Morgan Weaver is looking forward to a bright future in the communications field. An internship with WholeHeart Communications, LLC, in her hometown of New Castle, Indiana, has provided the senior communications major with extensive experience and now a part-time job.
Weaver’s internship with WholeHeart Communications began in April 2019 after owner and lead consultant Christy Ragle connected with her through Indiana INTERNnet.
Ragle nominated Weaver for this year’s Intern of the Year award from Indiana INTERNnet. The recipient was announced at the 14th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon today (February 18) at The Ritz Charles Ballrooms in Carmel, Indiana.
According to Indiana INTERNnet, the luncheon recognizes the hard work and contribution to communities by interns, employers, and various professionals. Supervisors and university career development professionals nominate interns whom they feel warrant recognition for their performance during their internship. A panel of judges chooses recipients.
“WholeHeart Communications is a small, local business that wants to help other small businesses. We assist with marketing, public relations, social media, and consulting,” Weaver said.
Ragle said Weaver’s internship began with a specific project and limited time frame. She added it became clear within the first few days of the internship that Weaver was a great fit for the company. Ragle hired her for additional days beyond her internship, and then asked her to stay on as a part-time employee.
“Her passion for our clients, her dynamic writing skills, and her unstoppable work ethic are all impressive,” Ragle said.
With the new job, Weaver received a new title. “I now hold the title of content creator,” she said.
Weaver joined the staff part-time in summer 2019 to assist with a content creation project. She has remained with WholeHeart Communications since and serves in the same position. Ragle hopes to hire Weaver full-time after she graduates.
“Morgan is the type of staff member that every business owner dreams of having,” Ragle said. “She is focused on helping us grow, and she’s multiplying what we are capable of achieving as a company. Beyond that, as someone who grew up in this area, she shares my desire to watch the New Castle area to grow economically through the power of small business. And it doesn’t hurt that she is a rock star at networking events! Morgan was the first person I brought into my business who I didn’t know before hiring.”
Recently, WholeHeart Communications sponsored Weaver to attend the Academy for Community Leadership, a program presented by the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. The academy gives emerging leaders the opportunity to get to know various aspects of this community, Ragle said.
“I’m very thankful to have been nominated for an award that is so near and dear to my life purpose,” Weaver said. “I am a very driven person, and to achieve the results I want for myself I have to also be an incredibly hard worker. There was one point in my spring 2019 semester when I was holding down a full course load, three internships, and a retail job at CVS Pharmacy. It wasn’t easy, but it was well worth the results I have seen in my professional career as well as the personal connections I have made along the way.”
In addition to being a full-time student at IU East, Weaver has worked for the Office of Student Support Services as a mentor and with the Office of Academic Support Programs as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader, an academic program that assists students enrolled in challenging entry-level courses. She is a member of the First Generation Club.
Weaver is the recipient of an IU East Red Wolf Summer Internship Scholarship. Previously, she was an IU Bicentennial intern through the Campus Library and she completed an internship with the Office of Communications and Marketing at IU East.