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In This Issue—
 New Building: 301
West High Street
 Student Highlight:
Lucia Allen
 MAPR Alumni
Updates
 Faculty Spotlight:
Dr. Alison Novak
 Spring Semester
Course Offerings
 Mentor Night 2015
 Find the Graduate
Resource Room
Rowan University’s Public Relations and Advertising
Department said goodbye to Bozorth Hall and hello
to a new home at 301 West High Street. This new
state-of-the-art building offers an opportunity for
students and faculty to work and learn in
technology-equipped and modern meeting and
classroom spaces. With over $6 million invested in
the new building’s design Rowan strived to provide for the varying needs of students, faculty and
guests alike. The three-story construction, 15,000+ square-foot building features multiple classrooms,
faculty offices, adjunct spaces, advanced computer labs, conference rooms, student lounge areas
and an art gallery.
According to the President, Rowan University and Glassboro remain inextricably linked and this
building serves to foster that relationship and bring growth to the area. The dual commitment to
Rowan University’s expansion and the Borough includes careful integration of local structures.
News About the Rowan University Graduate Public Relations Program
Touch of Class
Volume 23, Issue 1 Fall 2015
New Year; New Building
PR and Advertising Moves to 301 West High Street
Top Left: First floor art gallery Top Right: Building entrance walkway
Bottom Left: Second floor student lounge area Bottom Right: Third floor classroom

Lucia Allen currently works full-time at a local non-profit and takes night
and online classes in the Master’s in Public Relations Program. In an inter-
view with Graduate Assistant, Victoria Woodside, she offers insight on the
program and advice for potential future students.
Q: Where did you attend undergrad and what did you study during your time
there?
A: I attended Northeastern University for my undergrad. I studied biochemistry for
two years, and then I switched to double-majoring in English and Journalism,
with a minor in French.
Q. What led you to the decision to pursue graduate studies?
A: I missed writing; when I was looking at possible job avenues for myself in the
coming years that would include more writing and utilized more of my
education and skill-set, I saw the role of health communications specialist at
the NIH and I thought that would be a position I could see myself doing in
general; it married my entire educational career perfectly it seemed, but I did
lack pure PR experience. So, although I had a strong writing background, I
thought the best way to pick up PR skills and acumen specifically was to
obtain my MA in PR.
Q: Why did you choose Rowan’s Master’s in Public Relations Program?
A: I really wanted to go to graduate school, but I was unsure how to keep the cost
reasonable, and still stay at my job and utilize their educational assistance.
I was at one point starting applications to go overseas because it just seemed
so much more reasonable and I had studied and worked overseas before. My
mother and uncle suggested looking closer to home; my uncle said Rutgers,
my mother said Rowan. Rowan actually had the MA I wanted, a great
in-state tuition rate, and was a good commute between my job and home.
I was sold--and I would not have to obtain a visa!
Q: What aspects of the program do you enjoy most?
A: I enjoy the flexibility of the program, I am able to keep
my day job and attend school at night, so it's a good
fit for working adults, or those who may have family.
I like that the program is small, so I can still get to
know at least some of my professors in graduate
school like I did in undergrad.
Q: What are your plans after completing the
program?
A: I enjoy my work right now in the non-profit sector, but
I would consider working in the private sector some
day just to see how it is, but I ultimately see myself
returning to the public sector, perhaps working for the government, at NIH or
NCI. I have a bit of a global health perspective so I like to consider big
organizations, the CDC and WHO included.
Q: Do you have any advice for undergraduate juniors and seniors who may
be considering pursuing graduate degrees?
A: My advice would be to vary your internship experiences and be a little more
thoughtful about the electives you take. You may end up figuring out what you
want to do in graduate school in PR or graduate school in general through
those additional classes or outside work. I have done co-ops and internships in
education and marketing, book publishing, and traditional print journalism, and
taken electives in anthropology and acting. All of those past experiences can
come in handy. All of those experiences can also make you a very diverse,
special candidate in the work force. Above: First year MAPR student, Lucia
Allen.
Student Highlight:
An Interview with Lucia Allen
“Rowan actually
had the MA I
wanted, a great
in-state tuition rate,
and was a good
commute
between my job
and home.”
Alumni Updates
Where are they now?
Hannah Lindeblad, ‘15, recently
accepted a job as the Coordinator
of Marketing and Digital Media for
the Department of Student
Communications at Montclair State
University in northern New Jersey.
Hannah is getting married next fall
to fiancé Andrew Wiese, who also
works at the college.
Want to contribute to the next
collection of alumni updates?
Email Victoria Woodside at
woodsi83@students.rowan.edu.
Jamie Lambe, ‘15, completed the
MAPR program this past June.
She currently works at Burlington
Stores Inc. (Burlington Coat
Factory Headquarters) as a
copywriter in the eCommerce
Department.
Cristin Kastner Farney,’03,
accepted the newly created
position of digital content strategist
with Rowan Web Services. She will
continue to teach undergraduate
PR students as an adjunct faculty
member.
Stephanie Cristino, ‘14, works
as a technical writer for Hill
International, Inc., a global
construction management
company. Prior to Hill, Stephanie
worked in the health care industry
for three years providing various
PR and marketing services. She
resides in Philadelphia, PA and
enjoys running, yoga and
traveling.

