Public Relations Program

Nichole Wardle

Instructor

nichole@longwoodevents.com

Nichole Wardle is a graduate of URI with her Masters of Business Administration from Bryant University. Nichole joined the Department of Communication Studies staff in 2009 and has been instrumental in advancing the event management course (PRS200: Introduction to Event Management). Her passion is getting students involved in "real world" experience and mentoring them as they join the workforce. Nichole is currently the Director of Sales & Marketing for Longwood Events and is the Director of Communications for the International Special Events Society, Rhode Island Chapter. Nichole's area of focus consists of Sales, Marketing, Branding, Event Management, Public Speaking, Social Media, Negotiation, and Persuasion.

Bill Fischer

Instructor

bfischer@tnorthcomm.com

Bill Fischer has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and government relations. He is founder and president of True North Communications, in Providence, where he creates and implements media strategies for both private sector and non-profit clients. He has worked as a consultant and campaign manager for a number of statewide, federal and local campaigns and is experienced in crisis communications.

Bill served as chief-of-staff to a former Rhode Island attorney general and was chief spokesperson and speechwriter for the Rhode Island State Senate. He also worked for a U.S. Congressman and for the 1996 Olympic Committee in Atlanta.

At the University of Rhode Island, Fischer has served as an adjunct faculty member in political science and as a guest lecturer speaking to public relations and journalism students. He graduated from URI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991.

John Palumbo

Instructor

jpalumbo@rimonthly.com

John Palumbo has spent more than 30 years in the marketing/communications field. He has advertising agency, retail advertising and sales promotion, and media management experience. A native Rhode Islander, Palumbo graduated URI in 1976 with a BA in journalism. He currently owns a regional publishing company (title, president and publisher) of Rhode Island Monthly Communications, Inc., a preeminent multi-platform provider of lifestyle information in Rhode Island and nearby Southern New England. Palumbo has received numerous professional awards including Bellringer Awards from the New England Society of Public Relations Professionals, the Rhode Island Advertising Club "Person of the Year", and in 2010, he received an honorary doctorate of public service from Rhode Island College in recognition of his numerous community accomplishments and volunteerism.

He has a varied background to include sports promotion (was part of the founding team for The Big East Conference), event management (worked on political campaigns, including orchestrating presidential visits) and has been entrenched in the hospitality/tourism/lifestyle communications in the state

Michelle S. Curreri

Instructor

michelle@uri.edu

Michelle Curreri has over 20 years of experience in higher education and event management at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Curreri, a member of the President's leadership team, is responsible for the overall management of the Office of the President as well as the Office of Public Programming and Special Events. She oversees the central coordination of the President's activities and manages special projects with other senior staff.

Curreri served as the URI commencement chairperson from 2000-09. In 2001, she founded the RI Association of Commencement Officers. In 2005, Curreri was nominated to serve as chairperson of the New England Land-Grant Universities Commencement Officers Committee. In 2005, she was also nominated to serve on the North American Association of Commencement Officers Membership Committee. In 2007, Curreri received national recognition for her work developing the URI commencement manual and was asked to serve as a presenter at the North American Association of Commencement Officers conference. Curreri also serves on the URI Honorary Degree Committee. In addition, she has taught URI 101, and her class was recognized for raising the most money for the Matty Siravo Foundation in 2008. In addition, Curreri has taught various workshops at URI over the years and is adjunct faculty at the Harrington School of Communication.

Other recognition includes Chairman's Citation for Exceptional Effort and Commitment to the State Employee Charitable Appeal in 1993; Governor's Citation for outstanding contributions as a URI Wellness Champion in 2006. She is also a member of the American Council on Education and North American Association of Commencement Officers.