Meet our M.A. and M.A./MBA Alumni

Caroline Collins

M.A. in multimedia, 2019
Anchor, FOX 26 Houston

"I learned that being authentic, staying up-to-date on the ever-changing platforms and consistency was key in building and maintaining an engaged following. I owe a lot of my social media success to all that I learned in graduate school at Point Park University."

Erin Carlin

M.A. in media communication, 2014
Manager, PR and Corporate Communications, St. Clair Health

"Students get the best of both worlds with this graduate program. First, we explore the central principles of communications and their practical applications with both tenured and part-time faculty with practical experience. Second, we are given hands-on, real-world assignments that give us a chance to gain relevant experience, build a portfolio and expand our professional network."

Nathan Gentry

M.A. in media communication, 2019
Photographer, Printmaker, Writer

"I would recommend Point Park's M.A. in media communication program because it forces you to become involved with your practice. The program is tough, but truly makes you identify what you want to do with your current work and how you can grow. The faculty that you work with is a small body of professionals, which keeps you close to your mentors throughout your studies."

Bridget Benjamin

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2010
Director of Social Media and Special Projects, Scholastic

"I chose the M.A. program because I wanted to further enrich my skillset in journalism and mass communication research ... From writing and creating engaging copy and applying my research background to social quantitative and qualitative data, this program provided me the skills I needed for my career."

Angela G. Gaitaniella

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2009
Development Manager, Heinz History Center

"I began to research graduate programs in the area, and liked what I discovered about Point Park’s program. Specifically, the hands-on, career-oriented approach and it’s connectedness with the city of Pittsburgh were most appealing to me, and meshed with what I was looking for at the time."

Elizabeth Willard

M.A. in communication technology, 2016
Proposal Writer, Pricewaterhouse Coopers

"The flexibility of this program is priceless for working professionals like me. I was able to work full time and take full-time classes, feeling supported by both my job and my school. Many classes are offered online, which is fantastic for busy adults, but many classes are in person, too, allowing students to form valuable, face-to-face connections and get the best of both worlds."

Ashley Kress

M.A. in communication technology, 2015
Member Services Specialist, Madison Area Chamber of Commerce

"My professional experience, paired with the critical thinking and technical skills that I developed at Point Park, allowed me to take control of my future and seek a job that would allow me to manage marketing and digital communications in a larger capacity. My degree really supported and developed my skill sets in social media, digital marketing, design and photography."

Justine Coyne

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2012
B.A. in Photojournalism, 2009
Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times

"There are so many skills that I use every day that I can trace back to my education at Point Park. What I enjoyed most was that many of my professors were working in the journalism field locally. It was great for making contacts. Plus, who knows better what skills you need to make it in the field than those who are working in it every day."

Sarah Kastelic

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2015
Communications Specialist, UPMC

"My Point Park University experience was invaluable to my professional career. I was able to take what I learned in class and apply it to my work almost immediately after starting the program. The professors were very accessible and worked with me around my busy work and school schedule. I thought that a great variety of interesting and relevant classes were offered, and the flexible evening and online classes really worked well with my schedule."

Tasha Pokrzywa

M.A./MBA, 2013
Director of Marketing and Development, Life'sWork of Western PA

"I really liked the idea of the dual program and the ability to earn both degrees while working full time. I had a lot of very inspiring and memorable professors in the M.A. and MBA program. They love what they do and it shows. Their main goal is your success."

Frank Sottile

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2014
Marketing Communications Manager, Fourth Economy Consulting

"Everyone at Point Park was focused on removing obstacles to help me thrive in my return to school, and everyone I came into contact with from the enrollment staff, my advisor and professors were all genuinely interested in my success."

Cody McDevitt

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2013
Reporter, The Daily American

"The Point Park faculty has a vast array of experience. Some are good at layout. Some are good at theory. Most of all, I enjoyed the practical education provided there. Journalism schools are best when they give you skills you'll use in the field."

Mae Kerr

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2013
Marketing Coordinator - Social Media, American Eagle Outfitters

"I chose Point Park for its urban setting, interesting course offerings in the M.A. program and the flexible class schedule. I loved that so many of my professors were actively working in the field. Their real-world experience is invaluable."

Daveen Rae Kurutz

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2009
Database/Enterprise Reporter, Beaver County Times

"I've been able to teach at the collegiate level, working with younger students who are interested in pursuing journalism. While working towards my M.A., I was able to explore other sides of mass communication, including desktop publishing. In my new role as a database reporter, those design principles have been immeasurably helpful."

