Issy Allen ’25, communication studies and public relations, made the most of her time at URI. From the moment she toured the campus, she knew it was the perfect fit for her, academically and personally. She found engaging classes, impactful internships with the Harrington School social media agency, and a strong sense of community that have prepared her for the next chapter of her career.

Why did you choose URI and the communication studies program?
I have been coming to Rhode Island for my whole life for family vacations, so I have always loved the state. It is the perfect distance from my hometown in upstate New York. Once I toured URI, I knew it was the college for me. All of the classes offered for both PR and communications interested me! I chose communication studies because of the vast job opportunities that could come from that post-graduation. I have always been interested in communications, and after seeing all of the great classes URI offered, I knew it was perfect for me. 

What class had the biggest impact on you and why?
COM221—Interpersonal Communications with Professor Kristine Cabral was such an interesting class. I loved learning more about nonverbal communication and relationship development. Professor Cabral really cared about her students and put so much effort into making sure that we all had a positive experience in her class and gained as much knowledge as possible over the course of the semester.

Did you participate in any internships, clubs, or student org? How did those experiences shape your path?
I interned for the College of Arts and Sciences and Harrington School’s social media agency. This two-year internship helped shape who I am today, professionally and personally. Leah Pisari taught me so much about social media content creation, from shooting amazing content to writing professional captions, and I will forever be grateful for that. I have had amazing experiences because of this internship, such as interviewing some wonderful people, accessing all the tools I need to succeed, and using my skills in a real-world setting. This internship has opened so many doors for me as I head into my post-graduation career, and I will forever be thankful for this experience.

Can you share a project or experience you’re especially proud of?
A project that I am especially proud of is a video that I created this past year. It was a “Why URI” video explaining why I chose to come to URI. It was so much fun to film. We spent many days filming and editing this video, so a lot of work went into it, and I learned so much from this experience. Watching it come together was rewarding and made me realize how much I love content creation.

What skills or knowledge from your major do you feel most confident bringing into your career?
One of the skills I am confident bringing into my career is my ability to analyze and understand messages through multiple lenses. Studying communication at URI has helped me develop strong interpersonal and public speaking skills and a deep understanding of how language, media, and culture shape how people connect. I’ve also gained confidence in adapting messages for different audiences, which will be valuable in any professional setting, whether in marketing, public relations, media, or organizational communication.

What will you miss most about URI?
What I’ll miss most about URI is the sense of community I found within the Harrington School. Being surrounded by professors and classmates who challenged me to think critically really shaped the way I see the world. At the same time, I’ll miss the everyday moments: studying in the library, grabbing coffee in between classes, and just being around my best friends every day. URI gave me the space to grow academically and personally, and that balance is something I’ll always be grateful for.

If you could tell a future student one thing about studying at URI, what would it be?
Make the most of every opportunity that is available to you at URI. Go to office hours, befriend your professors, and always reach out when you need help. Do not be afraid to ask for help because everyone here is so kind and willing to give assistance with anything you need. The best thing I have done over the past four years was to gain professional relationships with my professors. Because of that, I have excellent connections to which I can continue to reach out, even after graduation!