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 guidance program which connects students within their first two semesters at the SoC with students who have ideally at least three semesters at the School.

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.

Mentees

If you are new to the School of Communication, we welcome you to apply as a DSC Mentee. As a mentee, you are paired with a DSC Student Ambassador 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.

How to Join

Visit one of the links above to complete an online form. Complete applications include a resume 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

  • Guidance of Freshmen

  • Peer Counseling

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

  • Must partake in at least one tour per month and one special event per semester

Current Ambassadors/DSC Guidance Members

Amalia Gangotena Freile
Major: Public Relations
Minor: Psychology
Quote: The most important thing in life is to want to live it. Everything else just falls into place.

Anandi Bien-Aime
Major: Motion Pictures (General Track)
Minor: African Studies, Business Law, and Japanese
Quote: “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” -African Proverb

Aris Montero Portugal
Major: Communication Studies and Creative Advertising
Minor: Psychology
Quote: “Rise by lifting others”

Barbara Marins
Major: Advertising Management
Minor: Marketing and Music Industry
Quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Betty Srour
Major: Public Relations and Political Science
Quote: “Find the sun on a cloudy day”

Catherine Butler
Major: Creative Advertising and English (Creative Writing)
Minor: Marketing
Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Dylan Barron
Major: Public Relations
Minor: Broadcast Journalism and Education
Quote: “Be miserable or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, its always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer

Hunter Holstien
Major: Motion Pictures (Screenwriting Track) and Art
Minor: Journalism
Quote: “We shouldn’t seek to find the ultimate “right” answer for ourselves, but rather, we should seek to chip away at the ways that we’re wrong today so that we can be a little less wrong tomorrow.” – Mark Manson

Isabella Sosa
Major: Public Relations
Minor: Marketing and Psychology
Quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the knowledge that something else is more important than fear.”

Madeline Bassalik
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Minor: Psychology
Quote: “There is nothing impossible to they who will try.” – Alexander the Great

Taryn Jacobs
Major: Broadcast Journalism and Media Management
Minor: Sport Administration
Quote: “You have to be where you are to get where you need to go.” – Amy Poehler