Jessica Bennett

Major:

B.A. in English / B.A. in Corporate Communications

Year of Graduation:

2003

Current Job Title:

Executive Director & Publisher

Place of Employment:

Indigo Ink Press

Why did you chose Walsh?

I was looking for a school that had an intimate community feel, but still had the educational chops to prepare me for my career. Walsh fit the bill exactly. I compared the university's amenities with other schools around the region and Walsh was the only school that exceeded my expectations in academics while offering the perfect atmosphere to enjoy campus life.

Describe briefly what you do in your current job:

I founded Indigo Ink Press, a nonprofit literary and arts publishing house, in November 2009. The press is managed by a board of local community leaders and generously supported by Arts-in-Stark, the county arts council. Right now, I'm busy working on our debut book, Stark ARThology, the first art anthology dedicated to the incredible art and artists of Stark County. Our press is small and we're just getting started, so I currently manage most aspects of the business - from acquisitions to editorial and production to sales, I'm wearing a great many hats at the moment!

How did Walsh prepare you for your current job?

The intimacy of the university, especially my experience with the Honors Program, absolutely helped my entrepreneurial spirit to flourish. The opportunities - be it special projects, independent studies or my senior thesis - contributed directly to my self-reliance. Even for a liberal arts college, Walsh is extremely well balanced in the ways that can develop the whole of your character. Without the resiliency, resourcefulness and perseverance I honed while at Walsh, I wouldn't have the leadership skills required to be successful in my career today.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering attending Walsh University?

Contact the admissions office and schedule an overnight visit with someone in your prospective area of study. During the day you can tour the classes and see the inner workings of the campus, during the evening you can experience the social aspects of real campus life. Make sure that both are the right fit for you. The four years I spent at Walsh were some of the most memorable and foundational of my life. Don't make such a life-altering decision until you see what the campus really has to offer on every level.