👇🏾Please Watch Video Biography Below To Start 👇🏾
Explore the milestones of my academic journey at Indiana University Indianapolis, where learning met life-changing experiences. This section showcases my study abroad trip to Poland, the thought-provoking "Absolute Absurdity" project, and a selection of assignments that pushed me to grow as a student and communicator.
The Absolute Absurdity Project was the culmination of my academic journey in Communication Studies and served as my capstone project for COMM-G480. The objective of the project was to engage college students in critical conversations about media literacy and the influence of social media. Through satire and intentionally provocative content, the project aimed to challenge perceptions, encouraging individuals to question the validity and intent of the information they consume in today's media-driven world.
The original concept included a creative marketing campaign featuring fake news posters, misleading social media posts, and exaggerated narratives. These were designed to grab attention and spark dialogue about the tools and tactics used to manipulate media. Unfortunately, the campaign couldn’t be fully realized due to institutional concerns about its potential to cause misunderstandings. While this decision reflected the powerful impact of the project’s premise, it also underscored the very issues the project sought to address: the complexities of media influence and institutional control over information.
Despite these challenges, the project concluded with two reflective essays that became a vital part of my capstone experience. The first reflection focused on the creative and logistical process of developing the project, the lessons learned from its obstacles, and the growth that emerged from navigating real-world limitations. The second reflection looked at my broader journey within the communication discipline. It explored how the capstone solidified my ability to think critically and express ideas effectively, both personally and professionally.
Through the Absolute Absurdity Project, I gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between communication and societal perception. It pushed me to refine my skills as a communicator, helping me become more adaptable, intentional, and impactful in how I engage with others. This project served as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and critical thinking in shaping meaningful conversations about the world we live in.
👇🏾 CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER POSTERS BELOW!!! 👇🏾
Taylor Swift poster created to bring relevance to the campus due to the Eras Tour being town the day of the project marketing campaign
Due to the recent political controversy between Gaza and Israel, our team believed adding this poster would spark strong public interest and reaction amongst the students
Within the project, yes, we wanted to bring up relevant news, but also provide 'wishful' content that the mass majority of students would relate with, again, to incite immense reactions
This poster was one of our most comedic but also topical to what an actually 'student engagement' event would look like, through absurd marketing tactics
👇🏾PROJECT LINKS 👇🏾
As part of my COMM-C375 course, this project blended academic research with my creative videography skills to explore nonverbal communication in the workplace. The goal was to create an engaging TikTok/YouTube Short-style video that focused on movement and appearance, demonstrating how these elements influence professionalism, confidence, and workplace interactions.
I used storytelling and humor, featuring characters like Freddy from Scooby-Doo and Wolverine, to represent contrasting approaches to nonverbal communication. Freddy’s polished movements and appearance showcased effective workplace behavior, while Wolverine’s rugged demeanor offered a playful counterpoint. This creative approach made complex concepts relatable and engaging.
After receiving feedback from my professor, I revised the project to better align with academic criteria. This process included refining the script, re-editing the video, and re-uploading the final version. The project concluded with a reflection on the entire experience, analyzing both the creative process and the academic application of communication principles.
This assignment was not only a chance to deepen my understanding of nonverbal communication but also an opportunity to demonstrate my ability to merge academic knowledge with creative execution, making it a highlight of my e-Portfolio.
In the summer of 2024, I had the life-changing opportunity to travel abroad for the first time to participate in a two-week course called Intercultural Communication. This immersive experience was hosted in Poland and included attending the annual communication conference at the prestigious University of Wroclaw.
During our stay, we engaged deeply with the local culture and communication practices, both academically and personally. Each day, we documented our observations in a reflective journal, capturing the nuances of intercultural interactions we encountered. These reflections served as the foundation for a comprehensive paper summarizing our experiences and insights into communication dynamics across cultures.
A key component of the course was conducting a research project focused on communication behaviors and practices among the local population. While the final papers are still in progress, this research challenged us to analyze and interpret intercultural communication in a real-world setting, blending theory with practice.
This trip wasn’t just about academics; it was about stepping out of my comfort zone, embracing a new environment, and fostering a deeper understanding of how communication shapes human connection across borders. It’s an experience that has forever broadened my perspective, both personally and professionally.