As a student, Erin was a tour guide and the secretary for Alpha Psi Omega national Theatre Honor Society.
Why Erin chose Rider
As a self-described "theatre kid," Erin was looking for a school that could help her find her passion. "Rider had everything I wanted academically and gave me the chance to stay close to home, but still live on campus and get the whole college experience. The small class sizes and the atmosphere in the Fine Arts department were perfect for me and I knew it from my first visit."
The small class sizes and the atmosphere in the Fine Arts department were perfect for me and I knew it from my first visit.
Manager of Special Events, Corcoran Gallery of Art
Rider's impact on Erin's career
"Rider showed me that people can work in the arts in many different ways and that I could be successful." Erin studied arts administration and those courses, "gave me courage to go out and understand the field."
Erin has maintained close contact with some of her professors and still credits one of them for helping her learn the business of art. "Dr. Chmel took a genuine interest in his students and taught me the lessons of working in the arts."
Erin started her career with an internship at the famous McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ while still a student. "I started with a co-op at what is now called the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton as a Public Relations and Group Sales Assistant. From there I was accepted into the McCarter Theatre Fellowship program as a Marketing and Special Events Assistant. Now, every step in my career that I have made since I can link back to my first job." Erin credits her course work and the things she learned at Rider as giving her the knowledge she needed for that first job. "I would not have been accepted into the fellowship program if I was not from Rider."
Continued success
"I have found my niche. Combining my love of art with event planning and art administration, I see my work now as a career and not just a job for the first time in my life. It’s pretty exciting."
After earning her Master's degree in Arts Administration at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Erin moved to Washington D.C. where she plans special events for one of the only private art galleries in the nation’s capital – the Corcoran Gallery of Art. "I have had the opportunity to run events for former President Bill Clinton, major companies including Showtime and so many organizations." But with all of her career accomplishments, she will never forget her time at Rider. "Rider showed me that anything was possible."