2015

The elected board:
President: Monica Helbano
Vice President: Ari Lewis
Secretary/Treasurer: Kaydee Dobson
Events Manager: Samantha O’Dwyer
Media Manager: James Forster/Deanna Morse
Communications Manager: Deanna Morse/Alyssa Holcroft
The 2015/2016 MCSA board won Academic Club of the Year at the WSU Club Awards and were nominated for Supreme Club of the Year. The team modernised the bulletin and created importance around MCSA’s overall brand image. Numbers at mixers doubled and the team integrated MCSA into the community through PRINZ.
New innovative initiative:
Monica led the team to create a ‘buddy system’ for students to connect in the professional world. PRINZ joined in and promoted the mentoring role to PRINZ members for credit towards their professional career.

2014

The elected board:
President: Alice Kennedy
Vice President: Lisa Louw
Secretary: Emma Edhouse
Media Manager: Tash Farmer
Event Manager: Josie Robinson
Sponsorship Manager: Rashka Nand

2013

The elected board:
President: Ellen Wilson
Secretary: Danielle Conwell
Media Manager: Chelsea Came
Event Manager: Lisa Oliver

2012

The elected board:
President: Rebecca Foote
Vice President: Rachel Nixon
Sponsorship and Project Coordinator: Natasha Stubbing
Media Relations: Beth Pawson
  • Created the weekly bulletin to ensure students are aware of upcoming events and used as a promotional tool to reflect on the success of previous events.
  • Extended to PR agencies in Tauranga – gaining important connections through the Bay of Plenty district.

2011

The elected board:
President: Sarah Adams
Vice President: Cameron Webb
Secretary: Rachel Nixon
Events Manager: Rebecca Foote
Sponsorship Manager and Project Coordinator: Natasha Stubbing
Media Relations: Alex O’Reilly
Promotion and Recruitment: Robbie Fear
Taking connections one-step further, MCSA created ‘Job in a Jiffy’ – an event providing an opportunity for members to be interviewed by professionals for a (fake) job using a speed-dating format.
New aim to incorporate Event Management:
  • MCSA invites the Kate Shirtcliff, the Media and PR Executive for the Waikato Rugby Union to speak about the organisation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Hamilton. Also:
  • Paul Blomfield – a leader in the fashion PR industry.
  • Gary Taylor – Business and Development Manager for Music Exhibition, Sports and Events at Claudelands Event Centre.
  • Kylie Nichole – Events Manager at Six Hats; a professional conference organising company.

2010

The elected board:
President: Libby Baron
Vice President: Charlie Gillard
Secretary: Olivia Caldwell
Events Manager: Chloe Liddy-Walker
Sponsorship Manager: Simon Hulton
Media Relations: Jody Kitchen
Innovative initiatives:
  • Monthly newsletter distributed to members.
  • Employment panel for graduates to share experiences about finding employment outside University.
  • Created an outstanding amount of new connections.
  • MCSA wins Waikato Students Union Award for the Best Academic Club of the Year.
  • MCSA nominated and celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Margalit Toledano winning the Waikato Students Union Award for Staff Member of the Year.

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2009

The elected board:
President: Hannah Weir
Vice President: Tala Fowler
Secretary: Maggie Lo
Events Manager: Libby Baron
Sponsorship and Finance Manager: Jodi Kitchen
Media Manager: Holly Gower-Rudman
From a graduate panel facilitated by the Communication Manager at the Hamilton City Council to organizing a series of meeting with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), MCSA is off to a steady start. Successfully becoming well known and invited to submit a country PR profile to the PRSIC website.

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Their highlight:
MCSA is inspired to facilitate its members to become increasingly connected within the Communications Industry. From the inspiration to grow, members venture to Auckland to visit the PRiNZ office, Core Communication PR agency, Media Monitors, Telecom and Star PR.

2008

The elected board:
President: Kylie Nichol
Vice President: Brad Pogson
Administrative Secretary: Maggie Lo
Financial Manager: Richa Khattar
Project Manager: Hannah Weir
Sponsorship Relations: Melody Downs
Media Relations: Julia Barker

The founding of MCSA:
Associate Professor Debashish Munshhi sent a letter inviting all MCOM students to create a student club run by students and supported by MCOM and PRiNZ mentors.
Their aim:
Enrich their learning experience.
  • Meet with practitioners while completing their degree.
  • Experience and develop communication skills such as writing for publicity, speaking in public, managing events, and planning organisational communication.
  • Develop management and leadership skills.
  • Upgrade their professional portfolio.