An Interview with a recent WC Comm Arts pioneer, Layne Frederick

What year did you graduate WC? What was your major?

2021 double major in Com Arts and Mathematics Were you involved in any organizations? The Witness, The Quake, STEM Society, Theatre, Judicial Board, Math and Writing tutoring, OWLs, Honors Program

Did any professors or employees at the college guide you?

Corey Cockerill, Wynn Alexander, Elizabeth Wiget

What was your career goal when you graduated?

Find a communications role

Did you have a job lined up after college? Grad School? Year off?

I returned to my family business while I searched for other jobs more related to my degrees

What is your job title now?

Associate Director of the Xavier Leadership Center

What does your job look like day to day?

I work with organizations to learn their employee development goals and create programming to train and upskill their workforces.

Did you stay local to Wilmington or move away?

I moved back to Cincinnati but have returned many times to Wilmington to visit

What's your advice for current Wilmington College students? How can they find success post grad?

College is the time to explore and try new things. Do not be afraid to join new groups or go on off-campus trips. You never know how the skills you learn or experiences you gain from these extra curricular activities will help you in the future, so it’s best to do as many as you can!

What's your advice for people navigating post grad life?

I had the feeling that because I did not have everything figured out as soon as a graduated, that I was falling behind or failing. That couldn’t have been more wrong. Everything will click over time, so don’t worry about not having it together. Enjoy the ride and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Any last comments, funny memories, bestie shoutouts, quotes that helped you, jobs that are hiring, etc?

I have so many wonderful memories of the WC community and communication arts program. From establishing the radio to bringing The Witness back to newsprint, I learned so much from experiences I couldn’t imagine having when I first started. I even had the chance to go to a student journalism workshop presented by the New York Times at their Manhattan headquarters!