College announces fall graduate assistants

August 21, 2022

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications welcomes nine graduate assistants for the fall 2022 semester.

Graduate assistantships in the CoJMC are offered to promising scholars with an interest in gaining teaching, research or industry experience in their field. Graduate assistants serve as teaching or research assistants to accomplished faculty, teach in the college’s innovative Design Communication Program or work in strategic communications for an industry partner. 

Graduate assistantships provide a monthly stipend, tuition remission and health insurance for accepted students. The following graduate program students, listed with their program and hometown, were offered graduate assistantships for the fall 2022 semester.

The fall 2022 graduate assistants are:

Margarita Shamkova

Margarita Shamkova is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in professional journalism. Before enrolling in CoJMC, Shamkova held positions with Sobaka.ru as an intern, freelance author and full-time editor. She is currently interning with New York photo and talent agency Creative Space Artists Management. Shamkova is originally from Stavropol, Russia, and is a Fulbright student. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Saint Petersburg State University. 

Gail Lim

Gail Lim is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in professional journalism. They also have a bachelor’s degree from UNL. While an undergrad, Lim worked as the arts and entertainment reporter for the Daily Nebraskan, served as an internal communications intern at Ameritas Life Insurance, and worked as an English second language tutor for Southeast Community College. Lim is from Wheeling, Illinois.

Xin May Kok

Xin May Kok is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communications. After graduating high school in Malaysia, Kok completed one year of college before transferring to UNL where she completed her bachelor of science degree in business administration. She has held a number of internships at Lincoln and Omaha non-profit organizations, including Bailey Lauerman, Omaha STEM Ecosystem, the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Asian Community and Cultural Center. Kok is from Banting, Malaysia. 

Bri Breazier

Bri Breazier is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in professional journalism. Breazier completed her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Wayne State College in 2022. After completing her master’s degree, Breazier plans to continue her education and obtain a Ph.D. in communication before pursuing a career in academia. 

Abbey Haymond

Abbey Haymond is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sports media and communication from UNL. During her undergraduate degree, she interned on the HuskerVision media production team and served as an account executive for the CoJMC student-run advertising agency, Jacht. Haymond is from Dawsonville, Georgia. After graduation, Haymond hopes to work in a marketing and promotions role in the sports industry. 

Chandra Traxler

Chandra Traxler is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communication with a graduate certificate in public relations and social media. Traxler has a bachelor of science degree in convergent journalism and a bachelor of arts degree in performing and cinematic arts from Missouri Western State University. While at Missouri Western, Traxler worked as the managing editor of the campus newspaper, the Griffon News, a photographer and designer for the Griffin yearbook and a camera operator for Griffin Production House. After graduation, Traxler hopes to continue her education and obtain a Ph.D. in communication. Traxler is from St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Claire Wiens

Claire Wiens is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communication. She received her bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from UNL in 2021. While an undergraduate, Wiens interned with Berry Law, Huskers Athletic Fund Hospitality and Revel XP. She's currently interning for the baseball team, the Wichita Wind Surge. Wiens is from McPherson, Kansas. 

Michaela Farley

Michaela Farley is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communication. Farley received her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2021. While at UNO, Farley worked for MaverickPR, the campus student-run public relations agency. After graduation, she served as a public relations intern for the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. After receiving her master’s degree, Farley hopes to work in public relations in the entertainment industry. Farley is from Omaha. 

Tabby Kube 

Tabby Kube is pursuing a master of arts in journalism with a specialization in integrated media communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Warren Wilson College. After receiving her master’s degree, Kube hopes to continue to seek out stories worth telling. Kube grew up an army brat so she was constantly moving to different states. She was born on an army base outside of Monterey, California. 

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications offers a master's degree with specializations in professional journalism or integrated media communications and two graduate certificates in public relations and social media and financial communications. To learn more about the college's graduate programs, visit the college's website