2020-2021 PRSSA Kent Executive Board
Photo credit: Allison Ewing Photography
President - Jada Miles
Jada is a senior public relations major and marketing minor from Canton, Ohio. This is her fourth year as a member of PRSSA Kent and her second year serving on the executive board. Before serving as the chapter president she was the special event coordinator. She was also apart of the 2019 National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team. Jada is an ambassador for the College of Communication and Information and the Assistant Coordinator at Flash Communications. She is a mentor for the Kupita Transicones program through the Student Multicultural Center too. Jada is looking forward to working with the new board this year and mentoring the younger students in the program. In her free time, Jada enjoys reading. After graduation Jada hopes to work in corporate or entertainment public relations
Connect with Jada through email.
Connect with Jada through email.
VP of Professional Relations - Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson is a senior public relations major with an event planning minor from Westerville, Ohio. After being a member of Kent PRSSA since freshman year, she is excited to spend her senior year on the e-board. Katie was a member of the National Organ Donation Awareness Competition team in 2019. This past summer, she served as the public relations intern for Destination Grandview. In this position, Katie helped create content for the organization’s social media and managed their website. Currently, she works in the Department of Residence Services as a student desk assistant. After graduation, she hopes to work in a public relations role in the hospitality industry.
Connect with Katie through email.
Connect with Katie through email.
VP of Membership - Zach Zdanowicz
Zach Zdanowicz is a junior public relations major with a minor in fashion media from Olmsted Falls, OH. Previously, Zach served as the VP of Communications for PRSSA Kent. This year, he will be acting as VP of Membership! He is excited to connect KSU students of all majors with PRSSA and the different benefits that this organization will have to them. He also works on campus as a residence assistant in Prentice and Dunbar Halls. Outside of school, he enjoys his job as the men's department lead at Old Navy. He hopes to one day continue his work in the world of retail and work in the corporate fashion sector of PR.
Connect with Zach through email.
Connect with Zach through email.
Web and Social Media Manager - Sophia Iannelli
Sophia is a senior public relations major from Cincinnati, OH. This is her fourth year as a member of PRSSA Kent; in the past she has served as editor, treasurer and president of the Chapter. During her freshman year, Sophia was a member of the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition team. She has advised the competition ever since. Outside of PRSSA, Sophia is a member of the Honors College and Kappa Tau Alpha. Sophia has also held the position of marketing and promotions manager at Kent State Student Media for what will be two years soon. This past summer, she interned at a digital marketing and social media strategy company called Lucky Number 11. After her internship concluded, she was promoted to digital marketing manager. Sophia is excited to serve as your web and social media manager and can't wait for an awesome final semester before she graduates in December! Post-graduation Sophia hopes to work in corporate or entertainment PR.
Connect with Sophia through email.
Connect with Sophia through email.
Secretary - Amelia Workman
Amelia Workman is a senior applied communication studies major with minors in nonprofit studies and theatre. Amelia is excited to be a part of the PRSSA e-board this year. This past summer, Amelia was an intern for the Kent State Women’s Center. In this position, Amelia focused on diversity and inclusion outreach within the KSU Greek Community. She also holds the position of Community Service Assistant for Delta Zeta sorority. Amelia is looking forward to making meaningful connections and expanding her skills in PRSSA this year. In the future, Amelia hopes to pursue a career in either the nonprofit or entertainment sector after graduating.
Connect with Amelia through email.
Connect with Amelia through email.
Treasurer - Troy Heatwole
Troy Heatwole is a sophomore public relations major and will be serving as treasurer of the Chapter this year. Troy joined PRSSA as a freshman and was highly involved. He is excited to step into an executive board role this year. Troy joined PRSSA as a way to make connections, advance his future pre-professional career and meet new friends. Outside of school, Troy enjoys working out, listening to podcasts and cooking.
Connect with Troy through email.
Connect with Troy through email.
