The Universities at Shady Grove is having a panel discussion and networking event in collaboration with the Undergraduate Communication Association, UMD Communication Department, and the Montgomery College Alumni Association. The panel is focused on ‘Your Power in Communication.’ The event will give students from Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove the opportunity meet and network with industry professionals and learn about the diverse opportunities in the field of communications.

The panel discussion is taking place on Wednesday, March 6^th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm in Building III in Crockett Theatre located in room 3241. The networking event is taking place from 4:00pm- to 5:00pm.

The event will be moderated by Carolina Galeano. She is a multicultural TV producer for MCTV at Montgomery College. MCTV is an award-winning, nationally recognized full service HD operation, providing a 24/7 cable channel and professional video production services for the Montgomery College community.

Among the presenters at the panel discussion is Doreen Thomas. She is a former student at the Universities at Shady Grove and Assistant Manager for the internship program at the T. Howard Foundation. The THF is to promote diversity in media and entertainment by increasing the number of diverse and underrepresented groups and underserved communities within the industry.The panelists also include Geneveive Leary, the Digital Communications Coordinator at the Madison House Autism Foundation. Their mission is to create awareness of the lifespan challenges autistic adults and their families face. They find, develop, promote the solutions that allow adults with autism to make choices, live as independently as possible, hold jobs, feel connected to their communities and become participating members of our society.The panelist, Steve Hull, is the Editor and Publisher of Bethesda Magazine.Bethesda Magazine is a bimonthly magazine distributed in Montgomery County, Maryland which began in 2004. It is named after the prosperous suburban area Bethesda, Maryland.James Hill will be speaking at the event. He is the Associate Director of Communication and Partnership at the Nonprofit VOTE.Sandy Almeida is an Email Marketing Specialist at 2U.Michael Hammerstrom is the Manager of Marketing and Engagement at CuriosityStream.