Marshall B. Ketchum University’s social media ambassadors are students who are connected and involved as leaders in our community, span a variety of academic focuses and co-curricular interests, and are passionate about social media. This group partners with the Office of Marketing & Communications on MBKU’s social media channels with the purpose of promoting student activity, highlighting milestones, capturing bonding moments among classmates and celebrating student development. Ketchum Magazine sat down for a conversation with this year’s social media ambassadors: Taylor Austin (COP), Ashley Tran (SPAS), Joanne Vuong (SCCO), John Huynh (COP) and Lillianne Do (COP).
Ketchum Magazine: What is the importance of engaging on social media for MBKU?
Ashley Tran: MBKU actively works to give back to the community, so I feel that social media is extremely helpful for capturing these moments for students, alumni and faculty to take note of and to look back on for years to come. I think especially at a time with COVID-19, social media is a great opportunity for our university to stay connected. Our instruction has mostly been remote, with the exception of in-person skills days, so social media events and challenges allow us to still show our MBKU spirit and solidarity while still practicing safe social distancing.
John Huynh: We are a generation immersed in technology and social media. With everything transitioning to online, reaching a wider audience and sharing our stories has become much more achievable. Social media has provided a platform for us to share our innovative endeavors and opportunities with many more people than before.
KM: How do you all as social media ambassadors advance the mission of the University?
Joanne Vuong: The act of all of us in a virtual “room” already demonstrates MBKU’s mission. However, as we collaborate as a team, we are able to develop better interprofessionalism and share what each of our programs has to offer. By each of us posting from our respective program’s perspective, it educates the rest of us on what that program has to offer, which we may not always be aware of.
Lillianne Do: Our team highlights how students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to education. This is really important, especially during COVID-19, because we want our MBKU family to know the importance of “keeping distance” but not being “disconnected.”
KM: Can you describe your personal interest in being a social media ambassador?
Taylor Austin: Personally, when I came to MBKU, I did not know a single person and I did not know my place here at MBKU. That quickly changed when I began getting involved in several MBKU organizations and attending MBKU events. I was honored when asked to be a social media ambassador because I want students to continue to find their place in MBKU. To me, the best way to do that is by promoting student involvement through social media.
Ashley Tran: I have never particularly been inclined to share much on social media, so taking on the role of a social media ambassador is new to me. However, when I got accepted into MBKU, my top choice PA program, I just knew I wanted to do my best to document a very fundamental part of my life and journey. MBKU has a very special place in my heart, and the care and dedication that the MBKU faculty and students put into one another and newer cohorts made me want to showcase our school and mission that much more.
KM: What are some of the specific social media channels that MBKU employs?
Joanne Vuong: There are many social media channels that MBKU is associated with. To name a few: @ketchumuniversity, @ketchumhealth @ketchumhealth.uecla, @mbkulibrary, @multimedia_bts, and student-run Instagram @weareMBKU.
Taylor Austin: Our main social media platforms include Facebook and Instagram. If you’re not already following us, start following us today!