Brittany Keithley Portfolio

Published byThe Northwest Missouri State University Office of University Relations The Northwest Missourian Student-run newspaper for Northwest Missouri State University The Northwest Missouri State University Alumni Magazine

Publisher The Northwest Missouri State University Office of University Relations Publish date Sept. 20, 2011 Circulation One million visitors a month

Northwest students seize opportunities through internships

By Brittany Keithley, media relations assistant Northwest Missouri State University presents its students with opportunities. It is what students choose to do with those opportunities that determines where they go beyond the classroom. From volunteering for Alternative Spring Break, to representing the University as a student ambassador to organizing speakers as lecture chair for Student Activities Council, Angela Wasko has taken advantage of every opportunity shes met at Northwest. As SAC lecture chair she brought TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie to Northwest last spring. She developed a rapport with him that eventually led to her landing a summer internship at TOMS Shoes in Santa Monica, Calif. A senior public relations major from Pocahontas, Iowa, Wasko said she was honored to work with a company with such a strong mission. At TOMS, Wasko worked with interns from Cornell University, DePauw University and the University of California-Berkeley. The world is such a big place and there are so many incredible people that are doing incredible things everywhere, she said. It doesnt really matter where you come from, if you come from a small town or a large city, as long as you have drive and a strong work ethic you can go wherever your dreams want you to go. Moving to California and stepping out of her comfort zone, Wasko adapted to TOMS Shoes unique energy fueled, by a compelling inspiration. I never got coffee, and I never made a copy, Wasko said. Literally, you are an employee, and their company is growing so fast that they have so much to do. So you literally jump in and start running. You get your hands wet, you get your feet wet, and they really want you to learn how the company runs. Beyond preaching the One for One Movement that TOMS Shoes is built upon, Wasko developed different strategies to promote the shoes, including organizing events and working with public relations firms to give TOMS products to celebrities to wear. I was an online merchandising intern so I worked to promote the fall 2011 line, Wasko said. Each shoe has a story to tell, and I would work with our online merchandising manager to create what shoe we would promote when, where and how to make sure all channels were communicating the same message. Wasko was far from the only Northwest student seeking opportunity when she left campus for the summer. Abby Nease flew all the way to South Africa in search of a unique experience a classroom couldnt offer. Northwest helped me with the information, but the internship helped me gain hands-on experience that not a lot of people will have, Nease said. I think it will give me an edge to the competition. A senior biology major from Kansas City, Mo., Nease hoped to confirm her love for marine life by working for Oceans Research, tracking and baiting great white sharks. It taught me that I really want to (work in marine biology), she said. I was hoping to figure out: Do I really want to do this, or is it just cool? I even enjoy the grunt work like cutting up fish or putting stuff into the computer, so it makes me more motivated to go on. During her internship, Nease worked on a boat, assisting graduate students with research. She took an active role participating in and assisting with aquarium work, doing different experiments and even had opportunities to swim with sharks. It is really good to ask questions, and if youre interested, show you are interested because they (supervisors) are not going to know, Nease said. If you put yourself in there and show that you want to learn, then people are willing to help you.

Though hands-on experience can be a key factor in selecting an internship, Chance Long, a junior political science major from Lees Summit, took a different approach. She traveled to Israel to gain a new perspective on a 2,000 year-old conflict. Selected by the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that strives to cease the defamation of Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens, Long was among 17 students who traveled to Israel for a seven-day trip that promoted world peace and anti-hate. Long hopes to join the Peace Corps after she graduates from Northwest. One of the biggest lessons I walked away with was that no argument is one-sided because we saw every walk of life in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she said. Emily Krickle, a senior from Lees Summit, interned for the television show American Outdoorsman. With a major in applied advertising and interest in broadcasting, Krickle hoped to work with both specialties to enhance her experience. I got the opportunity to work with web and I managed their web site for a while, she said. I also got the opportunity to be on a commercial shoot, so I got the broadcasting side of it. I dealt with a lot of their television affiliates that they send their shows to, so I got a taste in all different areas. ... It has given me a better chance at getting a job because I have more than one specific specialty. Other Northwest students chose to stay closer to the Midwest for their summer internships. Seniors Robert Langenfield and Donald Porter both completed internships in Kansas City at Cerner Corporation, the largest provider of electronic medical systems in the United States. Throughout the year, more than 50 percent of Northwest students participate in internships at companies like AT&T, VML, Energizer, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, according to Northwests Office of Career Services. Throughout all of their experiences, Northwest students reaffirmed their career choices while applying the support and instruction they received at Northwest.

