When Casey Harrison started college at IUPUI in 2006, she was navigating more than just a new academic chapter-she was raising her son, Caiden, born between her junior and senior years of high school. A preemie born 15 weeks early and rendered visually impaired due to complications during birth, Caiden became the inspiration behind Casey’s relentless drive to succeed. “My parents told me, ‘You have to go to college if you want to be able to provide for him,’” she said. And she did-graduating high school with honors, earning her bachelor’s in 2010, and completing a master’s in 2014, all while parenting, building her career, and volunteering in her community.
Although Casey originally enrolled as a pre-nursing major, she quickly discovered that her passion wasn’t in the science-it was in serving the people. Communication Studies gave her the relational tools to connect, influence, and lead. “Effective communication is the backbone of understanding,” she said. Courses like Dr. Catherine Dobris’s Rhetorical Theory and Jennifer Cockran’s Voice and Diction lit a fire in her-solidifying her commitment to a discipline that could drive change and empower others.
After graduation, Casey didn’t have a clear path-but she had immense curiosity. She conducted informational interviews with professionals across industries, one of which led her to Mara Leon Barber, a connection that would later land her a position as a Public Relations Assistant with the Town (now City) of Fishers. There, she led communication strategies during a period of explosive growth and innovation. Casey even had the opportunity to host her son’s first field trip to Fishers’ Town Hall.
In 2023, after launching the largest project of her career, Casey was unexpectedly laid off. “At 9 a.m., we were celebrating, and by 4 p.m., I was unemployed,” she said. But within days of this occurrence, she began freelancing. One project led to another-until she had 13 projects. That spark became Polished Strategic Communications, a full-service, boutique communications agency that specializes in education, access and equity, workforce readiness, and community-centered initiatives.
Today, Casey’s work reflects her values-and a continuation of her liberal arts roots. “My education taught me how to think strategically and implement tactically,” she shared. “It gave me the confidence to evolve quickly, communicate clearly, and lead with empathy.”
Her commitment to lifting others up is central to her work. Sixty percent of Polished’s time each year is spent doing pro bono work for LGBTQ+, Black-owned, and other minority-owned businesses.“These businesses often receive the least support from the state,” Casey said. “Polished is proud to help change that by equipping entrepreneurs with access to information and resources.”
Now married and still a devoted mom-Caiden turned 20 this July-Casey sees success differently than she once did. “I used to think it was the corner office and a six-figure paycheck,” she said. “Now, it’s doing work I love, making the world better, and having the flexibility to prioritize life.”
Her advice to students and recent graduates? “Say yes. Take the internships. Do the job shadows. Don’t just assume what you’re good at-test it. And when you show up, be polished. Know your value and lead with it.”
Casey stays connected to her liberal arts roots through teaching, reading, and showing up for her alma mater and community. She believes liberal arts alumni are one of the most powerful resources students have. “We need to support each other-stay connected and build each other up.”
From Indiana to interlinked tales of longing and genius, liberal arts alumna Elisabeth Hegmann brings a haunting literary vision to life.
Elisabeth Hegmann (IUPUC/IUPUI ’07) has long believed in the power of stories-starting at age 13, when she first decided she wanted to be a writer. Today, with the publication of her debut collection Modus Perfectus, she invites readers into a literary fantasy realm shaped by memory, myth, and music.
“Five of the stories in the book were first drafted during my time at IUPUC and IUPUI,” Hegmann says. “That foundation was absolutely crucial. The mentorship and encouragement I received made me believe in myself as a writer.”
Her undergraduate years were deeply formative-not only because she was named a Liberal Arts Chancellor’s Scholar and won multiple fiction awards, but because of the faculty who championed her. “At IUPUC, Debbie Bushfield was my mentor and had a huge impact on my confidence. At IUPUI, the late Jim Powell challenged me with practical advice that strengthened my work.”
These early stories became the seeds of Modus Perfectus, a haunting collection of interlinked short stories described as “a musical and artistic sanctuary hidden from the world.” Infused with a dreamy Midwestern surrealism, her work blends realism with the uncanny in a tone she calls “deadly serious whimsy.” One tale draws inspiration from her hometown community theatre; others date back to pieces she wrote at the age of 16.
