About Students 2025 – Media in Ghana

Name: Everett Cento
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Major: Media Studies
About: I’m a graduating senior in the media studies program at the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College and the editor of the 2025 Media in Ghana blog. Over the past several years, I have developed a broad skill set across content creation, web development and digital media strategy, and I look forward to applying these experiences during my internship with GHOne in Accra. I’ve always learned best by diving into something new and figuring it out as I go, so spending six weeks in Ghana feels like the perfect opportunity to deepen my understanding of media practice in a global context, while also challenging me to grow both personally and professionally. Growing up, I heard tons of stories about my mom’s time in Sierra Leone. She always emphasized how transformative the experience was for her, and now those stories bring excitement for my own adventures abroad.

Name: Kalani Chai-Andrade
Hometown: Keaau, Hawaii
Major: Journalism and Cinema Studies
About: I am a graduating undergraduate double majoring in journalism and cinema studies, focusing on photojournalism. I work as a freelance photojournalist and love telling stories through visual imagery. Coming from a mix of cultural backgrounds and living in Hawaii, I have a deep love for cultural storytelling and hope to travel the world to experience different cultures. I am excited to live in Accra, Ghana, and be involved in their way of life. This summer, I look forward to interning at Joy Sports, the sports department of MyJoyOnline, where I will photograph Ghanaian sports and see firsthand how an international newsroom operates.

Name: Skylar DeBose
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Major: Journalism with a minor in ethnic studies
About: I’m entering my junior year, majoring in journalism with a minor in ethnic studies. I plan to explore investigative reporting to ensure social change. Being abroad in Ghana will be my first time traveling outside of the United States. As an African American, it’s been a dream of mine to visit Africa and learn about the history, people and culture that my ancestors came from. I look forward to interning at Zed Multimedia, a newspaper where I will be writing articles about the knowledge I gain while immersing myself in Ghana.

Name: Kai Fontenot
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Major: Advertising
About: I have just graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication with a focus in strategy within advertising and a minor in sustainable business. I am passionate about helping the environment in whatever ways I can. I have lived abroad once in Segovia, Spain, and love to travel! I am excited to start working at Innova DDB and to help with campaigns in whatever ways I can. I can’t wait to meet new people and learn more about Ghanaian culture!

Name: Milly Gamlen
Hometown: Nottingham, England
Major: Journalism with a minor in sustainable business
About: Hi, everyone. My name is Milly and I’m a journalist. My focus is on photography with writing to accompany it, but I also have a love for street interviews. I was born and raised in England, and then I moved to California at 13 with my family. I’ve never been to Ghana, or anywhere in Africa, so I’m really excited to spend six weeks learning from professionals and enjoying the city and the other parts of the country I’m able to visit. I am especially excited to go to the markets! When I’m not working, I like to spend time doing crafts and hanging out with friends. I plan to make a scrapbook of my time in Ghana this summer!

Name: Megan Gignac
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Advertising
About: Hello! My name is Megan, and I recently graduated from UO with a major in advertising and minors in business administration and women and gender studies. I’ve always been passionate about creativity, storytelling and understanding what makes people tick, so studying advertising felt like the perfect fit. My time in school has given me a strong foundation in media strategy, brand development and collaborative communication, all of which I’m excited to bring to my internship at Innova DDB in Accra. I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world work, while immersing myself in Ghanaian culture and learning from a whole new perspective. This is such a meaningful opportunity, and I’m so grateful to be here.

Name: Elijah Jagne
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Major: Cinema Studies and Media Studies
About: I’m someone who’s always been drawn to stories, whether that’s through film, podcasts or just long conversations with friends. I study cinema and media studies at the University of Oregon, where I get to explore how storytelling shapes the world around us. I’m especially interested in stories that speak to identity, culture and finding your place in a complicated world. My dad is from The Gambia, so going to Ghana feels personal in a way that’s hard to put into words. I’m hoping this trip helps me grow not just as a filmmaker and storyteller, but as a person trying to understand where I come from and where I’m headed.

Name: Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Major: Masters Student, Multimedia Journalism
About: I am a graduate student at UO pursuing my master’s in multimedia journalism. I have a passion for long-form creative works and community-centered storytelling. As a proud Uchinānchu (Indigenous Okinawan) and Afro-Cuban storyteller, I’m excited to engage with media professionals in Ghana and maybe even learn about my own history along the way. This summer, I am honored to be paired with Joy Multimedia and look forward to supporting all different kinds of storytelling projects!

Name: McKenzee Manlupig
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Major: Journalism with a minor in ethnic studies
About: I’m an incoming senior pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in ethnic studies. Having lived in both the Philippines and the United States, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the rich complexities of culture, language and community. These experiences have shaped my interest in international relations and taught me how to navigate and bridge cross-cultural communication. This summer, I’m excited to continue that journey in Accra, Ghana, where I’ll be interning at a local newspaper. I look forward to expanding my understanding of global media and deepening my knowledge of West African culture and communication.

Name: Rachel Marty
Hometown: Lagunitas, California
Major: Masters Student, Strategic Communication
About: Rachel Marty (she/her) is a strategic communications professional and emerging leader who is passionate about using media to advance social impact. A master’s student in strategic communication at the University of Oregon, Rachel serves as events and recruitment co-chair for the Portland Student Council, where she helps foster student engagement and build campus community. She is also a member of the Snap AR Scholars program within the Oregon Reality (OR) Lab, where she collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to create innovative XR experiences that push the boundaries of immersive storytelling.

Rachel’s experience spans journalism, nonprofit communications and digital strategy. From producing more than 200 broadcast news stories as a local TV reporter to leading content and engagement campaigns at AARP Oregon and other local nonprofit organizations, she brings a strong editorial voice and a commitment to community-centered storytelling. With a background in journalism and a deep belief in the power of narrative to inspire change, Rachel is dedicated to creating content that informs, connects and mobilizes.

Name: Anna Liv Myklebust
Hometown: Los Gatos, California
Major: Journalism with minors in political science and creative writing
About: I’m a journalism student with a focus on photojournalism. I work as a photojournalist at the Daily Emerald in Eugene, Oregon, and enjoy storytelling through a visual discipline. I’m excited to live and work in another country, while also experiencing Ghana’s rich history and culture. I’m looking forward to working at The Chronicle in Accra and growing as a journalist!

Name: Noah Nelson
Hometown: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Major: Masters Student, Multimedia Journalism
About: Noah Nelson is a master’s student in multimedia journalism at the University of Oregon. After graduating from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 2024, Nelson continued his media studies at the UO campus in Portland. He hopes to be a business leader after graduation, pursuing digital media publishing. In his free time, Nelson enjoys golfing, watching sports and discussing politics.