Mark Hirschfeld

M.A./MBA, 2013
Digital Marketing Specialist, Maronda Homes

"Having the practical business experience and traditional MBA core curriculum taught alongside the new age practices that are pulsing through mass communication and marketing continue to give me an edge in my career. Marketers today are being asked to have a broader range of skills and insights than in the past, and as the marketing landscape continues to evolve my M.A./MBA gives me that competitive advantage."

Sarah Skirpan

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2008
Media Strategist, Dick Jones Communications

"I wanted to have an edge on my peers when it came time to look for a job. I felt that having a master's degree would make me a more desirable hire. And I was right - my first boss told me that she hired me out of more than 200 applicants because of my advanced degree."

Ashley (Orr) Pasay

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2008
Senior Digital Marketing Strategist, Highmark, Inc.

"In today's competitive work environment, it is critical to have an advanced degree. Point Park offered a reputable and flexible way to earn my M.A. and help me grow personally and professionally."

"The curriculum is rooted in the fundamentals, but does not ignore the changing landscape. As a student you are taught the core principles required by a communications professional, but also exposed to new channels and the best practices in those areas."

Loose Cannon Creative

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2012
Co-founders, Loose Cannon Creative

"Point Park's Downtown Pittsburgh location thrust us into the professional world. We landed several great internships and had access to so many opportunities."

Larry Miller

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2009
Anchor/Reporter, KOBI TV

"I chose to pursue my Master of Arts degree at Point Park because the program has a strong reputation for developing a solid journalist. I also chose Point Park because the program allowed me to work and continue my education at the same time."

"Make yourself known to the entire campus community and talk with your professors. When you need story ideas, have concerns, or need help, those contacts will come in handy."

Carla Leininger

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2008
Web Marketing Project Manager, Eaton Corporation

"If you have been working for a while, you may be in a better position to identify your natural passions and strengths. Then research your career to find out the market conditions for your profession."

"Consider career paths because where you begin is not where you are going to finish. Many times you can still pursue your passions but in a different way. In my case, once I started taking classes, I decided I didn't want journalism because I really wanted to advocate for what I believed in. Public relations made more sense."

Shannon Farr

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2008; MBA, 2012
Senior Communications Specialist, Westinghouse Electric Company

"As an aspiring journalism graduate student, I knew that Point Park University would serve as a platform for me to hone my writing skills and that I would be mentored by professionals who work in the local newsrooms. As an MBA candidate, I chose Point Park to learn the basics of business management and to get a refined understanding of how a successful business should operate."

"From news writing classes to video editing, and eventually from accounting to economics, all of my experiences at Point Park were beneficial."

Patty Swisher

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2009
Director of Marketing and Communications, IKM, Inc.

"Point Park is close to my current office in One PPG Place, so the location was perfect. It was affordable and Point Park has a good reputation for journalism. The program allowed me to juggle a full-time job, raising two young children and attending night classes."

"Attending graduate school after having been in the workforce for a number of years helped me to appreciate the value of my experiences, something I think many students miss who attend right after completing their undergraduate degrees."

Amber Farr

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2011
Manager of Resources and Troop Pathways, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

"My degree has given me the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage the 160 volunteers within my territory. This includes, but is not limited to: public relations, strategic planning, time management, community outreach, public speaking and marketing."

"I chose Point Park because of the small class sizes and professors who teach with real-world experience."

Jacqueline Collavo

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2011
Director, Nursing Operations and Magnet Recognition Program, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital

"I chose to attend Point Park because of the academic reputation of the M.A. degree program for journalism and mass communication. The program allowed me to pursue optimal learning in a small individualized, and scholarly-focused classroom setting."

"I feel the classes I completed were academically rigorous and provided "real-world" and critical thinking skills that any employer would value. In addition, Point Park's convenient Downtown setting provided me timely and easy access to class each week while working full-time in nursing administration."

Kaitlyn Kline

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2012
Social Media Coordinator, Smith Brothers Agency

"I was most excited to learn from and connect with faculty who had up-to-date knowledge and experience in the mass communication work force today. Also, the location of Point Park University seemed like a prime spot for experiencing the communications world with its close proximity to other universities and businesses."

"My advice to students is to tailor your course schedule to your interests and seek out internships, even if they aren't for course credit. I was an intern at Smith Brothers and I got hired full time. Plus, the hands-on experience is definitely worth it."

Lindsey Demetris

M.A. in journalism and mass communication, 2012; B.A. in Theatre Arts, 2005
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Sandler Training

"I chose to attend Point Park for my bachelor's and master's degrees because of the fabulous reputation of both programs. Point Park was the easy choice for my M.A. in terms of cost, convenience and flexibility of night classes."

"Point Park's M.A. program is so unique because it recognizes that the landscape of media is ever-changing and the program evolves with the changes."