Voices of Liberal Arts Ambassador Program

Kristina Blankenship is the Director of Business & Community Engagement for the State of Indiana’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. After graduating from IU, she worked on political campaigns before spending nearly a decade overseas as a small business owner. Back in Indianapolis, Kristina focuses on building strong employer partnerships and advancing recruitment strategies that connect jobseekers with disabilities to meaningful employment. Known for forging impactful connections, she produces events and shares employer-focused resources that help organizations expand hiring practices and strengthen workforce outcomes.

Marie Fisher (‘20) is a social media and content manager for a wellness-focused haircare brand. She earned her degree in journalism with minors in communication studies and English from Indiana University- Indianapolis. Her career has taken her from higher education, healthcare, and non-profits to the beauty industry, where she now combines creative storytelling with strategy. Outside of work, Marie loves fitness, cooking and baking, and playing with her dog, Bruno. She enjoys connecting with fellow IU alumni and students, sharing her journey, and being a resource for those interested in pursuing a similar career path.

Sarah is an Indianapolis native dedicated to contributing to our diverse community. A proud alumna of both Ivy Tech (2018) and IU Indy (2022), she is now pursuing a J.D. at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law. By day, she works as a law clerk for the Indiana Public Defender, and at night, attends classes. As a mother of three, Sarah enjoys spending time with her kiddos-crafting, exploring the outdoors, and watching sports. She is excited to serve as a Liberal Arts Alumni Ambassador and to use her experience to engage our alumni network!

Casey Harrison is the CEO of Polished Strategic Communications, a boutique agency helping organizations amplify their impact through strategic messaging, media relations, and brand storytelling. Known for blending business acumen with a passion for inclusion and access, Casey partners with nonprofits, corporations, and community-driven initiatives to drive growth and connection. Her work spans industries from commercial real estate to education and the arts, always with a focus on elevating voices that create lasting change.

Tarena Hulede entered social media management after earning a degree in journalism and public relations from Indiana University - Indianapolis. She currently leads content creation for daily health care and health policy stories at KFF Health News. She joined the organization in 2019 as a social media intern and was soon promoted to assistant social media manager. In 2021, she was hired as a strategic communications specialist by a top government relations and strategic communications firm but returned to KFF the following year. Tarena holds a master’s degree from Indiana University’s Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Rachon Lucio is a marketing and communications professional who specializes in crafting engaging content, elevating brand presence, and driving strategic outreach for mission-driven organizations. In his role at the Indiana Bar Foundation, he develops newsletters, press releases, and digital campaigns that amplify the organization’s voice and impact. With experience writing for associations on topics like membership growth, digital engagement, and web strategy, Rachon blends creativity with a results-focused approach. Class of 2021.

Emily Lytle-Painter is a digital media strategist and content designer who helps teams create experiences that are clear, inspiring, and built around users needs. She began her career in the arts, crafting stories across different media, which taught her the value of listening and narrative. Over time, she discovered a passion for structure and strategy-making complex ideas understandable and meaningful. An IUPUI Museum Studies graduate, Emily brings curiosity and adaptability to everything she does.

Rhea Mathew is an Account Director at Battenhall, based in Toronto, Canada. She is a true third-culture kid who has lived and worked across the globe and specializes in communications and client relations for global technology companies. She is a MA Applied Communications graduate from Indiana University Indianapolis, graduating in 2016, where she also served as a Graduate Student Ambassador at the School of Liberal Arts, working as a mentor in public speaking and confidence-building. With 10 years of international work experience between Canada, the US, UAE and India, her field of expertise includes global communications and social media consultancy.

Clifton Morlan is a 2011 graduate of the IU School of Liberal Arts and a proud US Army veteran. He is a founding member of the Veterans Faculty Staff Council. Clifton is a life member of the American Legion, where he currently serves as one of the American Legion Department of Indiana Historians. Clifton is passionate about service. He hosts a monthly “Coffee With A Vet” among other events and actively volunteers in the community. He is married with two children.  In his free time, he enjoys playing billiards and building connections in the veteran community.

Jenny Parker is a Talent Acquisition Partner with over 15 years of healthcare experience. She began her career in senior memory care and now focuses on talent acquisition, development, and building local university partnerships to support early-career professionals. Jenny holds a bachelor’s in English Literature (2009) and an MBA from Western Governors University (2024). She remains actively involved with IU Indy as a board member of the Liberal Arts Alumni Association. She also enjoys serving as a board member for the local nonprofit organization, SHEroes that specializes in educational programs for young girls, including auto-mechanics, financial literacy, self-defense and more!

RaeVen Ridgell is a storyteller, political strategist, and coalition builder from Indiana by way of Mesa, Arizona, dedicated to advancing inclusive democracy and civic engagement. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science, Theatre & Performance, and Africana Studies, and a Master of Public Affairs from the O’Neill School. RaeVen has led the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, shaped policy across six states with Planned Parenthood, launched a DEIA-focused consulting firm, and contributed to the Democratic National Convention. She uses storytelling to illuminate policy and inspire action, guided by Nikki Giovanni’s words: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it”

Prof. Ben enters his 13th year as an associate professor with the School of Liberal Arts (M.A. 2013 in Public Relations Management). He is a communicator having worked with technology, health care and higher education. Risinger loves to help spread knowledge and help others figure out their life path in the collegiate atmosphere. He is a former newspaper and television journalist and hosted "DoItIndy" in the 2010's on FOX 59 WXIN and digital media. Risinger is a passionate fanboy who collects nostalgia and has attended over 60 shows from the band 311 over the past 30 years. Website: www.benrisinger.com 

Jacob Shively is currently an associate dean and associate professor at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where he lives with his wife and four children. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Indiana University Bloomington. Shively received a B.A. from IU Indy in the same field along with minors in Spanish and History. He even met his wife during a class in Cavanaugh Hall. His scholarship focuses on US foreign policy, he teaches a range of international relations courses, is actively engaged in the local community, and occasionally contributes political analysis for local and international media.

Stephanie Singh serves as the Executive Director of Communications & Marketing for the rapidly growing community of Plainfield, Indiana. She credits much of her success to her time at IU Indy, where experiences such as studying abroad in Poland, internships at WISH-TV, and invaluable networking through professors shaped her career path. Those opportunities laid the foundation for her work in television news and later as a communications professional. Stephanie’s advice to students is simple but powerful: take every opportunity, show up fully, and be consistent. A strong work ethic, positive attitude, and eagerness to learn never go unnoticed.

Angela is currently a lecturer and course director (for public speaking) in the Department of Communication. With an undergraduate in journalism and French, her first MA from IU Indianapolis in Applied Communication, and more, Angela went from being a first-generation college student to holding a doctorate in organizational leadership. On campus, she loves to help problem-solve, which generally translates to serving 20-30 instructors and hundreds of students per semester. Outside of that, she's a some-time cinephile.

Kelly Sumner is the Director of International Admissions at IU Indianapolis. Her career began with teaching K-12 English Language Learners in central Indiana public schools before transitioning to international higher education in 2012. She received her undergraduate degrees in English and Secondary Education in 2004 and her Master of Arts in English in 2013, all from IU Indy. She lives in Brownsburg, Indiana with her husband, Joshua, and her children, Jacob, Casper, and Charles. She loves to travel and experience other cultures, especially the languages and the food! She also loves to read, craft, and play games.