Admissions Counselor, UW-Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

In 2008, Chris Brundidge took a chance by attending a university he knew little about—UW-Stevens Point. After arriving from Chicago unsure about what his major should be, Brundidge initially considered business, wildlife ecology, secondary education, and sociology. After his fourth semester, he realized interpersonal/organizational communication was the perfect fit and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in 2012. After an assortment of student employment endeavors in the Student Services Center, he developed a passion for student affairs and higher education, which motivated him to attend school for a Master’s degree. Brundidge enrolled in the UW-Stevens Point Communication Graduate program with an assistantship instructing Communication 101. Brundidge is completing his master’s thesis on first-generation student advisee-adviser relationships. He has now entered his second year as an admissions counselor, and actively recruits students in the Fox Valley area as well as Chicago.

Downtown and City Government Reporter, Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa City, Iowa

Days after graduating from UW-Stevens Point in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Andy Davis stepped into a reporting internship at the Stevens Point Journal. Over the course of that four-month stint, he split his time reporting for the Wausau Journal and the Wausau Daily Herald, both owned by Gannett. His work in central Wisconsin helped him find a job at Gannett in November 2014 at the Iowa City Press-Citizen, a sister publication to Iowa’s largest newspaper, the Des Moines Register. Currently working on the downtown and city government beat, Davis, a Dodgeville native, got his start in journalism at UW-Platteville before he transferred to UW-Stevens Point in 2011. He rose through the ranks at The Pointer, eventually working as editor in chief. He credits his present and future successes to the professors and colleagues he was able to befriend in the Division of Communication.

Regional Sales Manager for Northern Wisconsin, Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Mitchel De Santis has taken his passion for craft beer and made it into a career. De Santis currently represents Lakefront Brewery as a regional sales manager for Northern Wisconsin. He has built his current career on the skills he learned in the classroom while attending UW-Stevens Point from 2011-2013. De Santis explains that his love for craft beer and the Division of Communication’s courses allowed him to pursue the career of his dreams. While taking courses at UW-Stevens Point, De Santis also served as program director for WWSP 90FM. In addition to working for Lakefront Brewery, De Santis also worked for Red Eye Brewing Company and Bull Falls Brewing Company, both located in Wausau.

Digital Content Director, KIMT-TV
Mason City, Iowa

A native of Fifield, Wisconsin, MyKayla Hilgart chose UW-Stevens Point as her new home away from home in 2012 to pursue a career in journalism. During her time at the university, she became heavily involved in student media through The Pointer and SPTV. Hilgart did everything from reporting and editing to creating budget proposals and hosting a love advice talk show. During her final semester, she held a reporting internship at The Portage County Gazette. Since graduating in May 2015, Hilgart ventured out to Gillette, Wyoming, where she worked as a city government beat reporter for a daily newspaper, then back to the Midwest for her current position as digital content director for KIMT-TV, where she manages web and social media content for the news department.

Director of Saint Michael’s Foundation, Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Angie Heuck is the director of Saint Michael’s Foundation at Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point. Originally a native of Iowa, Heuck has been an active member of the Stevens Point community for the past 24 years since arriving for graduate school. Heuck has served in a number of positions, including communication and membership coordinator for the Portage County Business Council, owner and operator of Advantage Communications and Design, as well as corporate marketing and communications manager for Joerns Healthcare. Having a Master of Arts degree from UW-Stevens Point and Bachelor of Arts from Wartburg College, Heuck notes that communication has been the key to nearly every job she has held. Moreover, she emphasizes that writing concisely, speaking articulately and building relationships are three key pieces to success for students interested in fundraising and development.

Interim Online Content Coordinator, UW-Stevens Point

Plover, Wisconsin

Kate Knight’s interest for writing and storytelling began in middle school. She brought this love for writing to UW-Stevens Point in the fall of 2011. Knight completed courses in public relations and journalism during her time at UW-Stevens Point. She also completed internships at Skyward, the City of Wisconsin Rapids, Arts Alliance of Portage County, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ministry Saint Michael’s Foundation, Portage County Gazette and The Daily Quirk Blog. Knight was actively involved in UW-Stevens Point’s Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter, where she served as visual promotions chair and public relations director. After graduating in December 2014, she joined the Stevens Point-based technology firm Skyward as a marketing specialist before transitioning into a new role as the company’s public relations specialist. In September 2016, Knight joined UW-Stevens Point’s University Relations and Communications team as the interim online content coordinator.

Communication and Marketing Manager, UWSP University Advancement
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Nicole Pare, a Lodi native, graduated with a major in Communication and minors in French and International Studies from UW-Stevens Point in 2014. Upon graduating, she started an internship at the UW-Stevens Point Foundation working with inputting data and learning about major gift work. Pare then was hired as the assistant director of alumni affairs. At the time, University Advancement was preparing to launch into the public phase of its capital campaign. This opportunity led Pare to becoming the project manager for the Then, Now & Forever Gala. Today, Pare works as the communication and marketing manager for University Advancement. She hopes to continue her career in communication and marketing in higher education, specifically fundraising.

Project Manager, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

A 2014 graduate of UW-Stevens Point with degrees in Communication and International Studies, Sayaka Schatzke serves as a project manager at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. In her current role, Schatzke works with key clients like Webjet.com and Squaremouth.com. Initially an elementary education major when she came to UW-Stevens Point in 2010, she discovered her interest in communication and quickly switched majors, choosing an independent emphasis mixed with public relations, interpersonal, and organizational communication. During her time at UW-Stevens Point, Schatzke, a Middleton native, interned in the Marketing and Communications Department at AIG Travel (formerly known as Travel Guard), where she learned practical applications for course concepts and strengthened her desire to pursue a communications-based career. Prior to joining Berkshire Hathaway, she worked as a project manager at the Verona-based healthcare software company, Epic Systems.

Senior Project Manager, Capture Marketing
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Since graduating from UW-Stevens Point in 2011, Tracie Schweder has worked in a variety of positions connected to public and media relations, marketing, events, and social media. Schweder is currently a senior project manager for Capture Marketing near Milwaukee. She works closely with clients focused on cause marketing and events, such as the JJ Watt Foundation, The Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, The Patriot Tour featuring Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, and more. In addition to client work, Schweder develops Capture’s social media strategy, original content, and video production. She previously held positions at Versant, Franklin Energy and Zigman Joseph Stephenson. Schweder also studied performance (musical theatre and dance) at UW-Stevens Point and uses her love of the stage as an advantage in engaging target audiences within the marketing and public relations industry.

Chief Marketing Officer, Blue Orange Bison

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Matthieu Vollmer, a native of Chilton, Wisconsin, graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Communication. He selected the public relations emphasis after listening to a series of speakers in Communication 100 and interning with University Relations and Communications. Vollmer later completed five internships, including a summer position with Bell Pottinger, the largest public relations agency in the United Kingdom. He served two terms as president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and acted as the division’s social media intern while managing social media for the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Vollmer is a past recipient of several university-related honors and awards including the Chancellor’s Leadership Award, Who’s Who in Communication, PRSA-Madison Scholarship, Larry Kokkeler Memorial Scholarship, and the Mike Beacom Scholarship. He was instrumental in founding the first PRSSA Scholarship offered by the Division of Communication in 2013. Upon graduation he served as the marketing director for United Way of Portage County. In recent years, he has handled global marketing initiatives for a renowned medical association, and contributed to and edited regional newspapers and magazines. He completed a Master of Business Administration degree at UW-Oshkosh in December 2015. He recently launched his own businesses in marketing technology, inventory management, and real estate.