Caroline Chaves

HOMETOWN: New Milford, Connecticut MAJOR: Digital and Interactive Marketing MINOR: Spanish WCSU DEGREE: Bachelor of Business Administration ACTIVITIES: President of the WCSU affiliate of the American Marketing Association; member of the National Millennial Community; member of WCSU’s student-run advertising agency, Agency@Ancell; mentor for the Danbury Schools and Business Collaborative INTERNSHIPS: E-commerce intern at Save-a-Suit, fall 2016 through spring 2017; marketing intern for Sodexo, fall 2017; marketing intern at New Milford Fitness and Aquatics Club, spring and summer 2018; sustainability intern at Praxair (Linde) since spring 2018

HONORS AND AWARDS: Graduating Cum Laude, Dean’s List, Marketing Department Award, Citizenship Award, Alpha Mu Alpha Honors, Direct Marketing Scholarship, Most Dedicated Intern at Save-a-Suit Award

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Caroline Chaves began her collegiate path as an Education major at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. “I soon discovered that it wasn’t the best fit for me, and after my freshman year, I transferred to WCSU. I decided to transfer because it was close to home, financially affordable, and a small school where I could make a difference and be known as Caroline, not just a number,” she says.

Chaves switched her major from Education to Business, where she had the opportunity to work on several projects and presentations. “I had a chance to be creative, strategize and manage a team. I chose Marketing because I am creative, enjoy strategizing and analytics.”

Once on campus, Chaves says, “Dr. Ron Drozdenko and Professor Donna Coelho’s passion for the Western Marketing Association motivated me to get involved and join such a wonderful organization. They spend the majority of their personal time attending and planning our weekly meetings, planning for our collegiate conference every spring, providing members with internships and jobs, and answering our emails at any time.”

Asked what she will remember most about her WCSU experience, Chaves says, “My most memorable experience is becoming a member, and now president, of the Western Marketing Association. I joined the organization as soon as I transferred to WCSU. I wanted to get involved in something related to my major. Not only did I gain academic and professional skills, I made lifelong friends through this organization. Every year we attend the AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, where we not only compete in various marketing competitions, attend workshops and panels, but also have a great time bonding with one another.”

After graduation, Chaves says she plans to work full time in the marketing field. “Hopefully, I’ll be attending graduate school within the next four years to obtain my MBA.”

Her advice to new students entering WCSU is: “College is what you make of it. Yes, WCSU is small, but it feels like home. Get involved early on and make a difference. Every moment is worth it.”