Social Media Ambassadors (SMAs) are residents who assist the I-House Communications department with social media, blogging, video production, fundraising, and special initiatives.
2019 - 2020 Social Media Ambassador
We are pleased to introduce Chan'Cellore Makanjuola as our resident Social Media Ambassador! This aspiring filmmaker has been brainstorming with communications strategist Laurie Ferris about fun ways to engage residents and share the I-House experience on our social media networks. She will be the friendly reporter “down the hall” capturing memorable moments. If you see her, introduce yourself and join her in sharing the I-House love!
Chan'Cellore Makanjuola is an award-winning filmmaker from Plano, Texas. She studied film at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX, where she got her degree in Mass Communication. She is currently a first-year graduate student at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, with her concentration in documentary filmmaking. She enjoys video editing, watching documentaries (and making them), and is always looking for a great story. Her favorite thing about living at I-House is experiencing a wide range of cultures and backgrounds from the people she meets, particularly in the Dining Commons. She currently serves as the I-House Social Media Ambassador where she hopes to capture the magic that continues to make International House a prime residential experience for UC Berkeley students.
Read her latest blog post, I-House Residents Fighting COVID-19, One Care Package at a Time
With the rising spread of COVID-19, often referred to as the coronavirus, sweeping across the globe, efforts to stop the pandemic have been put in place. Numerous countries have implemented nation-wide lockdowns along with stay at home orders intended for the safety of the public. Those more susceptible to the virus, such as the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, can be left in precarious situations if unable to get the resources they need to quarantine properly at home.
Watch videos produced by Chan'Cellore Manakjuola below.
Support I-House for Big Give
Winter Holiday Traditions from I-House Residents
Read the blog post, "Winter Holiday Traditions from I-House Residents."
"I-House Gratitude" Video
"The I-House Experience" Video
Executive Director Hans Giesecke and Laurie Ferris present Loyalty Traster-Lee and Juanan Perez with the SMA awards for Spring 2019
Join the Team
Whether you're a journalism student, a blogger, photographer, artist, or just love sharing on social media, this could be a great opportunity to build your portfolio while making the most of your time at International House. Qualified candidates will receive an exclusive Social Media Ambassador T-shirt, swag, an Amazon gift card, a Linkedin recommendation, and communications experience that can be valuable in any career.
APPLY ONLINE
Testimonials
Loyalty Traster-Lee and Juanan Perez
Loyalty Traster-Lee and Juanan Perez were the Spring 2019 Social Media Ambassadors. Loyalty wrote nine blog posts and Juanan wrote five blog posts. Together, they produced the wildly popular "I-House Connection" video with the collaboration of sixty residents.
Testimonials about the experience:
"Hello! My name is Loyalty and I'm from California. While I was a resident at International House, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Social Media Ambassador, along with Juanan, during the Spring 2019 semester. Being a part of I-House's communication endeavors, via digital outlets such as Instagram and blog posts, allowed me to engage with so many amazing humans I would otherwise have not met. In particular, I loved filming, editing, and directing the music video, "The I-House Connection" with Juanan, to bring awareness to I-House for Big Give 2019. Throughout the semester, I was supported and encouraged by Laurie, and this commitment hit the perfect balance of having enough responsibility to feel impactful, without being stress-inducing. I'll always have fond memories of my time at I-House, and my time as a Social Media Ambassador."
"Hello everyone! My name is Juanan, and I am from Spain. I was a resident at I-House during the 2018-2019 academic year. I can say that it was one of the best places that I have ever lived. As a student in International Relations, it helped me broaden my mind about the beauty of the diversity of cultures all across the world. Being a Social Media Ambassador during the second semester was a great way for me to get experience writing in English. With the help of Loyalty, we were able to show future residents how I-House life is from inside and give advice about life in Berkeley. It was an experience I will never forget!"
Francesca Ternullo
Hi! My name is Francesca and I am from Italy. I was a UCEAP student at UC Berkeley. While I was a resident at International House, I also had the amazing opportunity to be the Social Media Ambassador for the Fall 2018 semester. It was my first experience in the communication field but I was fascinated by social media and in how to engage large groups of people, such as I-House residents and community members. I had the chance not only to learn from the communication officers how to effectively conduct a “giveaway” campaign and social media posts but also to live as a protagonist all the I-House main events. I was sharing my POV in the main I-House channels and sometimes I was reposted also from UCEAP channels. During the semester, I have always been assisted and trained by Laurie, and it was inspiring to learn from an expert. Laurie was a great mentor: she understood the most suitable task for me and she also allowed me to fully express my creativity. I will always have a great memory of my stay at I-House thanks to this experience (also because I see my Ambassador t-shirt every day in my wardrobe!) I am happy to have been a Social Media Ambassador because not only it was a lot of fun but I have an additional experience to put in my resume since “communication” skills are in demand.
Previous SMAs
Spring 2018
Claire Liow
Fall 2017
Claire Liow and Laila Zouaki
2016 - 2017
Morgan Randall
Laurie Ferris, Communications Strategist
As the Communications Strategist for International House at UC Berkeley, I share stories online and in our I-House Times Newsletter. I created the Social Media Ambassador Program so that residents can share the I-House experience with the UC Berkeley community and beyond. I enjoy working with these talented residents who have unique perspectives on life at I-House.
Questions? Contact me at lferris@berkeley.edu.