Effective communication has the power to transform.In my current role at the Southern IPM Center, my main goal is to highlight the importance of Integrated Pest Management. Much like conflict, pests are inevitable. It is my job to highlight and champion what scientists do to combat these pests and the importance of the impact their work has on our food, our health, and our communities. The ways in which I get to communicate this include anything from newsletters, podcasts, and social media, to advising on network connections and partnerships.Prior to this role, I earned my B.S. in Communication Studies and minor in music from Appalachian State University in August of 2012 after studying abroad for one month in Poland. I then worked in radio doing production, on-air, promotions, marketing, and management for the next three years. In 2015, I worked in non-profit marketing before getting accepted to the Master of Science in Communication program at North Carolina State University in 2016.During my time at NC State, I worked at a graduate teaching assistant for “Communication and Technology” and “Communication Inquiry” courses, and as an instructor of record for public speaking. I also served as a research assistant for the Center for Family and Community Engagement, assisting in the content development for courses such as “How Loss Impacts Youth in Foster Care: What is Our Role and Responsibility?” and “Communicating and Collaborating Effectively in a Child and Family Team Meeting as a Guardian ad Litem, Social Worker, or Facilitator,” as well as refining the website, creating the vision statement, and assisting in the co-creation of a video explaining the purpose of the center along with other communication projects. I will be glad to tell you all about them!I am passionate about research, with primary focus on populations that need a voice such as those in foster care, first-generation college students, people of Appalachia, and blue-collar workers.