This summer, University of Alabama advertising and public relations student Mykah Hughley is using her communications skills to support a cause that extends far beyond the classroom. As the newest communications intern for Black Warrior Riverkeeper, she is helping tell the stories behind Alabama’s waterways and the people working to protect them. Hughley is the latest recipient of support from The Munson Foundation, which has funded the communications internship since 2008.
“I am honored to be chosen as part of a tradition that has supported University of Alabama students,” Hughley said. “To know that so many talented individuals have paved the way for this role before me makes this opportunity even more meaningful. I am forever grateful to Black Warrior Riverkeeper for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I hope to make a positive impact on the organization and the communities it serves.”
Hughley said the internship is a natural extension of the communications experience she has developed throughout her time at UA. Through leadership roles with Capstone Agency, The Crimson White and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), she has built a diverse background in strategic communication and storytelling.
Those experiences taught her how to tailor messages to different audiences while keeping an organization’s mission at the center. Whether writing stories, collaborating with classmates or leading student initiatives, she learned how thoughtful communication can inform, engage and inspire action, skills she now brings to Black Warrior Riverkeeper.
Although Black Warrior Riverkeeper is best known for its work on Alabama’s waterways, the organization also relies on communications to educate the public, engage supporters and share its impact. That’s where Hughley’s role comes in.
“I hope to use my advertising and public relations skills to continue raising awareness of the importance of protecting Alabama’s waterways and the impact they have on local communities and wildlife,” she said. “Through media outreach and storytelling, I want to connect Black Warrior Riverkeeper with a broader audience and inspire others to become more engaged in environmental protection.”
More than the experience it would provide, the internship appealed to Hughley because of the organization’s mission. Its commitment to protecting Alabama’s waterways, preserving wildlife habitats and serving local communities aligned closely with her own passion for community service and making a positive impact.
Now, she is eager to see that mission in action. Beyond supporting Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s communications efforts, Hughley looks forward to learning from the scientists, advocates and educators whose work helps protect the Black Warrior River.
“I am most excited to learn about the commitment that goes into protecting and preserving the Black Warrior River,” she said. “From patrols and community outreach to water quality testing, I look forward to understanding what it takes to maintain a healthy watershed. I’m also excited to learn from professionals while contributing my own communications and public relations skills to help advance the organization’s mission.”
By combining her communications skills with a passion for service, Hughley hopes to leave the internship having helped more people understand the importance of Alabama’s waterways and the role they play in the communities and ecosystems that depend on them.