A classically trained pianist, Hegmann grew up surrounded by music, and that influence reverberates through the pages. “The idea of ‘Modus Perfectus’ is drawn from this idealistic, elusive pursuit-like chasing a perfect chord or creative sanctuary.”
Despite the beauty of the writing, the path to publication was not without challenges. Published through a small independent press, Modus Perfectus required Hegmann to handle most of the promotion herself. “Self-promotion was incredibly draining,” she admits. A fellowship from the Indiana Arts Commission's On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator gave her both clarity and confidence. “I realized I need to find an agent and a different path forward-one that supports my well-being and allows me to focus on writing.”
Now a full-time writer with a minimalist lifestyle that sustains her craft, Hegmann is immersed in her next literary fantasy project: Muller’s Mile, a novel featuring a roguish teen scam artist, a talking stone king, and an albino slothney calf-set in a world on the edge of collapse. “I wrote these books for the love of it,” she says of her planned series, currently totaling eleven books. “I’ll be seeking traditional publishing for this book and the series, but I’m open to hybrid or self-publishing if needed.”
For aspiring liberal arts writers, Hegmann offers the following grounded wisdom:
“Stick with your passion and vision. Everyone’s path is different. If you’re not happy, having fund, and staying true to your creative integrity, your writing journey won’t likely be sustainable. Listen to your own heart and intuition. Learn the craft-but also understand that publishing is a business. Educate yourself, take webinars, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Any advice that says “you have to” as a writer is a fallacy – figure out what works best for you and then give it all you have. Above all, write for the joy of it.”
She also encourages writers to use the tools of our time thoughtfully-including AI. “It should never replace the creative process, but it can help with research, visualizing complex scenes, or even fine-tuning query letters to publishers. It’s about using it ethically and creatively, not dependently.”
Elisabeth Hegmann is proof that a liberal arts education-paired with persistence, vision, and an unwavering love of story-can lead to powerful, resonant work. Her characters linger, her stories inspire, and her journey reminds us that the pursuit of a creative life is worth every twist in the plot.
Support Elisabeth Hegmann:
- Follow her author page on Facebook
- Purchase or review Modus Perfectus on Amazon or your favorite indie bookstore.
- Stay tuned for Muller’s Mile and her forthcoming fantasy series.
For Elise Tegegne, writing isn’t a hobby-it’s a calling. From the time she was a young girl when she wrote, illustrated, and stapled her own picture books together, stories have been an essential lens for understanding life. Her debut book, In Praise of Houseflies: Meditations on the Gifts in Everyday Quandaries is now on preorder, but the journey began decades earlier-with a love of reading inspired in second grade, high school novels typed on her parents’ computer, and two IUPUI majors: Creative Writing and French.
Elise’s years as an undergraduate student at IU Indianapolis were pivotal in shaping both her craft and her confidence. “Rob Rebein was the professor who first named my calling as a writer,” she remembers. “He once wrote on one of my short stories, ‘You are a writer right down to your bones.’ I’ve never forgotten that.” His encouragement, paired with meaningful coursework and early publication success in genesis, IU Indianapolis’s undergraduate literary journal, helped cultivate the seeds of a life in letters. Elise appreciated the workshop model in the classroom, which gave her early exposure to critics and allowed her to grow and hone her craft through others’ perspectives.
Her time in the IU Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts didn’t just shape her storytelling-it also changed the trajectory of her life. Through a French professor, Dr. Amy Lynelle, Elise discovered an opportunity to teach French in Ethiopia, where she spent four years. That cross-cultural experience became the foundation for the first section of her book. “Themes like loneliness, exile, and cultural tension are deeply rooted in that time,” she shares.
The book itself was born long before she was conscious about it due to her parents’ influence at a young age. Elise’s mother finds joy in life’s difficult experiences and makes an adventure out of them. Elise’s father’s perspective is: “What can we learn from this difficult experience?” In 2020 during the COVID pandemic, Elise brought her childhood foundation together with her teaching experience in Ethiopia, along with other current life experiences together to create this book. Drawing on personal experiences-including teaching abroad, the long wait to conceive and subsequent pregnancy, and the exhaustion of early motherhood-Elise began writing essays that reflected on the hidden beauty in life’s everyday challenges. “This project is about finding grace in the hard things,” she says. “It’s about helping people reframe difficulty as a space where God’s love and joy can still be found in everyday experiences.”