Special Event Coordinator - Arianna CarletonVP of Fundraising and Community Outreach - Kayla Polansky |
Kayla Polansky is a sophomore Public Relations major and will soon be declaring a minor in Fashion Media. Kayla is from Olmsted Falls, Ohio. This is her second year joining PRSSA and is super excited to be on the board! Kayla hopes to get the chapter more involved with the community as well as create virtual fundraising ideas for the Chapter to accommodate COVID-19. Outside of PRSSA, Kayla loves to go to the gym, travel, and spend time with her family and dog. She is super excited about the upcoming semester and is hoping to bring fresh ideas to this fantastic Chapter.
Connect with Kayla through email.
Connect with Kayla through email.
VP of Communications - Samantha Farland
Samantha Farland is a senior public relations major with a minor in marketing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is her fourth year as a member of PRSSA. Last year, Sam served on the executive board as the Web and Social Media Manager. This year, she is excited to create meaningful content for members as VP of Communications. This past summer, Sam interned for both an agency, Prosper for Purpose, and a nonprofit, the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. She also participated in the 2020 National Bateman Case Study Competition where her team earned Honorable Mention for their campaign focused on the U.S. Census. Sam has a passion for environmentalism and serves as treasurer for the Kent State Environmental Society. In the future, she hopes to one day make an impact with public relations by doing work for a purpose driven or ethically aware company.
Connect with Sam through email.
Connect with Sam through email.
Faculty Adviser: Michele E. Ewing, APR
Michele Ewing, APR has more than 15 years experience in agency and corporate public relations. Before joining the Kent State faculty, Michele was a vice president at Marcus Thomas LLC, an advertising and public relations agency in Cleveland and Youngstown. During her 12-year tenure at Marcus Thomas, Michele played an active role in the management and growth of the public relations division with emphasis on the division's healthcare, internal and marketing public relations communications practices. Prior to Marcus Thomas, Michele worked for two Ohio hospitals.
Under her direction, PRSSA Kent has won six national PRSSA Teahan awards and numerous Kent State Student Involvement honors.
Michele teaches PR Campaigns, Public Relations Tactics and Principles of Public Relations courses. During the spring semester 2012, Michele co-taught the new Global Advertising and Public Relations course, which included a two-week study abroad experience in London.
Michele's research interests include internal communications, social media, student engagement and career preparation.
Follow Michele on Twitter @meewing, connect with her on Linkedin or email her.
Under her direction, PRSSA Kent has won six national PRSSA Teahan awards and numerous Kent State Student Involvement honors.
Michele teaches PR Campaigns, Public Relations Tactics and Principles of Public Relations courses. During the spring semester 2012, Michele co-taught the new Global Advertising and Public Relations course, which included a two-week study abroad experience in London.
Michele's research interests include internal communications, social media, student engagement and career preparation.
Follow Michele on Twitter @meewing, connect with her on Linkedin or email her.
Professional Adviser: Carrie Ann Kandes
Carrie Kandes is a public relations (PR) and marketing communications leader with more than 20 years of in-house and agency experience. Adept in relationship cultivation and team building, she is skilled across public relations sub-disciplines, has expertise in brand development and has led integrated marketing communications campaigns and teams. During her career, Carrie has worked with both consumer and business-to-business brands in the healthcare, financial, manufacturing, nonprofit, security and transportation segments.
Carrie is currently the director of marketing for the Youngstown and Lorain regions of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio. In this field leadership role, Carrie drives strategies to enhance the reputation of and drive patient volumes for the system within Northeast Ohio. Her responsibilities include leading region-specific marketing planning and execution, focused on activities that effectively position and differentiate Mercy Health; strengthen audiences’ connection to the brand; drive reputation for quality; and increase awareness, consideration and preference.
