend most of her time writing news releases, student profiles, and event write-ups. She will coordinate with a Chenard to produce visually cohesive and enticing stories that further Grady College’s purpose and mission.  

“The Yarbrough-Grady fellowship looks for top talent among our students and creates a win-win program,” said Sarah Freeman, Director of Communications at Grady College. “The students receive solid work experience and networking for an employer that they know a lot about, and the college benefits from a student perspective and from working with students who exemplify the strong education we offer.” 

Dick Yarbrough, an alumnus of Grady College, has funded Grady student success for many years. In addition to the fellowship, the C. Richard Yarbrough Student Support Fund has provided stipends to hundreds of Grady students for more than a decade.  

“I am honored to be able to fund fellowships at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia,” said Yarbrough. “I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me.  I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.  The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able that they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”     

Coffee is dedicated to continuing her education outside of the classroom and is motivated by her supportive friends and family.  

Chenard is inspired by her loving grandparents and is excited that her career is a happy marriage of her two late grandfathers’ passions: photography and sailing. 

“I had heard wonderful things about Mr. Yarbrough and all that he’s done for Grady College long before applying for this fellowship, and I’m ecstatic that I now have the opportunity to serve my school as a student and follow in his footsteps in a very small way,” said Chenard. “I really look forward to the day that I can give back to UGA in the same way Mr. Yarbrough has.” 

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Two undergraduates named Fall 2019 Yarbrough-Grady fellows

Posted on by admin

Grady College has named Serena Graham, a student from Cumming, Georgia, and Zoe Maher, a student from Zebulon, Georgia, Yarbrough-Grady fellows for fall 2019.

Graham, a 2016 graduate of North Forsyth High School, is a fourth-year student who is earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in political science at the University of Georgia.This past summer, she served as the Media Intern for Dawg Camp, UGA’s extended orientation program, and she is currently working as the Media Intern for the Center for Leadership and Service at UGA.

Graham hopes to work in the creative industry after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in May 2020.

“At UGA and Grady College, students are supported, challenged and encouraged in a way that is unique to this institution,” said Graham. “The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is just one of many examples of the Grady College being dedicated to student success and growth. This fellowship is an incredible opportunity for students to gain knowledge and hone their skills for their future careers.”

Maher, a 2017 graduate of Pike County High School, is a third-year student pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science at the University of Georgia. Maher is also a member of the Public Affairs Professional Certificate program on the Public Affairs Communications track.

This past summer, she stayed in Athens to work as Assistant Culture Editor for The Red & Black newspaper and is continuing on in the fall as an Assistant Editor for Special Publications. Maher hopes to work in the political communications field after graduating with her bachelor’s degrees in May 2021.

Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ’59), an alumnus of Grady College, has funded Grady student success for many years. In addition to the fellowship, the C. Richard Yarbrough Student Support Fund has provided stipends to hundreds of Grady students for more than a decade.

“I am honored to be able to fund fellowships at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia,” said Yarbrough. “I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me.  I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.  The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able that they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”

Graham will be focusing on graphic design in the fellowship, crafting visual content for Grady College, while Maher will be doing public relations work by creating articles and news releases. Both fellows will contribute additional content for the college’s website and social media platforms.

“Mr. Yarbrough is an amazing example of both what Grady provides for its students and what students can one day provide in return,” said Maher. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity to gain skills and experience as a fellow, while also working on behalf of the college that is a central part of my time here at UGA.”

Fiorante, Miller selected as Yarbrough-Grady Fellows

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Grady College has named two Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for the spring 2019 semester: Maddie Fiorante from Portland, Oregon, and Allison Miller from Sandy Springs, Georgia. Fiorante will focus on public relations while Miller focuses on graphic design. 

The fellowship, funded through Grady College alumnus Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ’59), is an experiential work program in which Grady College students work alongside the office of communications to produce content for the college website, social media messages and public relations strategy for the semester. 

Fiorante is a junior working toward her public relations degree and communication studies minor while participating on Georgia’s NCAA Division 1 equestrian team. She served as Tigard High School’s newspaper editor her senior year, Class of 2016, which sparked her love for journalism and PR. She attended the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on a study abroad program last summer, and is a member of Public Relations Student Society of America. 

Currently, Fiorante is searching for summer internships within the public relations industry. 

Miller is a fifth-year honors student at the University of Georgia finishing a bachelor’s degree in art education, a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minor in design and media. She has experience designing for on-campus organizations (Student Government Association, University Union and the Office of International Education), and off campus for Lenz Marketing (Decatur, Georgia) and its clients (Emory University, Georgia Urology, SouthCoast Health, PT Solutions).  

