Hi, my name is Heather Howard aka Firecracker. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and am currently a senior and the secretary of UAB PRCA/PRSSA. My career goal is to work in public relations for a major fashion designer.  I have been involved in UAB's Homecoming Committee and work at Red Bull Energy Drink and intern at American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO).  The most important thing I have learned from Dr. Wittig and the public relations program is to be available anytime for my job, be able to work well under pressure and of course HAVE GOOD WRITING SKILLS.

 Lauren Ulm, VP of Membership  larulm7@uab.edu

My name is Lauren Ulm, but some people call me LaLa.  I am a senior at UAB.  My career goal is to work as a medical sales representative in Birmingham, but I want to attend graduate school first.  I am PRCA/PRSSA's Vice President of Membership.  I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee.  I lived there for sixteen years before graduating high school in St.Louis, Missouri.  I have been involved in many organizations and programs at UAB.  I have been a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity for four years and recently became alum in my chapter.  I have held several offices during my time as a sorority member.  I am currently an advisor for my sorority.  I have been involved as an executive officer in National Panhellenic Council.  I am also a member of the Student Alumni Society.  I have been a member of PRCA/PRSSA for two years.  Every year I participate in volunteer opportunities on campus, such as Into the Streets and participating in other organizations philanthropy events.  Last year I worked with Camp Smile-A-Mile for my PR courses.   I helped Camp SAM by planning a public relations campaign for its organization.  I have learned a lot about public relations, but the most important thing I have learned is that positive relationships between an organization and its key publics is imperative.  Without positive relationships the organization will suffer dramatically.

Jasmine Weatherly, VP of Programs  weatherly_j@yahoo.com

I’m Jasmine Weatherly aka Jazzyphat and I am the VP of Programs for PRCA/PRSSA. I hail from the lovely neighborhood of Ensley, Al and the beautiful city of Adamsville, Al. I am currently enrolled as a junior and plan to become involved with Nonprofit PR or Entertainment PR after I graduate. Along with being involved in PRCA/PRSSA I volunteer as a phone counselor at the local Crisis Center. I would say that the most important thing I have learned throughout the PR sequence is that procrastination is not an option.

Joshua Wilson, Webmaster  jjwil325@uab.edu

My PR nickname is Jcool -- its uniqueness stems from my passion for UAB. I am a senior public relations major from Birmingham, AL. All throughout college I have been heavily involved. During college I started my involvement experience as an Ambassador for Jefferson State Community College. I have been a member of UAB Bands for four years. I am chair for Films and Novelties, an organization under the University Program Council.  Films and Novelties bring events and movies to the campus each semester. Also, Orientation Leaders are an important part of my student-life experience. I love being one of the first faces that students see. Currently I plan to finish the PR program and continue my education in Student Affairs. I have learned a variety of things that have helped me in the classroom through student involvement. Finishing the Public Relations program will give me the guidance needed for the opportunity to mentor college students as student-life advisors have done for me.

Erica Ashley Arrington, Firm Director  ericaarrington@hotmail.com

Erica Ashley Arrington hails from Greensboro, AL.  She is a senior majoring in public relations with a double minor in Communication Management and French.  She is currently serving as firm director for UAB's student-run firm, Creative Relations.  She is a 2005 graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts where she studied classical voice.  Since then she has been active in various music ensembles at UAB including UAB Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and UAB Opera.  She is also employed as a church musician and music leader at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.  In addition to music Erica has always had a passion for writing.  She enjoys public relations because she gets to write frequently and has learned many things to improve this skill.  She plans to graduate in May '09 and hopes to do agency work.

Heather Chance, VP of Communications  hpchance85@hotmail.com

Nickname: Phat Chance

Class Status: Senior

Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Career Goal: At this point I am more concerned with just getting a job after graduation, but working in Healthcare PR or for a PR agency are my main goals.

Extracurricular: UAB Golden Key International Honour Society member, hiking, camping, playing with my dog

Most important thing you’ve learned from PR thus far: Public relations is the management function...just kidding (well, not really).  The most important thing I've learned from PR so far is pretty much everything I've learned so far.  There is not one particular aspect of what I have learned thus far that I consider more important than the others.  From what public relations actually is, as opposed to misconstrued picture many have of the field, to the different areas of opportunity in public relations, I consider everything I've learned t 

Dee Adadevah, Assistant VP of Communications  dayo87@uab.edu

Janelle Johnson, Publicity  mone04@uab.edu

My name is Janelle Johnson but my PR nickname is Jelly Belly.  I am a Senior serving as the Publicity Chair of PRSSA. I am from originally from Washington, D.C. but I have lived in Dothan, Alabama for more than half of my life.  Out of all of my extracurricular activities, sleeping is my favorite one.  You can never get enough. The most important thing that I have learned about public relations is that you must determine your audience before you can do anything. Without that information the practice of public relations is useless.

Melinda Thornton, Treasurer  mellie@uab.edu

Melinda “Cheeks” Thornton is a Senior Public Relations student and the Treasurer of UAB’s PRCA/ PRSSA chapter.  Upon graduation in Spring 2009, Melinda aspires to get her Masters in Business Administration (MBA).  She has a wide variety of interests so she is not limiting herself to one career goal.  However, agency and corporate work attracts her, and she would like to start her own business in the future.  “The most important thing I’ve learned from PR is that persistence is key,” she says. “PR is a craft that you have to keep perfecting, but you have to be versatile and willing to take criticism and apply it.  Also, you must keep going when someone says no—all the while making yourself more marketable until someone says yes.”   Melinda is currently enjoying her time as a Baker Donelson Intern in Public Relations at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.  Other activities Melinda enjoys include playing guitar and reading.  She is a member of the Minority Scholars Program and Phi Kappa Phi.  She also is active in the UAB Mentor Program and has remained on the Dean’s List for the duration of her college career. Melinda is from Gadsden, Alabama and the daughter of Susie Thornton and the late Darrell Thornton.