Publisher The Northwest Missouri State University Office of University Relations Publish date Oct. 14, 2011 Circulation One million visitors a month

Northwest teams with city council to develop student liaison role

By Brittany Keithley, media relations assistant When Collin Debuysere voices his opinion at Maryville City Council meetings, he speaks for more than 7,200 students at Northwest Missouri State University. As the councils first student liaison, Debuysere, a senior marketing and management major from Geneseo, Ill., shares the University student perspective with the City Council. At Northwest, he also is a starting linebacker for the Bearcat football team and represents off-campus residents on the Student Senate. The City Council recognized that Maryville is kind of unique in that a lot of the population comes from the college, so they wanted to have representation from the college, Debuysere said. My job is to open up communication between what is going on in the city and what is happening on campus. Last year, Maryville City Manager Matt Lecerf, then-Mayor Chad Jackson, and Dr. Matt Baker, Northwests vice president of student affairs, introduced the idea of a student liaison to represent the University they attended a conference that focused on relationships between universities and communities. After presenting the idea to Student Senate, several committees began developing the concept to present to City Council. In March, the City Council approved the position, and Debuysere was appointed in May. He began attending the bi-monthly meetings to familiarize himself with the council and to fully understand its processes. Without a predecessor from whom he could take direction, Debuysere worked closely with Baker to expand on the role he wanted to play and issues he wanted to emphasize. Our first goal was to increase communication between students and the city, Baker said. Our students are a huge part of our community, and we wanted to not only make sure their voices were heard but also that the students would understand the issues in the city and how they impacted them. With the start of the 2011-2012 school year, Debuysere attends weekly Student Senate meetings as an offcampus representative. Understanding the needs of his off-campus constituents and listening to the feedback at Student Senates meetings allows Debuysere to provide the City Council with well-rounded feedback. Based on the feedback, he will develop a constituency report that provides a wider analysis of student responses. Debuysere hopes he can tailor the questions to issues the council is addressing. Right now I am trying to get a constituency report that we send out to all of our student senators that asks, What are some of the issues youre concerned about? Debuysere said. Im trying to reach the point where council members can ask questions about the constituency report, and they can see some of the likes and dislikes students have. Jackson, who now serves as a councilman for City Council, believes this type of feedback is essential and Debuyseres role as a liaison has opened up the opportunity for the council to build on its relationship with the University. Its another communication input and output for the city as an organization, Jackson said. When we are trying to make decisions, we want to know how our decisions affect the city. Collin, being on Student Senate, is trying to bring information from those meetings to share with us, but hes also taking information from our meetings and sharing it with the students to keep them informed. Jackson added, We have a good relationship with the Northwest Leadership Team, but what we can develop even further is reaching out to the student population. Its definitely more of a strategic role in achieving that. As the City Council enhances the collaborative relationship between the city and University, it also looks to develop a 20-year comprehensive plan to grow Maryville. Working with a student liaison, the council can gather ideas of students hopes for the city and ensure council members hear about the kind of community development students want.

There have been multiple opportunities to gain feedback about how we want to develop the downtown area and zoning, Jackson said. I know Collin brought some questions to get some input about what students think of the study as a whole in regard to restaurants, recreation opportunities and housing. He can send that to students so anyone can give their viewpoint and we can incorporate that data. Understanding how the community works and how issues relate directly to the student population, Debyusere is developing much more than communication. Whenever we have a liaison or student leader, they have the benefit of helping students but also growing themselves, Baker said. Collin is a student leader on campus and an athlete. He gives a lot of his time and is a good fit for the role as he is a good representative for students. I am very impressed with how he is approaching the whole thing.

