The class with a client roster: Inside The Agency

Welcome to The Agency, a full-service firm where young professionals step into the roles of strategists, creators and account leads on communications campaigns for real clients with real-world expectations. 

Since 2018, students interested in advertising, public relations, video production and design compete each semester for approximately 15 openings at The Agency, honing their skills in social media, graphic design, copywriting and multimedia production, all while building a professional portfolio. Their hard work culminates in a professional client presentation at the end of each semester, where students deliver sophisticated solutions to real-world marketing and communications challenges.

For advertising and public relations graduate Grace Sablich ’22, MS ’23, the experience became a foundation for her career as a social strategist with a top global communications firm. 

“I joined The Agency for two semesters because I loved it so much,” said Sablich, associate social strategist at Boston-based Digitas. “Working in teams, building strategy and presenting to clients — that experience led me to where I am now.”

Her journey is exactly the kind of transformation John Powers, faculty adviser, witnesses every semester — and the part he finds most rewarding. 

“A lot of people come in and see the presentations at the end,” said Powers, director of the interactive media and communications graduate program. “But being there from the beginning when they first meet with clients and watching that evolution at the end is incredible. They're so confident, and they know what they're talking about. It's awesome to see.”

Connecticut Innovations, a state-backed venture capital firm and longtime Agency partner, connects student teams with startups each semester. Impressed by their work, the organization will become a direct client this fall. The Agency will promote its Tour de Connecticut, a 200-mile bike ride celebrating innovation statewide. 

“We’ve worked with The Agency for several years and receive excellent feedback from our clients, every single time,” said Lauren Carmody ’03, MBA’05, chief marketing officer. “Now, we’re stepping into the role as client ourselves. As a QU alum, it feels like a full-circle moment for me.”

The Agency’s client list also includes nationally recognized brands like Athletic Brewing, GoodSam and LEGO as well as local organizations such as Hamden’s fire and police departments, Connecticut Greyhound Adoption and Devil’s Gear Bike Shop. The Agency also selects a campus client each semester to support with branding, event promotion and engagement strategy.

Graphic designer Sean Formantes ’24, MS ’25, contributed to Quinnipiac’s “Defend the Den” campaign, an experience that helped build the skills and confidence he needed to pursue a career in content creation.

“At most schools, you wouldn’t get that kind of real-world experience two years into your program,” said Formantes. “But at Quinnipiac, I was already designing for actual clients as a sophomore.”

For Hilary Fussell Sisco, one of the founders of The Agency and faculty adviser, the mission has always been clear: this is no dress rehearsal. It’s about immersing students in realistic challenges and high-stakes creative problem-solving.

“That authenticity is what sets The Agency apart and prepares our students to lead with confidence the moment they graduate,” said Sisco, professor of public relations. “We didn’t set out to build a simulation. We built the real thing.”

See what student-powered creativity looks like. Explore the School of Communications at qu.edu/communications and dive into The Agency’s portfolio of client work, campaigns, and designs at theagencyqu.com.