#WhyMoody: Today, we’re featuring Morgan Severson! Morgan (she/her/hers) is a journalism student from League City, Texas. She chose #TEXASMoody for its reputable Journalism school.

“Since being at Moody, I have been met with nothing but kindness and understanding from my professors.”

Severson is a Moody Media Scholar for Social Change to promote diversity in newsrooms, ensuring coverage is representative of all communities without promoting stereotypes.

“Social change is important to me because the world is always changing, and we need to be open to accepting new perspectives and ideas. Social change is how we can make meaningful progress in the world.”

Severson plans to utilize her Journalism skills by using her writing and editing knowledge to help on Moody Media Scholar projects. She also uses her journalism skills as an associate managing editor for The Daily Texan and an intern at @KUT_austin.

Her favorite study spot at #TEXASMoody is the cubicles on the 4th floor of the CMA. She also currently has Beyonce’s new album on repeat! ...

Life After Moody: Jaime Alberto Bernes is back home in Brownsville, TX, working as a legal assistant at the Javier Villarreal Injury Law Firm and pursuing his law degree from St. Mary’s Law School.

He graduated #TEXASMoody in 2021 with a political communications degree and worked at a law firm in Austin before applying to law school. The skills he learned at Moody College have been helpful for his law education. “Moody taught me how to be and stay organized, study, and prepare for exams, but most importantly, it taught me how to enhance my written and oral communication skills.” Every week, Jaime is expected to recite and communicate the information being taught and the classes he took at Moody College make this task a little easier.

His only advice to students is to take a class with John Daly. “He is the best professor at this institution; he has a vast knowledge of communication, especially personal relationships. His course was so interesting that paying attention was an enjoyable task. What you learned in his class are lessons you use for the rest of your life. “

Jaime misses being around our professors and walking around campus, especially crossing the Moody bridge and stopping mid-way to admire the view. “I always brag about our facilities and buildings; they are the best! Choosing this institution has been my best decision, and I would not hesitate to do it all over again.” ...

This week’s #MoodySpotlight is Cassandra Aquino! Cassandra (she/her) is a junior from Folsom, CA, studying Interpersonal Communication.

Aquino’s favorite #TEXASMoody memory is joining the Media Committee for @utcommcouncil. She loves meeting other Moody students with so many different majors, classes, and perspectives. “I had never felt more at home than when Moody accepted me and connected me to my closest friends in Communication Council.”

Outside of class, Aquino participates in Songwriter Showcases at @cactuscafeatx. She has been playing guitar for eight years and plays gigs around the Austin area. Her music is available to listen to on all streaming platforms!

Aquino chose to study Interpersonal Communication because it is a skill that can enhance both her professional and personal endeavors. She believes that Interpersonal Communication has allowed her to take advantage of the networking opportunities Austin has to offer. “My dream of pursuing music would not be possible without my education at Moody.” ...

Special thanks to comedian, actor and @ablackladysketchshow creator @robinthede for visiting #TEXASMoody. Students loved the opportunity to ask you for advice and to hear about your journey. Thanks @mike___jackson for hosting another outstanding Moody Media Diversity Conversation Series: Why Not Me? ...

#WhyMoody: Our first feature of the semester is Public Relations student Josh Bedingfield (he/him) from Reading, Massachusetts. Bedingfield is at #TEXASMoody because he wanted to join a community of creatives and forward-thinkers.

Bedingfield is the Director of Communications for the Moody Honors Council. “I was looking to give back to one of my favorite parts of being at Moody and wanted to help the program grow into its full potential.” Besides Moody Honors Council, Bedingfield is also the VP of Communications for the IFC, a Texas 4000 2024 rider, a PR intern for GRYT Health, and a part of the Normandy Scholars Program.

His favorite class he has taken at #TEXASMoody is Communication in the Age of Surveillance, where he learned about how vulnerable our personal information is today. His favorite #TEXASMoody professor is Dr. Brad Love. “He has pushed me to be a better writer, critical thinker and friend.”

“I’m so proud to attend the Moody College of Communication and plan to advocate how great it is to those who don’t know about it!” ...

Life After Moody: This year, we are kicking off our series with Houston native Samantha Lorea. After graduating from #TEXASMoody with her advertising degree, she stayed in Austin and is currently the New Business Manager at GSD&M.

The skills Lorea learned at the @txadpr program prepared her for a smooth transition to agency life. “Some of the skills that I learned that helped in that transition were learning how to work in teams which is a huge part of my job now, in addition to the presentation, communication, networking, and organization skills that I was constantly building in my time at Moody. “

Her favorite part about the advertising industry is working in the creative space and being surrounded by brilliant minds and ideas daily!

While at #TEXASMoody, she served as president of @daprtx and was a member of the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations DEI student council. Her advice to students is not to be afraid to put themselves out there. “Ask questions and network! I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunities if I didn’t do those things.”

“Professor Kahlor was one of the best professors I had. She truly cares about her students and did what she could to help them succeed. “ ...

Happy MLK Day! Dr. King always said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" To celebrate, we are highlighting Kayla Abramowitz as our first #MoodySpotlight this semester. Kayla (she/her) is a Communication & Leadership student from Jupiter, FL.

Abramowitz chose to study CLD because of the program’s unique opportunities to develop her leadership skills. She utilizes her leadership skills by running her own nonprofit, @kaylacares4kids, which provides entertainment and educational items to children’s medical facilities around the world.

“What I learn in CLD is directly applied to my nonprofit and has given me more confidence and running my organization.”

Abramowitz is passionate about social change and serving others. She started her nonprofit because she saw a need for entertainment in hospital settings and decided she wanted to change that. Alongside her nonprofit, she is also involved in the Obama Chesky Voyager Fellowship, in which she was selected as 1 of 100 students around the country that are given the opportunity to travel around the world to help create social change.

How are you giving back to the community this MLK Day? Let us know in the comments! ...