Publisher The Northwest Missourian Student-run newspaper for Northwest Missouri State University Publish date April 21, 2011 Circulation 4,000

Behind the vote A closer look at the Board of Regents

By Brittany Keithley, editor-in-chief According to the Board of Regents web page on the University website, The board holds the Northwest vision in highest regard. From tuition increases to program cuts, the vision comes down to the board and their eight votes. However, as their routine meetings turn into marathon debates, students want to know who makes up our current Board of Regents and if those members hold the Northwest vision in highest regard by way of recent actions. The Board of Regents is currently made up of people from all walks of life. From entrepreneur to accountant. Dentist to homemaker. However, two positions on the Board are technically vacant - Rachelle Brown and Gary Panethieres terms expired at the beginning of this year and have yet to be filled. Until the new members are voted in by the Missouri Senate, Brown and Panethiere will continue to lend their services as board members. These two positions have yet to be filled because even though Governor Jay Nixon has appointed two people to fill the current void, Senator Brad Lager has yet to confirm these appointments and send them on to the Senate floor to be voted on. The Senator has sat on these appointments for the past two months. Why, then, have the appointments for the new board members not been confirmed? Though due process is an absolute must when it comes to appointing someone in such a highly regarded position, it seems as though a matter of this magnitude would take top priority in ensuring the integrity of the institution that is the Board of Regents. Dean Hubbard, former University president of 25 years, felt the length of terms and the time frame new regents were appointed helped reduce any agenda that might come into play. Its structured in Missouri, they have staggered terms, six years, which it seemed to me that the system was designed to overlap with governor terms so there wouldnt be that likelihood of it being politicized, Hubbard said. Hubbard noted that during his 25 years with the regents, those appointed would disconnect from any outside alliances and meet with the best interest of the University in mind. Once they were in the board meeting, they were there to represent the University, not a particular party, Hubbard said. Most board members when they get on the board they want to do the best job for the University and for the students. With the University vision in mind and other alliances set aside, why did the Board of Regents vote down a proposed tuition increase that was supported by the majority around campus? Even the students realized a hike in fees was necessary as represented by student regent Joseph Barbosa. Regent Joe Bosse recently gave insight to his thought process and how he evaluates the proposals presented to the board. Everybody tries to do what they think is best, Bosse said. My only problem is Im a logical, analytical type person. Give me the facts, give me the figures and I can help make a decision. I dont care who wants me to vote that way, who doesnt, give me the facts, give me the figures, tell me whats in the best interest shortterm, long-term for the school and everybody at the school. Using reason and logic alone, the financial state of the University and the impact of not approving the proposed tuition increase brings into question why majority of members (5-3) voted against the proposal made by the vice president of Finance, Stacy Carrick. During the past two years the University has held tuition flat while realizing 12 percent cuts in state appropriations (Missouri ranks 49th in per-student appropriations). Enrollment rose 17 percent and there have been department cuts of 18-20 percent. All the while it has been reported that the Universitys Composite

Financial Index is on the rise. Some Board members suggested using University reserves to cover the $1.1 million budget gap. In times of economic struggles certain measures must be taken to cover unavoidable shortfalls. It seems that such a move would go against recent University measures to build the reserves and stabilize its financial status. Regent Rachelle Brown stated in the last meeting that she ...has a responsibility to Missouri tax payers, and not those of other states in reference to not raising in-state tuition while raising out-of-state tuition. Its great that she supports in-state students, however 26 percent of the current student body is from a state outside of Missouri. From a business perspective, alienating a quarter of your customer base would more than likely prove detrimental. Though the Board of Regents did ultimately pass a tuition increase, it was much lower than what the proposal suggested. The difference between the initial proposal and the tuition increase that was passed amounts to roughly $100 per student. If the proposal presented by Carrick- which had been approved by the Scholarship Committee, Provost Doug Dunham and President John Jasinski- had passed Northwest would still have shortfalls of between $300,000-$400,000 versus the $1.1 million shortfall of the tuition increase that passed. Board member Lydia Hurst mentioned multiple times at the last meeting that we must learn to live within our means. It seems though, from examining the developing reserves and the reported CFI that the University has made a considerable effort to live within its means through cuts and increased saving, all the while keeping tuition stagnant. The question, then is not why or for what reasons the tuition increase wasnt passed as its initial proposal by financial experts. Rather, who has the best interests of the Universitys vision - being THE university of choice for a comprehensive, exceptional student experience - in mind?

