Living the Dream
Back So Soon?
In Fast Turnaround, Corporate Communications
Grad Finds Herself Back in Her Favorite Place
C
oming back to James Madison University was
something SMAD alumnus Kristin (Naylor) Gibson had
always wanted to do. She just never imagined it would
happen so soon.
Gibson, a 2006 Corporate Communications graduate, now
coordinates the Marketing and Development efforts for UREC.
She and her staff – a graduate assistant and six undergrads –
promote UREC’s array of offerings: its workout facilities; classes
such as Boxing 101 and Massage 101; and excursions for hiking,
climbing, kayaking and other wellness activities that take
advantage of the Shenandoah Valley.
The marketing team introduces UREC to prospective and
first-year students as well as markets
new or unique educational programs
After graduating
to the students and staff at JMU.
Gibson, who said she likes a
from SMAD,
hands-on job, maintains the UREC
Gibson said,
eW b site and produces press releases,
brochures and other promotional
“I actually felt
Exercising her skills: Now coordinator of Marketing and Develop-
material.
ment for JMU’s UREC, Kristin Naylor Gibson said her SMAD skills helped
over-prepared
“It was the perfect opportunity to lead her to the perfect job.
come back,” Gibson said. “The job photo: Leila Saadeh
for ‘the real
combines everything I love: using my
work world.’”
SMAD skills, health, working with
Gibson said UREC is a unique place to work. “They value
students, and JMU.”
hard work here, and it’s nice to work in a place where a healthy
hW at completes the picture is that
lifestyle is valued and encouraged,” she said.
Gibson’s husband, Kevin, a 2005 grad in Public Administration,
Gibson said when she graduated from the SMAD program,
also found a job at the university in the Orientation department.
“My design, writing and editing skills were better than I
Gibson said she and her husband both “bleed purple” and
expected, and I am grateful for that. I actually felt over-
have always wanted to work at their alma mater.
prepared for ‘the real work world.’ ”
Before returning to the Valley, Gibson honed her marketing
“Above everything, I value the connections and relationships
skills at two companies in the aW shington, D.C., area. Her entré
I made in my classes,” Gibson said. “It was through these
was an advertising internship that she found through another
relationships that I got not only my internship but other
SMAD graduate.
opportunities as well.”
— Mallory Micetich
Rhymer Revealed Continued from page 6
writing. Finally, Rhymer hooked up with animated movie for Fox Studios that years here, and because he hopes other
an agent who secured his first contract, he says involves “talking birds,” and students will enjoy the same type of
working for Universal Studios. a family comedy for Sony titled, Skip transforming experience.
For 10 years he earned a salary Tracer. “I came from a very small town in
working in the frantic pace and creative He and his wife still return to JMU North Carolina and I never thought
atmosphere of weekly sitcom writing. occasionally and Rhymer has spoken to about working in Hollywood or
His credits include Coach, the Hogan SMAD classes about his career and craft. anything like that,” Rhymer says. “Being
Family and Evening Shade, among many Rhymer has endowed two at JMU changed a lot of that, the way I
others. scholarships for SMAD students at looked at things and what was possible
Now an established writer for the JMU — because of the professional and for me to do.”
big screen, Rhymer’s latest project is an personal rewards he reaped from his — Jaclyn Cole
19 The School of Media Arts and Design
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