Elizabeth Chandler ’25 recently graduated with double degrees in marketing and communication (public relations) with Honors. In the fall, she will attend the University of Georgia to pursue her master’s in public relations and work as a graduate assistant.
Her biggest takeaway from Berry College? She developed personally and professionally through Signature Learning Experiences — opportunities beyond the classroom in which students assume greater responsibility, independence and leadership.
Mentor and PR Director Chris Kozelle, who supervised Elizabeth for three years, says, “She’s an exemplary employee who managed a team of student workers, guiding the development of their writing and editing skills. Elizabeth could work independently and stepped in whenever asked. For instance, along with another team member, she successfully handled a fashion photo shoot on campus with Duck Head Apparel.”
Elizabeth recently shared her insights with Berry Stories.
Give us an overview of your Signature Learning Experiences.
I held LifeWorks jobs, including student manager in the office of public relations, and completed an internship with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. I also studied abroad in South Korea, served as a student leader in the WinShape College Program and participated in scholarly research all eight semesters.
How did LifeWorks impact you?
I worked a variety of LifeWorks jobs, starting as a student ambassador. I quickly added the role of research assistant (freshman fall).
I loved working in the office of public relations, where I started as a student assistant (sophomore spring). I would write press releases, deliver magazines on and off campus, and even facilitate events.
In this job, I grew so much as a professional. I learned how to carry myself and how to represent Berry well. I also grew as a writer. In press releases, you learn how to tell a 50-word idea in 10, and I think it’s an art form I’ve grown to enjoy.
How did student leadership shape you?
WinShape College Program changed my life. Serving as a student leader with the program taught me everything about loving others well. And overall, the program brought me a lot of belonging and integrity. I felt seen, known and loved through WinShape.
That has deeply impacted me as both a person and as a professional because it’s given me a people-first mentality. I want to be a communicator who takes care of people and inspires them. If my work and words don’t make the world better, I don’t want to do it.
You say you found your voice at Berry. Tell us about that.
LifeWorks developed my technical voice, and the WinShape College Program developed my aspirational voice. Undergraduate research did both.
I worked with Dr. Basil Englis my very first semester. He was willing to take on a bright-eyed freshman me, and if not for his belief in me, I would not be going to graduate school this fall. He and Dr. Melissa Clark really helped me learn quantitative research and research design.
Then Dr. Kim Field-Springer changed my life by letting me write with her and our collaborator, Dr. Ran Ju. We took our research (Mental Health Diagnosis and Self-Diagnosis: Harmful or Helpful on TikTok) to the National Communication Association conference in 2024. Presenting in New Orleans, I grew a lot and met incredible people. My heart got set on graduate school.
Working with Dr. Eunjeong Shin completed my undergraduate research portfolio, and if not for her and Dr. Field-Springer’s support, I would not be heading to UGA this fall.
Inspired by Elizabeth’s story? Explore the Signature Learning Experience at Berry.
Photos by Grace Segars
