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Meghan Caprez | B.S., Public Relations; M.A., Communication Studies | Class of 2015, 2017

Beyond the magical experiences guests have at Walt Disney World every day, there’s a communications and public affairs team spreading the magic all over the world.

Kent State alumna Meghan Caprez, B.S. ’15, M.A. ’17, is part of that team. As a communications manager for the Walt Disney World Resort, she handles internal and external communication and strategy for Disney Resort hotels, transportation, security and more. Prior to that, she served as a public affairs manager, where she helped ensure a seamless integration of communications and public affairs for major events, including some of the lead-up to Walt Disney World’s 18-month-long 50th anniversary celebration.

“Our communications and public affairs team helps share beloved Disney stories with guests around the world,” she says. “We bring the magic of Walt Disney World to you by working closely with the media to share updates about our parks; we build strong, lasting relationships with our community; and we inform and recognize our incredible Disney cast members.”

As an undergraduate student in public relations and graduate student in communication studies, working for Disney was always the goal. She completed the Disney College Program twice, and after completing graduate school, came back to complete a professional internship in executive communications. She was then hired into a permanent position.

One of the best things about Kent State’s classes in public relations and communication studies, Meghan says, was that she had the freedom to incorporate Disney into various projects.

“The professors gave us the freedom to choose the topics or organizations our projects would be based on. I know several of my professors had to sit through presentations or speeches about Disney, so I’m sure they aren’t surprised that this is where I’ve ended up!” Meghan shares. “I don’t think I would have landed my initial full-time gig at Disney as a public affairs support specialist without (Professor Stefanie) Moore and the Digital Analytics course. The social listening and analytics skills I learned in that course were invaluable.”

Meghan’s work in communication and public affairs has touched many important Disney celebrations and grand openings in recent years: Disney Hollywood Studios’ 30th anniversary, NBA Experience at Disney Springs, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Skyliner and more. And most recently, she enjoyed being a part of the 50th anniversary milestone.

“It’s an honor to be part of the Walt Disney World family during ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration,’" she said. "My favorite thing about this milestone anniversary is that our cast members are at its heart, and I have the privilege of sharing their stories with fans from around the world. It’s a very special feeling, and it’s one I won’t ever forget.”

She is grateful that her Kent State experience prepared her for this path.

“Kent State gave me the tools I needed to understand and thrive in this industry. But more importantly, it gave me examples of the type of professional, leader and person I wanted to be when I left campus,” Meghan says. “My instructors and professors were so incredibly knowledgeable, kind and courageous; they didn’t shy away from discussing tough topics and they encouraged me to do my absolute best. From the moment I stepped into their classrooms, I knew I had someone in my corner. I know that if I approach every working relationship with the grace shown to me by my CCI instructors, I’m doing something right.”