Katie O'Laughlin, SOURCE Director of Communications

By: Emily Dowdell

            Spring Semester is here, and with a new semester comes a few changes in the SOURCE! One of those changes occurred in the Communications team. After losing Daniel Connors to study abroad, the Communications team received Katie O’Laughlin to take his place as Director of Communications. O’Laughlin, a senior from Alpharetta, Georgia majoring in Public Relations, has already begun to make an impact on the SOURCE. As Director of Communications, O’Laughlin oversees the production of all public relations and advertisement needs for SOURCE events. This includes, but is not limited to posters, display cases, bulletin boards, CW advertisements, a monthly newsletter, and the SOURCE social media accounts.

            O’Laughlin’s main goal for the semester is to create a strong presence through the SOURCE social media accounts. She has already begun to do this in earnest, creating a forum of sorts where students have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about organizations and involvement opportunities on campus. O’Laughlin is most proud of the strong team that has developed to fulfill this goal, updating social media and keeping up a blog.

            The collaboration of SOURCE teams that lead to Spring Get on Board Day is another source of pride and excitement for O’Laughlin. In her words, “During Spring Get On Board Day, each director and team members worked hard while still having a great time together. The turn out was outstanding and made for a fun and engaging day.”

            In addition to her role as Director of Communications, O’Laughlin also serves as the SGA Press Secretary, where she assists with media relations and press release development. On a more personal note, O’Laughlin lists APR 419 (Public Relations Development) as her favorite course taken here at UA. In this class, she participated in a group project in which they created a campaign for Secret Meals for Hungry Children, and was able to gain real life experience as they developed and carried out a successful campaign. On the flip side, O’Laughlin notes that Biology was the most difficult course she has ever taken. “Science has never been a strong subject of mine, so taking Biology here at UA was definitely a struggle,” she said. 

            After graduation, O’Laughlin hopes to work in a Public Relations or Communications position in Atlanta. Like many of us, O’Laughlin has difficulty deciding on a favorite book, but she enjoys books like The Alchemist and The Help, and novels by Emily Giffin, such as Something Borrowed, which also happens to be her favorite movie. She would like all students and organizations to know that the SOURCE is here to answer any questions they might have. You very well might find her eating Japanese food at Bento, but if not, feel free to email her at kjolaughlin@crimson.ua.edu.