Featured Graduates of the IMC Master's Program

Alumni Spotlight: Carly Britton, '11

After telling friends and family for years that I would NEVER go back to school, I finally felt the pull to further my education and start looking into a graduate program that would help elevate my career. I didn't want to do a traditional MBA but I also wanted something that built upon my undergraduate degree in Sport Management & Communications. Most importantly I didn't want to relocate to do this, so it felt like a daunting task to find the right fit. 

To my surprise, I did not have to search very far! The EMU IMC program was exactly what I was looking for and more. To have touches in all the major communications genres was so attractive and I felt like I would be a step ahead in my career with these credentials. Choosing EMU was a no brainer. 

After graduating from the program, I immediately landed a role in college athletics where I was able to use what I had learned so perfectly. And now, as a manager of non profit fundraising events for an arts organization I get to use these skills daily in my planning and bring a wide variety of skills to the role. 

What I appreciate the most about this program is that it has prepared me to run a growing virtual fitness business with confidence! I am still learning how to scale and run a successful business but what's great is that I don't feel like I'm starting from square one in terms of marketing and communications. I have a foundation to build upon and that is priceless!

Development Events Officer, Detroit Institute of Arts
and Owner/Founder, Diligent Fitness


Alumni Spotlight: Austen Smith, ’19

My education at IMC put me in a perfect position for my current role. In fact, I envisioned myself in this very type of role while I was in school. Between the subject matter of the IMC coursework, the flexibility offered by the program and the accelerated timeline to graduation, it honestly couldn’t have worked any better for me personally or professionally. Read more about Austen.

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Research Strategies
Phoenix Innovate


Alumni Spotlight: Tiffany Moss, '18

The IMC program at Eastern Michigan University was originally appealing to me because of the flexibility of the online courses and the strong focus on marketing and communications. The program did not disappoint! Throughout the many different courses, I was able to focus in on the areas of marketing that I had little experience in to expand my knowledge and skillset. Working as a full-time Marketing Specialist at the time, I was able to use real-world experiences to elevate my participation in the courses as well as apply the learnings of the courses to my career immediately. Since graduating in 2018, I have been promoted to Marketing Manager and most recently, Product Manager where I focus on consumer research, product evolution and bringing new products to the marketplace. My experience in the IMC program is certainly one of the reasons my marketing knowledge has evolved and allowed me to grow within my company. 

Product & Marketing Manager
Alliance Franchise Brands


Alumni Spotlight: Eric Greene, '16

In his capacity as vice president at Kellogg Community College, Eric Greene implements strategic initiatives, builds institutional partnerships and oversees the internal relations, external relations and communications functions of the College. Greene previously served in the positions of Chief Communications Officer, Director of Public Information and Marketing and Adjunct Instructor of Journalism. Prior to joining KCC in 2012, Greene spent 19 years as a journalist, working for newspapers in Michigan and Montana. Greene grew up in rural Ionia County, graduated from Belding High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Greene is a longtime marathon runner and community advocate, serves as president of the Lakeview School District Board of Education and lives in Battle Creek with his wife and two sons. Read about Eric Greene's IMC experience here

Vice President for Strategy, Relations and Communications
Kellogg Community College


Alumni Spotlight: Shameah Abraham, '15

I have been able to apply all aspects of the IMC program to my work. I took on a new role right before I started the program, and the timing could not have been better. I was able to use the information I was learning in my classes and apply it to work. The entire concept of integrating marketing communications helped me to design successful marketing campaigns that had consistent messaging and branding across all communication channels. I still use the tools I learned in the IMC program in my work today. Read more about Shameah Abraham.

Senior Marketing Manager, Email and Automation
Phreesia 


Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Carr, '19

The IMC program at Eastern Michigan University was the best thing that I could have done for my career! The progression of the courses from start to finish really forced me to get into the weeds of what makes great marketing, how to implement it, how to analyze it, and how to apply findings to future campaigns. As a working professional, it was fantastic to learn valuable skills that I could immediately apply in my everyday work. The content in the courses were relevant and current, and the assignments pushed me to learn about marketing applications in all sorts of industries. This program has made me the well-rounded marketing professional that I am today and it has made me love what I do even more!

