The Executive Board is the foundation of the organization. Together, they work as a team to create, plan, and execute the great opportunities IC PRSSA has to offer.

Current Leadership

Neha Patnaik, Co-President

Neha is a senior Integrated Marketing Communications major with a minor in Live Event Design and Management from Basking Ridge, NJ. During her time at IC, Neha has worked various internships in PR and events in-house and at agencies within the entertainment industry. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new comedians, watching movies, and finding new places to eat for her next trip to NYC.

Nick Simeone, Co-President

Nick is an Integrated Marketing and Communications Major with a Legal Studies minor from Harrington Park, NJ. He currently works as a social media coordinator for a small company based out of LA. He hopes to find a PR role in Manhattan after his graduation this May. When he is not working Nick is either cooking or playing basketball. If you want him to talk your ear off, just ask him about Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or superhero movies.

Julia Colucci, Vice President

Julia Colucci is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major with a double minor in Business Administration and Live Event Design and Management. She is from Mahwah, New Jersey and has been loving being back at Ithaca this year! When it comes to her professional work, Julia has experience in marketing at both an agency and in-house, which has given her great insight into the pros and cons of both environments. On campus, she is the president of the American Advertising Federation and a Student Leadership Consultant in the Office of Student Engagement. In her free time, Julia loves hiking, eating out at local restaurants, thrifting, and going to live music events.

Amelia Baumann, Treasurer

Amelia Baumann is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major with a minor in Live Events and Design. She is from Greenville, NY. Along with PRSSA, she is also the marketing chair for Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she enjoys taking hikes with her dog, spending time with friends, and exploring downtown Ithaca.

Linnea Carchedi, Director of Communications

Linnea (she/her) is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major with minors in Honors and Theatre. She is from Mansfield, Massachusetts. Aside from PRSSA, Linnea is the Co-Director of IC Showchoir, is involved with IC Second Stage, writes for Her Campus Ithaca, and is the Co-Founder of Masks are Hot. She also works as a Student Leadership Consultant in the Office of Student Engagement. Linnea’s driving force is to do good for others and the world, and she hopes to use strategic communication to accomplish that. She enjoys spending time with her family, getting lost in a good book, and listening to music and podcasts, among many other things!

Grace Collins, Director of Promotions

Grace (she/her) is a senior Integrated Marketing Communications major with a minor in Communication Management and Design. She is from Clinton, NY. In addition to PRSSA, Grace rows for the IC Women’s Crew team, is involved with IC Students Consulting for Non-Profits and the Leadership Scholar Program and works for the Office of College Communications. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, reading advice columns and furthering her mission to find the best chai latte in Ithaca.

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Rachel Kaiser, Director of Events

Rachel is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major with minors in Live Event Design and Management and Politics. She is from Montclair, NJ. She takes part in Park Promotions at IC, while stepping into other PR related scenes such as internships and volunteering for non-profits. To find inspiration, she can count on music, going for runs, and driving around NJ with her friends or younger brother.

Lydia Lepinski, Co-Director of Digital Media

Lydia is a senior Integrated Marketing Communications major with minors in Anthropology and Live Events Design and Management. She is from Metuchen, NJ. Aside from PRSSA, Lydia is the vice president of Women in Communications, events co-chair of Ithaca College’s Senior Week, co-president of the Women’s Club Ultimate Frisbee team, student manager of Ithaca Bakery and communications secretary for the Club Sports Council. Her internship experiences include social media marketing and blogging. She enjoys attending concerts, reading, being with friends, family and her dogs.

Ceremony Image Amanda Nadel, Co-Director of Digital Media

Amanda (she/her) is a junior Communication Management and Design Major with a concentration in corporate communications, and has a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications. She is from Springfield, NJ. In addition to PRSSA, Amanda is a social engagement intern for the Ithaca College Hillel and a student representative for the CMD major. This past summer, Amanda interned at a tech-focused PR firm, LightSpeed PR, where she gained many valuable skills that are useful within the PR industry. In her free time, Amanda enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Laney Sodoma, Secretary

Laney Sodoma is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major with a minor in Live Events and Design. She is from Rochester, NY. In addition to PRSSA, Laney is the treasurer/ fundraising chair for Women in Communications, and is a freelancer for local businesses in her community. In her free time, she loves to go for long walks, talk to her dog, and travel the world!

Faculty Advisor: Arhlene Flowers

Arhlene Flowers, associate professor in Integrated Marketing Communications, has extensive public relations experience on both the agency and corporate sides. Prior to joining Ithaca College in 2006, she held management positions at leading New York City public relations agencies, including Ruder Finn and Hill and Knowlton. She has represented clients on six continents, including a wide range of governments, nonprofits, and public and private companies. She also served as corporate public relations director worldwide at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, based in its Toronto headquarters. She holds a B.A. from New York University and an M.P.S. from the New School. Her research has been published in academic journals and presented at academic conferences. Her book, Global Writing for Public Relations, was published by Routledge in 2016.