Her creative process is equal parts discipline and surrender. Now juggling freelance writing with motherhood, Elise “writes in the margins”-whenever her son naps or time allows. She also leans heavily on her writing group, formed through her MFA in Creative Writing from Seattle Pacific University, to offer critique, accountability, and support. “There were moments I wanted to quit. Rejections, harsh feedback-it’s vulnerable to write from your life. But knowing the book has a purpose beyond me kept me going.”
That sense of purpose is already resonating with early readers. “When someone tells me a chapter helped them in their own season of sleep deprivation or grief-that’s when I know it’s worth it,” Elise says.
She’s preparing for a series of book launch events, including :
- a public celebration at the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA (located at 5315 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis) on September 14th from noon to 1:30 p.m.,
- a reading at Tomorrow Bookstore on Mass Ave on September 27th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
- and appearances on several podcasts and at a retreat this fall.
You can preorder In Praise of Houseflies now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or her publisher, Calla Press.
Her advice for fellow Liberal Arts alumni who want to write?“Read excellent literature. Study the masters of your craft. Connect with people and share your work, as well as find ways to connect with your potential readers through podcasts, blogs, social media, and local bookstores. And be faithful in the small things-little by little, something meaningful grows.”
To support Elise:
- Follow her on Instagram or Facebook (@elisetegegne).
- Read her blog on her website: https://www.elisetegegne.com/blog.
- Subscribe to her Substack at: https://substack.com/@elisetegegne790672.
- Preorder and review the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
- Recommend it to friends or request it at your local library.
Rachel Loudd (B.A. in Communication Studies, 2022) was a non-traditional student who returned to IU Indianapolis in 2014 to complete her bachelor’s degree. Rachel juggled full-time work and her academic learning load, while also leaning into hands-on experiences like working for Indy Fuel as a Pit Crew Skater, volunteering for brand promotions, and organizing community events to stay rooted in her passions. “Internships weren’t possible for me, so I created my own opportunities,” she says. Rachel’s story underscores the importance of persistence and following your passion.
She credits professors like Trevor Potts and Kim White-Mills for helping her understand the power of interpersonal and organizational communication.“They helped me build confidence and understand how to adapt in professional environments.” Today, she combines her love for media, people, and performance-emceeing events, connecting with fans, and spreading joy on screen. Her advice to students? “Consistently study up on your skills and find ways to improve your craft."
Rachel quickly found her place in the corporate world, landing a role as the Television Draw Host and Emcee for the Hoosier Lottery through Next Start Media Group/Fox 59. Her role blends her passion for performance, her background in hospitality, and her degree in communication studies. “Being prepared, adaptable, and confident is key in broadcasting,” Rachel said. “I use interpersonal and organizational communication every day-whether I’m reading from a teleprompter or engaging with a live audience.” When Rachel steps in front of the camera as a Draw Host for the Hoosier Lottery on Fox59, she’s not just reading a script-she’s connecting with an audience. From her early days as a competitive figure skater and pianist to her work in event planning and hospitality, Rachel has always gravitated toward performance and people.
She advises current students and recent graduates to practice being punctual, enthusiastic, and willing to go the extra mile. "No matter your background, always focus on the things that make you stand out," Rachel adds. “Stay prepared. Stay passionate. And don’t be afraid to rest and reset-you can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Chloe loved books and writing from a young age. She read a lot growing up and really enjoys discussing literary works with friends, family, and colleagues. She particularly enjoys historical fiction, which is one of her favorite genres. She has brought her love for storytelling to the corporate world as an Assistant Editor at Princeton University Press, where she works behind the scenes on major academic works, shaping manuscripts, and managing the details that bring books to life. With a background in writing and a deep appreciation for literature, Chloe finds her liberal arts education a valuable asset in her current role. For Chloe Coy, language has always been more than just a tool-it’s a way to bring clarity and beauty to the world.
