"In 2017, I was selected for the Plank Center Fellowship for Educators for Public Relations Educators. I was assigned to go to Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. I was embedded with the Communication Integration and Corporate Reputation Communication team. This team handles the quarterly earnings release information and any crisis communication issues. The experience allowed me to create a direct link between the corporate world and my classroom. I was able to see the coordination of messages across various teams in the organization. I was able to learn about corporate culture and how an organizational mission permeates every part of a company’s daily interactions.
Northwest’s encouragement for faculty to complete internships encouraged me to apply and pursue this opportunity. Northwest encourages faculty to focus on student success, and by being able to participate in an experience like this I can provide my students examples and artifacts from a Fortune 500 company. Last fall, as part of the experience, my host from Harley-Davidson was able to come on campus and meet with students. Meeting a director from one of the world’s most respected organizations and brands is an experience that is not common for a school of our size. I was grateful for the experience and what it could do for my students.
