Three things are guaranteed to happen when a group of School of Communication alums comes together. First, there will always be conversation—with a healthy dose of laugher, connection, and storytelling. Second, there will be coffee—hot, iced, or otherwise. And third, an idea will strike—and when it does, it will brew and percolate until a team of leaders emerges.
“It was obvious,” said Molly Davis ’09, M.S. ’11, president of the new Central Illinois Communication Association (CICA). “We needed a professional organization of communicators in our community, and we had a group of competent, powerful women ready to make it happen.”
When the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) announced the organization would close its national doors in December 2023 (effectively closing the local Bloomington-Normal chapter as well), it was the catalyst needed to inspire a group of grassroots leaders to take charge. Spearheaded by Davis, director of marketing and communications in the College of Education at Illinois State University, Redbird alumni and/or employees formed a board of directors:
Molly Davis ’09, M.S. ’11, president
Stephanie Duquenne ’04, M.S. ’15, president-elect
Ali Seys ’15, M.S. ’18, past president
Taylor Sharp, MBA ’20, treasurer
Kate Boutilier ’07, M.S. ’10, secretary
Rachel Kobus ’09, M.S. ’11, internal communication
Julie Navickas ’07, M.S. ’10, ’18, external communication
Victoria Padilla, M.S. ’21, programming
Emily Deppermann, ’20, M.S. ’23, faculty advisor
Susan Whitsitt, professional development
The Central Illinois Communication Association is a group of all communicators with a goal to provide education, professional development, and networking opportunities.
“I believe in the mission and the work CICA wants to accomplish,” said Duquenne, senior director of Alumni Engagement. “It has been such a great learning experience developing a road map for an organization that will benefit communicators in the Central Illinois area.”
A much-needed shift has occurred, too. Where the former AWC group catered to women communicators, CICA welcomes all professionals with a career or interest in marketing and communications.
“I first joined the AWC board in 2021,” said Boutilier, academic advisor in the School of Communication. “I really enjoyed the group and network, but it always struck me as odd that we limited our membership to just women. We live in an ever-evolving world, and inclusion is important.”
CICA officially launched in October 2023 with a party at Lil Beaver Brewery. With over 50 people attending the founding celebration, the group is now well positioned to open professional memberships in January 2024.
“We’ve been working so hard,” Davis said. “We started shaping our ideas this past spring and it has taken a lot of time and a lot of (wo)manpower to make it happen. From working with an attorney to file for a nonprofit status to researching and selecting a member management system, it’s been a journey—but a rewarding one.”
CICA will offer monthly events designed with communicators in mind, including networking coffee hours, professional speakers, think tanks, an annual fall professional development workshop, and a spring awards banquet. In addition, CICA will award an annual scholarship to a full-time student studying communication in the Bloomington-Normal area.
“Although there are other professional groups in the area, CICA will provide targeted professional learning and networking with key leaders in the field,” said Padilla, communications director of the Regional Office of Education #17.
While no longer affiliated with AWC, CICA will still continue to partner with the student chapter of the Association for Women in Communications on Illinois State University’s campus.
“AWC was a huge part of my undergraduate experience, and it really helped me reach where I am today because of the leadership role I assumed as president of the student chapter,” said Deppermann, marketing coordinator in Alumni Engagement. “When the opportunity presented itself to become more involved with CICA, I knew I had to jump at the opportunity.”
Deppermann now serves as the faculty advisor of the student chapter.
“I made some of my best friends in the AWC student chapter. When I announced I would be stepping into the faculty advisor role, they thought it was awesome! It’s a full circle experience for me.”
The School of Communication is at the heart of it all. More than the connection to the student chapter, the leadership of CICA grew their roots in the classrooms of Fell Hall.
“I’ll always cherish the memories and friendships I built during my time in the School of Communication,” Seys said. “My undergraduate and graduate experience prepared me for a professional career—but even more so, to become a leader. I owe a lot to the faculty in Fell Hall.”
Of the 10 founding board members, eight are alums of the School of Communication.
“As a board member of CICA, I get to work with a variety of communication professionals—some of which, I’ve known and worked alongside of since my time as a communication student!” said Kobus, director of marketing in Alumni Engagement. “We push each other to grow our leadership skills and remind each other of the importance of our work.”
The School of Communication boasts a 150-plus year legacy of graduating successful students who enter professional careers both prepared and ready to lead.
“When Julie Navickas told me about the new Central Illinois Communication Association’s leadership, I just nodded along,” said Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott, interim director of the school. “It makes total sense because that’s what we do here. We educate our students and then watch their leadership thrive.”
The Central Illinois Communication Association welcomes all marketing and communications professionals to explore and start a conversation about membership. More information can be found at the CICA website, on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
