Editor Biographies, Fall 2023
Lauren Bingham
Design Director
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Data Applications and Technology
Academic Achievements: President’s List (Fall 2020, Spring 2021), Dean’s List (Fall 2021-Present)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Assistant Director of Creative Media — Capstone Agency (Fall 2022–Present), Creative Media Director — Church at the Oaks (January 2022-Present), Fitness Instructor — True40 Fitness Studio (Fall 2020–Fall 2021), Leadership Intern — Pine Cove Camps (May–August 2023), Media Intern — Pine Cove Camps (May–August 2022), Summer Counselor — Pine Cove Camps (May–June 2021), Greek Ambassador — University of Alabama (Fall 2020-Fall 2021), Nancy Wayne Hendricks Scholarship — University of Alabama (Fall 2020)
Community Service: Tuscaloosa Young Life, Bama IJM Advocate
Organization Membership: Capstone Agency, Tuscaloosa Young Life, Alabama International Justice Mission, Alpha Gamma Delta
Shaley Brown
Editor/Writer
Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Major/Minor: Public Relations/International Business
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List (Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Hostess/ To-Go’s, Baci , New Smyrna Beach, Florida (June 2021- August 2023)
Community Service: Calvary NSB Church
Organization Membership: Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Assistant Department Head of Communications — Alabama Hockey, Assistant Account Executive — Capstone Agency, Media Chair — Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, National Sports Media Association, UA Panhellenic Public Relations Committee, Professional Women in Communications Business, Freshman Forum
Ali Burleson
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Cullman, Alabama
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Political Science
Academic Achievements: President’s List (Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2022)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Lucca Boutique (August 2022-Current), Marketing Intern — Premier Productions Inc. (May 2023-August 2023), Social Media Strategist for Cindy Myrex at Lake Homes Realty (December 2022-Current)
Community Service: UADM, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, Repurposed Blooms, Tuscaloosa Parks and Recreation
Organization Membership: VP of Operations and Analytics for PRCA, Director of Marketing for Students Consulting for Nonprofits, Phi Mu Alpha Zeta Member, C&IS Student Executive Council Member, UADM, AMP Student, Oakley Society
Alaina McDuffie
Marketing Director
Hometown: Slidell, Louisiana
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Sales
Academic Achievements: President’s List (August 2020–May 2023), Certificate of Academic Achievement (April 2022)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Promotions Manager — Yonder Contemporary Dance Company (January 2023–Present); Contributing Writer — WVUA-FM (September 2021–December 2021); Podcast Content Captain — Local Entertainment Promotional Team (September 2021–December 2021); Contributing Writer — Beyond the Classroom (August 2021–December 2021); Building Manager — UA Student Center (August 2022–Present); Treasurer — No Strings Attached (May 2023–Present)
Community Service: Mount Olive Feeding Ministry
Organization Membership: UA Honors College, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, PRSSA, PRCA, No Strings Attached, University Chorus
Jillian Middleton
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Maineville, Ohio
Major/Minor: Advertising/Leadership Communication
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List (Fall 2021, Spring 2023)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Intern — Capstone Agency (May 2023-August 2023); Graphic Design Director — Capstone Agency (August 2023-Present); Alumni, Marketing, Public Relations Coordinator — Kesem UA (Fall 2022-Present), Social Media Intern — MKC Photography (August 2023-Present)
Community Service: Pink Ribbon Good, Kesem
Organization Membership: Capstone Agency, Kesem UA, AAF
Chloe Petro
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Morris Plains, New Jersey
Major/Minor: Public Relations/General Business
Academic Achievements: Deans List (Fall 2020-Present)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Marketing Internship — LG Electronics (June 2023-August 2023); Pro Bono Director — Capstone Agency (April 2023-Present); Director of Senior Programming — Delta Gamma (November 2022-Present); UASRT (March 2022-November 2022)
Community Service: Als Pals, UADM
Organization Membership: Capstone Agency, PRCA, Delta Gamma
Caroline Raley
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Leroy, Alabama
Major/Minor: Public Relations (Digital Communication Concentration) / Communication Studies
Academic Achievements: Kappa Tau Alpha, Golden Key Honor Society, President’s List (Fall 2021-Spring 2023), The National Society of Leadership and Success UA Chapter, Ronnie Quarles Memorial Scholarship
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Capstone Agency Strategist, Media Relations Intern with American Cancer Society
Community Service: CreateAthon (24 hour pro-bono event) Team Lead for Asheville Poverty Initiative
Organization Membership: PRCA, Capstone Agency, NSLS, Golden Key Honor Society, Kappa Tau Alpha, PRSSA
Alison Reed
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado
