The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication

? Martin Scholars in the Nation's Capital! ? ??? Kicking off the annual DC/NYC spring break trip in Washington, D.C. has been a whirlwind of insights, networking, and deep dives into the ever-evolving world of communications, public affairs, storytelling, and corporate strategy. ?? On Monday, the scholars visited 4 companies, each with their own communication challenges and insights. Jeannie Bunton?with?the Consumer Bankers Association?and?Emily Schillinger?with the?American Investment Council (AIC)?Council gave us an inside look at how financial institutions and private equity firms use storytelling to reach their audiences. ?? Later at Totem, the Scholars were hosted by founder TJ Londagin and two previous Martin Scholars, Jack Bartlett and Courtney Smith, who took us into the world of shaping experiences—solving people-focused challenges through storytelling, strategy, and design. They emphasized the importance of always asking, "Why?" ?? in every aspect of work and life. Their work with government organizations proves that branding isn’t just for big-name companies—it’s also crucial in the public sector. ?? COMM Alum and Advisory Council member, Erin Dempsey, at Brunswick Group, put together a panel that left the scholars with lots of insight, notably on the importance of networking, networking, networking! ??? On Tuesday, David Sánchez Carmona at APCO gave a master class in how to harness AI as it rises in popularity, and Erin Abney and her team at Nestlé covered internal comms, brand management, social media, and the necessity of consistent & cohesive storytelling. We finished the DC portion of our trip with Kyle Rees & Katie H. of Amazon who reminded us that sometimes you have to take a leap and trust that your preparation will lead you to solid ground. Thank you to our incredible scholars for bringing your curiosity, insight, and—of course—those standout elevator pitches! Your energy and dedication continue to inspire - Hollis Collman, Jacqueline Jevtich, Casey Riley, Blakesley Rhett, Emilia Feltner, Griffin Hogan, Evan Malcolm, Charlie Nealon, Talya Mungin, Liv Lott, Morgan Harder, Grace Tener Stay tuned for an NYC post in the (very) near future! ?? ?? #CofCCOMM #Mentoring #MartinScholars #springbreak

?? As our Martin Scholars hit the road for Spring Break 2025 in Washington, D.C. and New York City, NY, we are reminiscing about the connections, relationships, and memories made from spring break past. It is always a week to remember for our students. We are excited to continue the spring break tradition with an amazing itinerary of organizational visits and scholar camaraderie next week. ?? So, stay tuned for highlights from our Nation’s Capital and the Big Apple!?? #Throwback #MartinScholars #AlumniConnections #SpringBreak

??? BIG NEWS ALERT ??? We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Mentorship Awards. The following award winners will be recognized at our Annual Celebration of Mentoring, one month from today. ?? Distinguished Mentor Award Glen Jackson is the Co-Founder of Jackson Spalding, one of the country's top PR agencies, and is honored for his remarkable leadership in the communications field and steadfast mentorship to countless industry professionals. ?? Emerging Mentor Award Taylor Shawver ’17, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Integral, is recognized for her dedication to mentoring young professionals. She has been a dedicated mentor to The Martin Scholars and Mentor-Protégé programs. ?? Organizational Excellence in Mentoring Award The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF), led by CEO Kim Hunter, is celebrated for its impactful work in advancing the careers of young professionals in advertising, marketing, and public relations. TLF’s commitment to providing scholarships, career development programs, and mentoring opportunities continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of industry leaders. Join us in celebrating these outstanding mentors at the 2025 Annual Celebration of Mentoring on March 26, 2025 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC. ?? For ticket information, visit the George Street Box Office: https://buff.ly/4gYskgL https://lnkd.in/ezfch72C #Mentorship #Leadership #Communications #MartinCenter #CelebrationOfMentoring

??Intern Spotlight: Carly Bartel ?? Let’s celebrate the strong work of Carly Bartel, who completed a highly successful internship with Marion Francis Events during her senior year at the College of Charleston! ??????? ?Marion Francis Events is an event planning company serving both the Charleston, SC, and New York, NY regions. The nationally recognized company is dedicated to helping clients bring dream celebrations to life through professional, creative, and flawlessly executed events. You can find their work featured in The New York Times, Equally Wed, BRIDES, The Two Secret Vows, and Junebug Weddings.?????? ?As an intern, Carly’s responsibilities included venue and vendor research, email communication, designing company materials, creating social media content, and running errands to local businesses. One of the highlights of her internship included interaction with clients, which provided the opportunity to enhance her communication and organization skills.???? ?Way to go, Carly – we can’t wait to see your career launch after graduation! ?? A big thank you to Marion Francis Events for giving Carly an amazing experience in event planning and management.

