Student of Distinction: Laura Trickett

“I became a communication major by accident.”

A seventeen-year-old Laura Trickett was called into her high school counselor’s office with no real vision for her college future. 

“I hadn’t decided what I was going to have for lunch that day, let alone what major and career I was going to pursue,” Trickett said.  

When the counselor asked her what she enjoyed doing, she jokingly said, “talking,” and just like that, she was declared a communication major. 

“Little did I know, this would turn out to be one of the best ‘accidents’ of my life,” says Trickett. 

Trickett is the undergraduate student of distinction from the Department of Communication.

“What set Laura apart in my courses was her confident leadership. She quickly emerged as a consistent, engaged, and thoughtful participant in class, particularly when her peers were giving presentations. Her participation helped move our discussions forward in meaningful ways and assisted her peers in building confidence as presenters,” said Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Falon Kartch said. “She is also a kind person who uses her communication competence and command of the material to invite others to engage in the material with her.”

Throughout her time in Fresno State, Trickett has demonstrated “participation and achievement” in community service with her elementary school work. 

Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Brian Cozen said, “Laura helped develop communication skills with fifth and sixth-grade girls. Such community and communication-based positions point to her commitments to applying lessons learned at Fresno State in contexts that enable her to help empower others.”

She also assisted in planning the Peach Blossom Festival and became a worship leader for the Cru Club. In the spring of 2020, Trickett began working as a Marketing and Events Intern at West African Vocational Schools (WAVS), where she helped plan a fundraiser event that raised $200,000. 

“Laura’s support for education programs in Guinea Bissau and the communication development of children in California’s Central Valley further exemplifies the humanistic values of the College of Arts & Humanities, as she applies her communication skills to the betterment of life for people beyond herself and her immediate orbit,” said Dr. Kevin J. Macy-Ayotte, professor and chair, Department of Communication.

Trickett expresses gratitude to Fresno State for providing her with the chance to assist others while learning a skill set that has an exponential impact. 

“When I accidentally became a communication major, I thought I was signing up for four years of education. I didn’t know that it would lead to meeting amazing peers turned life-long friends, intentional professors turned life-long mentors, and a simple internship turned a life-long career.”