One of Avila University's recent graduates is on the move. Michele L. Watley graduated from the Visual Arts and Communication school at Avila in 2009. She is a four-time recipient of the International Association of Business Communicators Bronze Quill Award for excellence in communication. Believe me, this is just the tip of Watley’s iceberg of success. Currently, Watley is the national African-American outreach political director for Bernie Sanders’ campaign. Graciously, she took the time to share some of her astonishing story with me.

According to Word Press, "Your work has been continuously vetted and recognized by industry executives and peers." What are some of your secrets to success in the world of communication?

“I don't know if there are secrets to success, right? The thing that you would probably hear from anyone that has developed a successful career in any field is that you just have to be willing to put in the work. I think for me, it's being totally immersive in the field and industry itself. I read the communication journals, I am a member of a lot of the professional communication organizations, I read particular news outlets everyday, I connect with professionals in the field who are highly successful in what they do and I make sure to stay connected. It is not just working hard, but immersing yourself in the industry of your choice and doing everything you can to be successful in that field.”

In your pursuit of a career in law and political advocacy, you were able to get connected to Bernie Sanders’ campaign. How did this connection come about?

“I was selected, nominated and supported by my Congressman (Emanuel Cleaver, MO) to attend a well-renowned, intensive, political boot camp training put on by the Congressional Black Caucus. It was a nine day boot camp, hosted in Washington DC, with political operatives and leaders from across the country. In attending the training, you got to hear from nationally renowned political advocates who are professionals in the field, and you got to simulate a political campaign. In that campaign, my role was Communications Director. I put together a communication plan for our campaign, and came literally within points of winning on an issue that we shouldn't have even come close on. I think our team was the, 'Vote no to increase minimum-wage' team. I don't know if there are many young people or African-Americans that would vote 'no,' right? So, our campaign was an uphill battle. After seeing the work that I produced in that boot camp, a lot of the facilitators and leaders of the boot camp were impressed. So again, I stayed in contact, and one of the facilitators ends up being the fifth staff person hired by the Bernie Sanders campaign as the overall director of African-American out reach. When he was looking for staff, because I had maintained contact and continued to do the work, he asked me to join the team.”

Wow, that is incredible. In regards to Sanders’ rally in Kansas City, what was your role and some of the specifics you were involved in?

"I, essentially, am deployed in different states where there's a lack of capacity for African-American outreach. I come in to fill in those gaps and help connect key folks in these communities to the campaign. I help to establish outreach efforts within the African-American communities. When we learned that he (Sanders), would be coming to Kansas City for the rally, I acted as a speaker and surrogate staff person. I made sure that the main speaker, outside of Senator Sanders, was briefed on talking points, brought up to speed what was expected, getting him to the rally and prepared for his remarks."

You are a graduate of Avila University's Visual and Communication Arts School. What are some of the tools that you feel Avila helped equip you with?

“I think the biggest thing, like with Professor Strelluf and Dr. Snorgrass, the professors were very astute in their desire to have students work with real life clients. I worked with the Healing Arts Center in Lenexa, helping write the event plan for their grand opening. I made the postcard invites for the grand opening that went out to over 500 people. I made flyers for other organizations. In this field, while education is important, it's more about you know, who knows you, and what you can produce. With companies, organizations and political campaigns, they need to see what you can come in on the ground and do. If you are ready to go, they are more likely to hire you. During school I worked full-time and was notorious for turning things in late. Even so, I always turned in a great product. Every year that I was in that program, I won a Bronze Quill. Every single year. When you are a student, people are impressed with that. Even after graduation, IABC called me back to do entry reviews and just be engaged. So again, immersing yourself and doing the work builds upon itself. Avila providing projects with real life clients was the greatest thing that contributed to my professional career. I left with a portfolio of real life clients and real life work. I was contacted for jobs even before I graduated. So when they give you those projects, take them seriously. That could be your next job. You have no idea.”

What is your fondest memory from your time at Avila?

“I have so many. I had several 'come to Jesus' talks (in reference to timeliness), with Professor Linda Strelluf. There were nights that I would be in the Mac Lab all night long. That was a regular occurrence in trying to get stuff done. It got to the point where the night staff knew me by name. I have so many. Dr. Snorgrass and I did scholar day together, and you know he wants the best from his students. Students could one of two different types of presentations, but he made me do both. He was backing me after all. Those are the memories that come to mind.”

What is next in your strive to pursue excellence in the communication profession?

“The current goal is to get Bernie Sanders elected. That is what's next for me. I have got to help expose members of the African-American community to the platforms and positions that Bernie Sanders holds. Once we get him in the White House, I think the professional opportunities for me only expand. Another goal is to finally take the next steps in pursuing law school and maybe working in the White House or in government affairs. Those are some of the things that I am looking at. Getting some sleep would be nice as well.”