Major/Minor: Advertising/Digital, Public and Professional Writing & Management Communications
Academic Achievements: President’s List (Spring 2022–Fall 2023), Certificate of Academic Achievement (April 2023), Capstone Agency Media Starfish Award (Spring 2022)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Media Director — Capstone Agency (April 2023-Present), Media Coordinator — Capstone Agency (September 2021-Present), Summer Intern — Capstone Agency (May 2023-August 2023), Digital Marketing Intern — Culverhouse College of Business (November 2022-Present), Student Media Assistant — Sanford Media Center (January 2022-Present), Social Media Intern (January 2022-May 2022), Ambassador — College of Communications & Information Sciences (April 2023-Present), Social Media Ambassador — C&IS (August 2023-Present), President — AAF-University of Alabama (May 2023-Present), Marketing & Blogging Intern — Power Move Marketing (May 2022-July 2022)
Community Service: Distinguished Young Women of Colorado and The Boys & Girls Clubs of West AL
Organization Membership: AAFUA, Capstone Agency, C&IS Ambassadors, Social Media Ambassadors, First-Year Interest Group Mentor, Student Executive Council
Jenna Richardson
Editorial Director
Hometown: Hoover, Alabama
Major/Minor: Public Relations/English
Academic Achievements: President’s List (Fall 2020–Spring 2023), C&IS AHC Member of the Year (2022–2023 Academic Year), Capstone Agency Firm Director Award (Fall 2022), C&IS Emerging Leadership Award (2021–2022 Academic Year), C&IS Academic Achievement Award (Spring 2022 & Spring 2023)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Account Executive — Capstone Agency (January 2022-Present), Instagram Management Intern — LeadAbroad (May 2023-Present), Media Team — The Wesley Foundation (January 2023-Present), Promotional Manager — Yonder Contemporary Dance Company (February 2023-August 2023), Chief Justice — C&IS Academic Honor Council (May 2023–Present), Associate Chief Justice — C&IS Academic Honor Council (August 2021–Present), Camera Assistant — The World Games International Sports Broadcasting Office (July 2022), Social Media Strategist — The Crimson White (January 2021–January 2023), Desk Assistant — UA Housing and Residential Communities (August 2021–May 2023)
Community Service: Wesley Foundation Community Service/Outreach
Organization Membership: PRCA, Capstone Agency, C&IS Academic Honor Council, Kappa Tau Alpha, UA Wesley Foundation, University Chorus
Carsyn Smiling
Editor/Writer
Hometown: St. Cloud, Florida
Major/Minor: Majors: Public Relations/Political Science
Academic Achievements: President’s List: Fall 2020 Dean’s List: Spring 2021 President’s List: Fall 2021-Present
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Election Intern — Bill Cassidy For Senate (August-November 2020), Canvasser — Georgia Senate Runoff (December 2020) Student Caller —National Alumni Calling Center (January-May 2021), Congressional Intern — Hon. Rep. Lamborn (May-August 2021), Federal Judge Intern — Judge S. Coogler (August-December 2021), National Public Relations Intern — Be Positive Foundation (August 2021-May 2022), Peer Coach — Capstone Center for Student Success (August 2021-May 2023), Election Canvasser —Youngkin for Governor (September-November 2021), Public Relations Intern — West Alabama Works/ Chamber of Commerce (January-May 2022), Field Representative — Red Pine Strategies (February-May 2022), Sales Intern — Bluegreen Vacations (May-August 2022), Student Media Fellowship (August 2022-May 2023), Law Intern — Judge Robertson (August 2022-May 2023), Grassroots Intern — Leadership Institute (May-August 2023), Desk Assistant — UA Housing and Residential Communities (January 2021-Present), Communications Intern — Network of Enlightened Women (August 2023-Present)
Community Service: Als Pals, Good Samaritan Clinic, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger
Organization Membership: PRCA, PLSA, NeW, CR, B+, New View Mentor, Lambda Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Cardinal Key, SGA Lobby Board, Pi Sigma Alpha, Student Initiative Board, Student Executive Council, CJLLP Editor, Beyond the Classroom, UA Law Intramural Softball Team, LRC
Kat Weir
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Criminal Justice
Academic Achievements: Accelerated Master’s Program, UA SGA Academic Affairs Committee, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors Society, National Society of Leaders and Success, Golden Key Honors Society
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Marketing Intern — IT Voice (May 2023-Present), Digital Marketing Intern — Bodewell Legal Group (February 2023-August 2023), Social Media Intern — The Tell Agency (May 2021-August 2021)
Community Service: Make-A-Wish, Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama
Organization Membership: PRCA, PRSSA
Katherine Williams
Editor/Writer
Hometown: Smiths Station, Alabama
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Global & Cultural Perspectives
Academic Achievements: President’s List, (Spring 2023), Dean’s List (Fall 2020-Present)
Jobs, Internships & Other Achievements: Marketing Intern — OnCentive (May 2023-August 2023), Social Media Content Creator — Juice Bar Tuscaloosa (May 2022-January 2023), Desk Assistant — UA Housing and Residential Communities (August 2023-Present), Capstone Scholar Scholarship (Fall 2020-Spring 2024)
