Alum of the Month

March 2016

March 2016
Dana VanPamelen

(BBA, Marketing, '08; MBA, Marketing '10)

Q & A:

  • What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
    Professor Charles McMellon's Integrated Marketing Campaigns was one of my favorite classes. As part of a team, students were able to run wild and create every aspect of a marketing campaign (I am dating myself a bit here, but one of my final projects was on sponsorship opportunities for AOL Instant Messenger). Professor McMellon was really helpful and supportive when I applied for graduate school at Hofstra.
  • What was your first job after graduating Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned there?
    Brand ambassador for a staffing and marketing company was the very first job I had after graduating (started Memorial Day weekend of 2008, actually), and I learned how important good customer service and customer relations are when you are representing a brand.
  • What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
    Promotional marketing. I answered a Craigslist ad in 2008 and continued to say yes to opportunities presented within the industry.
  • What advice would you give Hofstra students?
    My advice for current students is to take advantage of all of the opportunities Hofstra provides and to get involved in campus groups and activities.
  • In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
    Beautiful!
  • What does a typical work day look like for you?
    Most work weeks, I do not have to work in a stereotypical office setting. I get to travel to different events throughout Manhattan and the boroughs and work with different people.
  • What is your favorite part of your job?
    The best part of this industry is meeting so many interesting people and being able to witness and be a part of a wide variety of events.
  • How have your marketing degrees helped you in your career?
    I spent a large portion of graduate school focusing on marketing case studies, and it made me realize that you never stop learning about marketing: the subject encompasses so many aspects of business and is always evolving.
Dana VanPamelen

After graduating in 2008 with a marketing degree, Dana VanPamelen continued her education at Hofstra University by attending graduate school while working part time in the nightlife industry. This experience led her to a job in event marketing and management, coordinating all aspects of special events. A passion for promotional marketing and retail combined in September 2014, when she joined the team at New York Dog Spa & Hotel, a dog boarding and day care facility. Dana has worked on modernizing the brand and renovating the retail department, while handling media, press and vendor relations. As a Capricorn, Dana is a bit of a workaholic and continues to work as a brand ambassador, ring card girl, and bartender in addition to a full-time job. She is a fitness enthusiast and candy lover and raves about Hofstra to whomever she can.