Team Bios

Liz Azzolino

Driven and enthusiastic, Lizzie Azzolino is eager to dive in a career in the field of communications when she graduates in May 2009 with an ABJ in journalism/public relations and certificates in new media and leadership advancement.

As someone who thrives on staying busy, Lizzie has been actively involved on campus, serving as president of PRSSA, a founding executive board member of IABC, a Grady College Ambassador and the sole student representative on the Grady Alumni Board, where she proved herself as a motivator and a capable team player. A number of internships in public relations and marketing have provided her the opportunity to cultivate her skills in writing, social media, brainstorming, event planning and research.

Lizzie has found a passion for social media, online communities and the interactive Web environment. A number of word-of-mouth communication courses provided her the background to serve as an integral part of the planning committee for Grady College’s Connect PR & Social Media conference in 2008. A self-proclaimed Twitter addict, she continues to learn online skills daily by actively reading a variety of marketing, advertising and technology blogs. Lizzie’s goal is to work for a cutting-edge interactive agency where she can further develop her passion for all things online while advancing the company’s goals.

Find Lizzie on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/lizazzolino and tweet with her on Twitter at twitter.com/lizazzolino.

Connie Braesch

Connie will graduate from the University of Georgia Grady College in May 2009 with a Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication. Realizing the importance of new and social media in the field of public relations, she has focused her education on learning to appropriately implement the various Web-based tools to build relationships with the public. She is striving to be one of the first graduate students to achieve a New Media Certificate through the Grady College New Media Institute.

Connie is a different kind of student with a unique attribute not typical of most college graduates. She is attending the University of Georgia on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Post Graduate Program. With over fifteen years on active duty, Connie has held positions in recruit training, electronic technology management, search and rescue coordination, homeland security, pollution response and Presidential maritime security. Proud of her service and of the U.S. Coast Guard, she is excited and eager to start her new career in public affairs. Upon graduation, she received an assignment to the New Media Section at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She is currently a Lieutenant and has been on active duty since January 1994.

Connie also has a Bachelors of Business Management from Florida Atlantic University and an Associate in Electronic Technology from University of Phoenix. She is connected through LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/conniebraesch and blogs at mycoastguardcareer.blogspot.com.

Adam McMillan

Captured by the vastness and impact of new media on society at a young age, Adam McMillan has spent his academic career perfecting his skills in design and web development to prepare him to launch his career.

Adam will graduate from the University of Georgia and Grady's College of Journalism in May of 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunication Arts and an emphasis in New Media. In his tenure at UGA, he has been involved in a variety of programs within the Grady College and New Media Institute as well as an active attender and staff member of Athens Church.

Adam's passion and interest is in new media and video in its relation to web development and the future of the social media. He finds it fascinating that social mediums continue to evolve and are increasingly changing perceptions and social norms in our society and he wants to dedicate his life to pioneering that effort. He intends to seek a career in web applications development and design.

Adam can be located at www.Adam-McMillan.com.

Jordan Tate

Jordan is a well-rounded communications strategist who takes a personal, focused look at communication plans and responds by offering unique and potentially profitable solutions. A creative approach must be taken in today's marketing and communications strategies, integrating research and experience to ensure that the message is received and the word-of-mouth potential is easy to find. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in Public Relations, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a New Media Certificate, Jordan has honed his communication, research and technological skills in order to be a top candidate in the competitive and ever-evolving field of communications.

Staying up-to-date on the current technological, communications and social media trends is essential to remain relevant in communications. This entails staying informed on the coverage of major news networks and opinion outlets, reading relevant blogs and maintaining a working knowledge of the industry trends. Jordan has dedicated himself to ensuring that he is a top candidate in the field by remaining on top of current events, day-by-day.

Because Jordan funded 100% of his college education through scholarships, grants and jobs, he has been able to develop a broad platform of skills and a firm bedrock of work ethic, passion and dedication. Contributing experience ranges from building a cultural Web site that enhanced communication for the 26,000-student undergraduate population at the University of Georgia and being able to serve as chair of the committee which planned the decorations, registration, hosting and publicity of PRofessional CONNECTION, a career-focused event open to all students that offers presentations from Public Relations professionals in addition to resume critiques. With more than seven jobs, four internships, four leadership positions, competitive collegiate involvement and vast insight, Jordan provides a strong addition to any company.

Jordan can be located at www.jptate.com.

Ivy Chang
(Photographer/Graphics Artist)

Ivy is a senior at the University of Georgia studying Photography & New Media. "I've always loved the fines arts – ranging everything from music to graphic arts - and of course my favorite, photography. Capturing people and places in photos allow me to stay connected to memories that would otherwise be forgotten."

Aside from being a student, she works freelance for portrait, graduation, engagement, and wedding photography.

Allison Weiss
(Graphics Artist)

Allison contributed to the project's graphics. More of her work can be found at www.allisonw.com.