Ericha Penzien is a senior, and upon graduating will hold a double major in Communication Studies and Spanish.  She has been an active member of PRSSA since 2007 and joined the Tennessee Journalist this semester as a reporter.

January 2008 Ericha had the chance to study abroad in Monterrey, Mexico at the Tecnológico de Monterrey. While abroad she concentrated on the aquistion of the Spanish language as well as parcipated in studies of the Hispanic culture and international business.

Fall Semester of 2008 During her first semester back from Mexico, Ericha volunteered at Pond Gap Elementary School in Knoxville.  She helped ESL students in many ways from helping the students learn the letters of the alphabet to teaching them how to read and write.

January 2009 Ericha aided Athentikos, an independent, non-profit orgagnization in the production of a documentary.  The team's mission is to tell the story of the hardship and hope in Guatemala. She had the opportunity to interact with the people of Guatemala andShe is hoping to return to Guatemala someday and continue working with the people.

Traveling is Ericha's passion.  She loves to learn and experience different cultures around the world. Ericha hopes her career will take her to many more new and exciting countries.  Her travels have taken her to incredible places including Canada, Puerto Rico, Paris, Mexico, Germany, Amsterdam and Thailand.  Upon graduation, she is hoping to intern in Shanghai, China with a business associate's company.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Ericha Penzien moved to Franklin, Tennessee 1997.  She graduated from Franklin High School in May 2006.  Her family still lives in Franklin. She has an older sister and two younger brothers.