At the start of 2025, I had the privilege of helping Ransom Solutions Executives draft an Alabama Second Chance Workforce Initiative. This initiative details not only the issue of Alabama’s statewide workforce shortage and recidivism but also proposes a solution through Employment Social Enterprises (ESE). The ESE program at Ransom has provided paid transitional employment, skills training, and support for people overcoming barriers like incarceration, addiction, or homelessness. This initiative has been sent out to Alabama legislators and local state officials.
Internship
The Skipper Group is a local consulting group founded by Tripp Skipper. In my role as the governmental affairs intern, I had the opportunity to network and further advance my public relations skills. I learned more about state legislation and got to work on an initiative involving regulation for AI and AI companies.
One of the initiatives I am most proud of surrounds the dangers of AI. Specifically, how we should hold major AI companies like GronkAI accountable when these AI platforms are used to create explicit images of real women and children. In this new age of technology, it’s essential that the law keeps pace to protect individuals from exploitation and abuse. Helping to get this information published was an important step towards raising public awareness and ensuring that policymakers, media, and the broader community understand the real-life consequences of inaction. I also helped organize a press conference on this subject, led by State Representative Ben Harrison.
I enjoyed reaching out to different media outlets and coordinating outreach efforts. I was happy to help amplify the message and importance of Rep. Harrison’s proposal and grateful for this learning experience. Beyond media relations, I also had the opportunity to assist with policy research and the preparation of briefing materials. I participated in strategy meetings and tracked legislation, which allowed me to see how research and communication inform decision-making. Contributing to these discussions helped me better understand how public relations professionals support clients by translating complex policy issues into clear and actionable messaging.
Over the course of my senior year, I’ve had many opportunities to implement different campaigns and develop media kits for local organizations. I was particularly interested in a Non-profit called Storybook Farm located in the Opelika area. This farm helps children in the community who are facing various adversities or disadvantages. Kids struggling with emotional traumas, anxiety, learning, and physical disabilities can enroll in beneficial programs at no cost to them or their families. The farm’s six programs blend STEM and literacy with the benefits of animal therapy, nature, and hands-on learning experiences. Their mission is to give ‘childhoods back to children’ and help them overcome hardships to build a brighter future.
My media kit for Storybook Farm includes digital designs and graphics, media pitches, executive bios, and a corporate profile. I also conducted an extensive research campaign in order to analyze ways Storybook can best increase awareness and reach more children within the community.
Abbey Armbruster 