Department of Communication

Name: Melissa Alsup 

Pronouns: She/Her 

Job: Assistant Marketing Manager of Paid Media at Lowe's 

Grad Yr: 2020 

Major: Public Relations 

University Involvement: Director of Public Relations for the school newspaper, The Appalachian, Sister of the Nu Alpha chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta 

Bio: Melissa is currently an Assistant Marketing Manager of Paid Media at Lowe's. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 2020 with a degree in Public Relations. Before joining Lowe’s, she was a Senior Media Planner at Mediahub Worldwide. Melissa specializes in digital media strategy, working closely with partners to ensure the best ad placements for her clients' target audiences. 

Outside of work, Melissa lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with her cat, Moe. She still enjoys many of the same activities she loved while at App, including hiking, snowboarding, and spending days by the river. She also loves meeting friends at local breweries to relax and catch up.

Name: Alexandra Berg 

Pronouns: She/Her

Job: Senior Marketing Consultant at LPL Financial 

Grad Yr: 2021 

Major: Public Relations (Summa Cum Laude) 

University Involvement: 

Bio: Alexandra Berg serves as a Senior Marketing Consultant at LPL Financial, where the core of the work is centered on the belief that human connection is the heartbeat of business success. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Public Relations in 2021, Alexandra has focused on transforming complex business challenges into tailored digital marketing narratives. Rather than focusing solely on metrics, Alexandra prioritizes the "story" behind the brand, amplifying each client’s unique voice through strategic communication. This dedication to storytelling extends beyond the office; as a local dance teacher, Alexandra fosters creativity and movement, bringing a balanced, artistic perspective to every professional endeavor.

Name: Paola Bula Blanco

Pronouns: they/them

Job: Public Coordinator with the Mobility Planning Division at the City of Charlotte's Department of Transportation

Grad Yr: 2019-2021

Major: PR

University involvement: The Appalachian and in marketing for Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS). 

Bio: Paola Bula Blanco (they/them) currently serves as Public Coordinator with the Mobility Planning Division at the City of Charlotte's Department of Transportation, where they plan for intentional community engagement around transportation projects and initiatives. A Spring 2021 graduate of Appalachian State University, they studied Public Relations with minors in Spanish and Sociology and were involved on campus as a photographer for The Appalachian and in marketing for Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS). Their career has included work in advertising, public relations, and arts marketing consulting before transitioning into public service.

Name: Emily Broyles

Pronouns: she/her

Job: The Charlotte Observer, Digital Content Strategist

Grad Yr: 2022

Major: Journalism

University Involvement: The Appalachian, Appalachian Student Ambassadors

Bio: Originally from Camden, NC, Emily is an audience journalist with expertise in news promotion, reader engagement, and newsletter creation. A Diversity Scholar, Emily graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish. She was the first person of color and Latina to be Editor-in-Chief of The Appalachian, App State's student paper, in 2021. Emily now works for The Charlotte Observer, focusing on digital content.

Name: Eric Czarnecki 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Job: Enterprise Account Manager 

Grad Yr: 2023 

Major: Advertising 

University Involvement: Second Story Media, Strategy Director 

Bio: Eric Czarnecki is an Enterprise Account Manager at Salem One, partnering with regional and national organizations to design and execute high-impact marketing solutions. From direct mail and print marketing to signage and packaging, his role is to ensure every initiative aligns with goals and strengthens each brand. At Appalachian State University, Eric studied Advertising and was previously the Strategy Director for Second Story Media.

Name: Ethan Gilley

Pronouns: He/Him 

Job: Financial Advisor at Edward Jones 

Grad Yr: 2013 

Major: Advertising 

University Involvement: Lambda Pi Eta Honor, Tau Sigma 

Bio: Ethan Gilley became a financial advisor due to his belief that his purpose is to be a servant leader, helping others reach their goals. Growing up in a family of successful financial advisors, he developed a lifelong passion for helping people make smart, informed financial decisions. Gilley's practice is built on trust, honesty, open communication and lasting relationships, with a focus on executing strategies that make a meaningful impact, financially and beyond.

Name: Isabella (Izzy) Hendershot

Pronouns: she/her

Job:  Communications Manager for Special Olympics North Carolina

Grad Yr: 2020-2024

Major: PR

University involvement: PRSSA

Bio: Izzy Hendershot was born and raised in Waynesville, a small mountain town in western North Carolina. She has always had a passion for people and prose, especially the way words can shape perspectives and spark change. That passion led her to study communication, with a focus in PR, alongside a sociology minor. Today, Izzy lives in Raleigh and serves as Communications Manager for Special Olympics North Carolina, where she gets to put that passion into practice. She helps amplify the voices of nearly 53,000 athletes and Unified partner, support fundraising efforts, celebrate milestones, and share their stories. Along the way, she has been inspired by countless people and experiences, and she is eager to see what’s still to come.

