Countdown to Commencement: Alyssa Whitley

The next senior in Fisher’s Countdown to Commencement video series is Alyssa Whitley, a transfer student majoring in media management, who has spent her two years on campus immersed in public relations study, both in and outside of the classroom. Whitley was nominated by Arien Rozelle, assistant professor in the Department of Media and Communication.

On campus, Whitley serves as president of the College’s Tom Proietti Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). In this leadership role, she helped organize a trip for six students to Austin, Texas, to attend the organization’s national conference. In November, she was on the winning team of PRSA Rochester’s PR Apprentice program, and last spring, served on the College’s Bateman Case Study Competition team, earning an honorable mention. 

As an executive board member and director of public relations and marketing for Fisher’s student-run full-service marketing, public relations, and advertising firm, The PRIMA Group, Whitley helps the account team create and distribute press materials for the agency’s clients. She also helps promote PRIMA’s Meet the Media, Social Media Week, and Lead like a Girl programs.

“Fisher’s media management program, which is the perfect blend of business, marketing, and communications, was a great fit,” she said. “It amazes me how much I’ve grown in two years both personally and professionally. I came in and I didn’t know anyone, now I’m in charge of two of the clubs in my major.”

According to Rozelle, Whitley is a great example of what a Fisher media management student is -positive, willing to take on new challenges, and a role model to other students.

“Alyssa’s ability - in under two years, as a transfer student - to emerge as a leader has been impressive,” said Rozelle. “She has excelled in every class she’s taken with me, and she’s taken on every challenge with ease and a smile. She brings joy to the classroom, and joy to other students.”

Whitley said her strategy for success was to get involved, and she encourages incoming students to do the same.

“Take every single opportunity. You never know where it may lead you or what door it may open,” she said. “Say yes as much as you can. Try as many different things as you can. Even if you try something and you hate it, it’s still a great experience … and you can learn so much.”