Complimentary Courses and Experiences

Zicofy founders Matt Fuentes and Agus Rodriguez in front of a roll-up banner I designed.

Graphic Design and Social Media Coordinator

at zicofy

As a Graphic Designer and Social Media Coordinator for Zicofy, I developed skills in brand kits and branding, marketing campaigns, and digital strategy. During this role, I earned a HubSpot marketing certification and designed a new brand kit for the company. This position, arranged through CIEE in Seville, Spain, also provided the opportunity to work in a multilingual office environment, allowing me to practice professional and digital communication in both English and Spanish while strengthening my collaboration and teamwork abilities.

Assistant Wedding Coordinator

at Skytop Lodge

As an Assistant Wedding Coordinator at Skytop Lodge, I shadowed, learned from, and assisted the lead coordinator in contracting the venue to couples, hosting and coordinating weddings, rehearsal dinners, and managing vendors. I contributed to visual design and event setup, maintained schedules, and ensured the smooth flow of guests and personnel throughout the event—all while remaining calm and professional in a visible role. This experience was crucial in helping me understand the extensive personnel, details, and logistics involved in events, and it deepened both my understanding of and passion for event coordination.

A selection of photos from a wedding I assisted in coordinating.

Executive Leadership Venue Coordinator

at the lion’s pause at st. olaf college

As Venue Coordinator at The Lion’s Pause, I deepened my passion for event planning and coordination while gaining essential leadership, management, and logistical skills. In this role, I led the Concert Board, overseeing two event managers, a marketing manager, and a facilities manager. This position taught me the complexities of institutional policy, internal management, and volunteer motivation, as well as the balance between accountability and understanding in leadership. I had the freedom to plan and produce musical events for the campus community, including contracting outside artists and student musicians, managing technical elements such as sound and lighting, and ensuring seamless event logistics. I also developed and managed marketing strategies, designed promotional materials, led public outreach, and created a brand kit for The Lion’s Pause. Attending the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) leadership and event planning conference further strengthened my skills in music management, artist relations, and community-centered programming. This role provided fundamental, hands-on experience in producing culturally rich and engaging events that foster community connection through art and music.

Marketing and Programming Associate

at the northfield arts guild

Working in marketing and programming for the Northfield Arts Guild, I supported a community arts organization whose mission aligned closely with my own values of bringing people together through art and events. I hosted an open house to promote a new location and position it as a rental venue, and I programmed a venue event photography session to generate promotional media—an intersection of venue management, visual storytelling, and community engagement that I find especially meaningful. In addition to designing social media content for a wide range of Guild programs, I managed the organization’s website, gaining valuable skills in WordPress. These experiences strengthened my abilities in marketing, event programming, and venue promotion—skills that are integral to both my major and my R.I.P. Lair capstone project.

Clips from an Arts Guild event I hosted, providing a venue photoshoot opportunity for marketing purposes.

ART 205

photography

This course focused on the ethics of street photography and photojournalism, the qualities that make a photograph meaningful or valuable, and the technical aspects of film photography. Through this, I developed a holistic understanding of the impact and value of media, as well as the consequences of overlooking how certain practices within the creative process and results can affect individuals and communities.

ART 238

intermediate photography

This course expanded my technical skills through hands-on experience with palladium printing, cyanotype, bookbinding, and various film and digital cameras. While I discovered that crafting physical objects isn’t my strength, I excelled in planning and managing creative projects. The bookbinding project, in particular, deepened my understanding of graphic design and strengthened my ability to organize and present visual work effectively. The course also pushed me to think critically about the social impact of media—raising questions about authorship, collaboration, and the ethical implications of creative work.

Falling, December 2024

A hand-bound book I designed, printed, and filled with my photography for ART 238.

Marketing sample from a final project featuring a detailed business plan and marketing campaign to expand an existing U.S. company into Spain.

MGMT 3101

international marketing

Taken with CIEE in Seville, Spain, this course examined global branding, marketing campaigns, and cross-cultural communication strategies. Coursework covered market analysis, consumer behavior, and promotional planning in international contexts, with an emphasis on adapting strategies to different cultural and economic environments. This class reinforced my understanding of branding and campaign development while expanding my skills in creating marketing approaches tailored to diverse audiences.

BS 320

strategic management

This course will equip me with tools to make strategic decisions that strengthen organizational performance, from established institutions to start-up initiatives. I will learn to analyze internal strengths, external factors, and competitive advantages, as well as strategies for execution and innovation. These skills will directly support my ability to design, plan, and manage events that balance creativity, logistics, and community impact.

Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy — photo from the IES
Business Studies webpage.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy — photo from the IES Fashion Design and Merchandising webpage.

Internship

with ies milan fashion design and merchandising

I have yet to be placed with a company that this internship that I will pursue in Fall, 2025, but I expect it to be hands-on and design-related.