User:S Houseknecht

Sarah Houseknecht (born 1988) is an American public relations specialist originally from Olean, N.Y.

Life and Career
Houseknecht completed her undergraduate degree at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in May 2010, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in journalism. She went on to study at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to pursue a masters’ degree in public relations.

While at SCSU, Houseknecht completed two internships as part of her course work. She worked in the Office of Athletic Communications fulfilling duties such as writing press releases, creating media guides, marketing and promotion of athletic events, website maintenance and statistical assistance.

In her final semester at Southern, Houseknecht interned at the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). She completed many of the same tasks that her previous internship required, but this time she was working at the conference level facilitating communications for 14 member institutions.

Houseknecht has also gained field experience working as a communications assistant in the campus’ Office of Public Affairs writing general press releases for external public relations and also writing features for Southern Life, a faculty publication. She also copy edited for two years at the student newspaper The Southern News.

After graduating from Portville Central School, Houseknecht made her way to New Haven, Conn. on a full athletic scholarship. In 2007, her freshman season, the Owls captured the Division II women’s basketball national championship over the undefeated Florida Gulf Coast.

After a disappointing sophomore season, Houseknecht traded in her Nike high-tops for some spandex and Mizunos and joined the volleyball team. Houseknecht ranked among Northeast-10 Conference blocking leaders in both 2008 and 2009.

For her efforts both on the court and in the classroom, Houseknecht earned a selection to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and was also a 2009 Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award recipient.