Touch of Class Staff—
Writer and Editor:
Victoria Woodside
Graduate Assistant
woodsi83@students.rowan.edu
Advisors:
Dr. Suzanne FitzGerald
Department Chair
sparks@rowan.edu
Edward H. Moore, APR
Professor
mooree@rowan.edu
The Touch of Class newsletter is
published by the M.A. in P.R.
program College of Communication
& Creative Arts Rowan University.
Special thanks to Lucia Allen,
Hannah Lindeblad, Cristin Kastner
Farney, Jamie Lambe, Stephanie
Cristino and Dr. Novak for
contributing to this volume of TOC.
Questions?
Email: Victoria Woodside
woodsi83@students.rowan.edu
Alison Novak, Ph.D., started studying
Public Relations as an undergraduate at
Marist College. She then worked as a
media relations consultant for the
Hudson Fulton Champaign
Quadricentennial Commission following
graduation. As part of the New York
Governor’s office, the Hudson
Champaign Quadricentennial
Commission was in charge of creating
and celebrating the 400th
anniversary
of New York.
Novak “knew [she] wanted to go back
to school to study public engagement in
government.” This desire led her to
pursue her Ph.D. at Drexel University
in Communication, Culture, and Media.
Her research there looked primarily at how political campaigns communicate
and engage young people and the millennial generation. This winter she will
publish a book based on her research of young people and political
engagement.
Novak went on to work at Temple University in its communication program
for one year following graduation from Drexel. She started working for
Rowan University this September and is, “looking forward to getting to know
more of the Rowan community this year!” As a professor in the College of
Communication and Creative Arts she currently teaches Public Opinion,
Integrated Marketing Communication and Intro. to Public Relations/
Advertising Research.
Welcome Dr. Novak!
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Alison Novak
Spring Semester 2016: Graduate Course Offerings
OnlineCourses
CRN 21852
CRN 21853
CRN 21841
CRN 21842
Fundraising & Development (2 credits) (Mar. 1– April 25)
Understanding & Writing Grant Proposals (1 credit)
(Mar. 1– April 25)
Online Public Relations (3 credits) (Mar. 1— April 25)
School Public Relations (3 credits) (Jan. 5— Feb. 29)
OnCampusCRN 24072 Special Topics: How Media Affect Reputation (3 credits)
Wednesday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 19— May 7) Bozorth 114
Advanced Techniques (3 credits)
Monday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 19 —May 7) 301 High, 205
CRN 21688
CRN 21843 Graduate Internship (3 credits)
80 hours weekly
CRN 21851 Seminar (3 credits)
Tuesday, 2—4:45 (Jan. 21— May 7) 301 High, 326
CRN 21854 Seminar (3 credits)
Tuesday, 5—7:45 (Jan. 21— May 7) 301 High, 326
CRN 21861 Graduate Case Studies in Public Relations (1 credit)
Thursday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 21—Feb.18) 301 High, 216
CRN 21857 Graduate Public Relations Planning (2 credits)
Thursday, 6:30—9 (Feb. 25—April 28) 301 High, 216

Recent Mentors:
Rosemary Braude
Media & Public Relations
Rowan University
Stephanie Cristino
Vindico Medical Education
Ray Daiutolo
United States Postal Service
Don Dunnington
Coperion K-Tron
Diana Gervasi
Inspira Health Network
Jennifer Johnston
Christiana Care Health System
Marisa Sharkey
Independent Consultant.
The M.A. in Public Relations annual Mentor Night will be here soon!
Take this opportunity to meet a mentor working in an area of public
relations that interests you. With a mentor students can gain insight,
ask questions and receive advice from someone outside the
program and in the work field.
Mentor night will take place on Tuesday, December 8 in the new
art gallery located on the first floor of the Public Relations and
Advertising building at 301 High Street. This event begins
at 6 PM. Come and meet your mentor to start this meaningful
relationship.
If you have any questions or need additional information, or if you
would like to become a mentor to an MAPR student please email
Victoria Woodside at woodsi83@students.rowan.edu.
Above: Mentor, Diana Gervasi, and MAPR student, Kimberlee Cirillo, smile
for a picture at the 2014 Mentor Night.
Did You Know?
Graduate Resource Room: 2nd Floor, Rm 214
The Graduate Resource Room houses a
collection of material related to public relations
and communication. In the resource room you
will find: theses and research projects, student
public relations plans, scholarly texts and
manuals on communication, management and
research.
Stop by the resource room to look through
its materials and take advantage of available
information on various public relations topics. You can find additional
materials located in the third floor conference room. Also, if you need
a last minute stapler or other office supplies feel free to check in the
resource room to see what’s available.
For more information on the Graduate Resource Room
contact Graduate Assistant, Victoria Woodside via email at
woodsi83@students.rowan.edu.
Connect with fellow Rowan
public relations graduates and
students through our new
Facebook group. Share job
leads, internship information or
ask PR-related questions.
As a closed group, only other
group members can see your
posts or replies.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/
groups/953191958095248/
Or search for Rowan PR Grads
and Majors.
Get
Connected
Join us in our new home for
Mentor Night 2015

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Touch of Class.FINAL.11.9.15

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