Name: Dana Mathews 

Pronouns:  

Job: Owner and Designer at Mathews Design Group 

Grad Yr: 2015 

Major: Advertising 

University Involvement: Phi Kappa Phi, TAU SIGMA Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and ASU Advertising Club. Graduated Summa cum laude 4.0 GPA with the business schools highest GPA in 2015.

Bio: Based in Hickory, NC, Dana Mathews has owned and operated his advertising agency ( Mathews Design Group ) for over 19 years. Dana Mathews is a brand marketing and design expert with over 45 years of experience in corporate identity and creative direction. A 2015 Advertising graduate from Appalachian State University, Dana was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Sigma, and the ASU Advertising Club, and received the Excellence in Advertising Study award from Advertising Women of New York. As the Owner of Mathews Design Group, Dana has worked with 42 major companies and 22 boutiques, including Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Formerly the Creative Director for HFG in 2007, Dana has provided comprehensive services over the last 19 years  in print , SEO, web e-commerce development, large-scale photo shoot direction, TV and radio production , digital media and publishing , podcast creative and format development, social media strategies and strategic budget management.

Name: Paula McKenna

Pronounes: She/Her

Job: News Anchor, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. 

Grad Yr: 2023

Major: EMB

University Involvement: 

Bio: Paula graduated from Appalachian State University in 2023 with a degree in Electronic Media/Broadcasting. She is now an anchor at WTAJ News in Altoona, Pennsylvania but started her career with KHQA in Quincy, Illinois. She has been developing her skills in the broadcast industry while crafting stories and connecting with her communities

Name: Jeff Merritt

Pronouns: He/him

Job: Executive Director for the Centennial Authority. 

Grad Yr: 1984-1989

Major: Com Studies 

University Involvement:  

Bio: Since 2011, Jeff Merritt has served as the Executive Director for the Centennial Authority.  The Authority oversees operations of Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jeff is a 1989 graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned a bachelor’s in Political Science with a concentration in Communications and North Carolina State University where he earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. At Appalachian, Jeff was a four-year DJ at WASU as well as Assistant News Director.  He was also a member of the Student Senate and Director of Community Relations for the Student Government Association.

Name: Rachel O'Hare 

Pronouns: She/Her 

Job: Senior Associate at Penta Group 

Grad Yr: 2021 

Major: Double Major in Public Relations & Advertising

University Involvement: n/a

Bio: Based in Washington, D.C., Rachel O’Hare is a Senior Associate at Penta Group, specializing in strategy and public relations. A 2021 graduate of Appalachian State University, O'Hare earned a B.S. in Public Relations (Magna Cum Laude) and a B.S. in Advertising (Cum Laude), with minors in Spanish and Apparel Design & Merchandising. While at App State, O'Hare conducted grant-funded academic research, worked at Lililu on King, and actively volunteered at Cranberry Middle School. Before joining Penta Group, O'Hare spent nearly three years at Edelman, serving high-profile clients such as the U.S. Department of Energy, Unilever, John Deere, and Yum! Brands. O'Hare’s current work focuses on corporate reputation and narrative, stakeholder engagement, marketing, and strategic communications in the professional tennis ecosystem.

Name: Lee Sanderlin 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Job: enterprise reporter for the Baltimore Banner 

GradYr: 2018 

Major: Digital Journalism 

University Involvement: 

Bio: Lee O. Sanderlin is an enterprise reporter with a focus on power—political and otherwise. Before joining The Banner, he worked at The Baltimore Sun and newspapers in Mississippi and his native North Carolina. His very first job was at the local Watauga Democrat. Lee’s work has received recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and the Shorenstein Center, which oversees the prestigious Goldsmith Awards.

Name: Dennis Saunders

Job: Senior Copywriter & Marketing Strategist

Grad Yr: 2019

Name: Kevin Tooley

Pronouns:  

Job: 

Grad Yr: 2015 

Major: Advertising 

Bio: Kevin Tooley is a regional lifestyle advocate, presenting his story and sharing public presentations for the past 12 years. He is active in the Walkin’ Roll Activities League, Inc. where he supports and nurtures individuals with developmental disabilities through team building opportunities. Kevin enjoys his focus on building self-esteem and confidence in a nurturing atmosphere. Kevin attended St. Andrews University, then later transferred to the  advertising major in the Appalachian State Distance Education program at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory. Most recently, Kevin has been compiling a book that will promote his life experiences through a lens of challenges and personal victories.