By Lian Benasuly
From theatrical performances and art exhibitions that take audiences into new dimensions to captivating talks about historical issues, dozens of departments and centers within UC Santa Barbara’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts organize an array of events every academic year. A team of six web and social media interns has brought the public news of the division throughout the year. Undergraduate students have reported on speakers, interviewed students and faculty, and organized events, bringing you UCSB’s stories of creativity. Meet the faces behind the 2022-2023 team.
The Division of Humanities and Fine Arts web and social media intern team with HFA Dean Daina Ramey Berry at this year’s award luncheon for HFA’s Give Day Creativity Contest. From left to right: Maxwell Wilkens, Katie Posey, Minyi Jiang, HFA Dean Daina Ramey Berry, Lian Benasuly, Sophie Girard. Intern Faith Harvey is not pictured.
Katie Posey Faith Harvey
Year: Fourth-year
Major: Communication
Hometown: Los Banos, California
“I'm so grateful to have been the lead intern this year. My favorite part has been working with an amazing, supportive team. Interning for the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts has made me a better writer and has taught me a lot about professionalism. This month I'll be graduating with Distinction in the Communication major. After graduation, I'll be working full-time at Deep Space Sparkle where I'll be starting as a Marketing Assistant with a focus in Social Media Marketing.”
Maxwell Wilkens
Year: Third-year
Major: Communication and Music
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
“Outside of academics, I am an accomplished classical pianist and a proficient juggler. I also enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons and exploring the various hiking spots around Santa Barbara. During my time as a Social Media and Web Intern for the HFA Division at UC Santa Barbara, I have enjoyed learning how to take obscure, academic topics and turn them into interesting, user-friendly articles. I am pursuing a career in public relations.”
Sophie Girard
Year: Second-year
Major: Communication
Hometown: Mountain View, California
“This internship was my first time working in journalism and web, and being surrounded by such a supportive and talented team really helped me get out of my comfort zone and grow as a writer. It has also given me the opportunity to become immersed in UCSB’s HFA program through art exhibits, rap performances, technology lectures, and more. I am excited to be the student coordinator of Humans of UCSB next year, and hope to keep on raising awareness about multifaceted people and events. Outside of academics, I can be found doing any style of dance, capoeira, thrifting, and crocheting.”
Year: Third-year
Major: Communication
Hometown: Cotati, California
"I love writing, film, and music. I have gained confidence in my journalistic style, and had a lot of fun working hard with my amazing co-interns! I am happily returning to the team next year as Lead Intern and Webmaster, and am excited to further support the Humanities and Fine Arts.”
Lian Benasuly
Year: Fourth-year
Major: Communication
Hometown: Irvine, California
“I'm finishing up my fourth and last year at UCSB right now. The past four years have been amazing and have helped me grow into the person I am today—both professionally and personally. Professionally, the internships and extracurriculars I've completed have shown me that I can contribute greatly to a work team. Personally, the clubs I've joined and the people I've met have built confidence in myself and have transformed my experience here. I am grateful for the HFA internship for giving me the skills I will need for my future job in either public relations or journalism.”
Minyi Jiang
Year: Fourth-year
Major: Middle East Studies
Hometown: Nanjing, China
“I am interested in researching the history and politics of the Middle East. I have received awards from the Religious Studies Department and research grants from the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities office. Outside of my research, I am interested in journalism, photography, and nonprofit works. Through HFA, I have worked on different journalistic stories and explored a variety of beat areas. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in journalism.”
Lian Benasuly is a fourth-year student at UC Santa Barbara studying Communication and minoring in Professional Writing in the Journalism track. She is also a web and social media intern for the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.