Publisher The Northwest Missourian Student-run newspaper for Northwest Missouri State University Publish date Sept. 30, 2010 Circulation 4,000

Local favorite provides big taste

By Brittany Keithley, editor-in-chief Cookies and pastries line the shelves. Doughnuts, muffins and strudels heaped together beneath the counter offer a sweet solace to every visitor. Cars pass in a swift motion but when the door opens, time slows as the smell of frosting fills your senses and coffee gurgles to your right. People gather telling stories. As laughter fills the air, they sip coffee and dine on sweet surprises. Alis Bakery creates a home for many, young and old. A home where anyone is welcome and you are greeted with a smile. Alis Bakery is more than the homemade, handmade pastries and breads - its an atmosphere and environment that people can rely on. Owner Ali Elzen operates the bakery by himself, ensuring customer satisfaction. Elzen offers an old fashioned feel with each customer, calling them by name and offering their favorite pastries made from scratch. Retired professor Richard New arrives at the bakery every morning for his cinnamon twist, but stays two to three hours for the conversation. This is probably the only place where you can get top quality pastry and excellent breads, New said. Most bakeries in town ship things in frozen and thaw them out. Elzen watches loyal customers like New and former Bearcat defensive end Elliot Easley return every morning. They never change, they have the same order every day, Elzen said listing off each persons favorite. Betty Wilson visits as often as she is able to. Cane in hand, she wanders through the door greeting her friends and finds a seat. Wilson loves the shop. Ali, the food and the friendship. There isnt any bad, she said. The only bad thing was Ali closed for two months. Wilson laughs as other customers plot to collect Elzen from the big city if he tries leaving again. The bakery being a staple in their days, it was hard to be without as he traveled to New York City this summer to work in a friends bakery for a month. Though Elzen loved the trip, he said he could only visit the city, never stay. The New York style was too fast. The difference is the crowded, busy lifestyle, Elzen said. There are a lot of people and no connection, you see faces only and no interaction. Alis Bakery differs from New York not only in size, but also in the environment found in the shop. Here it is slow and the people are connected to each other. They sit and talk, he said. Returning to work in September, Elzen wakes every day at 11 p.m. and works until 5 a.m. preparing fresh pastries, breads and cookies. He showers and starts a fresh batch of coffee to greet his friends at 6 a.m. His work is never finished, as he takes every moment at his shop to satisfy his customers, working until he closes at 2 p.m. Whether returning friends or first-time visitors, Elzen greets every person with a smile and never forgets to ask for their name.

I like what I do. I like to make people happy, Elzen said. Regular customers float in and out the door like clockwork. As a younger child yells through the window screen greeting a familiar friend, a woman approaches his shop to gather hope from his pastries for a friend in the hospital. Alis Bakery brings more than doughnuts and bread to customers. He offers a promise. If you dont like it, bring it back. I will double your money, Elzen said.

Publisher The Northwest Missourian Student-run newspaper for Northwest Missouri State University Publish date Oct. 21, 2010 Circulation 4,000

