Totyana Simien

Bio

Totyana Simien graduated from San Diego State University in May 2021. She majored in public relations.

During the spring 2021 semester, Simien was the logistics lead for the 4th annual Allen H. Center Distinguished Lecture in Public Relations. She was part of the public relations team planning the strategic campaign for the lecture. The team won a PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties Edward L. Bernays Award of Excellence in 2021 for their campaign.

Simien's passions include promoting diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives. She is driven to create a world where people of all races, nationalities, genders and sexualities can live safely without fear of persecution. This led her to joining the School of Journalism & Media Studies DEI committee. Her work on the DEI committee brought diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the school.

Creating the School of JMS Screening Circle with the school's DEI committee is a highlight of Simien's service to JMS. In the series, Simien along with co-host Gabe Adibe used HBO’s Lovecraft Country as a way to start important conversations regarding race, identity and social justice.

During summer 2020, Simien interned at Olive Creative Strategies where her contributions resulted in Olive’s clients receiving prominent media coverage in top-tier outlets.

Simien also interned at Canale Communications, a biotech firm. After graduation, she moved into a full-time position at Canale. There, she works alongside passionate thought leaders who turn the most complicated science into powerful narratives for the public.

Learn more about Simien on her website, and follow her as @Iamtoty02 on Twitter and @toty02 on Instagram.