Project Allows Students to Work with Real Client
University of Scranton students in a social media communication class taught by Brian J. Snee, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication and media, are working on a community-based learning project with the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF). From left: Brittany Pagnotti, communications manager for SACF, Dr. Snee, and University students Daniel Armato, a social media strategies major; Erika Witt, a social media strategies major; and Kayla Alvero, an advertising and social media strategies major.University of Scranton students taking a social media communication class with professor Brian Snee, Ph.D., are getting a good dose of reality through a community-based learning project with the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF).
Working in groups of two, the students in Dr. Snee’s class are being challenged to develop detailed plans using social media to promote one of the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s campaigns. During the course, students will conduct a strength, weakness, opportunity, threat (SWOT) analysis of SACF’s website and social media channels, and consult multiple times with their client via Zoom. The students will formally present their final plans to the client at the end of the semester.
Brittany Pagnotti, communications manager for SACF, saw the project as a great opportunity for the nonprofit organization, as well as for the students. She was happy to participate.
Dr. Snee also saw the learning opportunities the project offers to his students.
“I wanted the students to do real work for a real client, not just submit homework to me,” said Dr. Snee. “This community-based learning project challenges them to solve problems with creative solutions. It will give them professional quality content to add to their portfolios, and of course it's a reminder that a Jesuit education is – among many other things – all about doing good work in the real world.”
He is already seeing results.
“It is clear to me that they see themselves as young pre-professionals essentially operating a student-run social media agency--not just students in a class,” said Dr. Snee.
Students in the course are: Kayla Alvero, Yonkers, New York; Daniel Armato, Brooklyn, New York; Eren Cimsir, Leonia, New Jersey; Emma Davidson, Budd Lake, New Jersey; Tim Kiess, Glen Rock, New Jersey; Anthony Lambroia, Northport, New York; Sean Pietruszkiewicz, Clarks Summit; Emily Termyna, Clifton, New Jersey; Ryan Trimble, Warren, New Jersey; and Erika Witt, Mahwah, New Jersey.