Prior to her tenure with Mercy Health, Carrie spent a decade in agency leadership, including ownership of her own consultancy, as well as serving as the vice president and associate director of PR for Cleveland’s Marcus Thomas. She built effective programs, delivered strategic counsel, advised leaders and positioned brands for clients including Akron Children’s Hospital; Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems; Diebold, Incorporated; FirstLight® Home Care; Lifebanc; Nestlé Waters North America; Shearer’s Foods; Sherwin-Williams; Technology Management, Inc.; Volvo Group Trucks North America; Westfield Group; and WKSU. During the first half of her career, Carrie served in various public relations and marcom roles with organizations including Diebold and Summa Health System.
Carrie is a Kent State University (KSU) alumnus and has been an adjunct professor in the university’s PR sequence. She is a frequent guest lecturer and currently a professional adviser for the KSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Carrie served as the president of the organization’s Akron-Area Chapter and a director for the Greater Cleveland Chapter. In 2012, she was recognized for her work mentoring students and young professionals with the Greater Cleveland PRSA Davis Young Award. A graduate of Leadership Akron (Class XXVI), Carrie was named one of Akron’s “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber. She has been active in the community, most recently serving on the Leadership Akron Marketing and Brand Task Force and as a member of the Emerging Leaders Board of Akron Children’s Hospital.
Carrie is currently the director of marketing for the Youngstown and Lorain regions of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio. In this field leadership role, Carrie drives strategies to enhance the reputation of and drive patient volumes for the system within Northeast Ohio. Her responsibilities include leading region-specific marketing planning and execution, focused on activities that effectively position and differentiate Mercy Health; strengthen audiences’ connection to the brand; drive reputation for quality; and increase awareness, consideration and preference.
Prior to her tenure with Mercy Health, Carrie spent a decade in agency leadership, including ownership of her own consultancy, as well as serving as the vice president and associate director of PR for Cleveland’s Marcus Thomas. She built effective programs, delivered strategic counsel, advised leaders and positioned brands for clients including Akron Children’s Hospital; Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems; Diebold, Incorporated; FirstLight® Home Care; Lifebanc; Nestlé Waters North America; Shearer’s Foods; Sherwin-Williams; Technology Management, Inc.; Volvo Group Trucks North America; Westfield Group; and WKSU. During the first half of her career, Carrie served in various public relations and marcom roles with organizations including Diebold and Summa Health System.
Carrie is a Kent State University (KSU) alumnus and has been an adjunct professor in the university’s PR sequence. She is a frequent guest lecturer and currently a professional adviser for the KSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Carrie served as the president of the organization’s Akron-Area Chapter and a director for the Greater Cleveland Chapter. In 2012, she was recognized for her work mentoring students and young professionals with the Greater Cleveland PRSA Davis Young Award. A graduate of Leadership Akron (Class XXVI), Carrie was named one of Akron’s “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber. She has been active in the community, most recently serving on the Leadership Akron Marketing and Brand Task Force and as a member of the Emerging Leaders Board of Akron Children’s Hospital.
Professional Adviser: Shantae Rollins
Shantae Rollins is a Content Marketing Supervisor at nVent. Shantae was an active PRSSA member at Kent, serving as VP of Professional Relations, competing in the 2009 PRSSA Bateman Competition and attending two national conferences.
Previously, she was a Public Relations Specialist at Point to Point, Inc., Communications Strategist at thunder::tech and served as the Coordinator for Outreach and Marketing for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. She led marketing and alumni outreach efforts for the School and served as the managing editor of the JMC alumni magazine, JARGON.
Before coming back to Kent State, Shantae worked as a Public Relations Executive for Brunner, a full-service advertising agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she provided strategic public relations counsel to a variety of consumer packaged goods clients. Prior to joining Brunner, she was a Public Relations Specialist for InfoCision Management Corporation in Akron.
In her spare time, she cooks, reads psychological thrillers and completes DIY projects.
You can connect with Shantae on LinkedIn.
Previously, she was a Public Relations Specialist at Point to Point, Inc., Communications Strategist at thunder::tech and served as the Coordinator for Outreach and Marketing for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. She led marketing and alumni outreach efforts for the School and served as the managing editor of the JMC alumni magazine, JARGON.
Before coming back to Kent State, Shantae worked as a Public Relations Executive for Brunner, a full-service advertising agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she provided strategic public relations counsel to a variety of consumer packaged goods clients. Prior to joining Brunner, she was a Public Relations Specialist for InfoCision Management Corporation in Akron.
In her spare time, she cooks, reads psychological thrillers and completes DIY projects.
You can connect with Shantae on LinkedIn.
Professional Adviser: Stephanie Duffy
Stephanie Duffy is a Marketing Specialist at nVent for the nVent CADDY brand. Prior to working for the manufacturer, she worked in the agency world gaining experience in writing, media relations, strategic public relations, social media planning, event planning and project management. She has worked with clients in several practice areas and industries including building products, Northeast Ohio non-profits and entertainment. Stephanie is a 2011 Kent State University and PRKent graduate, where she served as President of the Kent State PRSSA Chapter and was part of the 2010 Bateman team. Since graduation, she has served on several boards including AAF-Akron, PRSA Akron and the Akron Zoo’s Summer Safari fundraiser. Stephanie lives in Cleveland with her husband and her pet rabbits, Penelope and Einstein. As an overly-obsessed soccer fan, she can be found at a soccer game with her husband on any given weekend.
Stephanie can be found on Twitter at @stephaniemduffy and LinkedIn.
Stephanie can be found on Twitter at @stephaniemduffy and LinkedIn.
Professional Advisor: Sheila Vandergriff
Sheila Vandergriff is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio. She has over 20 years of nonprofit communications, development and public relations experience working with independent organizations, in higher education and in healthcare. With a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, she began writing engineering reports for a global manufacturer. Afterwards, she worked at a nonprofit organization where she wrote grants, cultivated partnerships and developed educational programs.
Sheila joined the Hiram College development department assuming responsibility for leadership giving, student projects and cross-country events. She then transitioned to Summa Health System where she built the fundraising communications platform for the Foundation and formulated publications.
With a passion for animal welfare, Sheila returned to an independent nonprofit as the executive director. It was a chance to provide direction, to use her expertise and to be part of an exceptional group of people dedicated to helping animals in need. It also led to collaboration with civic leaders, law enforcement and other animal welfare agencies.
Today, Sheila is the Director of Development at Glenbeigh, a Cleveland Clinic affiliate specialty hospital. She is responsible for internal and external communications, website development and management, social media oversight as well as fundraising and development functions. Sheila teaches ADA Title III compliance and oversees the community benefit initiatives for the organization.
Sheila holds a master’s degree from Kent State University in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations. She’s served on various boards and is a graduate of Leadership Portage County. Outside of work, Sheila travels, enjoys photography and gardening, and is an avid genealogist.
Sheila joined the Hiram College development department assuming responsibility for leadership giving, student projects and cross-country events. She then transitioned to Summa Health System where she built the fundraising communications platform for the Foundation and formulated publications.
With a passion for animal welfare, Sheila returned to an independent nonprofit as the executive director. It was a chance to provide direction, to use her expertise and to be part of an exceptional group of people dedicated to helping animals in need. It also led to collaboration with civic leaders, law enforcement and other animal welfare agencies.
Today, Sheila is the Director of Development at Glenbeigh, a Cleveland Clinic affiliate specialty hospital. She is responsible for internal and external communications, website development and management, social media oversight as well as fundraising and development functions. Sheila teaches ADA Title III compliance and oversees the community benefit initiatives for the organization.
Sheila holds a master’s degree from Kent State University in Journalism, Mass Communications and Public Relations. She’s served on various boards and is a graduate of Leadership Portage County. Outside of work, Sheila travels, enjoys photography and gardening, and is an avid genealogist.