At IU Indianapolis, she majored in English with a concentration in Literature with minors in Writing and History. During her studies, she talked with Professor Megan Musgrave about what kind of job she wanted and what industry she wanted to be in. Following Professor Musgrave’s advice to pursue a career in publishing, specifically academic book publishing, Chloe decided to participate in the Summer Publishing Institute at NYU after graduating, which led her to experience an intensive summer course that introduced her to all things publishing, including marketing, publicity, and production of a book. The Summer Publishing Institute helped Chloe build her professional network, as she conducted informational interviews with a few of the presenters of the summer institute. After the summer institute experience, Chloe landed a role as an Editorial Assistant at Princeton University Press, where she is now an Assistant Editor and helps shepherd scholarly books into the world.
At the IU School of Liberal Arts Indianapolis, Chloe learned how to write and research rigorously, but also how to collaborate and communicate across disciplines. She draws on those experiences daily-especially when working with scholars and navigating editorial decisions. Chloe credits her undergraduate experience with sharpening her critical thinking, time management, and writing skills-abilities she uses when reviewing manuscripts and communicating with authors. “I use my communication skills every day-whether it's editing manuscripts, working with authors, or collaborating with colleagues," Chloe reflects. "My liberal arts background taught me to think critically and to approach each task with both creativity and discipline."
Chloe's path to editing was not linear, but she credits her time at IU Indianapolis for giving her the confidence to pursue her passion for publishing. "My professors, particularly in literature, pushed me to think beyond the classroom and to develop my voice as a writer and editor," she shares. "I also learned how to work under pressure, which has been incredibly valuable in my editing career."
Chloe initially applied for an internship position at Princeton Press, but during the interview process, she was offered a full-time editorial position as the Assistant Editor where she works closely with two editors. “Publishing is fast-paced,” Chloe shared. “But my liberal arts background taught me how to think deeply and express ideas clearly-skills that never go out of style.” What drives her? “The magic of books,” she says. “Seeing ideas take shape and knowing I’ve helped amplify someone’s voice is incredibly rewarding.”
Chloe’s advice for students interested in publishing or editing? She recommends interning in publishing or communications to gain hands-on experience. “The more exposure you can get to the industry that you’re interested in, the better,” she advises. In addition, “Be open. Read widely. Say yes to unexpected opportunities-you never know where they’ll lead.”
Virginia is a rising star in corporate communications, currently serving as a Communications Specialist at JD Finish Line. Virginia’s role involves creating compelling narratives, managing internal and external communications, and helping shape the brand’s message to a broad audience. She has quickly established herself as a key player in the corporate communications landscape.
From a young age, Virginia was captivated by the power of communication. Virginia’s decision to pursue Communication Studies was driven by her love for storytelling and connecting with others. "At IU Indianapolis, I learned how to craft messages that resonate with different audiences. This skill has been invaluable in my current role, where I communicate across various platforms and with diverse stakeholders," she explains.
Her liberal arts education at IU Indianapolis also allowed her to develop essential skills in crafting compelling messages, managing media relationships, and understanding organizational structures. "My education in Communication Studies gave me the tools to understand not just how to communicate, but also why and when to communicate," Virginia shares. "What I learned at IU Indianapolis—particularly in my organizational communication courses—has had a lasting impact on how I approach my work today."
In addition to technical communication skills, Virginia attributes much of her success to the adaptable mindset instilled by her liberal arts education. “I’m able to be flexible and effective in a constantly changing corporate environment, whether I'm responding to internal communication needs or managing external messaging,” she says. Virginia also developed a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics. "My classes in organizational communication taught me how to work effectively within teams, understand internal structures, and manage change," she says.
Virginia also emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to the values of her liberal arts education. "Being a part of the IU community has shaped how I approach my work and interact with colleagues and clients," she shares. "I remain involved in networking events and enjoy attending local social events to stay grounded in the values that my liberal arts education instilled in me."
For current students and recent graduates looking to follow a similar path, Virginia advises, “Stay true to your passions, be adaptable, and build your network early. The skills you develop through your liberal arts education can take you further than you might expect.”