In pink we stand united

By Brittany Keithley, editor-in-chief A single color sweeps our supermarkets, our Sunday night football and our social media. A color signifying hope, empowerment and awareness. From magenta to fuchsia to carnation, every shade of pink offers solace to those fighting for a cure. Pink exploded this month as fund raising took anchor and awareness reached around the globe. Breast cancer awareness has morphed from a solitary pink ribbon pinned proudly to a shirt to a pink franchise that engulfed every corner of Wal-Mart. Beyond the pink products and annual fundraising, the campus and surrounding community brought awareness even closer to home. The Administration Building earned its pink proudly as four students in a merchandising course took a class project to a higher level. Senior Sydney Askin, senior Beth Most, senior Amanda Olah and senior Emily Homan adopted the American Society of Cancers slogan, Celebrate More Birthdays as they decked out a display case in the Administration Building with balloons and presents. The display held special meaning for Askin whose mother was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and has since been in remission. As the project developed, she hoped their display would teach others the impact of their cause. I didnt know any of this before my mom was diagnosed, Askin said. I hope that thats what this is doing for the school, so the people that didnt know what breast cancer awareness was or what the pink ribbon was will know now. Bearcat Arena housed more than Northwest pride Tuesday night as Northwest fans donned their pink attire and cheered for the cause at the volleyball game. Morris White, director of athletic marketing, promotions and licensing, first brought awareness to Northwest volleyball four years ago. I wanted to incorporate that (awareness), seeing that volleyball was a sport that a lot of women attend, White said. I thought it would be an opportune time for us to take advantage of the fact that we could enhance the atmosphere for volleyball, but also recognize breast cancer awareness month. Tuesday night people swarmed the arena clad in their various shades of fuchsia. The athletic promotion attracted record-breaking crowds of 717 attendees in 2008. Its been tremendous for us, White said. Women, sororities and different organizations come out of the woodwork because its for a great cause and people like to be associated with that great cause. Registered nurse Teri Harr educates women on the importance of mammograms and was blown away by the different efforts that elevated the awareness. The pink seems like its way bigger this year, Harr said. I really cant believe the young peoples events and how they are getting involved in the awareness. From the Bearcats Pink Out to the Spoofhounds Dig Pink, Harr noticed the new outlook on thinking pink. I think its just exploded the awareness, which is always a good thing, Harr said. I just think those kinds of slogans provide that awareness and help people feel positive about the fight against cancer.

Publisher The Northwest Missouri State University Alumni Magazine To be published February 2012 Circulation 70,000

Chaplain Rives Duncan profile

By Brittany Keithley, editorial assistant Ministry is often pinpointed to the space behind an altar, within a church on a Sunday morning. However, the United States Air Force doesnt believe in such limitations nor does Chaplain Rives Duncan 93 (masters) who conducts most of his ministry outside of a chapel. Duncan graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1982 and during his five years of duty he felt a call to the ministry. Immediately after his service ended he went to the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and then was a missionary in Nigeria. After I received my doctorate and taught, I tried to see if I could become a Reservist and get my Air Force fix once a month, Duncan said. The Air Force noticed I was ordained and suggested I become a chaplain. In the next six years, Duncans chaplain ministry took him to seven bases in five countries including his first assignment at Hickam Air force Base in Hawaii where he was deployed to Italy. He spent three months in Saudi Arabia and later went to England before he came off of active duty and returned home to Colorado Springs, Co. My whole chaplain ministry has not focused on what takes place in the chapel but instead on walking around and meeting with people, whether its talking with a security policeman out on guard post at 3 a.m. or talking to people in their work environment, he said. Ive used up a lot of shoe leather, so to speak, as a part of my ministry. Duncan, stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, has also been responsible for several programs to help further benefit the cadets during their time at the Academy. He rewrote lesson plans and presentations for the Core Values Education that are directed to every incoming freshman at the Academy. As a part of the program he encourages a more active participation, and he recruits, trains and supports instructors who present the program. These young men and women, who are just coming out of high school or out of a couple of years of being enlisted, come to the Academy and we start teaching them about the Core Values, said Duncan, who was named an Outstanding Academy Educator in 2010. We first teach the cadets what it means to live with integrity first, service before self and excellence in all they do and the importance of living by these values that the Air Force was built on. Likewise, integrity, service and excellence are paramount in Duncans role as chaplain as he strives to lower hurdles for his cadets so when they face obstacles they dont face them alone. My passion is dealing with people, he said. I live my life as a chaplain establishing rapport. They may be having a great day today, but a week later they may be crashing. If I talk to the cadets and relate to them then they are more likely to talk to me rather than if I stand up in front of a room and tell them, Hi, I am your chaplain, if you want to talk to me about anything you can. Regardless of the setting in a sanctuary or in the field Duncan is committed to helping the cadets understand that they dont have to struggle alone and that he is there to listen and help.