Gaining Insights and Fueling Aspirations
February 13, 2024 |
Two senior communication students, Emilie Ivy and Izzy Fooks-Michnya, had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. last fall for the National Communication Association Conference (NCA), through the encouragement of Dr. Thomas Wagner, chair of the Communication Department. Since Emilie and Izzy both plan to attend graduate school after graduation, Dr. Wagner recommended the conference to network and explore grad school options. The annual NCA conference focuses on advancing communication by studying all forms of media and tying it to “humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry.”
Emilie Ivy, a double major in communication studies and public relations, shared that her favorite part of the conference was the chance to participate in a discussion on the current state of feminist research within the communication field. She explained that she and Izzy were the only undergraduates in the room and had the opportunity to share their unique perspectives. Emilie said, “it helped me share some of the research I am doing in another class on representations of womanhood and girlhood in the media and how they can exclude black women, tying in the historically exclusive definitions of what it means to be a woman as well.”
Izzy Fooks-Michnya, who is also pursuing a double major in communication studies and public relations, added her perspective on the experience. “I knew I had information to contribute. Joining the conversation as an undergraduate was terrifying but once I did, everyone was excited and the conversation flowed . . . basically, I learned not to be afraid by simply doing what I felt uncomfortable doing.”
Emilie’s interest in communication theory and research was enhanced through prior experience as a summer research assistant for Dr. Ashley Hinck’s research project on political fandom. In the fall she will attend grad school for further exploration of her interests. When reflecting on her campus experience, Emilie feels well prepared to take the next step. She explains that her Communications professors have helped her sharpen her skills and is grateful to learn from some of the best. Emilie’s Xavier experience has also included many opportunities outside of the classroom, including her service as a BRAVE Peer Educator, a Resident Assistant (RA) on campus, a volunteer for Xavier’s student-run food pantry, and as the 2022-2023 Promotions Intern for the Communication Department. During the Fall 2023 semester, Emilie worked as a Social Media Intern at Curiosity Advertising.
After graduation, Izzy plans to attend law school to pursue her passion for helping survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. Currently, Izzy serves as a SWAG Peer Educator to support student wellness. She shared that she is, “incredibly passionate about taking care of physical and mental health to increase productivity.” She also is a part of X Fellows to “help prevent power and gender-based violence to make the campus an overall safer place,” and serves as co-president at Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honors society. Off campus, Izzy works as a social media coordinator for Angelic Hospice. Now in her fourth year at Xavier, Izzy feels ready to pursue her aspirations. Izzy shared that “the communication department has some of the most amazing people I’ve met in my time here and I’m really grateful for that.”
The NCA Conference provided both students with insights that will guide them in the future. Emilie shared that she will use what she learned at the NCA conference in the future by finding ways to speak up about what she is passionate about. She shared that she has “valuable perspective as an African American woman, going into a field that is not very diverse” and she recognizes that it is important that she continues to bring her perspective and thoughts forward. Izzy’s favorite part of the conference was when she got to meet and talk to other scholars interested in feminism rhetoric in the communication discipline. She shared that the experience helped her feel, “validated and ready to help fight against sexism and other forms of gender-based violence.”
Just as the NCA works toward its mission of “transforming lives through communication,” these Xavier communication students are well prepared for their next transformational journey.
Pictured from left to right: Izzy Fooks-Michnya and Dr. Thomas Wagner at the National Communication Association Conference.
