2024 Speakers
Lauren Baggett
Lauren Baggett is a trained health and science writer, with a background reporting, writing, and editing for print, digital, and audio platforms.
"How to" Journalism: Enhancing the Quality of Your Content Though Better Writing and Editing
Tom Cullen
Tom Cullen specializes in teaching advanced public relations communication. He is also an affiliate consultant with TG consultancy, focusing on organizational and executive development.
Using AI for Good, Not Evil, In Your Writing
Lunchtime Workshop: Writing With AI
Ryan Frankel
In 2005, Ryan founded Frankel to give amazing minds a place to support amazing brands.
Best Practices for Email Marketing
Liz Harter
As Notre Dame’s Senior Social Media Manager, Liz Harter has been running the central @Notre Dame accounts for more than 10 years.
External and Internal: One Story, Multiple Channels
Lunchtime Wordshop: Managing Multiple Media Platforms
Leigh Hataway
Leigh Hataway is a veteran science writer with a master's degree from UGA in Health & Medical Journalism.
Research Writing 101
Martin Matheny
Martin Matheny’s journalism has been heard on NPR, the BBC, and Georgia Public Broadcasting. As WUGA’s Program Director, he also serves as the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition in Athens.
Using Audio to Enhance Your Storytelling
Whitney Mathisen
Whitney has 12 years of experience as a graphic designer, nine of them at UGA. She currently works in the Division of Marketing & Communications where she serves as a creative design specialist and visual identity manager. While designing materials for a variety of projects and events, she works with people across the university to better understand and implement brand guidelines.
Design: If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Lunchtime Workshop: Design
Andrea Piazza
Andrea Piazza is a graphic designer hailing from Athens, Georgia. She has worked at the University of Georgia since 2011, and has her ABJ in Telecommunication Arts and her MFA in Emerging Media. Andrea has a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for aesthetics. She approaches each project with enthusiasm and creativity. She finds inspiration in exploring the vibrant arts scene of Athens and enjoys spending her free time hiking scenic trails of North Georgia. Her primary work at the Division of Marketing & Communications involves the President’s Annual Report and the State of the University.
Design: If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Lunchtime Workshop: Design
Brian Powers
Brian Powers grew up outside of Chicago and found photography in high school. While working in the photo lab at his hometown newspaper, he discovered the power of journalism and storytelling with a camera. That discovery led him to Western Kentucky University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism and New Media with a minor in Folk Studies. Before coming to UGA, Brian worked at newspapers throughout the Midwest.
Photography: How to Elevate Your Photography with the Tools You Have At Hand
Lunchtime Workshop: Photography
Corey O'Quinn
Corey O’Quinn studied digital filmmaking at Georgia Southern University, where he also worked as a football video producer for six years. After a brief stint at Nicholls State University in south Louisiana, he found himself back home in Georgia helping UGA revamp its video production style and aesthetics. He now serves as the Assistant Director for Video in the Division of Marketing & Communications.
Videography: Leveraging the Power of Lumen5
Lunchtime Workshop: Videography
Krista Richmond
Krista Richmond’s duties include serving as Editor of UGA’s faculty and staff newspaper, Columns. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism and 20 years of communications experience focusing on newspapers.
"How to" Journalism: Enhancing the Quality of Your Content Though Better Writing and Editing
Lindsay Robinson
Lindsay Robinson leads a dynamic team of graphic designers dedicated to elevating the University of Georgia’s marketing and communications initiatives.
Design: If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Lunchtime Workshop: Design
Sue Ryan
As Executive Director of Media Relations and University Spokesperson, Sue Ryan serves on Notre Dame’s crisis communications team. A member of the university’s communications division since January 2013, she led the ND internal communications team before assuming her media relations role in February 2014.
External and Interal: One Story, Multiple Platforms
Lunchtime Workshop: Managing Multiple Media Platforms
Chamberlain Smith
Chamberlain Smith is an Athens-based freelancer and staff photographer at her alma mater, the University of Georgia, where she earned a degree in journalism in 2018.
Photography: How to Elevate Your Photography with the Tools You Have At Hand
Lunchtime Workshop: Photography
C.J. Tamasco
With a career spanning more than a decade in brand communications on social media, CJ Tamasco is a lover of all things digital, bringing an enthusiastic and passionate approach to her work. In her current role at the University of South Carolina, CJ leads a creative team that works together with one another and countless campus partners to bring life to the university’s social media channels, all with the aim of enhancing the university's reputation and engagement with its varied audiences.
The Un-Marketing of Social Media Video Content
Michaela Taylor
Michaela Baker Taylor has spent the last 5 years working in higher education marketing and communications. She's a visual communicator at heart, font snob, storyteller and creative solution enthusiast. Currently, Michaela works as the social media strategist for the University of South Carolina.
The Un-Marketing of Social Media Video Content
Erica Techo
Erica Techo, a Science/General Assignment Writer, joined UGA's team in 2022. She is a UGA graduate with a master's in public administration.
Research Writing 101
Jill Walton
As a leader within UGA Development and Alumni Relations, Jill Walton has consistently pushed the university’s fundraising enterprise forward. Walton is a Double Dawg, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from UGA in 1999 and then a Master of Public Administration from UGA in 2003. As a student who benefitted from private scholarship support, she is especially committed to helping students overcome financial challenges on their path to a degree from UGA.
Working with Your Development Team
Kyle Washburn
With over 10 years of marketing experience and a focus on data analytics, Kyle Washburn spearheads successful marketing campaigns for clients in many industries, including higher education, healthcare, heavy-duty trucking and financial services.
Best Practices for Email Marketing
Isabela Weiss
Isabela Weiss covers rural government for WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania's NPR and PBS station. She is a 2023 University of Georgia graduate who worked at WUGA during her senior year.