Thank you to all our panelists and students who joined us for our internship panel yesterday! We had a fantastic, hour-long discussion about one of the hottest topics right now—internships! Our panel featured Kyle Rees ’10, Jackson S. ’20, Jada Davis ’21, and Virginia Edahl Molan, Early Careers COO Manager at Wells Fargo. ? We explored how to stand out in an internship application, how to encourage a smaller company to start an internship program, how to tackle imposter syndrome, and much more! Students also had the opportunity to join breakout rooms for more personal and private discussions with our COMM professionals. Thank you again to everyone who participated!

? New Podcast Episode! ? Unlock the secrets ?? to creating a great mentoring relationship with Advantage Solutions CCO Kelli Hammersmith and former Martin Scholar Trinity Griffin, who currently works at employee experience company Integral . Our host, Tom Martin, is joined by this dynamic mentor-mentee duo to talk all things mentoring, tackling common questions like: - When is the right time to contact my mentor? - How do I know what questions to ask them or when to seek help? ?? - How do I get the most out of this relationship? A great mentoring relationship is KEY ?? to professional and personal growth ?? and helps set a foundation for a successful career. ?? Listen now! Available here ?? https://buff.ly/42XNXuj or wherever you get your podcasts. ??? ##CofCCOMM #Mentoring #MartinScholars #Podcast

?? Attention Washington, DC, and New York City area COMM and MCOM alumni! ?? You’re invited to a special alumni reception! Connect with fellow graduates, engage with COMM leadership, and meet the current Martin Scholars. It’s a great opportunity to network, reminisce, and share your latest accomplishments! ?? RSVP Details: To attend, please complete the RSVP form linked below for your city. NYC attendees must RSVP by February 27. ?? Important: We are required to submit your legal name for building security. We look forward to reconnecting and celebrating our amazing COMM community with you! ?? DC RSVP Form: https://buff.ly/3EED8Dn NYC RSVP Form: https://buff.ly/40XGHf9

?? Attention Junior and Senior Undergrads!?? ?? Always wanted to work for Adult Swim or the Warner Bros? NOW is your chance!?? ? Adult Swim has introduced unique voices and groundbreaking animation to audiences. AS is a key part of the Cartoon Network programming portfolio, representing the best in comedic, animated, evocative shows. ? The ideal candidate for this role will work with individuals and teams on various projects across all stages of production with a positive and 'can-do' mindset. ?? Ready to apply for this opportunity? Head to our bio for the link!

???CofC students learn from industry professionals at an event hosted by The Martin Center and the Charleston Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. ??? Last week, The Martin Center welcomed seven seasoned advertising professionals for a panel discussion and networking session. Students learned what to expect in their first career, as well as how to explore industry trends and master interview techniques. Students left the event with helpful information, awesome connections, and confidence in their professional journey. A big thank you to Molly Hefka, Barry Sanders, Genna Shelnutt, Dan Jividen, Sunny Dublick, and Kelsey Barlow for their time and wisdom. Here’s to empowering the next generation of creatives! ?? Missed this event? Don’t worry! The Martin Center has plenty more networking opportunities planned this spring, so stay tuned. ?? #AAF #MartinCenter #InspireLeadGrow #CofCStudents #CareerTips

Time for Testimonial Tuesday! ??? Kaya Class of 2023 ?? We’re so proud to watch alumni like @ Kaya Cox finish our program with a confidence that lasts far beyond graduation. ? Through weekly networking with strangers, building relationships with classmates, and taking on new challenges, Kaya developed a sense of self-assurance that continues to guide her career. The Martin Center empowers students to face the unknown and feel ready to step into the future. Are you ready to join us? Message us or leave a comment if you want to learn more. ?? #MartinCenter #Transformation #TestimonialTuesday #Empowerment #ReadyForAnything