Troy selects five students as Social Media Ambassadors

The five social media ambassadors pose for a group photo on campus. University Relations photo

Troy University officially launched its social media ambassador program and announced this year's five ambassadors.

Those social media ambassadors selected by the university are Giavanni Fuller, a senior communications major; Ty Davidson, a junior broadcast journalism major; Anna-Scott Gingras, a junior marketing major; Jamarion Willie, a junior electronics engineering major and Isabella Hartofelis, a sophomore communications major.

As social media ambassadors, the five will look to build their social media skills and the local community in one swoop.

"The social media ambassador program is built to give our students that experience in social media and in a business setting," said Social Media Manager Elizabeth Anne Glisson. "We're so excited about this program because this is just another way to share real stories and we know students [...] talk to students best.

"This is not only helpful for Troy University, it's very helpful for our students. We want everyone to go to Troy's social media page if they are a prospective student, an alumni or a student who is already here [and] we want them to see themselves here.

"We believe that this is a great way to do that."

After being put on the back burner, the university's marketing department greenlit the program after visiting a Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) social media conference in Denver, Colorado over the summer.

For Willie, the program isn't just about engaging the Trojan community, though – it's also about enriching it.

"I'm a proud servant of our Troy community, so I do anything to give back to what it gave to me," Willie said. "I really use this as a connection to not only interview a student, but to just talk with them, connect with them and see how they're doing mentally and physically.

"I always say college is hard, but the people you're around are what makes it easier."

For Hartofelis, being selected as a social media ambassador provides an opportunity to build applicable skills toward her digital marketing career goals, while also creating connections with her fellow students.

"It's amazing, I feel like you're growing a network with your own students that you're here at college with that you might not see on a daily basis," Hartofelis said. "You're able to speak to them and gain different insights and perspectives on different things."

According to Glisson, she hopes the program will function similarly to the separate team of Troy University ambassadors. She's also hoping the program positively affects how the university approaches social media.

Those interested in keeping up with the social media ambassadors can find their content, as it's posted to the official Troy University Instagram page at @troyuniversity.