Los Angeles, CA – As one of four participants in the 2008 Autumn Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP), Anna Maria Nishanian is looking forward to developing valuable skills, knowledge and vast experience within the public and media relations field. In addition to building relationships, Nishanian looks forward to writing articles and press releases featuring ANC activists and community organizations.

“Being part of ANC allows me to develop and gain experience in the media relations field and journalism.” said Nishanian. “This is a great way to prepare myself for the fast-pace real world and it also provides me with many opportunities, while becoming more involved in my community.”

Nishanian attends California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she studies Journalism. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school where she hopes to specialize in Public Relations and Communications. She is currently a member of and recently served on the executive board of the Armenian Student Association (ASA) at CSUN. In this capacity, she helped organize ASA events such as the campus Armenian Culture Day and the Armenian Genocide Vigil in April as well as assisted in publishing the ASA Newsletter.

Nishanian learned about the Internship-Externship Program during a campus presentation by ANC-WR Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian. She applied for the autumn session, ready to begin contributing to ANC initiatives. In addition to her work on campus, she has been a long time community activist with the Armenian Youth Federation.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American Grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption – Anna Nishanian at ANC-WR offices.