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hosted a much-anticipated networking event on Nov. 18, welcoming representatives from three renowned agencies – , and – to ���ϲ�����’s campus.

As a nationally recognized model of experiential education, Live Oak regularly provides networking and professional development opportunities for its more than 50 student members, as well as other students studying in the School of Communications. Events like this one, part of the agency’s “Insight Nights” series, leverage connections with alumni and industry leaders to prepare students for careers in public relations and advertising.

This week’s event featured three 30-minute sessions led by more than 10 industry professionals, including several ���ϲ����� alumni. Students participated in 10-minute presentations from each agency, followed by a meet-and-greet to further build relationships and gain insights.

Hal Vincent, Live Oak Communications faculty director, explained that this event – and others like it – help fulfill the ultimate purpose of experiential learning: to best prepare students for advanced studies and careers in public relations and advertising.

“These companies crave the talent that comes out of the great students of ���ϲ����� and Live Oak Communications,” Vincent said.

Student photographer Aidan Blake ’26 captured photos of the networking event, which have been published on the .

The event’s format provided students with valuable opportunities to ask questions, showcase their skills, and deepen their understanding of the fields of advertising, strategic communications and consultancy. It also served as a celebration of student accomplishments throughout the fall, as well as past semesters.

Students arrived professionally dressed, with polished resumes in hand, ready to make a strong impression.

“You could feel the excitement,” Vincent said. “Students apply their communications knowledge for real clients and businesses, and now they’re interviewing on their home turf with real-world experience to back them. The professionals want to come to them – and they see firsthand the incredible work happening at Live Oak.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way our agency members represented Live Oak,” said Alexa Morrissey, student agency director of Live Oak Communications and a strategic communications major. “This event demonstrated the incredible caliber of talent we have here, in addition to our commitment to building bridges between our work as students and our future careers.”

Sami Engel, student assistant agency director, echoed Morrissey’s sentiments and reflected on her own development as a member of the student-run agency.

“I’ve grown so much throughout my three years at Live Oak, and I wanted to take the agency to the next level where Live Oak members could learn more about where they could see themselves applying their skills following graduation while also building connections,” said the strategic communications and media analytics double major. “I am thrilled we were able to show off our skills and experience from Live Oak.”

Live Oak is recognized as one of the top student-run communications agencies in the country. And it seemed fitting that each professional agency at the event was represented by an ���ϲ����� graduate.

“What impressed me most about Live Oak is how it combines the best of both worlds — real-world agency experience and the enthusiasm of a student-run team,” said Dominique Rousseau ’22, a business development specialist at McKinney. “I was constantly inspired by the talent and dedication of my peers. It’s more than just an organization. It’s a place where creativity thrives, relationships deepen, and your skills are truly put to the test.”

All photos by Aidan Blake ’26.

About Live Oak Communications

Founded in 2007 at ���ϲ�����, Live Oak Communications is a student-run strategic communications agency that delivers industry replicable professional advertising and public relations solutions. The agency’s expertise spans audience research, content creation, digital marketing, direct/e-mail/social marketing, advertising, print/digital design, and media impact analysis. The talented student teams at Live Oak are committed to generating and delivering innovative communication services tailored to meet the needs of real clients.

Live Oak offers an immersive public relations and advertising agency experience for ���ϲ�����’s School of Communications serving more than 50 students and six professional clients per semester. In addition to the practical application of communications strategies, Live Oak “Insight Nights” offer ���ϲ����� students educational and professional development opportunities.