Two students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) participated in think tank discussions with key influencers in entertainment, business and government in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. this semester, as part of the National Millennial Community (NMC).
NMC is a group that works to change the conversation about the millennial generation and engage in meaningful dialogue with corporate, foundation, governmental and nonprofit leaders across the country. Founded in January 2016 by IW Group Inc. CCO Bill Imada, NMC has 36 member campuses in 35 states. Kent State joined the national organization in 2017, with public relations majors Bella Grossi, ’18, Natalie Meek, ’19, Ava Moss, ’18, and Molly Spillman, ’19, serving as the chapter’s inaugural members.
Grossi traveled to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. in March 2018 to meet with agencies and corporations such as Tierney, Vault Communications, WeWork, Comcast, the YWCA, PBS and Lockheed Martin. She also visited the White House where she met with national leaders, Steven Munisteri (Deputy Assistant to the President), Andrew Giuliani (Public Liaison Assistant to the President) and Laura Pence (Policy Advisor to the Sr. Counselor) to discuss what the administration is doing about the opioid epidemic.
“I am so grateful to have the chance to change the conversation about millennials and contribute to discussions focused on the betterment of our country,” Grossi said.
Kent State is currently the only university in Ohio part of the NMC, so the students not only represent the university, but also Ohio millennials during the nationwide discussions.
“I’m really honored to be able to represent Ohio and Kent State on a national level,” Grossi said. “During think tank discussions and focus groups, it’s eye-opening to hear about everyone's different opinions based on their experiences and where they are from.”
Moss traveled to Los Angeles with the NMC in January, and while there, she met with big names in the entertainment and public relations industries including Walt Disney Imagineering, Weber Shandwick/The Axis Agency and Paramount Studios. Discussions with employees and executives ranged from millennial work/life balance to tips on how to be successful in one’s desired line of work.
Moss said the biggest lesson she took from her time in Los Angeles was to always listen as strongly as you voice your opinion.
“To me, being in the National Millennial Community is an opportunity to make my voice heard and know for a fact my opinions matter,” Moss said. “Listening to others’ experiences and opinions helped me in becoming a more well-rounded and empathetic person.”
Kent State’s NMC chapter operates as a faculty-appointed subcommittee of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and associate professors Luke Armour and Stefanie Moore are faculty advisors of the group. Public relations alumnus Chris Baldwin, ’94, founder and principal of True Digital Communications, serves as a professional advisor for the group.
“I’m excited about the future of this community and how this group will evolve as our millennial students graduate and we usher in a new generation,” Moore said. Learn more about the NMC at . Learn more about PRSSA Kent at .