The Department of Communication at Oklahoma Christian University will host a new event to encourage communication and leadership in students called Aspire on Saturday, April 2.
“I feel like coming to Aspire this Saturday will open a large world to students,” Jonathan Johnson, senior and coordinator of Aspire, said.
The idea came from Johnson wanting to create an event to unite local colleges and the field of communication on Oklahoma Christian’s campus.
Aspire will connect Oklahoma Christian with other universities in the community, including the University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma City University, while incorporating speakers to discuss various communication tactics.
“I wanted to bring some of the best Oklahoma City communicators, PR, branding and marketing professionals to Oklahoma Christian because I don’t believe that we have ever had a conference for communications here,” Johnson said.
Speakers for Aspire include the media relations coordinator for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the senior brand editor at OG&E, the senior communications specialist for Enable Midstream and a senior account executive from Jones PR, along with a few others.
“With all these people coming to speak and attend Aspire, I become more excited the closer it gets, but I also become more nervous at the same time,” Johnson said. “I personally have not pulled off an event this large on my own.”
This event is a result of a collaborative effort of Johnson and Oklahoma Christian’s communications professors, David Lowry and Larry Jurney, with assistance from Penny Seale, Public Relations professional from Oklahoma City, to bring in speakers for Aspire.
“I want students to walk away from this event feeling empowered and ambitious,” Johnson said.
According to Johnson, the event is open to anyone who wishes to attend. He said the ones who would benefit the most are students majoring in marketing, interdisciplinary studies or communications, but that communication is a key aspect to any major or profession.
Johnson said he encourages students to bring their résumés, as the speakers are influential individuals within Oklahoma City and the communication field.
The event begins Saturday, April 2 at 8:45 a.m. in Adams Recital Hall. To register, go to the Aspire event page or register send an email to Jonathan Johnson.
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