Hello! I am Lauren Simpkins, a senior public relations major with minors in Spanish and digital marketing. I am on the accelerated BA/MA track with a graduate degree in strategic communication with a specialty in public relations.

I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri, where I attended Nerinx Hall High School (Go Markers!). I am Sooner born and Sooner bred. My mom and dad met and became best friends during their sophomore year at OU. I grew up coming to homecoming weekend for OU and rooting for the Sooners. When choosing a college, all signs pointed to the University of Oklahoma. I decided to major in public relations after taking the “finding your major” quiz. When I arrived at OU, I knew I was in the right place.

As I mentioned earlier, I am still in my undergraduate senior year at OU, majoring in public relations. One significant experience in my undergraduate study has been studying abroad. I studied abroad with Gaylord last summer, and I learned that I want to work internationally at some point in my career. I had the opportunity to experience a new culture and way of life in just a month, which taught me a lot about what I want to achieve in my career. I learned that my career should be fulfilling beyond my work requirements. After researching international PR jobs, I learned that having a graduate degree would be beneficial for my professional goals. My current area of specialization is in public relations. I chose this area since my undergraduate major is the same, and I want to work in public relations for my career. ______

My current research interest has been how social media marketing influences Gen Z. Last semester, I worked on a campaign with Phillips 66, focusing on how Gen Z is influenced by social media marketing and campaigns rather than traditional marketing tactics. I observed which tactics and strategies most influence Gen Z to engage in niche activities, such as purchasing gas from Phillips 66, Conoco, and 76 stations along Route 66.

My immediate academic goal is to graduate from OU with my bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication with a major in public relations this upcoming May. My long-term aspiration is to secure a professional role in communications, specifically overseeing the social media marketing department for a sports team or my current employer, Celsius. I currently work as a marketing ambassador for Celsius and serve as a social media admin for OU Hockey and Gameday U (a Gaylord-produced show), which I love. I currently oversee the social media content production in my role, which has been the most rewarding job for me. I enjoy teaching, assigning roles, and supervising team output, making a full-time job the best fit for me. 

To keep up with my professional journey, you can check out my Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn profiles!