SOC Ambassadors

School of Communication Student Ambassadors

The School of Communication Student Ambassadors, a select group dedicated to the positive promotion of Loyola University Chicago and specifically the School of Communication, are an essential component of SOC's public relations outreach.

Student Ambassadors are visible at many campus events and serve as liaisons between current SOC students and two other important groups: alumni and prospective students. Both groups are very interested in hearing student perspectives on life at Loyola.

Interested in attending Loyola's School of Communication? Find the Ambassador who best reflects your ideal college experience and e-mail them today!

Sarah Aiken

Sarah Aiken is a sophomore Advertising/Public Relations major from Fort Collins, Colo. She is interested in pursuing a career in Public Relations with a focus in fashion. Sarah currently is a member of PRSSA, which is a nationwide Public Relations assoc iation, and works at Halas Sports Center on the lakeshore campus. She enjoys finding the latest trend, writing, and is looking forward to continuing her first year Loyola.

If you are interested in the School of Communication and have questions about the student experience, student research or would like a tour of the school's facilities you can contact Sarah at saiken1@luc.edu.

Maureen Baynes

Maureen Baynes is a freshman in the honors program, and is from Reading, Massachusetts. She is currently majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, and hoping to add a double major in Visual Communications and a minor in Environmental Leadership and Action. On campus, she's involved in Advertising Club, Student Environmental Alliance, and Music Ministry. So far, her favorite part of being a communications student is getting to use the downtown campus. Maureen is hoping to work for a nonprofit or charity organization after she graduates, but right now she's looking forward to her next four years as an SOC student!

Lauren Bogacz

Lauren Bogacz is a junior in the honors program with a major in AD/PR and a minor in International Studies. Lauren hails from

Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb about 45 minutes outside of Chicago. In addition to being an SOC Ambassador, she writes for The Phoenix, and is a YEAR 1 Mentor for first year students. Lauren also volunteers once a week at Misericordia, a center for adults with developmental disabilities, and is part of the Best Buddies program there. To top it off, she also works at Cudahy library on Lakeshore campus in the cataloging and acquisitions departments. Her favorite part of being an SOC student, is being around so many students who share the same interests as me, as well as being able to experience so many of the great opportunities Loyola provides. She’s seen many interesting guest speakers, and have gone on a number of excursions within my field for different class assignments. Being an SOC student has solidified her decision to pursue a degree within this field, and is very proud to be a Loyola SOC student. Last summer, she completed an internship doing Marketing and PR for the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. After graduation, Lauren would like to find a career path doing Marketing/PR for a company with international outreach, in order to incorporate both of my degrees. She is studying at Loyola’s Rome Center this semester.

Marissa Boulanger

Marissa Boulanger is a freshmen journalism major with a minor in Asian Languages and Literature (specifically in Mandarin). Coming to Chicago from Memphis, TN, Marissa is an intern for COPPA (Council of Pan Asian Americans) and Leaders for Social Justice Living Learning Community. Her favorite memory so far is getting the chance to meet graffiti expert and photographer Jim Prigoff. The fact this was even an SOC event made her excited about her school, and I love art, so learning about where the line is drawn in vandalism versus art was a really interesting and a bit inspiring. As of right now, when Marissa graduates, she wants to go into the magazine industry. She hopes to get involved in design and layout and work more in the editorial and culture sections of publications. Additionally, she enjoys reading and golfing. She used to want to be a fashion designer and went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program for fashion construction. Also, Marissa is a huge football fan (Go Bears!).

Connor Hall

Connor Hall is in his Senior year at Loyola University Chicago, working towards duel degrees in Advertising/Public Relations and Marketing. Originally, he is from Pittsburgh, PA, but now calls Chicago home. Connor is the VP of Programs for Loyola's IABC Student Chapter, works as a PR Intern for Loyola University Marketing and Communication, and spent a semester abroad at Loyola's John Felice Rome Center. His favorite aspect of the School of Communication is the large number of adjunct professors, who are veterans in their field, and provide real world insight and useful contacts. After graduation, Connor hopes to work in the advertising, or brand management industry either in Chicago or New York City.

Lauren Lapinski

Lauren Lapinski is a senior Communication Studies and International Studies major from Bloomington, Ill. She is incorporating journalism classes and classes from the SOC's new Communication Studies' Advocacy and Social Justice tract with plans to follow a career in Public Policy.

Lauren is a student worker for the School of Communication, and is also a Peer Mentor with the Office of First Year Experience, where she works with first year students to help them transition into their first year at Loyola. She writes for the Loyola Student Dispatch and Loyola Phoenix, and is a member of the communication honors society, Beta Rho, and the Jesuit national Honors Society, Alpha Sigma Nu. Outside from school and work with various organizations, she loves running and exploring the city.

Kendal Pektas

Kendal Pektas is a junior at Loyola, majoring in journalism, with an English minor. Originally from Turkey, Kendal grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is a freelance writer for Grand Rapids Magazine, and has interned at WZZM 13 News. She hopes to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.

Madison Roche

Madi Roche is a sophomore from San Francisco, majoring in Communication Studies. She is involved in Loyola Club Swim, Ad Club, and Alpha Sigma Alpha. Madi enjoys being part of the SOC because of the amazing connections the professors provide. She’s interesting in special events planning, and would like to be a wedding planner.

Yun Tai

Yun is a 26-year old student who is currently attending Loyola University Chicago in order to pursue a degree in journalism. He was born in Shanghai, China and his family immigrated to the United States when he was four years old. His family settled in the small town of Munster, Indiana. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 2nd Battalion, 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82^nd ABN DIV) as an airborne infantryman and team leader. He deployed to Iraq for one 15-month tour and spent a total of three and a half years in the Army until he finished his contract and left the military on December 2^nd of 2009. Immediately upon leaving the military, he applied to and gained entry at Loyola University Chicago.

Using his GI Bill, Yun planned on finishing four years of college and possibly pursuing a graduate degree. He had the fortune of attending the John Felice Rome Center a year ago (the fall semester of 2011) and traveling throughout Europe. Yun is a junior this year and thinks that the field of journalism is one of the most exciting fields out there. Yun enjoys being an SOC ambassador because he would like to host events that can get more students interested in the opportunities that a career in Communications can offer.

Eleni Tsoukatos

Eleni Tsoukatos is a freshmen advertising/public relations major who hails from Des Plaines, Illinois. She is a member of the Rambler Rowdies, Student Government, Greek Life (Alpha Sigma Alpha), and Dean of Communication's Student Advisory Committee. Eleni’s favorite part of being an SOC student is that she feels more connected with the city of Chicago which opens up so many opportunities she wouldn't have if she was at a different school. After graduation, Eleni would like to use her degree to go into businesses (preferably Armed Forces) and manage their relations with the community around them.