Name: Laura Gattis
Hometown: Salinas, California
Major: Ph.D. In Mass Communication and Media Studies
About me:
I am a first-year Ph.D. student in the School of Journalism and Communication. With a background in agriculture, marketing, and sales, my current research focuses on climate change and how news coverage impacts perceptions and decision-making. I have a bachelor’s in journalism, a master’s in media innovation, and a graduate certificate in renewable energy engineering – all from the University of Nevada, Reno! I’m excited to explore a new country, meet some new people, and learn from the University of Ghana’s amazing research teams!
Name: Samantha Lorenzo
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major: Ph.D. In Mass Communication and Media Studies
About me:
Samantha (Sam) Lorenzo is a PhD student majoring in Communication & Media Studies at the University of Oregon. She is originally from Los Angeles and obtained her master’s degree in Music Industry Administration and bachelor’s degree in Journalism-Public Relations from California State University, Northridge. Sam has acquired years of media experience from her positions at SiriusXM, Power 106 (a Los Angeles-based hip-hop radio station), Allied Integrated Marketing, CelebsWork, AKW Public Relations, and more. Most recently, Sam served as the Media & Strategic Development Coordinator at Warner Records (Warner Music Group) where she handled publicity initiatives for the record label’s roster of artists.
As a UO graduate student, activist-oriented exploration and prosocial outcomes are the cornerstones of her research interests. Sam hopes to provide preventative measures for avoidable socio-psychological issues in efforts to promote a more cohesive global community for generations to come. Her area of specialization lies at the intersection of persuasion and media psychology, technology and society, and media and public life.
Name: Stephen Ssenkaaba
Hometown: Kampala Uganda in East Africa
Major: Ph.D. In Mass Communication and Media Studies
About me:
I am a second-year Media Studies Ph.D. student at the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC). My research focuses on how journalists in local language media spaces in Africa report and present news in a digitized environment. I worked as a print journalist in Uganda, and I am passionate about arts and culture as well as digitization. I look forward to spending some time practicing journalism and research in Ghana. I have been to East and Southern Africa, but never to West Africa, so I am really excited to see this part of the continent. I am hoping to learn more about Ghana’s rich, colorful history and culture and to personally experience many of the traditions and trends that I have read and heard so much about. My career goals are oriented towards teaching and doing research on the adaptation of African cultural experiences to digital media and journalism. I am sure that my time in Ghana will enrich my curiosities and add to my understanding of contemporary Africa in the age of digital media.
Name: Karl Furlong
Hometown: Bend, Oregon
Major: M.A. Journalism
About me:
Karl Furlong is a writer based in Bend, Oregon. Karl has an MBA in Technology and an MSc in Journalism. The areas Karl most enjoys writing about are the outdoors and technology. Originally from Canada, Karl has lived in the United States since 2007.
Name: Khalil Hines
Hometown: Carson, California
Major: Journalism
About me:
Khalil Hines is a recent SOJC graduate and first time filmmaker from Carson, California. During his time in Ghana, he will be interning at Joy Sports as a journalist. After his time in Ghana, Hines will continue to pursue his career as an entrepreneur and filmmaker.
Name: Liz Sgro
Hometown: Sarasota, Florida
Major: Public Relations & Advertising
About me:
As I was inspired to travel across the U.S. for school in a search for a new variety of experiences, opportunities, and people, I have now found myself traveling across the globe seeking the same in my journey to Ghana. With this being my first internship experience, I am eager to hit the ground running and gain insights relating to my media interests on an international level. I am also excited to be able to communicate and be a part of a team of like-minded individuals where everyone’s thoughts and opinions are valued. As most PR or advertising people are, I’m a people person. You can find me always asking questions, taking initiative, communicating with my peers, and learning from the experiences of those around me in any group setting.
Name: Nate Wilson
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Environmental Studies, Journalism
About me:
My path forward has been a long time coming: ever since my senior year of high school, I’ve known that I wanted to pursue environmental journalism. Growing up in Chicago has made me no stranger to environmental injustice, my time at the University of Oregon has renewed my fever for science communication, and I hope to bring those experiences to Ghana where I’ll learn to scrutinize them from an entirely different perspective. This is my first time traveling to Africa, and given Ghana’s rich traditions, complex history, and vibrant culture, I figured it’s a beautiful introduction to everything Africa has to offer. I look forward to enriching my writing and myself over the course of our adventure!
Name: Melina Mallari
Hometown: Orange County, California
Major: Media Studies and Psychology
About me:
As a Media Studies major and a Psychology minor, I am thrilled to spend over a month learning about culture and media practices in a new place. I’ve hopped around to many different career goals in my life, and my hope is that this amazing opportunity to do my first internship abroad will not only expand my horizons but give me some insight into a career path! I’m from Orange County, California but have lived and traveled in other places, and I’m pumped to embark on a new adventure. Medaase to Ghana for welcoming me! I can’t wait to learn so much from you
Name: Jake Moore
Hometown: Banks, Oregon
Major: Journalism
About Me:
My name is Jake Moore and I come from a small farm town in Oregon called Banks. At the University of Oregon I study Journalism with a minor in French. Coming from a small town I have always been eager to travel and see the world and the incredible people in it. I speak French but am still learning and want to learn more languages. I love books, movies, and music as well as spending time exploring and having good conversations with friends. I am incredibly excited to visit Ghana and experience a culture that is entirely different from my own. I cannot wait to meet new people, eat new food and go on new adventures. I am also excited to learn about the way that news media operates in Ghana.
Name: Brady Doran
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Major: Media Studies
About Me:
