2025-2026 PRSSA Kent Executive Board
All chapter photos are courtesy of TJ Laryea IV
President – Julia Greco
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Julia is a senior at Kent State University studying public relations. This is her 2nd year on the executive board for PRSSA Kent. Julia is excited to lead students and work alongside her peers to build a meaningful community. Outside of school, she enjoys singing, creative writing, and listening to music.
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VP of Professional Relations - Paige Johnson
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Paige is a senior public relations major and marketing minor at Kent State University. This is her first year on the executive board for PRSSA Kent. She is passionate about growing her PR experience and empowering others to grow as well. In her free time, Paige likes to hang out with friends, cook, read, do her nails and catch up on the latest PR trends.
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VP of Communication - Jewels Cydrus
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Jewels is a junior public relations major from Springfield, OH. Before transferring to Kent State she was a member of Baldwin Wallace’s PRSSA chapter. She is excited to strengthen her PR skills and connect with other flashes! In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, going on outdoor adventures, exercising and spending time with family and friends.
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DEI&B Coordinator - Gavin Zivoder
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Gavin is a fourth-year Public Relations major at Kent State University, where he serves as the DEI&B Coordinator for PRSSA Kent. His passion for PR is driven by a commitment to giving back and supporting community foundations. In his free time, Gavin enjoys exercising and playing games such as Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons.
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VP of Membership - Caitlyn Soya
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Caitlyn is a Junior studying public relations with a minor in event planning. Caitlyn is from Hartland, Wisconsin, approximately 8 hours away from Kent. This is Caitlyns third year in PRSSA and second on the executive board as Vice President of membership. Outside of PRSSA, Caitlyn loves to be outdoors, watch reality TV and work out. Eventually, Caitlyn wants to work in the sports or entertainment PR industry.
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VP of Fundraising & Community Outreach Co-Chair - Amber Trares
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Amber is from Columbus, Ohio, and she is a junior at Kent State University, majoring in public relations and minoring in nonprofit studies. She joined PRSSA in the spring, and this is her first year serving on the executive board. As the Vice President of Fundraising and Community Outreach, Amber is excited to plan events that help improve the PRSSA Kent community. After graduation, she aspires to work for a nonprofit organization. In her free time, Amber watches shows and movies, goes thrifting, and spends time with her family, pets, and friends.
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VP of Fundraising & Community Outreach Co-Chair - Alanna Dowdy
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Alanna is a junior public relations major with a minor in journalism. This is Alanna’s first year on the PRSSA board, and she couldn’t be more excited. One of Alanna’s favorite things about public relations is how it plays a role in every industry! In her free time, Alanna likes to write and listen to music, take nature walks, or grab a coffee from Scribbles.
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Social Media Manager Co-Chair – Jess Edmisten
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Jess is a senior at Kent State University majoring in Communication with a minor in Public Relations. She is serving her second year as the PRSSA Social Media Manager, where she has enjoyed seeing the chapter’s growth and engagement. Outside of school and work, she enjoys being a mom to her two girls, camping, and reading. Inspired by her experiences, she hopes to continue building a career in digital marketing and public relations after graduation.
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Social Media Manager Co-Chair – Nuhami Miller
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Nuhami is a senior majoring in Advertising with a minor in Communication and Public Relations. She was born in Ethiopia, where she spent the first part of her life, and have lived the other half here in the U.S. she has a deep passion for storytelling, marketing, and creative directing. Within her work, she always strive to make people feel seen and heard. She loves writing, drinking coffee, and having meaningful conversations with others.
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Website Manager – Kaylee Britt
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Kaylee is a senior majoring in advertising while minoring in public relations. Kaylee grew up in Toledo, Ohio and spent the summer studying abroad in London studying travel journalism and event planning. This will be her first year on the executive board for PRSSA as the webpage manager. Outside of PRSSA, Kaylee works as an resident assistant for Kent State University and spends her free time listening to music, spending time with friends, and hiking. Kaylee loves to travel and attend music festivals every year. Ultimately, Kaylee wants to work in the entertainment or beauty industry focusing on becoming a creative director in advertising
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Chapter Account Executive - Maggie Sweeney
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Maggie is a sophomore at Kent State University studying Public Relations with a minor in Journalism . Maggie grew up in Westlake, Ohio, an hour away from Kent State. This is Maggie’s second year in PRSSA and first year on the executive board as Chapter Account Executive. Outside of PRSSA, Maggie loves watch movie, go on adventures and hang out with friends. Eventually, Maggie hopes to work in the entertainment PR industry.
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NMGZ Chairman – Ana Julia
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Ana Julia is a senior double major in public relations and advertising. Ana Julia is from Londrina, Brazil. This is her first year as a PRSSA board member and her second year as a member in the NMGZ community. She was a member of Kent State’s 2025 Bateman competition group. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1, reading and spending time with her loved ones. Ana Julia has an interest for the entertainment industry and working on creative projects.
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Faculty Adviser: Michele E. Ewing, APR (She/Her)
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.
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.
Professional Adviser: Carrie Ann Kandes
Carrie Kandes is an award-winning communications leader and counselor whose nearly 30-year career has spanned public relations disciplines, as well as brand development and the leadership of communications strategy, programs and teams. She has held leadership roles in the insurance, agency, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors. She cultivates meaningful, trusted relationships and is known for inspiring, motivating and developing teams and advising senior leaders. Her professional purpose is to amplify organizations that are passionate about their people, mission, brand, stories and audiences.
Currently on career sabbatical, Carrie was most recently the director of Internal Communications for Westfield, an Ohio-based global leader in property and casualty insurance with more than 3,000 employees and more than $10 billion in assets. Carrie positively impacted the Westfield employee experience and drove business outcomes through the delivery of channels, content and programs that informed, engaged, inspired and activated. Her responsibilities included communications, channel and content strategy; executive communications strategy, messaging, content and programs; strategic content; leader enablement and effectiveness; communications operations and analytics; and leadership of the team delivering Westfield internal channels, content and communications programs.
An alumnus of Kent State University (KSU), Carrie has served as an adjunct professor in the university’s PR sequence. She’s a frequent guest lecturer and has served as a professional adviser for the university’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) for nearly two decades. An accredited (APR) member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Carrie is also a graduate of Leadership Akron (Class XXVI), was named one of Akron’s “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber, and was recognized with the PRSA Cleveland Davis Young Award for Exceptional Mentors. In 2020, PRSSA recognized her work with KSU students with the Dr. F.H. Teahan National Award for Outstanding Professional Adviser
Connect with Carrie on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
Currently on career sabbatical, Carrie was most recently the director of Internal Communications for Westfield, an Ohio-based global leader in property and casualty insurance with more than 3,000 employees and more than $10 billion in assets. Carrie positively impacted the Westfield employee experience and drove business outcomes through the delivery of channels, content and programs that informed, engaged, inspired and activated. Her responsibilities included communications, channel and content strategy; executive communications strategy, messaging, content and programs; strategic content; leader enablement and effectiveness; communications operations and analytics; and leadership of the team delivering Westfield internal channels, content and communications programs.
An alumnus of Kent State University (KSU), Carrie has served as an adjunct professor in the university’s PR sequence. She’s a frequent guest lecturer and has served as a professional adviser for the university’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) for nearly two decades. An accredited (APR) member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Carrie is also a graduate of Leadership Akron (Class XXVI), was named one of Akron’s “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber, and was recognized with the PRSA Cleveland Davis Young Award for Exceptional Mentors. In 2020, PRSSA recognized her work with KSU students with the Dr. F.H. Teahan National Award for Outstanding Professional Adviser
Connect with Carrie on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
Professional Adviser: Chania Crawford
Chania is an account coordinator at Caliber Corporate Advisers, where she supports client account teams through social media strategy, media research, pitching, briefing materials, reporting and general client support across various accounts.
With a background in public relations and social media, Chania has experience across sectors such as consumer electronics and K-12 education. Most recently, she interned at the Stow-Munroe Falls School District.
Chania earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Kent State University, where she served as DEI co-chair and later President of the Public Relations Student Society.
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
With a background in public relations and social media, Chania has experience across sectors such as consumer electronics and K-12 education. Most recently, she interned at the Stow-Munroe Falls School District.
Chania earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Kent State University, where she served as DEI co-chair and later President of the Public Relations Student Society.
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
Professional Advisor: Sophia Iannelli
Sophia Iannelli is the Marketing Automation Manager at TalentLaunch, a nationwide network of staffing and recruitment firms. In her role, she oversees communications and optimizes systems within the company’s applicant tracking system (ATS), ensuring candidates and clients stay engaged through streamlined, effective messaging.
A proud Kent State alumna with a B.S. in Public Relations, Sophia’s leadership journey began in PRSSA Kent, where she served as Editor, Treasurer, Web & Social Media Manager and President. Those experiences continue to inspire her passion for giving back to the Chapter and helping students prepare for careers in PR and marketing.
Before joining TalentLaunch, Sophia held marketing and communications roles at BelFlex Staffing Network, Mike Albert Fleet Solutions, and Lucky Number 11 LLC, building expertise in digital marketing, social media strategy, content development, influencer management and brand communications.
Outside of work, Sophia enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, exploring new coffee shops, getting lost in a good book, and hanging out with her fur baby, Hopper.
Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
A proud Kent State alumna with a B.S. in Public Relations, Sophia’s leadership journey began in PRSSA Kent, where she served as Editor, Treasurer, Web & Social Media Manager and President. Those experiences continue to inspire her passion for giving back to the Chapter and helping students prepare for careers in PR and marketing.
Before joining TalentLaunch, Sophia held marketing and communications roles at BelFlex Staffing Network, Mike Albert Fleet Solutions, and Lucky Number 11 LLC, building expertise in digital marketing, social media strategy, content development, influencer management and brand communications.
Outside of work, Sophia enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, exploring new coffee shops, getting lost in a good book, and hanging out with her fur baby, Hopper.
Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn or contact her via email.
