Industry Immersion Student Leadership Team
The Industry Immersion student team is involved in the planning, coordination, and overall facilitation of each Industry Immersion trip. The student directors get to connect with alumni and gain experience facilitating a campus-wide program, attend trips as the student coordinator and recruit and select great students to attend.
2022 - 2023 Industry Immersion Leadership Team
President:
Celine LeBlanc - crleblanc@crimson.ua.edu
Vice President:
Calla Bruehl - cjbruehl@crimson.ua.edu
Secretary:
Keri Westerfield - kmwesterfield@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Professional Development:
Breona Winn - bswinn@crimson.ua.edu
Director, External Program Recruitment:
Jacob Whitlock - jdwhitlock@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Internal Program Recruitment:
Stephanie Smith - snsmith17@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Creative Content:
Kierra Thomas - kmthomas12@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Communication — Video and Photography:
Vu Le - vhle@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Sharle Samuel - srsamuel@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Participant Engagement:
Emma DiStefano - ecdistefano@crimson.ua.edu
Graduate Assistant and Co-Advisor:
Amelia McGowan - ccisga2@ua.edu
Advisor:
Alison Beasley, Assistant Director of Experiential Learning and Employer Engagement - alison.beasley@ua.edu
Applications for Industry Immersion Student Executive and Student Director positions may be found on the C&IS Student Engagement Portal here. Note that applications open on an annual basis each spring semester.
2022 - 2023 Industry Immersion Leadership Team
President:
Celine LeBlanc - crleblanc@crimson.ua.edu
Vice President:
Calla Bruehl - cjbruehl@crimson.ua.edu
Secretary:
Keri Westerfield - kmwesterfield@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Professional Development:
Breona Winn - bswinn@crimson.ua.edu
Director, External Program Recruitment:
Jacob Whitlock - jdwhitlock@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Internal Program Recruitment:
Stephanie Smith - snsmith17@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Creative Content:
Kierra Thomas - kmthomas12@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Communication — Video and Photography:
Vu Le - vhle@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Sharle Samuel - srsamuel@crimson.ua.edu
Director, Participant Engagement:
Emma DiStefano - ecdistefano@crimson.ua.edu
Graduate Assistant and Co-Advisor:
Amelia McGowan - ccisga2@ua.edu
Advisor:
Alison Beasley, Assistant Director of Experiential Learning and Employer Engagement - alison.beasley@ua.edu
Applications for Industry Immersion Student Executive and Student Director positions may be found on the C&IS Student Engagement Portal here. Note that applications open on an annual basis each spring semester.
Industry Immersion Student Director Testimonials
"Industry Immersion has equipped me with the confidence and knowledge to effectively market myself to potential employers. Working for this program has afforded me a wealth of opportunities, but most importantly it has grown my professional network and has helped me establish valuable relationships within the industry."
- Emma Adcock
"The road to finding my major was rocky to say the least. As someone who had changed their major their junior year I was worried if I had made the right decision or not. Going on an Industry Immersion trio allowed me to see first hand what I would be doing as a PR professional and that I could thrive at it. I am someone who has been able to see this program from all angles—a participant, student director, and now president. This program impacts people’s lives as students and gives them the confidence to take on more!"
-Ellora Lalla
"Industry Immersion is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Through it I have traveled to several major market cities to meet industry leaders and C&IS alumni, allowing me to gain insight into the industry and grow my professional network. Additionally, it has provided me the opportunity to serve in the professional development of fellow students. In this role, I help future participants prepare to take advantage of networking opportunities and develop personal brands."
- Michael Johnson
"Industry Immersion helped me network and gain professional skills, but more than anything it showed me how a real-world agency functions. I've always known advertising was something I wanted to do, but Industry Immersion brought that blurry vision into focus. I am so grateful for having seen not only the career path I thought I wanted, but so many more I would have never otherwise considered a potential path for me. I made rewarding connections with students, faculty, alumni and other professionals, and now I get to create the same experience for other students as well."
-Shannon Dunne
"Industry Immersion gave me the tools I needed to become a confident young professional. I learned how to maximize my network, tips on nailing a meeting or interview, and had the opportunity to explore my chosen career path. This past summer, I interned with an agency in Birmingham that I connected with through Industry Immersion. I’m excited to help engage other students in this amazing opportunity right here on campus. Take the time to elevate the skills and resources you already have because you definitely won’t regret it!"
-Sarah Fields
"Since I transferred to the Capstone I knew it was extremely important for me to branch out to my professors, classmates, and advisors. When I was introduced to Industry Immersion I automatically knew that this was what I needed. Before my trip I learned so much about Linkedin, Business Cards, Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters. The II team was so willing to help and welcomed me with open arms. Since my trip I’ve had interviews with UA Alumni, got an internship, and networked with many professionals in my field of study. Going on an II trip was one of the best decisions I’ve made as an undergraduate and now I can confidently present myself as a skilled professional anywhere I go."
-Zahra Vance
- Emma Adcock
"The road to finding my major was rocky to say the least. As someone who had changed their major their junior year I was worried if I had made the right decision or not. Going on an Industry Immersion trio allowed me to see first hand what I would be doing as a PR professional and that I could thrive at it. I am someone who has been able to see this program from all angles—a participant, student director, and now president. This program impacts people’s lives as students and gives them the confidence to take on more!"
-Ellora Lalla
"Industry Immersion is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Through it I have traveled to several major market cities to meet industry leaders and C&IS alumni, allowing me to gain insight into the industry and grow my professional network. Additionally, it has provided me the opportunity to serve in the professional development of fellow students. In this role, I help future participants prepare to take advantage of networking opportunities and develop personal brands."
- Michael Johnson
"Industry Immersion helped me network and gain professional skills, but more than anything it showed me how a real-world agency functions. I've always known advertising was something I wanted to do, but Industry Immersion brought that blurry vision into focus. I am so grateful for having seen not only the career path I thought I wanted, but so many more I would have never otherwise considered a potential path for me. I made rewarding connections with students, faculty, alumni and other professionals, and now I get to create the same experience for other students as well."
-Shannon Dunne
"Industry Immersion gave me the tools I needed to become a confident young professional. I learned how to maximize my network, tips on nailing a meeting or interview, and had the opportunity to explore my chosen career path. This past summer, I interned with an agency in Birmingham that I connected with through Industry Immersion. I’m excited to help engage other students in this amazing opportunity right here on campus. Take the time to elevate the skills and resources you already have because you definitely won’t regret it!"
-Sarah Fields
"Since I transferred to the Capstone I knew it was extremely important for me to branch out to my professors, classmates, and advisors. When I was introduced to Industry Immersion I automatically knew that this was what I needed. Before my trip I learned so much about Linkedin, Business Cards, Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters. The II team was so willing to help and welcomed me with open arms. Since my trip I’ve had interviews with UA Alumni, got an internship, and networked with many professionals in my field of study. Going on an II trip was one of the best decisions I’ve made as an undergraduate and now I can confidently present myself as a skilled professional anywhere I go."
-Zahra Vance