Located at University of Missouri - St. Louis, Department of Communication & Media
THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS
Students Creating a Strategic Approach to PR
LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE
The Barnett Agency is a student-run organization at the University of Missouri - St. Louis in the Department of Communication & Media focused on providing clients with strategic communication campaigns and public relations solutions that are developed to meet clients' needs. Services provided to both on-campus and community clients can include communication research, content creation, writing, photography and social media management.
The Barnett Agency supports furthering students' opportunities to expand their leadership, planning, and creativity skills through unique campaign experiences, personal and professional development, and relationship building.
GET TO KNOW US
Our team is made up of talented professionals who come from diverse backgrounds, which gives The Barnett Agency an unbeatable advantage: multidisciplinary expertise. We are a friendly and creative bunch, and look forward to helping your brand advance and adapt to today’s needs.
JOSIE SANTEL
UMSL junior, Josie Santel, joined the Barnett Agency in January 2021. Bringing her creativity and social media experience to the team, Josie wants to help grow UMSL's social media engagement. She currently manages the social media accounts for UMSL's Department of Communication and Media. After graduation, Josie hopes to work as a social media manager.
KALI SKIKAS
UMSL senior, Kali Skikas, joined the Barnett Agency in December of 2022. She plans on graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Information Systems and Technology. Kali is working towards her certification in Digital and Social Media Marketing at UMSL. In this role, Kali helps manage social media for UMSL’s College of Arts and Science. After graduating, she hopes to advance her career in the marketing field.
VINCE COSTA
UMSL junior, Vince Costa, joined the Barnett Agency in January of 2022. He plans on graduating in spring of 2024 with his BA in Communications and a certificate in Public Relations. Bringing his experience in social media, Vince helps run the social media accounts for the College of Music. After graduating, Vince hopes to work in the field of public relations.
MIKAYLA WOOD
UMSL junior, Mikayla Wood joined the Barnett Agency in December of 2022. Mikayla plans to graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication. She also working towards a Public Relations Certificate. Mikayla manages social pages for the College of Arts and Sciences. She hopes to advance her career in the public relations field.
JOHN SAMUEL CHEVAKULA
UMSL senior, John Samuel Chevakula, joined the Barnett Agency in January 2023. He is studying Supply Chain & Analytics. John is also pursuing his passion as a Creative Designer at The Barnett Agency.
BARNETT AGENCY ALUMNI TEAM
MICHAEL GRAHAM
Michael Graham graduated with a BA in Communication. Following graduation, he commissioned in the United States Army to continue his service. Everyone at UMSL says thank you for your service.
ALLEC SANFORD
Allec Sanford joined the Barnett Agency in January 2021. He graduated with his BA in Strategic Communication, as well as a minor in French. Bringing his creative problem-solving skills to the team, he assisted with managing social media accounts for UMSL's Dept. of Communication & Media.
CARLY WILSON
Carly Wilson joined The Barnett Agency in September 2020. Bringing her prior social media experience to the team, Carly's focus was on branding The Barnett Agency and building the agency's website. After graduation, Carly planed to work as a social media manager, branding and managing accounts for small businesses. Carly's goal is to eventually have her own social media management business.
ANNIE O'DONOGHUE
Annie O'Donoghue, joined The Barnett Agency in January 2021. Bringing her professional experience to the team, she managed the social media accounts for UMSL’s Department of Communication & Media. Her goal is to eventually have her own social media consulting business or work on the PR team for a woman-owned business.
BRANDON YN
Brandon Yn joined The Barnett Agency in September 2020. His main responsibility was managing the social media channels for UMSL's College of Arts and Sciences. After graduating he hopes to eventually work for a nonprofit organization, and build his photography and videography skills.
SARAH KELLY
Sarah Kelly graduated with her BA in Communication, as well as a certificate in Public Relations. She worked with HavenHouse St. Louis to create social media posts, plan fundraisers, and more. Working with them this semester has fueled her desire to continue working in the nonprofit sector.
ALISHA PHILLIPS-JONES
Founding member, Alisha Phillips-Jones, graduated in 2020. Her work to launch The Barnett Agency resulted in a student-run PR firm at UMSL dedicated to providing students with real-world experience managing client needs.
MARIAH LINDSEY
Mariah Lindsey, a founding member of The Barnett Agency, worked tirelessly to launch a student-run PR firm committed to finding solutions to challenges facing clients.
RYAN MASSEY
Ryan Massey, is a communication major with an interest in marketing and PR. Ryan, who joined the agency in the January 2022, brought his experience with digital design to the team.
BARNETT AGENCY SUPERVISOR
Jill Alexander, APR, Fellow PRSA, is Associate Teaching Professor and Public Relations Certificate Director. She currently serves as interim department chair, as well as faculty advisor to UMSL's PRSSA chapter and The Barnett Agency.
Following a 30-year career in public relations and corporate communication, Alexander chose to share her insights and inspire future public relations practitioners at University of Missouri – St. Louis. She brings a wealth of expertise in media relations, corporate communication, internal communication, crisis communication, and community relations to the classroom.
In a previous role as senior director, corporate communication, Alexander has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), Miami Herald, Denver Post, Kansas City Star, St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis Business Journal, Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh Tribune, Quad-City Times, Waterloo Courier, SEMissourian (Cape Girardeau), Vicksburg Post, Natchez Democrat, Mobile Press-Register, Biloxi Sun-Herald and numerous television stations across the United States.
She also serves as faculty advisor to the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at the University. In 2019, she launched a student-run public relations firm on campus at UMSL called The Barnett Agency. She continues to serve as supervisor.