Mercy University
JoAnna’s time at Mercy University sharpened her ability to think strategically and communicate with clarity. Through hands-on coursework and collaboration, she blended creativity with purpose in everything she built.
Communications and the Arts
JoAnna’s academic foundation was shaped through the Communications Arts program at Mercy University, a hands-on, interdisciplinary program centered on strategy, storytelling, and real-world execution. Her coursework emphasized both theory and practice, allowing her to apply communication principles directly to professional and community-based work.
Her studies included Effective Presentations with Professor Snyder, Advertising (Spring), Principles of Marketing with Professor Cooper (Fall 2025), and Social Media Content Creation with Professor Chiarella, founder of 914 Collective. She also completed Photo, Video, and Audio Production with Professor Hurlburt and Narrative Storytelling & Podcasting with Professor Perotta (Fall 2025), strengthening her skills in multimedia production and long-form storytelling.
JoAnna worked closely with Professor Jason Zalinger, Associate Professor, Program Director of Communications Arts, and Career Development instructor, completing applied career-development coursework focused on professional readiness. Through this course, she also accomplished headshot photography for Professor Zalinger, blending creative execution with professional standards. Additional career development training with Drew focused on résumé building, LinkedIn optimization, cover letters, and applying to jobs and internships through Handshake.
Our journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, we’ve stayed grounded in our values—making space for thoughtful, lasting work that connects strategy with care. This isn’t just a business; it’s a reflection of what we believe in: creating work that matters, guided by clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to quality.
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
Internship Experience
Mercy University — Communications Arts
JoAnna’s on-campus internship at Mercy University reflects a journey built on initiative, curiosity, and alignment between education and real-world execution. Her goal was clear from the start: to secure an on-campus internship that would allow her to grow professionally, contribute creatively, and remain closely connected to campus life while completing her degree.
How the Internship Began
JoAnna’s internship journey began during Transfer Student Orientation, where she arrived early with her mother—and her camera in hand, marked by her signature turquoise strap. A professional staff member from the Campus Life team, Alfred, noticed her immediately. A conversation sparked around their shared interest in photography, creating an organic connection rooted in creativity and student experience.
This moment led to an introduction to Trina, Mercy University’s Social Media Manager. Their meeting quickly turned into an opportunity, and JoAnna became the second student worker supporting social media and content creation through the university’s financial aid work-study program.
Role & Responsibilities
Working under the guidance of Mercy’s Social Media Manager, JoAnna supported institutional marketing and storytelling across digital platforms. Her responsibilities blended content creation, event coverage, and student-centered storytelling aligned with university brand standards.
Her role included:
Photography and video capture for campus events
Short-form video creation for Instagram Reels
Supporting social media campaigns and initiatives
Collaborating with marketing and campus life teams
Representing student life through authentic, real-time content
Campus Events & Content Coverage
During her internship, JoAnna photographed and filmed a wide range of campus-wide events and initiatives, including:
75th Anniversary Founders Fest
Open Houses at both the Dobbs Ferry and Manhattan campuses
Student engagement events such as Pie a Cheerleader
Athletic coverage for basketball and soccer games
Her coverage documented Mercy’s campus energy from multiple perspectives—academic, athletic, and community-driven.
Social Media Storytelling
In addition to event coverage, JoAnna curated short-form content specifically for Mercy University’s Instagram, producing Reels that showcased:
Gym-to-game-day transitions
Day in the life features as a Communications Arts student
Study sessions and academic routines
Behind-the-scenes campus moments
This content emphasized authenticity and relatability, helping prospective and current students connect with campus life through a student-first lens.
Academic Alignment & Progress
JoAnna’s internship ran in parallel with significant academic growth. After meeting with Professor Jason Zalinger, Associate Professor and Program Director of Communications Arts, she established a clear academic roadmap.
Entered Mercy University with 63 of 120 credits completed
Transferred from SUNY Westchester Community College and SUNY Empire State College
Previously completed a full Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts
By Fall 2025, advanced to 99 of 120 credits, supported by strong transfer GPA evaluations
Her academic background also includes:
Culinary Arts Magnet Certification and ServSafe (Saunders High School, Class of 2014)
College coursework in economics, education, and science
NASM Certified Personal Trainer with active CPR certification (since 2024)
Seven years of top-performing sales leadership experience at David’s Bridal
Mentorship & Gratitude
JoAnna credits her growth at Mercy University to the mentorship, structure, and trust placed in her by faculty and staff. She feels especially grateful to work under Trina’s leadership, gaining firsthand experience in institutional social media, collaboration, and professional standards.
While not every experience translates directly into academic credit, each chapter contributed to her development as a communicator, leader, and creative professional. This internship remains a defining part of her journey—bridging education, community, and purpose-driven work.
Learn more on JoAnna’s Professional Linked In Page