Six Students Named College’s Inaugural Class of Social Media Ambassadors
Six Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences students have been named the college’s inaugural 2021-22 class of social media ambassadors. The group is comprised of students from various schools and departments within the college, who will serve a volunteer, one-year term.
During their term, these students will partner with the college’s external relations team to develop a social media content calendar and content strategies, coordinate outreach to other members of the U of A campus to execute identified social media campaigns, and take a hands-on role in creating social media content.
“We know social media platforms – especially Instagram – are one of the best means of reaching our students. We are constantly looking to improve our communication efforts on these platforms and maximize the reach of our messages. And who better to ask than our target audience themselves?” said Olivia Kays, the college’s communications project manager.
The ambassadors were selected based on their excitement about the program, their constructive criticism for ways to improve the college’s current social media strategy, and their thoughtful and creative ideas for future content.
“I was so impressed that this group of students were already thinking about our social media from the college-perspective in their applications and had ideas that were already aligned with where we envision our accounts heading in the future,” Kays continued.
Meet this year’s ambassadors and learn more about them in their own words:
Stephanie Beals
“I’m a senior Political Science major with a Sociology minor from OKC. I’m a student ambassador so I give campus tours and I’m also in a sorority.”
Fun Facts: “I love drinking coffee and have tried almost every coffee shop in Fayetteville.”
Alyssa Crutcher
“Hi! My name is Alyssa Crutcher. I’m from Sand Springs, Oklahoma. I’m a freshman English major and plan to go into editing after I graduate! I’m not currently involved in any organizations, but I plan to join the marching band next year!”
Fun Facts: “I play the baritone saxophone, crochet, and love to read and write!”
Shelby Mills
“Hi! I’m Shelby Mills and I’m from El Dorado, Arkansas. I am a junior and a double Journalism major (Broadcast and Ad/PR) – I hope to be a sports journalist one day! I am also a member of Kappa Delta.”
Fun Fact: “I am an only child. I love watching sports. I have 3 cats and a dog.”
Margo SalaczPlantz
“Hello! My name is Margo SalaczPlantz. I am from Lenexa, Kansas. I am currently a freshman with a Public Health and Spanish double major. My dream job is to work for Doctors without Borders as a pediatric emergency medicine doctor. I am currently involved in volunteering at a local oncology clinic, with LeadHogs, and the Honors College.”
Fun Facts:
- I am a big Kansas City Chiefs fan!
- I have three big dogs back home!
- My favorite color is pink, and my favorite food is spaghetti!
Sara Feather
“Hi! My name is Sara Feather and I’m from Searcy, Arkansas. I am a Senior Communications major and minoring in Biology and Medical Humanities on the Pre-Medical Track. I’m currently applying to medical schools at the moment, but I aspire to one day become an OB/GYN! Throughout my four years on campus, I have been involved with organizations such as Phi Mu Fraternity, Student Alumni Board, Panhellenic Council, Associated Student Government, Arkansas Dance Marathon, and Lambda Pi Eta. I also serve as a volunteer for Arkansas Children’s Northwest Hospital and Brookstone Nursing Home.”
Fun Facts:
- Go to Sonic drink: Vanilla cherry coke
- Food: snow crab legs
- Fayetteville restaurant: I love trying new places, so it changes all the time, but Wright’s for now!
- Animal: cat
- Music: huge fan of Harry Styles, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift!
Nathalia Guerra Rivera
“Hi! I’m Nathalia Guerra Rivera and I am from Panama. I came to the United States in 2017 and having the opportunity to study at the U of A has been amazingly life-changing! I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work and I aspire to be a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the future because I want to try to make efforts to change the way in which mental health is viewed in Panama, the U.S, and in all the places that my voice would reach. Moreover, I really enjoy being involved on campus, so I am the Executive Vice President of two organizations: The Panamanian Student Organization and Gamma Eta Sorority Inc. I’m also part of the Neuroscience Organization on campus and The International Honor Society in Psychology (PSI CHI).”
Fun Facts: “I love traveling too much! I think it did become an addiction, as everyone said it would.”
As social media ambassadors, these students will also gain exposure to social media brand strategy in a professional capacity, have networking opportunities with the college’s external relations team, receive a recommendation letter with positive performance, and receive college swag and recognition.
“Our team is so excited to not only learn from these students but to provide them with real-life, professional social media experience and a great resume-building opportunity,” Kays said.
Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College, agreed and praised Kays for piloting this program.
“We are continuously looking for new ways to provide meaningful experiences for our students, and this is just a phenomenal way to do so,” he said. “Having these eager students work with our dean’s office in this capacity will also give us additional insight that can only help us improve and expand our student communication.”
As one of their first projects, Kays said some of these ambassadors will be doing an Instagram takeover, which you can follow along with on our Instagram account, @uarkfulbright.
While applications are currently closed for this academic year, the application date for the 2022-23 program will be announced at a later date.
To find out more about the application process, visit our social media ambassador application.
Olivia Kays
Communications Project Manager
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
479-575-2130 // okays@uark.edu