College supplies students with the skills and knowledge to succeed wherever they go. But the truth is that you may not have to go anywhere to succeed and thrive with the right knowledge. Many students express a desire to leave Portsmouth once they graduate – some even wish to leave Ohio altogether. However, leaving the city or the state isn’t the only option to succeed with your degree. Portsmouth has been growing exponentially recently, with more opportunities opening up for students and recent graduates. A local marketing business developed by two Shawnee State University students aims to prove that. Another SSU alumna has found her success within this business, and she is just getting started.
Kady Wamsley graduated from Shawnee State University in December of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She is now the creative director of Appalachian Marketing and Media, a local marketing agency. Her job is to oversee and help create all graphics, website design and social media creations.
Appalachian Marketing and Media, also known as AMM, was started by Audrey and Ryan Schiesser in July 2020 while the two were still students at Shawnee State University. The business is now located in New Boston. The Schiessers’ goal was to create a marketing company that understood Appalachian culture and to prove that companies and businesses can thrive without leaving home or giving up their local culture and character. The company now consists of 12 marketing professionals, all from the Appalachian area. They have served over 200 clients and, through their marketing work, have kept over $1 million in the local economy. AMM serves areas such as Portsmouth, Columbus, Ironton, Wheelersburg, Ashland, Lucasville, Chillicothe and Jackson.
Wamsley credits her love for creating as what inspired her to pursue marketing.
“In school, I always loved doing projects, creating posters, PowerPoints and anything that involved doing something creative,” Wamsley said. She first entered Shawnee as a management major, primarily because she knew she wanted to be in business. “I had a marketing principles class with Dr. Jason Lovins, and my entire perspective changed. The lessons and the reasonings behind the lessons just clicked and made sense to me.”
Wamsley was also working in the SSU communications department at the time and confided in a trusted colleague, who encouraged her to pursue marketing.
“Shawnee helped me be able to explore different interests and helped me network and make connections,” Wamsley said. “Without the guidance of multiple staff members and courses, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Wamsley recommends Shawnee State University to those who are genuinely interested in learning and pursuing an offered degree.
“College isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK,” Wamsley acknowledged. “I know plenty of students who found out college wasn’t for them, and they made their own path. I also know so many students who were very successful at Shawnee and are off doing amazing things today.”
Wamsley described her path at Appalachian Media and Marketing as “interesting.” Lovins, the SSU professor mentioned above, was the one who helped Wamsley network and earn the position at Appalachian Marketing and Media. Shawnee and AMM have an internship program that has connected many students to the business. This internship program has formed strong relationships between students, employees and faculty at Shawnee State. AMM has hired seven Shawnee State graduates to date.
“I was hired as a social media manager on Oct. 13, 2023, then proceeded to explore different interests of mine such as website design and graphic design,” Wamsley said. She now has growing experience and assists interns in the company. During her first few months as a social media manager, Wamsley was also employed as the manager of Deadbolt Escape Rooms in Portsmouth, another local business.
During her time at Appalachian Marketing and Media, Wamsley has helped create 30 websites and runs 20 different social media accounts for local Appalachian businesses. Some businesses she has helped create websites for include Heritage Farm in Huntington, West Virginia, Elm Street Photography in Portsmouth and the Glockner Museum in Portsmouth.
Appalachian Marketing and Media also offers scholarships and internships to Shawnee State University students. The Appalachian Marketing and Media Scholarship is for graduates of Scioto County high schools that are currently attending Shawnee State, majoring in business, with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Students can apply for this scholarship through the Scioto Foundation. AMM also offers internships in digital marketing, social media and content creation, web development, graphic design and SEO and analytics. Details, requirements and applications can be found on their website, https://www.appmktmedia.com/internship-program.
