Abraham Lincoln statue on Carthage College's campus.
Gianna Feminis '25

Gianna Feminis

Class Year

’25

Hometown

Plainfield, IL

Major(s)

Communication

Minor(s)

Public Relations

Gianna Feminis ’25 is majoring in communication with a minor in public relations. Because of Carthage, she’s been able to participate in a plethora of career development opportunities, such as working for the Strategic Communications Office for Carthage Athletics, interning for the Joliet Slammers and TeamWork Online, and job-shadowing with the Sports Management Master’s Program at the Minnesota Wild headquarters.  

The Aspire Center has helped her gain credits for her internships so that they count as electives towards her degree. After Carthage, Gianna plans to work in the sports industry, specifically for a professional hockey team, doing communications/public relations work.

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“I knew I wanted a school with a small campus, and I felt comfortable at Carthage from the first time I visited.”

Gianna Feminis, ’25

Why Carthage?

“I choose Carthage because it immediately felt like home when I stepped on campus. I love being far enough from home to get a different experience, but yet close enough to come home whenever I needed to.”

Faculty mentors

“Carthage faculty have helped me tremendously. The professors I admire the most truly know me as a person and do everything they can to help me succeed. Whether it is taking time to meet with me, or passing along internships they have seen, all of my instructors have my best interest in mind.”

Favorite class

“I really enjoyed Crisis Communication with Professor Colleen Palmer because it is so relevant to today’s world and the problems we will encounter in our future jobs. We learned about a variety of different crises and the ways to handle it, especially in the public eye. Prof. Palmer encouraged our thoughts and curiosity, which created a safe, productive, and memorable environment.”

Toughest class

“My toughest class I have taken is Interpersonal Communication. You had to really apply yourself in that class to get a good grade, and the tests were very challenging. The teaching style was also a bit of an adjustment, but I put in the work and ended up doing well.”

Campus involvement

“I am the president of The Front Office (Sports Management Organization) on campus. The Front Office is an organization for students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the sports industry. In my time as president, we’ve hosted a World Series Watch Party, gone to a football career conference, and are currently holding a March Madness tournament.”

Favorite spot on campus

“I love the new Starbucks in Hedberg Library. All the hustle and bustle of people coming and going is the perfect background noise for me to concentrate and get stuff done. Plus, the lake view and drinks and snacks Starbucks offers are perfect for after class.”

Favorite memory

“One of my favorite Carthage memories is getting to work at the CCIW Men’s Soccer tournament championship. I had never worked an event of that status before, and the atmosphere was electric. There was a big crowd full of students and parents, and the game was super exciting. Although we had lost, it was so cool to watch the drama of the game play out in person and see all of our seniors’ last game.”

Best study tip

“Use a planner! For people who have a busy schedule, I cannot stress enough how much my planner helps me. I have all of my classes, clubs, and jobs in different colors to help me differentiate between everything. Planning out when to do specific homework assignments helps too, so that I don’t fall behind or am too overwhelmed.”

Best tip for making friends

“Just be nice! It amazes me how many times I find myself waving or saying hi to someone walking down Campus Drive. You never know what people are going through, so being kind and respectful is a good way to start off.”

Advice for other students in your major?

“The advice I would give is to have an open mind and work hard at your craft. There are going to be classes you love, and classes you don’t, but they are all interconnected. When you buy into the learning, it will benefit you as you enter the industry.”