bio

Abigail Hobbs

I am a senior double major in journalism and strategic communications with a minor in political science. Beginning in Journalism Valentine’s Day of 2018 was a defining moment in my life. Sitting at my high school as a freshman only 20 minutes away from where 17 died from the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I felt a fear like never before. My cousin, also a freshman at the time, sat in lockdown in the building where two of his friends were shot. While the period of fear and healing that followed is blurry, I remember how the news — both local and national — covered the event that changed so many lives. Seeing both the good and bad reporting in my hometown, I realized in real time how the media can mitigate or amplify damage to a hurting community. I knew I needed to help tell these stories. Just a month prior, I had enrolled in a journalism elective course. The first journalism award I received was an All-Florida Feature Writing award at the Florida Scholastic Press Association for “Remembering the 17.” I went on to be editor-in-chief of my high school paper, The Stallion Sentinel.
Collegiate Journalism I came into Elon University as a communications fellow. The first week of college, I started my work at Elon News Network — the university's student-run media organization. I've gotten the experience of real journalism, covering major events such as the midterm election in 2022 and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill shooting in fall 2023. Having the opportunity to serve my local community has been an incredible experience. After a year and a half of reporting and copy editing, I became copy chief. From December 2022 to May 2023, I edited all articles for print and web for accuracy, consistency and AP Style before publication in a strict production schedule. I also enhanced and refined stories and sentence structure for clarity, managed article delegation to eight copy editors, and perfected headlines and captions for the newspaper and website. In April 2023, I stepped into the role of managing editor of The Pendulum. Each week, I coordinated with section editors, reporters and photographers for assignments to produce a high-quality newspaper. I furthur developed skills in leadership, delegation and adaptability. The Pendulum won the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper for the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards for issues from April 5, April 26 and Sept. 13, 2023. I got the incredible opportunity in January 2024 to travel to South Carolina and New Hampshire to cover their primary elections. I met politicans such as Nikki Haley, Gov. Chris Sununu and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as attending events with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. This experience really allowed me to visualize a future in political science — especially using my communications background — and hone my passion for politics.
Internships In the summer of 2023, I was a public relations intern at Hemsworth Communications, a public relations agency headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I was assigned to three hotel clients where I brainstormed and wrote at least three creative pitches and press releases a week to pitch to journalists, planned unique events and other activations for clients, researched and maintained a comprehensive list of ideal journalists and influencers to promote clients, tracked all media exposure clients received, and studied client’s competitors and the media exposure they received. In the summer of 2024, I was a digital intern at Rational 360, a lobbing firm headquarted in Washington, DC. I was assigned two clients that I assisted with over the summer in the fields of healthcare policy and fundraising for a campaign. Over the summer, I monitored and analyzed client advocacy campaigns, using data insights to enhance online advertising, email marketing and social media initiatives. Other Experiences In the spring of 2024, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. I stepped out of my comfort zone — moving to a brand new city with no one I knew and not speaking the language. For three months, I completely submerged myself in a different culture, learning how Italians view politics, work and food. This trip completely changed my perspective on the world, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.