Geller scholarship winner active in global community
Public relations major Rachel Zieleniec recently received the School of Journalism’s Corinne Geller Scholarship, an award named for a Scripps alumna who currently manages public relations for the Virginia State Police. The junior from Beachwood, Ohio, does not shy from taking pride in her accomplishment.
“To be honest, this award allows me to look at the hard work and activity that I have done on and off campus and understand that I am doing something that is making a difference,” Zieleniec said. “In my eyes, the award symbolizes my dedication.”
Zieleniec said she enjoys the workload her sequence offers.
“I have always found it fascinating how the job of PR is to make other people and/or organizations look good,” Zieleniec said. “It’s sometimes quite a task and I enjoy challenges.”
Zieleniec credits Scripps for much of her growth and success.
“I have enjoyed every moment of my journalism classes,” Zieleniec said. “Although some were harder than others, the skills that I have acquired have been so helpful in becoming a more professional student and person.”
Zieleniec is the on-campus representative for the Boston-based Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, or CAMERA. She founded the campus group Bobcats for Israel and is a member of the Student Alumni Board and the Global Leadership Center. Zieleniec also interned for Developers Diversified Realty in Cleveland. She emphasizes the importance of accumulating a breadth of experiences.
“Every single one of these activities has given me such a different college experience,” Zieleniec said. “I think a wide variety of experiences makes a student’s college days the best that they can possibly be. It opens you up to new people, new outlooks and definitely challenges you as a student and as a person.”
Zieleniec said she wants to pursue her global interests before building a comfortable home life.
“I hope to be working somewhere internationally for a couple of years,” Zieleniec said. “In five years, I want to have a successful job in a city such as Chicago, Boston or San Diego, where I can have a beautiful apartment overlooking the city lights and a dog that I can play with outside.”
by Joe Vance
- contact Robert Stewart at 740.593.2601
- Link directly to this Scripps Note
