Washington, D.C., public affairs firm GolinHarris will give three West Virginia University School of Journalism students the opportunity to practice their public relations skills on Capitol Hill during the 2011-2012 school year.

Rachel Taylor of Ripley, W.Va., was selected for the Summer 2011 session, while Blair Dowler of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Trey Hollern of Steelton, Pa., were selected for the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters of the Mountaineer in D.C. internship program.

Each student will receive a $2,500 stipend and a weekly salary.

GolinHarris, one of the world’s leading public relations and government affairs firms, began the Mountaineer in D.C. program in 2004 to provide School of Journalism students hands-on experience in public relations and marketing. In 2009, GolinHarris renewed its commitment to the School by extending the program for five more years and increasing the number of intern positions from two to three each year.

School of Journalism alumnus and GolinHarris Executive Vice President, Mike Fulton, said the program is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“Our clients and account teams at GolinHarris benefit greatly from the well-prepared and creative WVU journalism students,” said Fulton. “They work hard, are eager to learn and to share new ways of communicating, and work well in integrated teams working toward the same objectives. This internship program gives me increased hope for the future of our profession.”

Including Fulton, four of the full-time staff at the GolinHarris D.C. office are WVU alumni, two of whom are former Mountaineer in D.C. interns (Emma Draper and Elyse Petroni). Blair Dowler said she likes those statistics.

“I’m very excited to meet new people and get real-world experience,” said Dowler. “I think it’s a great opportunity to either solidify a position there or meet people who can put me in contact with other public relations professionals who can help me get my foot in the door somewhere.”

Dowler, who will be a senior in the fall, is the daughter of Kathi and Lyle Dowler.

Hollern will receive his bachelor’s degree in May and will begin the School’s Integrated Marketing Communications master’s degree program in the Fall. He is the son of Carol and David Hollern.

Taylor, who will receive her bachelor’s degree in August, is the daughter of Roscoe and Laura Taylor.

-WVU-

cv/05/10/11

CONTACT: Kimberly Walker, School of Journalism
304-293-5726

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