Name: Kevin Derohanian
Claim to Fame: Yik Yak Campus Representative
After graduation plans: Currently searching for jobs in Florida with a plan of moving there after graduation.
Kevin is a senior at UConn from Seminole Florida.
How did you get involved with Yik Yak? I downloaded the app after visiting a friend last fall at Clemson University, where it was already popular. Upon returning, I saw that a relatively small number of students at UConn had downloaded it. One day in the spring, a notification showed up requesting resumes for a UConn rep at the top of the screen. I decided to send my resume and after a few discussions with Yik Yak, I was hired at UConn.
What does your job as a Campus Representative entail? My goal as a campus rep is to increase Yik Yak engagement here at UConn and to nurture an accepting, diverse, and constructive community on Yik Yak.
What is your favorite part about Yik Yak? I think it is a great public forum for UConn students to come together and share things that help to unite our student body. Whether that is done by posting something that promotes UConn pride or a funny story that students can relate to, Yik Yak provides an entertaining space for students to develop a sense of community that is really special.
Kevin is an Economics major and Political Science minor and also works at the Front Office of Busby Suites.
What feature of the app do you think people use the least? I think that people probably use the “Peek” option that allows students to see the Yik Yak feeds at other universities the least. I believe that if more students were to see the posts made at other schools, comparing them to the quality posts at UConn would reinforce the opinion of many huskies that the student body here really is second to none.
Any secret tips? If you hit the “Peek” button, you see a few forums at the top under the headline “Featured”. Those are not specific to one location, and anyone can submit possible posts for these forums. They are usually hilarious, so I definitely recommend checking them out.
Kevin cheering on the Men’s Basketball team during the Final Four.
What do you think the best use of the app is for UConn? I personally really enjoy reading the positive posts of encouragement. For example, during finals week last semester, I saw a student post something along the lines of ”lets go huskies, study hard you can do this.” Students taking the time to write something encouraging like this not only provides fellow students with an anonymous boost of encouragement, but also showcases the cohesiveness of our strong student body to those outside of UConn who decide to “peek” at our school’s Yik Yak feed.
Besides Yik Yak, what is your favorite app on your phone? Well Yik Yak is my clear favorite, but I also really enjoy playing Trivia Crack. That app is a fun way to learn some new random facts and create some friendly competition between friends.