ALUMNI Spotlight
Kimberly Rodriguez Chapman graduated with a BA in Communication Studies in 2015. She is currently the Manager of Global Public Relations with Navico Group. Recently, she was honored by Boating Industry News as one of its “40 young professionals setting the standard in success in the recreational boating industry—the Boating Industry News’ “40 under 40”.” Kimberly is an experienced and driven professional with a demonstrated history of working in the public relations and communications industry. She’s skilled in media relations, branding, strategic planning and communications campaigns for clients in a variety of industries, including restaurants, healthcare, non-profits, lifestyle, arts and technology, and currently within the marine industry. Kimberly is also an alumna of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
Alexandra Robinson earned her BA in Multimedia Communications, specializing in Film and New Media, from FAU in 2021. After graduating, she relocated to New York City to pursue her passion of filmmaking. She is now the co-creator of Bare Minimum, a YouTube comedy series exploring the art of doing just enough to get by in the bustling city. When she's not working on the show, she dedicates her time to crafting personal films that document her journey and self-discovery throughout her twenties. All of her work can be found on YouTube.
Kiona Kish graduated from SCMS with a bachelor’s in Communication and Multimedia Studies. After graduating, Kish started working as a social media marketing professional. She recently joined Lume, a deodorant company, as Social Media Manager. Her advice to students: "Don’t ever be afraid to put yourself out there or be bold! The right opportunity doesn’t usually just fall in your lap. You need to be willing to knock on doors to get it, and with that, not be afraid to articulate your value and show people what you have to offer!”
David DiPino is the PR manager of Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group, a multi-specialty physician group. He graduated from FAU in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism. "Learning to write content concisely in a timely manner are two skills I learned at FAU that help me today as a public relations (PR) manager," says DiPino. Post graduation, he joined Forum Publishing Group (FPG), a subsidiary of Sun-Sentinel where he worked as a staff writer as well as the publication's first MOJO (mobile journalist at FPG). In 2013, DiPino switched paths and joined Tenet Healthcare Corporation becoming the first PR writing specialist and PR manager at Tenet Florida Physician Services, which rebranded to Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group in 2022. David specializes in print, online, radio and TV media placements, press releases, written and video testimonials, blog articles, website content and social media. He advises students to "get involved, write articles for your college newspaper and host shows on Owl Radio as these are two things which helped me out tremendously when I began working in the professional world in radio and communications." DiPino also advises students to "consume all forms of media and know what is going on locally, nationally and internationally as this is of the utmost importance because you will be looked at in your field as the expert in PR and media. Lastly, be a grammar, AP Style and editing guru as colleagues will come at you from left field from time to time looking to you as the source. Be the expert, be the source and succeed!"
FAU’s Multimedia Journalism graduate Ana Welsh uses her talent in multiple ways. She is a certified professional coach and a motivational speaker. For over 10 years, Welsh has been working with a large dermatologist company building culture and scaling its growth. Welsh’s achievements at the company range from “leading operations to scale from 2-30 offices to building culture and slashing turnover by over 50% while doubling in company size for the last ten years,” as she shares in her bio. Her effective and inspirational style of speech has led her to speak at various events and panel discussions. More recently, Welsh was invited to share her experience with the students during the SCMS Career’s Week 2022. Her advice to the student- “Be nice to everyone. Make a polished first impression. Stay curious.
You never know who you will connect with and who will help you out. Reputation and relationships matter when it comes to building your career.”
Find her on LinkedIn here.
Tabitha Karol was recently hired at TikTok as a Strategic Sales Specialist. In her current position, she helps businesses and brands of all sizes unleash their creative side, connect with their audience, or get discovered. Tabitha and her team design scaled sales and service delivery programs to ensure the customers have the best-in-class tools and products. She helps businesses achieve their marketing goals on TikTok no matter how big or small. Her previous job experience includes companies like IHeartMedia and Yelp. She graduated from FAU in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication/Multimedia Studies.
From left, Alberto Alvaraz-Arias, Ledis Molina, and Brandon Martinez, all graduates of the MFA in Media, Technology, and Entertainment program in SCMS. They all graduated since 2020, and all three are currently employed at Miami tech startup Noitom International (Alberto is also an adjunct faculty at FAU, teaching the history or animation). Noitom is one of the leading motion-capture technology companies in the world. If that's not enough, they recently collaborated on "Pacha Mama," a short animated film that was recently listed among the finalists for the prestigious Producer's Guild of America (PGA) Innovation Award (see News, above).
Jillian Melero is a multimedia journalist and the associate digital editor/producer for WTTW News, including “Chicago Tonight.” She’s worked as a science communicator and energy reporter for Climate Central, an independent science and news organization. Her work has also been featured by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Getting her start in South Florida as a student journalist and print editor, Jillian has reported on the environment, infrastructure, climate change, energy technology, and policy in the U.S. and abroad since 2016. She earned her master’s degree in Journalism, specializing in health, environment, and science reporting, from Northwestern University in 2019. She’s also a mentor with the Latinas in Journalism Mentorship Program, which launched in October 2020.
Pat was recognized in 2010 for his efforts and selected by former Governor Charlie Crist as a Gubernatorial Appointee to the Florida Developmental Disability Council (FDDC). While serving as an FDDC council member, he helped create public policy changes for Floridians with developmental disabilities.
Since graduating in 2008 with multimedia studies from FAU, Wilkine Brutus has made a name for himself as a storyteller on multiple platforms.
Millions of people have watched Brutus’ Youtube videos of his journey in South Korea where he taught English for almost five years and also worked as a freelance writer for a local newspaper in Busan.
Brutus left for South Korea soon after graduating from college to broaden his understanding of the world around him.
“I felt like it was really important for me to go abroad and challenge my system of reality, to escape the American bubble,” says Brutus.
Among his many achievements, Brutus has spoken at the Twitter Headquarters for Scripps Howard School's symposium on digital media. He was also among one of the 30 journalists who were selected for the 2019 Leadership Academy for Diversity in Digital Media by Poynter and the Washington Post.
He worked as a digital reporter for the Palm Beach Post before joining WLRN, South Florida’s NPR station as a multimedia journalist. Now, as he continues his work as a storyteller and a journalist, Brutus plans on pursuing his passion for filmmaking.
Sharing a piece of advice for the students, Brustus asks them to remember the four P’s: purpose, planning, persistence, and patience.
“Have purpose, plan your goals, be persistent, and be patient.”