4 minute read
A Storyteller's Journey
Writer embraces career change from health care to public relations and philanthropy
By Bree Cornell
Honors alumna, current master’s student, and MTSU employee Johari Hamilton is a career writer with a fascinating story.
“I joke that I’m not a nontraditional student; I am a very nontraditional student. I returned to college at 46,” she said
Hamilton worked for 20 years in health care, which allowed her to listen to a range of patients’ stories, from sorrowful to joyful. She transitioned from this into public relations, a seemingly much different career—but fostering connection is the core of both.
I am a very nontraditional student.
Now a coordinator for giving and donor relations in MTSU’s Development Office, Hamilton is pursuing her master’s in Media and Communication, so her involvement with the school is a major part of her life. As an undergrad, she worked as a PR intern for a media company through the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Memphis, which solidified her desire to pursue public relations.
“PR is about people!” she said. “It’s about building relationships and sharing the value of those relationships with others.”
Hamilton shared her many roles in her life: health care professional, wife, mother, and grandmother. Challenged to start over as a career writer and student, she has gained the wisdom that experience—while inherently valuable—does not define you.
DONATIONS FOR A DIFFERENCE
Rather than staying in the same roles, Hamilton embraced her ability to change and explore new academic and career pathways. She gained additional communication skills and an even deeper sense of empathy.
Many opportunities she had would not have been possible without financial aid, so it is rewarding for her to make a difference for students in need of it.
“I am using my public relations and strategic media skills to assist with developing and implementing annual giving campaigns like True Blue Give, a three-day campaign that raises funds for scholarships and occurs in February,” Hamilton said. “This year, thanks to all our wonderful supporters, we surpassed our goal and set a new record by raising over $1 million.”
This program and others, such as the Senior Gift tradition that encourages new graduates to give, help the school—and students—flourish.
Hamilton connects with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and donors. The donors are a varied group with their own motivations for giving to the University, and she can relay to them how their funds make a positive impact.
“Their support provides private financial assistance for scholarships, research, studying abroad, new equipment, and emergencies,” she said. Overall, she emphasized that stewardship is not only about generosity and gratitude but about demonstrating the impact as well.
COMMUNITY AND COMMUNICATIONS
Alongside her writing and organizing at MTSU, Hamilton is studious and dedicated to her academic research. She says that her appreciation for academic research began with the Honors College, where she improved her critical thinking and research skills. And with high standards for professionalism, leadership, and service, the example set by the Honors College reinforces her work as a community advocate.
She found more fulfillment in working as a graduate assistant for MTSU’s News and Media Relations, an environment of storytellers and skilled communicators. One particular story she wrote during her time there stood out to her: an article about the Come to Voice summer camp, hosted by the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, teaching young students about digital media literacy.
The 2024 article covered the students’ interaction with the Bragg Building’s XR Studio, Walker Library’s Makerspace, and the WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 studios in Nashville.
“The story tops the list of all the stories I wrote because it continues to be written,” she said. “Those middle and high school students left our campus inspired to attend college. Some will be the first generation.”
Hamilton resonates with empowering experiences she can write about, and they fill her with a humanitarian purpose. Her writing about the media literacy program enabled it to have more support and outreach, and as she personally asks herself beforehand, “How will writing for the company or organization serve the greater good?”
As a student, Hamilton is hard at work on her master’s thesis proposal defense.
“Focus on what interests you,” she shared when asked about advice on writing. “Whether it’s a thesis, dissertation, news article, or any other writing format, choose something you will enjoy researching, reading, observing, learning, and writing about. When considering a career that involves writing, like journalism or public relations, think about your interests, frustrations, and where you want to make a difference.”