Senior Marketing Consultant
Plante Moran


Alumni Spotlight: Tim Marshall '11

The top things I learned from the IMC program were to be a better manager and to have an understanding of the big picture. I chose Eastern's IMC program for two reasons: it's accredited and the faculty are great. We have faculty who have worked with major brands, worked for multi-national corporations, and those who worked with small businesses. A great benefit of EMU's IMC program is that your cohort will have people from all over the country. It allowed me to build a national wide professional network. The best advice I would give to someone entering the IMC program at EMU is to jump outside your comfort zone. The whole reason we are in this program is to have a broad understanding of what goes into a successful IMC strategy and you cannot do that if you stick to what you know. Read more about Tim here.

Director, Digital Marketing Center
Baldwin Wallace University

 


Alumni Spotlight: Tracey Pearson, '16

It's been two years since Tracey Shavers (now Pearson) graduated with her Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University. "I'd heard about the IMC program from a colleague in the PR industry. She was a high-level executive at a global firm and after speaking with her about the program I looked into it. A key differentiator for me was the ability to complete the program online, but with an educational institution that was reputable but not far away should I need assistance." Read more about Tracey.

Communications Officer
The Kresge Foundation


Alumni Spotlight: Erica Colaianne, '15

Eastern Michigan University's IMC program teaches students to blend and align the many aspects of marketing and communications – internal and external marketing and communications tactics, brand awareness, strategic planning, public relations, advertising, creative development, event planning and budget management – to develop the most impactful plans. Read more about Erica.

Assistant Director, Social Media and Public Engagement 
University of Michigan


Alumni Spotlight: Duriel Smith '12

"What I liked most about EMU's IMC program was the opportunity to build great relationships with people from all over the world. Being able to interface and interact with people that love marketing the way that I do and share ideas, thoughts and experiences on marketing was a great thing. The advantage of a fully online marketing program is the flexibility and convenience of building your own schedule while continuing to work your business." Read more about Duriel.

Owner and Operator,
Creative Innovation Associates


Alumni Spotlight: Dawn Oliver '10

"I researched several graduate programs and narrowed my search down to, Emerson College (Boston), Michigan State University, and Eastern Michigan University. When evaluating the programs, Eastern was the best fit. The selection of classes offered were (in my opinion) better in comparison to other programs. Emerson required me to be full-time student, meaning no job to cover my expenses, Michigan State’s program specifically focused on advertising, but EMU's program focused on the entire marketing and communications field, including sales, PR, traditional/emerging advertising, and event promotion. The IMC program covered every aspect of every role I’ve held. Read more about Dawn.

Senior Product Planner, SOC Marketing Group (S.LSI)
Harman International & Samsung Electronics  


Alumni Spotlight: Michael Straley '11

"I have a passion for communications and marketing and was looking for an online degree successfully integrating public relations, media planning and marketing communications." Michael Straley '11 proves you're never too old to advance your career through higher education. Read more about Michael.

Executive Director,
Foundation at Fulton County Medical Center


Alumni Spotlight: Jill Atcheson '14

What's your marketing strategy? If you ask marketing achiever Jill Atcheson '14, she's "laser focused" on data, digital and dollars. Jill Atcheson was motivated to pursue an advanced business degree because continuous learning is a critical component to professional success. Read more about Jill.

Former Director, Global Partner Marketing Experience
Cisco


Alumni Spotlight: Kenyatta Bynoe '14

"Being fully online allowed me the flexibility to stay on track from anywhere in the world I was traveling. I learned practical knowledge and techniques, how to build 360-degree marketing and the most effective ways to execute them," said Kenyatta Bynoe '14. Read more about Kenyatta.

Vice President of Creative Strategy and Marketing,
OneTeam Partners


Alumni Spotlight: Jamie LaRose '14

Jamie LaRose '14 was well into a successful banking career, working at the time with Bank of America in North Carolina. He'd already served in a variety of marketing leadership roles. Read more about Jamie.

Senior Director, Product Marketing and Strategy,
Ally


Alumni Spotlight: Christine (Brown) Pompa '13

I had learned about EMU's integrated marketing communications program online and was intrigued since marketing is my passion and something I wanted to specialize in even further, beyond my career experience and past educational pursuits. Read more about Christine.

Senior Director, Content Marketing
Thomson Reuters