CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Emma Christensen didn’t have much exposure to the athletic communications field growing up. Little did she know, she would soon find a passion and a career in it.
As a freshman at Simpson College, Christensen was offered a work-study job in the athletic communications office.
She quickly discovered she loved working behind the scenes to promote and support the school’s athletic teams.
“What started as a job became an opportunity to develop a well-rounded skill set, from event coordination to media relations,” Christensen said. “That hands-on experience inspired me to pursue a graduate assistantship, where I could further hone my skills and dive deeper into the strategic side of communications.”
Christensen continued to discover a love for telling the stories of student-athletes, which ultimately led her back to Simpson College, where she now serves as the assistant director of athletics for communications and digital strategy.
As College Sports Communicators celebrates its annual appreciation week, the American Rivers Conference would like to recognize Christensen and all the sports information directors in the league for their hard work and dedication.
Mentors Along The Way
Christensen is grateful for everyone who helped her along the way, including Bryan Geelan, who served as the sports information director when she held the work-study job at Simpson College.
“Bryan was my first mentor in the profession, and to this day, he’s still one of the first people I turn to for advice or encouragement. I’m incredibly thankful he trusted me with so much responsibility as an undergrad—that early hands-on experience was invaluable.”
After graduating from Simpson College in 2019, Christensen continued her education and earned a master’s degree from Upper Iowa University in 2021.
During her time at Upper Iowa, she continued to learn from another great mentor in Howie Thompson.
“I had the privilege of spending two years learning from Howie Thompson at Upper Iowa, whose 15-plus years of experience in sports communication deepened my understanding of the field and strengthened my confidence.”
Throughout the years, Christensen has also formed strong friendships with others in the industry, including Zach Newcomer and many of the current and former sports information directors in the American Rivers Conference.
“These relationships have been key to my growth, both professionally and personally, and I’m grateful for the lasting connections I’ve made in this community.”
Advice For Current Students
When asked what advice she would give to current students who are interested in entering the field of athletic communications, Christensen stressed the importance of getting involved as much as possible during their undergraduate years.
“Pursue every opportunity that comes your way—whether it’s writing, social media, video production, or game day operations,” Christensen explained. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and experiment with different roles because versatility is key in athletics communication. The more hands-on experience you gain, the more well-rounded and adaptable you’ll become. Plus, exploring different areas will help you discover what excites you most, whether it’s focusing on one of the many niches or developing a broad skill set that allows you to wear many hats.”
Christensen will always cherish her memories of being a student at Simpson College, as well as her time at Upper Iowa University, but she is grateful to be back where it all started.
The American Rivers Conference is thankful to have Emma Christensen be a part of the league and is excited to celebrate her and all the sports information directors during College Sports Communicators Appreciation Week.
Don't forget to become a fan of the American Rivers Conference on Facebook @AmericanRiversConference, X (Twitter) @AmerRiversConf, and Instagram @AmericanRiversConference.
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
