Lindsey Wilson University Students Get A Close-Up View Of Frankfort 

News from Lindsey Wilson University 

Students in communication class attend legislative meeting, meet with Senate GOP communications staff members to deepen their understanding of political communication and public affairs. 

by Duane Bonifer 

COLUMBIA, KY. (10/22/2025) A group of Lindsey Wilson University students recently met with Kentucky communication professionals and observed state government in action on a recent trip to Frankfort. 

The students — members of the “Political Communication and Public Affairs” class taught by communication faculty member Katelyn Brooks — observed a meeting of the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee and got to know communications staff members of the Kentucky State Senate President on an Oct. 9 trip to the state capital. 

For the four students who made the trip with Brooks and communications professor Zachary Isaacs, it was their first time touring the Kentucky state capitol. And they said they were impressed with what they saw and heard — especially from Angela Billings, who is communications director for the Senate Republicans, and Miles Huff, who is communications manager for the Senate GOP. 

The Senate GOP communications staff members shared with the Lindsey Wilson group about their professional experiences, working in the state capital, and how they create communications material for the 32 GOP members of Kentucky’s 38-member state Senate. 

The Lindsey Wilson group also toured the media studio the staff uses to train state senators through media simulations. 

Noah Elkhiyari ’26 of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, said it was interesting to contrast his first trip to Frankfort with a previous trip he took to Washington, D.C. 

“It was really cool to go in there and look at the technical aspects of the operation and see what goes on behind the scenes,” said Elkhiyari. 

Esley Cornelius ’27 of Paducah, Kentucky, said the experience was especially valuable for him because as a criminal justice major, he would like to have the opportunity one day to become a state attorney general. 

“I really liked seeing the legislative committee side of things and seeing what they do,” he said. 

For Tremaine Browne ’27, the trip was especially interesting for him because he hails from the northeastern South American country Guyana, which is a parliamentary republic divided into 10 regions. 

“It was a great experience,” said Browne, who is from Linden, Guyana. “I never thought the people we met with would be so nice. It was very interesting to see how the whole communications operation works, and all of the work that goes into it.” 

Brooks said the academic field trip provided students several valuable lessons. 

“Overall, the students expressed how much they enjoyed the trip and learned from Angela Billings’ presentation, our conversation with her and Miles Huff, and the tour,” said Brooks. “I wanted them to get a close-up look at politics in action from those who do it for a living. It’s very important for them to see it up close and see how government functions.” 

Lindsey Wilson University students in the “Political Communication and Public Affairs” class gather in the state Senate studio on a recent field trip to Frankfort, Kentucky. From left: Noah Elkhiyari ’26 of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Esley Cornelius ’27 of Paducah, Kentucky; communications faculty members Katelyn Brooks and Zachary Isaacs; Tremaine Browne ’27 of Linden, Guyana; and Camden Williams ’26 of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Lindsey Wilson University communication faculty member Katelyn Brooks takes a picture outside of the Kentucky Capitol on an Oct. 9 field trip to the state capital. From left: communication faculty member Zachary Isaacs; Esley Cornelius ’27 of Paducah, Kentucky; Noah Elkhiyari ’26 of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Camden Williams ’26 of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and Tremaine Browne ’27 of Linden, Guyana.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships. 

View Online: http://lindseywilson.meritpages.com/news/lindsey-wilson-university-students-get-a-close-up-view-of-frankfort/55226 

(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)