Degree: M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications, Dec 2015; B.S. Journalism concentrated in Public Relations, Equine Studies minor with an emphasis in equine management, May 2014
Career: Bernadette is a Communications Specialist at WVU's College of Creative Arts. She is responsible for the planning and execution of college events and developing marketing pieces and press releases for the college. Bernadette also owns Wild & Wonderful Lifestyle Co., a brand based on embracing the fun-loving lifestyle of West Virginians near and far. She designs products, manages the website and social media, fulfills orders, maintains the budget, and manages a team of interns and brand ambassadors.
Internships: In undergrad, Bernadette was the communications intern at the American Quarter Horse Association where she traveled to events and managed press releases and maintained a social media presence for the association. Serving as the public relations officer for the WVU English Equestrian Team and WVU Collegiate Horsemen's Association helped her land the internship with AQHA.
Claim to Fame: One of Bernadette's goals for Wild & Wonderful Lifestyle Co. is to give back to the West Virginia community that has given her so much. She donates a portion of the sales from her products to causes that are important to her including animal shelters, homeless veterans, and flooding victims. Her business was featured in The State Journal as a result of this business model.
About Attending WVU: “Attending WVU was the best decision of my life. I gained more than invaluable classroom lessons, I gained confidence here. If you told me five years ago that I would have had the courage to pursue a master's degree and start my own business, I would've looked at you like you were crazy, but WVU gave me the skills and courage to do just that. I love telling people I'm a two-time WVU graduate!”