Meet this week’s Campus Celebrity, Mikayla Collins, who is taking on a leadership role within her Communications major!
Hometown: Cornish, NH
Year: senior
Major: Communications and Business Applications with an English minor
What types of organizations are you involved with here at UNH?
I have been a member of Commentary for two years which is the Communication department’s undergraduate research journal. I am the head of the marketing and fundraising for the journal. Every year we partner with local businesses in and around Durham to help fund the journal. The majority of Commentary includes papers with Communications related topics. Sometimes we have entries from other majors as well which makes it fun and to create and read! Another great aspect about Commentary is that many students who get their papers published have the opportunity to present their work at the Undergraduate Research Conference!
In addition to Commentary, I am also the Business Manager for Lambda Pi Eta. LPE is the honors National Communication Association. My role as business manager is to plan events and marketing. I usually have the responsibility of making flyers for the association events and setting up the room for various meetings and events as well.
I also tutor people through the UNH athletic department. I have tutored four or five kids who were on the football and volleyball teams! I tutor people that are also taking classes within the Communication major.
What first sparked your interest to join these organizations?
I definitely felt like Communications was a huge major and I therefore felt that I didn’t have personal relationships with my classmates. I saw a lot of the same people all the time and in different classes, but I still didn’t get a feeling of connection. Joining these Communication department organizations really helped me to gain a sense of community and build long lasting relationships with people that have the same interests as me within my major! It has been a great decision to join these great organizations!
What is your favorite part about working with these campus orgs?
I really enjoy the different opportunities that these organizations present. For example, one of my favorite events to be a part of and organize is the LPE Film Night. Usually we ask the entire Communication faculty if they’re interested in screening a film, and afterward we have a discussion with pizza of course! This is a fun opportunity to create a relationship with professors outside of the classroom.
What has been one of your favorite classes that you have taken at UNH?
Oh, I actually stumbled upon a class that involves mentoring young people with disabilities and helping them transition to work. This was an education class where I was paired with a 35 year old man named Matt who had cognitive disabilities. We both got to know each other and make a connection as I helped him work at the thrift shop at the church in downtown Durham.
I found this class very interesting and rewarding because I learned how to communicate with people who may not be like you. I learned that there are all kinds of different ways to make a connection with another person. This class actually made me consider minoring in education as well as English! Matt and I still stay in touch!
Mikayla with Matt
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I would love to work for a non-profit. I’m actually in a class all about nonprofits and how they are organized and run. I am currently looking for job opportunities in that field. I am interested in working at NHPR in Concord or Manchester for a volunteer recruitment position. This type of position involves volunteer coordination meshed with marketing outreach.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Well, most of my free time involves looking for jobs! Also just hanging out with friends , and watching Netflix with my boyfriend!
All photos courtesy of Mikayla Collins.