Coastal Georgia Students are Grady-Bound

The Mariner spirit is making its way to Athens, Georgia. Four College of Coastal Georgia students will be furthering their education in graduate school this fall at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Seniors Nick Blanchard, Kelly Buker, Darwin Ramirez Joaquin, and David Wheeler will use their academic knowledge, Coastal Georgia experiences and self-motivation to succeed and earn master’s degrees at UGA.  

Blanchard, Buker, Ramirez Joaquin, and Wheeler will all earn a Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing this May. All are excited for what the future holds at Grady College and beyond.

NICK BLANCHARD

Blanchard moved to Brunswick from Wake Forest, North Carolina in 2021, and will be studying advertising in graduate school. Going to graduate school wasn’t something he always planned to do—it was a recent decision.

“Grady was my only choice once I made my mind up though, because of the advice given to me by numerous alumni and other mentors I’ve spoken to,” Blanchard said. “Grady is the best possible place for me to go to further my knowledge for marketing, and my capabilities in the advertising industry.”

Blanchard wants to work in digital marketing, specifically sports. He believes that his work experiences have prepared him for a career in the sports industry.

“My end goal is to become a chief marketing officer and help shape and move brands forward,” he said. “Personally, I’d absolutely love to work for a company like Porsche, Adidas, or the Jaguars/NFL.”

Blanchard credits his growing interest in the advertising industry and his motivation to pursue greater opportunities—both in college and afterwards—to part-time instructor Tammy Fluech, who teaches marketing content creation, and Scott Williamson, professor of practice in marketing and communications.

“There is an advantage to attending a smaller school first, but that advantage is definitely amplified by the professors who take the time to work and shape us students into better people and workers,” he said.

Blanchard is looking forward to learning and working alongside his peers from Coastal Georgia who’ve also been accepted into the program. He considers it a special, rare opportunity.

“Not often does the chance to keep working with people you’ve established a rapport with come around, especially in an academic setting,” Blanchard said. “Additionally, interacting with people who share an equal passion and commitment to their work is something I really look forward to.”

He also considers being able to watch UGA football live as an added bonus.

DAVID WHEELER

Wheeler is a native of Brunswick and will be pursuing a master’s in emerging media. Emerging media focuses on communication formats or channels that are in the process of becoming part of society’s every day communication. Wheeler will be learning graphic design, brand identity, front-end web development, app development, user experience design, product ideation, product management, and digital storytelling. What he’s looking forward to the most is product ideation. Recent alumni of the graduate program have careers that match what Wheeler wants to do—media management in the music industry. This is what motivated him to apply to Grady.  

Wheeler feels more than prepared for graduate school because the “Educational tools and some great internships helped me focus on my career path,” he said.

KELLY BUKER

Buker is originally from Miami, but grew up in Cooper City, outside of Fort Lauderdale. She plays golf for Coastal Georgia and aspires to become the director of communications for the PGA Tour. While in Athens, she will be pursuing her master’s in public relations, and is excited to meet new people who share the same goals.

“Not only have I heard a lot of great things about Grady, but I feel like the program and its reputation can propel me into opportunities that can help me exceed my career goals,” she said.

Buker believes that her time at Coastal has given her the confidence to pursue new opportunities.

“I think Coastal and the golf team have done a good job in preparing me for seeing an opportunity and taking it,” Buker said. “Half the opportunities that are offered are from just being involved in anything—whether that be school, work, or extracurriculars.”

DARWIN RAMIREZ JOAQUIN

Ramirez Joaquin is also a native of Brunswick. He is currently the director of public relations and external affairs for the Student Government Association. His time with SGA has inspired him to pursue a master’s in public relations. Like Blanchard, Ramirez Joaquin wants to continue working in the digital marketing industry, but manage brands through public relations.

“My goal is to work my way up within the music industry and become the director of public relations for a record label,” he said.

He believes that graduate school will challenge him and teach him the required skills for his career. He’s looking forward to building relationships with leading professionals at UGA, working with his friends, and also watching football between the hedges.

“The College of Coastal Georgia has played a large role in my decision to attend graduate school. By allowing me to build strong relationships with leading campus professionals, I was able to learn the importance of higher education in one’s professional life,” Ramirez Joaquin said. “The professors and the courses I have been introduced to through the School of Business and Public Management is another reason I have decided to attend graduate school. The professors do not ‘teach out of textbooks.’ They are all well-experienced, and teach us using real-world practices, which have allowed me to better prepare and earn jobs within my desired career field as an undergraduate student.”

Ramirez Joaquin also shared how he admires Williamson’s professionalism and leadership skills, which he hopes to develop himself.

“It is motivating to see how success can be achieved through higher education, and the impact it can make for one’s community,” he said.

These Mariners are more than ready for the challenges and opportunities that will be available to them. Their experiences at the College and preparation through the School of Business and Public Management has given them the necessary tools for impactful, long-lasting careers—putting the College of Coastal Georgia once again on the map.