BY Caitlin Johnson [SHE/HER] | Public relations coordinator

Hello, again!

I am so grateful to be writing to you all as the new Public Relations Coordinator. Over the past eight months, I had the great joy of working alongside Lexi Byler, the previous Director of Communications, who is, arguably, Students United’s biggest fan. She is also an outstanding communications professional who I am so grateful to have learned from. This blog is bittersweet as I am going to miss learning from Lexi, but I am eager to see what great work she does in her new role.

When I first started at Students United, my goal was to provide students with the confidence, resources, and tools to excel as powerful change agents at their campuses. This goal remains the same. Over the past eight months, I have met students from across the seven campuses and collaborated with dynamic organizations from across the country. Young people are constantly creating change at their workplaces, schools, and communities. As I move into this new role, I hope to assist students as they reject the status quo and continue to create change around them.

As I look to the future, there is so much to look forward to. I also attended college during a pandemic, and, needless to say, it was difficult. I missed the energy of student meetings, classes, and student groups. As we move forward, I am deeply looking forward to meeting with students at campus visits, board meetings, and the (returning in-person!) Advocacy Conference. Reading students’ stories and listening to student testimony is energizing and hopeful, and I am looking forward to more to come and share. As well, I am looking forward to continuing to advocate for students and alumni through communications. Whether it be through national advocacy like our Fck Student Debt project or the #DoublePell campaign, or state advocacy, such as supporting Home Line’s renter protection legislation, together we will amplify these messages and create change.

My email hasn’t changed, so reach out! Want to chat about communications? I would love to hear from you. Here’s to an exciting semester!