Shannon McGraw is officially a Travoisian! Her name may sound familiar to you because she has worked as an intern since last summer. She recently became our communications specialist. We hope you will join us in Austin at our 2017 Travois Conference and meet Shannon (she is helping to plan it!) or out on the road at other industry events. Until then, read below for more!
1. What is your educational background? I recently graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
2. What attracted you to Travois? I’ve always wanted to work for a mission-driven company. When I heard about Travois, I knew it was the place for me!
3. How do your past experiences help you in your current position? In college, I worked for the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access (IOA), an on-campus office that investigates and helps KU student survivors of discrimination, harassment or assault through the legal process. I also participated in an internship last summer with Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). These past experiences have given me the drive to continue working in the mission-driven industry.
4. What is your biggest success up until now? Graduating from KU and recently winning a Kansas City Quills Award from the International Association of Business Communicators – Kansas City chapter. The advertising campaign I (and my team) created for an educational course while attending KU is also a finalist for “Best in Show!” Cross your fingers for us!
5. Do you have any family details that you’d like to share? I have a very large extended family with 22 cousins on just one side!
6. What is one thing you would like Travois staff and clients to know about you? I love brunch. I also think brunch can be experienced anytime of the day — brunch at 5 p.m. is ok in my eyes.
7. What did you want to be as a kid? I wanted to own a coffee shop. But it had to be located on a street corner and have flower boxes in its windows.
8. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? I love to craft. But most of my projects (inspired from Pinterest) go unfinished.
9. Do you like to play or watch sports? I’m a KU grad, so of course I’m going to be the obnoxious KU basketball fan.
10. What is your favorite book from childhood? “Because of Winn Dixie,” by Kate DiCamillo.
11. What talent do you wish you had? I wish I could speak to animals — especially to the dogs at Travois — I’m sure they would have a lot to say.
12. My claim to fame is: I’m (distantly) related to Tim McGraw.