Senior Internship

The Censorship of Free Expression in Liberal Education and LGBTQ+ Identity (MMC4975)

My senior project entailed a thirty page research paper that discussed the censorship of free expression in liberal education and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community. The senior internship project represents a culmination of an independent research course completed by myself. The organization, quality of writing, method of presentation, and subject matter are important in conveying to others the results of my research. The paper required using academic sources and APA Style, the research analyzed the effects of the modern media age on the peoples’ First Amendment Right, which is systemically ingrained with the education system of America. Many of these effects are beneficial and provide safety, but it is important to address the extent to which these regulations limit freedom of expression. In contrast, these forms of censorship also provide a positive environment for specific demographics to grow such as students, racial minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

The research also addressed the effect of censorship in the forms of deplatforming and safe spaces on the education system. For example, the concept of “safe space” originally derived from the 1970s women’s and LGBTQ+ movement where it was used to provide a safe space for those at risk of acts of violence. There needs to be adequate consequences for hate speech such as homophobia, sexism, racism, and xenophobia especially on college campuses. Therefore certain acts of deplatforming can be justified.

While deplatforming and safe spaces limit the freedom of expression, they are also justifiable to an extent in cases where it benefits society as a whole. The freedom of expression should not subject others under physical harm or obscene discrimination and therefore certain aspects of deplatforming and safe spaces can be justified under appropriate regulations.

(Developed for Senior Internship Project Fall 2020)

Wonderland Media Kit (PUR3100)

Pioneer Parks International announced a new major theme park in Jacksonville, Florida that is estimated to cost $234 million. The park is named “Wonderworld” and will include a water recreation park, three hotels, and a central hub for restaurants, nightclubs and specialty shopping. The company aims to develop family fun theme parks for people from all over the world to converge and enjoy.

This press release package contains a a memo, pre-news conference media pitch, post-news conference media pitch, media advisory, news release, feature story, and fact sheet produced by Qureshi Creative Agency.

(Developed for Public Relations Writing Summer 2020)

Flint Water Crisis Analysis (PUR4400)

Flint River was delegated as an emergency water supply source after 1967 and was not tapped into until 2014, when the City of Flint terminated their contract with DWSD and entered into an agreement with the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) to install a pipeline that would source water for Flint from Lake Huron. After many construction delays of the new proposed pipeline, the City of Flint was left with no choice but to source from the Flint River to provide enough water to their citizens

When the crisis is evidently the fault of the organization, they should absolutely take responsibility because the media is going to blame them regardless. Therefore, it is usually best to stay one step ahead of the media, take responsibility, and apologize for the situation before it gets worse. When an organization takes too long to address or take responsibility for the crisis, it provides the media with sufficient time to instigate speculation and rumors.

(Developed for Crisis Communications Spring 2020)

Disney Media Analysis Case Study (MMC3200)

The mission of the Walt Disney Company is to entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds and innovative technologies that make ours the world’s premier entertainment company. Disney has formulated a grand level of invincibility in the entertainment industry, as they pioneer media from the very shows that children watch to their upbringing into adulthood. This all constitutes from Disney’s iconic brand of “magic” and influencing adults to play a part in that magic whether in media or as performer at their numerous amusement parks.

The case study features a website analysis, current news and articles analysis, industry professional interview, and concepts from text.

(Developed for Law and Ethics of Communication Spring 2019)

U.S. Census 2020 Planbook (PUR4800)

The U.S. Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency and is dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places and the economy. The Decennial Census is the once-a decade population and housing count of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. The results of the decennial Census determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives. The ultimate goal of the United States  Census Bureau is to safely and accurately count the number of  people residing in the United States. In 2020, there will not be any citizenship questions, as the census aims to count everyone living in the United States, not just the citizens.

For the first time in U.S. history, the Census can be taken online as well to account for every person who may not be able to receive or submit a physical form due to social distancing, inaccessibility, or time. This adaptation has required the Census to contract the expert marketing skills of Osprey Media to reach people across the country who otherwise would not have access to it. 

Osprey Media created a campaign that increased the awareness and participation of the U.S. 2020 Census for students and renters. Through the strategic implementation of flyers, events, and social media campaigns, Osprey Media successfully directed the census to reach a greater audience during its first online execution. I participated as the technical writer for this project.

(Developed for Public Relations Campaigns Fall 2020)

Anonymity, Cyber Bullying & its Effects on K-Pop Idols (MMC4420)

The rise of anonymous accounts on social media sites has led to a culture of bashing and targeting of high profile individual K-Pop idols, leading to cases of depression and suicides. This online culture has been left to run amok and the statements made by these anonymous accounts have gone without any real consequences actions from authorities.

This mixed-methods research proposal study aims to look into how preventative legal measures in South Korea have stopped the creation of anonymous accounts and how it affects the outlook of those targeted stars' quality of life. Altogether, the data results from this research will be analyzed to justify this new research proposal and hope to justify the banning of anonymity on social media platforms to make social media platforms a more positive environment for K-Pop idols and celebrities alike. 

(Developed for Mass Communications Research Spring 2020)

Alzheimer’s Association Public Relations Campaign Proposal (PUR4801)

The Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. It was originally incorporated on April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. and is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's disease research.

This campaign directed by Qureshi Creative Agency aligns with the organization’s mission to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

The campaign mainly focuses on the opportunity for the organization to raise awareness of their efforts for improving health care quality for the elderly in Duval County. Specifically, this campaign aims to engage an audience of adults and families within the Duval County district, to increase attendance for the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on November 16, 2019 and to secure donations to fund research.

(Developed for Public Relations Case Studies Fall 2019)