What is the Dean’s Student Circle?

At the School of Communication, students are at the core of all we do. The Dean’s Student Circle (DSC) is an organization of student ambassadors who represent the School to prospective students, new students, and the University of Miami at large by participating in outreach and recruitment, leading tours, and assisting in orientations and panels. Members also share ideas and student feedback with School leadership.

The DSC also offers a mentorship program which connects students within their first two semesters at the SoC with students who have ideally at least three semesters at the School.

The Dean’s Student Circle Mentorship Program

The Dean’s Student Circle Mentorship Program at the School of Communication helps students succeed by connecting students within their first two semesters at the SoC with students who have ideally at least three semesters at the School. This program equips new students with the resources and peer guidance needed to help them navigate the multiple facets of college life.

Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors must have at least 2 semesters completed in the School of Communication. In this role, members represent the School to prospective students, new students, and the UM community by participating in outreach and recruitment, leading tours, and assisting in orientation activities and panel discussions. They also share ideas and student feedback with School leadership.

Mentors

Mentors are Student Ambassadors who ideally have at least 3 semesters with the School of Communication. The ideal mentor has already completed an internship, devoted time to a University of Miami organization, and used the resources on campus. Mentors are paired with new students who may not be familiar with all the opportunities available at UM.

Mentees

If you are new to the School of Communication, the DSC Mentorship Program was designed with you in mind. As part of this program, you are paired with a mentor in one of your areas of study who will show you how to utilize the resources at UM and at the School to maximize your experience. This opportunity allows newer students to form developmental relationships that help them navigate the academic, professional, and practical realities of college life.

Student Ambassadors

• Must have at least 2 semesters with the SoC
• Represent the SoC in various efforts
• Share ideas and student feedback with leadership
• Take charge of leading the DSC

Application has Finished

Mentors

• Ideally have at least 3 semesters with the SoC
• Has ideally completed an internship
• Has ideally been involved with a student organization
• Has become familiar with various resources on campus

Application has Finished

Mentees

• Within first two semesters at the SoC
• Will be paired with an experienced mentor
• Will learn about the various opportunities available at the SoC

Apply

How to Join

Visit one of the links above to complete an online form. Complete applications include a resume, a letter of recommendation, and at least a 3.0 GPA in both the SoC and UM. Selected students will be asked to participate in a short interview.

All applicants must be in good standing and students in the School of Communication.

Responsibilities

  • New student transfer orientation activities (at the beginning of each semester)

  • Special Events (including, but not limited to: Open House, Family Weekend, Communication Week, guest speakers, panels, etc.)

  • Participate in outreach and recruitment

  • Giving a tour once a week or once every other week based on the student’s schedule/availability

  • Help the Admissions, Academic and Alumni Office during advising times

  • Assist in phone campaigns

  • Mentoring of Freshmen

  • Peer Counseling

  • Help students as they look for internships or jobs, promote events

Current Members

Esther Animalu

Hometown: Queens, New York

Major: Communication Honors-Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

Minors: Media Management and International Studies

Favorite Internship: Oath Inc. (Formerly known as AOL Inc.)

Extracurricular Activities: The Miami Hurricane, National Association of Black Journalists, Society for Professional Journalists, Model United Nations, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, TEDxUmiami, African Students Union, Empowered Youth, G.O.O.D (Girls of Outreach and Diversity)

Favorite Quote: “Journalism can never be silent: That is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.”  – Henry Anatole Grunwald

Tyler Walsh

Hometown: Reading, Massachusetts

Major: Broadcast Journalism & Psychology

Minors: Film

Extracurricular Activities: UMTV, Calling Canes, National Broadcasting Society

Favorite Quote: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Julia Barger

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Major: Communication Studies

Minors: Media Management, Marketing, Music Business

Favorite Internship: Working with fitness by the sea this summer.

Extracurricular Activities: Hurricane Productions, Panhellenic Association, Media Management Association, ‘Cane Records

Favorite Quote: “If you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and say you tried your hardest then regardless the outcome, you did well” -Glenn Barger

Shane Shakoor

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Major: Motion Pictures

Minors: Strategic Communication; Communication Studies

Favorite Internship: Operations & Special Projects Intern at Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Extracurricular Activities: Associate Producer of UMTV’s ‘The Culture’ PR Chair of Sociology/Criminology Club; United Black Students; NAACP; Horizons Orientation Mentor

Favorite Quote: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama