Chad Horrell ’04, director for Washington D.C.-based DCI Group, will present “‘See’ of Opportunities: Navigate with Purpose” as part of the 2018 University of Southern Indiana’s Political Science and Public Administration Department Alumni in Residence program. Horrell’s presentation will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, in Kleymeyer Hall located on the lower level of the USI Liberal Arts Center. The program is free and open to the public.

Horrell’s talk will include the valuable application and use of political science degrees in Indiana and across the nation, as well as the importance of identifying goals and striving every day to achieve those goals. Additionally, he will also discuss how his own USI education poised him for a career in the nation’s capital, and engage with students and other attendees with questions and discussion.

“USI is an important institution in Southern Indiana and continues to demonstrate strength in both academics and athletics,” said Horrell. “The University remains an important part of my life and family. It is a great honor to present as part of the Alumni in Residence program and communicate the impact the USI education had on my life experiences,”

Horrell has over 10 years of experience managing presidential, senatorial, gubernatorial and congressional political campaigns. Prior to joining DCI Group in 2014, Chad spent three years working in AARP’s headquarters developing and implementing far-reaching advocacy campaigns on a variety of issues, including energy, Medicare, and Social Security. In his current role, he manages multi-faceted issue advocacy campaigns focused on federal and state legislative affairs.

An Evansville native, Horrell earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from USI. While a student, he played on the USI Men’s Golf team and earned two consecutive Academic All-GLVC honors. He is part of an alumni-legacy family, member of the USI Varsity Club and an avid USI basketball fan. Horrell serves on the Board of Advisors for PoliticalBank LLC, a platform to train candidates running for political office, and is a volunteer coach for The First Tee of Greater Washington, D.C., where he helps youth build character through the game of golf. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Abby, and two-year-old son, Daniel.

For more information, contact Dr. Oana Armeanu, chair of the Political Science and Public Administration Department, at 812-464-1722 or oiarmeanu@usi.edu.

University of Southern Indiana president Linda L. M. Bennett has announced that Cynthia Brinker, vice president for University and Government Relations, will serve in the elevated role of senior vice president for Government Relations effective immediately. Brinker will work with the incoming president to coordinate a transition plan for government affairs responsibilities for the University. Brinker will serve in this assignment until her scheduled retirement on June 30, 2018.

Bennett has also announced the appointment of Kindra Strupp as vice president for Marketing and Communications at USI. She assumes her duties immediately and reports to the president.

As vice president for Marketing and Communications, Strupp will provide strategic leadership for University branding and licensing; marketing and advertising; University Communications-internal and external, including media relations, social media, public relations, and Photography and Multimedia; and Creative and Print Services, including graphic design, client services and the USI Copy Center. She will also oversee Athletic Communications; Web Services; Special Events and Scheduling Services; University Relations; and Alumni Relations and Volunteer USI.

“One of the first priorities for the new president will be to fill the government relations position and prepare for the 2019-2021 budget,” said Linda L. M. Bennett, USI president. “Vice president Brinker is well respected for her professionalism and persistence as USI’s government liaison. As senior vice president for Government Relations, Brinker will assist in a smooth transition at a critical time. Kindra Strupp has served as assistant and associate VP for five years, has made a significant impact on the University, and knows the operational landscape of the division she will now lead,” said Bennett. “These changes will help to ensure stability as we welcome a new president.”

Strupp joined the University in January 2013 as assistant vice president for Marketing and Communications and was promoted to associate vice president for Marketing and Communications in July 2016. Prior to joining USI, she worked for Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, and served in corporate and executive communications, as well as international and domestic roles for several of the company’s well-known, marketed products. Additionally, Strupp was an on-air television anchor and reporter for WTVW and WEVV in Evansville. She holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology from Indiana University.

Automotive Skills Competition

Friday, April 6; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Campus

Automotive Lab (Room 182); Surrounding classrooms

in School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science

3501 N. 1^st Ave., Evansville

Background: The annual Automotive Skills Competition will give 8 students (one senior, and one junior) from the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center, Heritage Hills, South Ridge, and Tell City High Schools the opportunity to compete with the knowledge they have learned in their courses in high school in 8 skills stations including alignment, no start, headlight issue, tire pressure monitoring, service manual look up, maintenance inspection, check engine light and an ASE style test. A panel of judges will determine the winners based on the completions of the skills contests. The remaining 100+ students in attendance will learn different aspects of automotive technology and industry opportunities, expectations and career paths, from area businesses in the automotive industry.

Itinerary

8:30-9 a.m.: Welcome presentations, Vectren Auditorium

9 a.m.: Competitions Begin in Automotive Technology Lab, Room 182

9-9:40 a.m.: First Training

9:40-10:20: Second Training

10:20-11: Third Training

11:20-11:40: Fourth Training

11:40-Noon: Fifth Training

Noon: Lunch in the Koch Student Center

12:30-1: Awards Presentations