Miller plans to complete her degrees this spring, and is pursuing a career in graphic design and public relations.  

Yarbrough has funded the fellowship since 2010, offering students a chance to get hands-on experience in the journalism and public relations field. 

“I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me,” Yarbrough said. “I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise. The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able that they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.” 

Ashley Soriano named fall 2018 Yarbrough-Grady Fellow

Posted on by admin

Grady College has named Ashley Soriano from McDonough, Georgia, its fall 2018 Yarbrough-Grady  Fellow.  

The fellowship — which is funded through support from Grady College alumnus Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ’59) — is an experiential work program in which Grady College students work with the office of communications to produce materials for the college website, social media messages and public relations strategy for the semester.  

Soriano, a junior journalism major, has been involved in newspaper writing since high school. She served as Editor-in-Chief her senior year at Ola High School, Class of 2016, and joined The Red & Black, an independent student-run newspaper in Athens, Georgia, her freshman year of college.  

Soriano is the fall news editor at The Red & Black after being a staff writer for two years. She is also a member of the Georgia News Lab, an investigative reporting collaborative initiative with the Atlanta-Journal Constitution and WSB-TV. She also studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland, in the summer of 2017 to learn about travel writing journalism.  

One day, she plans to write for a major news outlet, such as The New York Times, the Washington Post or National Public Radio. She also plans to attend graduate school to earn her master’s degree in journalism and law school to earn her J.D. In addition to being a journalist and lawyer, she plans to be a journalism professor.  

“Grady College has offered me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Soriano said. “I’m in awe every day of how amazing this institution is.” 

Yarbrough has funded the fellowship since 2010, offering students a chance to get hands-on experience in the journalism and public relations field.  

“I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me,” Yarbrough said. “I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.” 

In return, Yarbrough asks the fellows to “give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”

Three students selected for Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship program

Posted on by Don McClain

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has named three Yarbrough-Grady Fellows for the spring 2018 semester: Kathryn Kostovetsky, Anna Alyssa McKoy and Jessica Twine.  McKoy and Twine will be focusing on public relations in their fellowships, while Kostovetsky will focus on graphic design.

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship is an experiential work program where Grady College students work with the office of communications to produce materials for the college website, social media messages and public relations strategy for the semester. The Fellowship is funded through support from Grady College alumnus Dick Yarbrough (ABJ ’59).

McKoy is from Bogart, Georgia, and graduated from North Oconee High School in 2015. She is a third-year student who is earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations, minor in fashion merchandising and certificate in Public Affairs Communications.

This past summer, she stayed close to her hometown to serve as a public relations intern at See.Spark.Go, and is currently the director of member relations for the Drewry Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

McKoy’s goal is to either work in fashion PR in New York City or in the corporate communications field in Washington, D.C. after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in May 2019.

Twine is from Marietta, Georgia, and graduated from Carlton J. Kell High School. She is a fourth-year public relations student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

This past summer, Twine worked as the public relations intern for CNN. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a communications career in the entertainment industry. She graduates in May 2018.

Twine is an active member of the student body and has previously served in organizations such as Student Government Association and the Black Affairs Council. She is currently a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and serves as a student leader on an on-campus ministry, NavCompass, a minority ministry of the Navigators.

Kathryn Kostovetsky is a fourth-year student currently earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is a 2014 graduate of First Presbyterian Day School. She considers herself to be savvy at social media, writing and computers.

Kostovetsky will focus primarily on graphic design in her fellowship. This entails using computer programs to create content for the college’s website and social media platforms, as well as other related tasks.

Through the Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship, students work in the Grady College Communication Office as a part of the external relations team to help develop communication and outreach programs and services.

“The Yarbrough-Grady fellowship looks for top talent among our students and creates a win-win program. The students receive solid work experience and networking for an employer that they know a lot about, and the college benefits from a student perspective and from working with students who exemplify the strong education we offer,” said Sarah Freeman, director of communications at Grady College.

Dick Yarbrough has funded Grady student success for several years through the Fellowship and the C. Richard Yarbrough Student Support Fund. He also funds the C. Richard Yarbrough Professor in Crisis Communication Leadership, a position currently held by Bryan Reber.

“I am honored to be able to fund fellowships at Grady College,” said Yarbrough. “I can never repay my alma mater for what it has meant to me.  I am so impressed with the quality of the students there today and hope that perhaps the fellowship will give the recipients a learning opportunity they might not have been able to receive otherwise.  The only thing I ask in return is that when they are able that they give back to the next generation that will succeed them.”

The Yarbrough-Grady Fellows are excited to gain career knowledge and sharpen their skills for their future careers.