VisCom Ambassadors

Reese is a second year information graphics and publication design major.

Lauren is a Junior Multimedia student and a Scripps Innovation Scholar who is also pursuing minors in Business Analytics and Spanish. She enjoys the multimedia major because of her interest in UX research and design. She has been able to learn many new skills through the Viscom curriculum including prototyping and Adobe software knowledge.

She loves to be involved on campus through her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, professional fraternity, Kappa Alpha Zeta, and her role with the Walter Center. 

After graduation, Lauren hopes to pursue roles in the solutions engineering realm using her user-experience knowledge to help empathize with customers. 

Lauren hopes to continue building her technical skills through the Viscom program.

Katy Cox is a senior Multimedia major who is also pursuing a minor in
Advertising and Public Relations. Growing up in a small town, Katy discovered
her passion for design in high school and sought a university that offered both
creative flexibility and strong support systems.

She found that environment in the School of Visual Communication, where
she was drawn to the versatility of the Multimedia program and the welcoming
nature of the VisCom community. Katy has developed a particular interest in
video, participating in Athens Video Works to create short films, music videos,
and documentaries, where she is now on the Executive board as the Social
Media and PR Supervisor.
 

In addition to creative projects, Katy has worked as a student assistant for
VisCom social media and as a web content assistant for University
Communications and Marketing, and just started a position as a Voinovich
School Photographer. As an ambassador, she enjoys helping students see
how VisCom supports both creative exploration and professional
development.

Sarah is a junior Commercial Photography student who is also pursuing a minor in Marketing.
She entered college undecided, but after attending Ohio University Up-Close, she quickly found
her place within the VisCom program and has not looked back since.

Through VisCom, she has connected with peers and faculty who share her creative interests
and support her growth as a photographer.
 

Sarah looks forward to expanding her involvement in student organizations and hopes to help
prospective students see the supportive, opportunity-rich community that makes VisCom
unique.

Alex is a third year information graphics/publication design major.

Ella Middleton is an Information Graphics and Publication Design student. Her interest in visual communication began in high school through a digital design program, where she discovered both her creative strengths and a strong sense of community.

After initially pursuing Graphic Design, Ella found that VisCom better aligned with her long-term goals, particularly her interest in advertising and brand communication. She values the collaborative, open-minded environment within the School of Visual Communication and the opportunity to learn from both faculty and peers.

After graduation, Ella hopes to work in advertising, using clear and effective visual communication to connect consumers with brands.

Leticia Oteng is a senior Multimedia student pursuing minors in Marketing and Commercial Photography. Her interest in visual communication grew from her love of photography and design, and her desire to understand how visual storytelling can shape how people see and connect with brands.

Through VisCom, Leticia has explored photography, design, UX, and branding while working on projects that combine creativity with strategy. She especially enjoys thinking about the ideas and decisions behind a design and how visual communication can make a brand’s values and identity visible. Outside of the classroom, she works as a photographer and is involved in several campus organizations, where she has gained experience in branding, social media, and creative direction.

As a VisCom Ambassador, Leticia looks forward to helping prospective students discover the creative opportunities within VisCom and showing them how the community can help them explore their interests, develop their skills, and find their place within the field.

Kayla Payne is an Information Graphics/Publication Design student also pursuing a Social Media Certificate. She has a special interest in data visualization and website design. 

Her interest in information graphics and publication design started in high school by taking website design classes, where she taught herself to code for school and as a creative outlet.

Kayla looks forward to continuing to grow as a creative and building a portfolio that reflects both her technical skills and personal interests. 

Portfolio: kaylampayne.myportfolio.com

Sheridan Sawyer is a Multimedia student. Her interest in visual communication began in high school, where she taught herself Photoshop and created music posters as a creative outlet.

Since joining VisCom, Sheridan has enjoyed exploring multiple creative disciplines, including design, photography, and video, while learning from supportive faculty and collaborating with peers. She is especially passionate about blending her love of music with visual storytelling.

Sheridan looks forward to continuing to grow as a creator and building a portfolio that reflects both her technical skills and personal interests.

Emma Stevenson is a visual journalist and photojournalism student at Ohio University while also pursuing minors in journalism and sociology, and a certificate in social justice. She expects to graduate in May 2027. Emma is currently based in Athens, Ohio; she is the senior writer and photographer at the Ohio University Student News Bureau and was an editorial intern at Wild Side Media. She is committed to amplifying community voices through documentary and news photography and videography.

Lia Tawes is an Information Graphics and Publication Design student who is also pursuing a
minor in Marketing. Her interest in visual communication began in high school through the
Scripps Highschool Journalism Workshop, where she met Professor Adonis Durado who taught
her more about the principles of design and the structure of a good layout.
 

After the workshop, Lia knew VisCom was the right fit for her. Through Viscom, she has met
students and faculty who also share her passion for design and show support for her creative
journey. She appreciates the passionate environment and various opportunities found within the
School of Visual Communication.
 

In her next steps, Lia hopes to gain more real world experience and continue to build her
portfolio. She is attending the Visual Discovery Conference this coming October, where she
hopes to learn from other renowned professionals and enthusiastic students. As an
Ambassador, she hopes to promote the creative freedom and career development VisCom has
to offer to its students.

Portfolio: https://lt886324.myportfolio.com/

Natalie Yan is a senior Commercial Photography student with a Marketing minor. She
transferred into OU’s VisCom program after her freshman year, and never looked back.
The VisCom program has many valuable resources, which Natalie has taken advantage of. One
of her favorite places to be is the 4th floor studio, which has a large cyc wall, two seamlesses,
fitting rooms, and a vast collection of lighting and studio equipment.

Another favorite VisCom resource of hers is the student organizations. Natalie has been
involved in many student orgs, such as Variant and Thread, but her top club is the Ohio
University Multimedia Society (OUMS). OUMS is a networking organization for creative
students, and she has been in it for three years. Going on the networking trips has helped her
gain real-world advice about the creative industry and has guided her into her next steps of her
career.

Natalie encourages VisCom students to consistently meet with their VisCom professors as well.
The VisCom professors can be incredibly helpful with finding an internship, reviewing your
portfolio, or giving general advice. Her advice would be to “take advantage of everything
VisCom has to offer!”