PR students serve as WVU
EcoCar Outreach Team

Team Members

Nicole Fernandes

Nicole is a second year master’s student studying journalism in the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. She serves as the communications and outreach graduate assistant for the EcoCAR Team. Nicole recently completed an internship position in the Washington, D.C., office of award-winning international public relations firm GolinHarris. While at GolinHarris, Nicole served on the public affairs and government relations team. Upon graduation next year, she will pursue a career in public relations and marketing in the non-profit or government sectors.

Elyse Petroni

Elyse is a senior public relations major with a minor in business administration. She plans to graduate from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism in May 2010. Elyse recently completed an internship with the New York State Senate in Olean, N.Y. She also gained a great deal of design experience through her internship with the Allegany County United Way in Wellsville, N.Y. In addition, Elyse will serve as the marketing and advertising chair for Mountaineer Week 2009. Upon graduation next year, she plans to pursue a career in public relations at a full-service PR agency.

Cate Mihelic

Cate is a senior public relations major working toward a minor in business administration and a second concentration in industrial engineering. She plans to graduate from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism in May 2010. Cate has completed two internships with a focus in industrial engineering. Her first internship, in Spring 2007, was with Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Buffalo, W.Va. During the Spring 2008 semester, she interned at New United Motors, Inc., in Fremont, Calif., in their logistics department. Upon graduation, she plans to work toward a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Nicholas Cavender

Nicholas is a senior studying public relations with a minor in both political science and history. He plans to graduate from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism in May 2010. He gained experience in communications during an internship with the West Virginia Library Commission in Charleston, W.Va. After graduation, he plans to continue his education by working toward a master’s degree.

Marilyn McCarthy

Marilyn McCarthy is a senior public relations major with a minor in communication studies. In the summer of 2007, Marilyn gained experience in the corporate world as an intern for AOL LLC working with Talent Acquisition and the HR department. She was also a member of the intern advisory board and was responsible for planning and organizing events for all interns working for AOL that summer. Marilyn will graduate in May 2010 and plans on pursuing a public relations position with a non-profit organization.