Meet the panel for Linking the Humanities to Careers 2017
Katie Albert, Staff Assistant, U.S. Representative Jim Langevin
Hi, my name is Katie Albert. I graduated from URI in 2014 with a B.A. in French. Today, I am the Staff Assistant for U.S. Representative Jim Langevin here in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. While I didn’t major (or minor) in political science, I’ve always had an interest in government and politics. The current political landscape serves as a continuation of the political science courses I took at URI and, partisanship aside, it’s exciting to be part of it. Working in the Rhode Island office, my job primarily consists of constituent service work, but it’s still fascinating to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of the legislative process and, in turn, educate our inquisitive constituents!
I’m not much for social media, but I can be found on Facebook (as Katie Albert) and on Instagram (as katiemayyy710).
Laura Bannon, Senior Publisher, Humanities and Social Science Journals
Laura graduated from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 2002 with a degree in History. During her time at URI she was a member of the Women’s Rowing team. She is currently a Senior Publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences Journal division at Oxford University Press (OUP). In her position at OUP, she oversees a portfolio of 14 society journals, manages a team based in the New York office and leads journal acquisitions across the Social Sciences. Laura has previously held positions at John Wiley and Sons, Blackwell Publishing and Little Brown and Company. Laura also holds a Masters Certificate in Publishing from Emerson College.
Stephanie Batters, Senior Brand Writer, Play-Doh & Playskool, Hasbro Inc.
My time as an English and Psychology double major at URI led me places I never would have expected. Right after junior year in the summer of 2010, I became an intern at toy industry giant Hasbro, Inc., and I continued to build an amazing career there after graduating in 2011. As the Senior Brand Writer for preschool toys, my unique role immerses me in brand development and storytelling, copywriting for digital and print assets, working with child development experts, and many other endeavors that leverage the creative and critical thinking skills I practiced in my college coursework. Throughout this journey, I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have the love and support of my husband, a computer engineering major I met while we were both freshmen living in Heathman Hall.
Melissa Carrier, Marketing Manager, Focal Upright
Melissa Carrier graduated from URI’s College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences with degrees in French, Marketing and International Business in 2005. She currently works as the Digital Marketing Manager for Focal Upright, a leader in active office furniture for the modern world, as well as a digital marketing consulting firm that she founded on the side.
You can find her at Twitter: twitter.com/bellepoppydigi
Facebook: facebook.com/bellepoppydigital
and Instagram: Instagram.com/bellepoppydigital
Jessica R. Lincoln, Auction Coordinator and Property Distribution Manager, Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers
As an undergraduate at URI, I earned both a BA in Art History and a BFA in Fine Arts in 1999. After graduation I spent a few years coaching track and field as well as working with children. In 2001, I began working at Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers- a perfect meld of my majors in Art and Art History. My positions as Auction Coordinator and Property Distribution Manager can best be described as a combination of curator, customer relations, and logistics. In addition to my daily duties at the galleries, I am an auctioneer.
Nicholas O’Brien, Director of Digital Communications, Bates Communication Office
Nicholas O’Brien is a communications professional who leverages emerging communications technologies to raise brand awareness and drive business outcomes. He currently serves as the Director of Digital Communications at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He’s motivated by a desire to add value, learn, and produce competitive results. Nicholas graduated from URI in 2009 as a Philosophy major, a Gender and Women’s Studies minor, and an Honors Program member. While a student at URI, he spent half of his time studying coursework to gain insight on the human condition, and spent the other half of his time creating new media to gain professional experience. In his personal life, Nicholas enjoys traveling, and pursuing fringe athletic endeavors such as stair climbing, powerlifting, and ultramarathons. He lives in the woods of Durham, Maine with his amazing wife, Brianna (URI Pharm.D), and their two cats. He looks forward to connecting with you via linkedin.com/in/nicholasobrien.
Marisa O’Gara, Deputy Chief of Staff, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorz
Marisa O’Gara is Deputy Chief of Staff to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, where she oversees a portfolio that includes constituent services and community relations, federal intergovernmental affairs, and immigration policy. Prior to her current role with the City, she worked in municipal government and on legislative and electoral campaigns, serving in former Mayor Angel Taveras’ administration, as well as on U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s 2012 re-election campaign and the successful 2013 campaign to bring marriage equality to Rhode Island. Most notably, Marisa was Campaign Manager for Mayor Elorza, where she led a campaign team to a primary victory against the sitting City Council President and a general election victory against former Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci. She also serves as a Mentor for Year Up Providence and has been recognized as one of Providence Monthly’s “10 to Watch”, by the Young Democrats of RI with the ‘Young Democrat of the Year’ award, and as a recipient of the Extraordinary Woman Award in Politics. A New Hampshire native, Marisa is a 2012 graduate of the URI Honors program and holds Bachelor’s degrees in English and French.