Amarah Byakweli
Summary
Strategic leader in student affairs, leveraging marketing skills to enhance engagement within academic communities. Successfully developed and implemented outreach strategies that significantly increased participation and connection among students. Expertise in program coordination, staff mentorship, and crisis management drives impactful student experiences and community development.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Manager
Miami University
Oxford, United States
09.2023 - Current
- Lead communication, engagement, and operational efforts for a residential community of 300+ students within the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community
- Developed student-centered marketing and outreach strategies using email campaigns, flyers, social media promotion, newsletters, surveys, and event communication, enhancing participation and community connection
- Coordinated educational programs and large-scale community initiatives, overseeing logistics, outreach, campus partnerships, and student engagement to foster a vibrant community
- Supervise, evaluate, and mentor 6-8 Resident Assistants through one-on-one meetings, leadership development, accountability conversations, and ongoing staff support
- Serve as a trusted point of contact for students by supporting conversations related to academic goals, conflict resolution, personal development, student wellbeing, and campus resource connection
- Collaborate with faculty, departments, and external stakeholders to coordinate guest speakers, networking opportunities, and student-focused events supporting academic and professional development
- Respond to crisis situations, emergency incidents, and student concerns while serving in an on-call rotation supporting residential students and staff
- Tracked participation trends, student feedback, and engagement data, informing outreach strategies and programming efforts to elevate overall student experience
Pre-College Student Life
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
05.2025 - 07.2025
- Mentored, role modeled, and provided support for pre-college students throughout the program
- Responded to crisis situations, student concerns, and emergencies in on-call rotation, providing timely support and guidance in fast-paced residential environment
- Assisted in supervising 15-20 Resident Advisors through one-on-one meetings, accountability conversations, staff support, and operational guidance
- Co-planned and facilitated engaging staff training sessions and leadership development opportunities to enhance residential staff capabilities
- Developed and managed RA work schedules and staffing coverage plans to ensure effective program operation during summer sessions
- Planned and facilitated on-campus programs and off-campus field trips while managing budgets, logistics, purchasing, and student engagement initiatives
- Coordinated move-in and move-out logistics including airport shuttles, residential check-ins/check-outs, and staff assignments
- Coordinated communication and housing operations as a liaison among Conference Services, Housing Administration, and Residential Services
- Assisted with participant housing assignments, student conduct processes, and maintaining session-specific program guidebooks and resources
Business Development Intern | Veden Center for Rural Economic Development
University of Minnesota Crookston
, United States
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Supported entrepreneurial outreach and economic development initiatives through marketing strategy, business planning assistance, and community engagement efforts focused on rural and small business development
- Supported regional business owners in marketing, branding, and business planning projects that enhanced visibility and communication strategies for long-term growth opportunities
- Conducted research activities supporting the Veden Center for Rural Economic Development, including data collection, outreach support, and analysis related to entrepreneurship and regional economic initiatives
- Created promotional materials, email campaigns, and digital outreach content via MailChimp and social media to increase engagement and awareness of programming initiatives
- Coordinated in-person and virtual events, workshops, and outreach initiatives that connected entrepreneurs, students, and community stakeholders
- Maintained professional communication with clients, small business owners, and community partners through email correspondence, phone communication, and event support
- Assisted with course development materials, communication workflows, data entry, and administrative coordination supporting program operations and outreach efforts
- Strengthened skills in small business marketing, entrepreneurial outreach, project coordination, communication strategy, and community-centered economic development initiatives
Project Manager
Colle McVoy
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Coordinated project management operations in fast-paced creative agency by managing timelines, organizing workflow processes, and maintaining detailed documentation across multiple campaigns and client deliverables
- Assisted with creating and managing project timelines, tracking deliverables, and supporting cross-functional collaboration between creative, strategy, and account management teams
- Prepared reports and organized project materials while assisting with production coordination and scheduling to enhance team efficiency and ensure timely project completion
- Coordinated meeting logistics, recorded detailed meeting notes, and distributed recap communications to maintain alignment, accountability, and clear communication across project teams
- Conducted project research, data entry, and operational support tasks ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely execution of campaign initiatives
- Supported day-to-day agency operations while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment
- Developed skills in project coordination, organizational management, stakeholder communication, and creative workflow operations within integrated marketing and advertising settings
Brand Marketing
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Contributed to a highly competitive and structured corporate internship program aimed at connecting classroom knowledge with real-world brand marketing, consumer strategy, and agribusiness operations.
- Developed marketing campaigns, social strategy activations, and communication initiatives to enhance audience engagement and brand visibility
- Supported strategic marketing projects through market opportunity assessments, competitive analysis, and consumer research designed to strengthen brand positioning and support long-term business growth initiatives
- Analyzed consumer behavior, market trends, and audience insights to assist with marketing mix strategies, pricing considerations, product positioning, and distribution recommendations across food and agricultural product lines
- Collaborated with marketing, strategy, sales, and business teams on campaign planning, research initiatives, and operational project execution
- Presented strategic recommendations and project deliverables to senior leadership, enhancing presentation development, storytelling, and executive communication skills
- Completed an independent brand strategy and storytelling project analyzing Chick-fil-A's consumer engagement approach, marketing identity, and brand positioning strategies
- Strengthened skills in brand strategy, consumer insights, campaign development, project management, and data-informed marketing decision-making within a nationally recognized Fortune 500 organization
Creative Project Manager
KNOCK Inc.
Minneapolis, United States
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Selected as Project Manager for a six-person creative strategy team, M.O.B. (Marketing Our Business), tasked with developing an integrated marketing campaign to reposition Go-Gurt among Gen Z consumers and increase engagement with audiences ages 13-14
- Developed large-scale brand partnership concept between Go-Gurt and Fortnite called "Go-Game" to enhance cultural relevance and consumer interaction through gaming and digital engagement
- Conducted audience and trend research surrounding gaming culture, Gen Z consumer behaviors, Twitch streaming, influencer marketing, and Fortnite engagement trends to support campaign strategy development
- Assisted with developing multi-phase campaign strategies including influencer partnerships, in-game activations, Twitch promotions, consumer interaction campaigns, branded design competitions, and experiential marketing concepts
- Researched influencer partnerships and engagement analytics with high-profile Fortnite creators and streamers to enhance campaign reach and audience connection
- Collaborated on campaign storytelling, visual branding, launch strategy, and consumer engagement concepts designed to modernize Go-Gurt's identity and increase product relevance among younger audiences
- Led project coordination, team collaboration, campaign planning, timeline management, and presentation development throughout the duration of the campaign project
- Presented strategic recommendations and campaign concepts using visual presentations, creative mockups, and collaborative pitch sessions in a fast-paced agency environment
Outreach and Engagement & Career Services
University of Minnesota Crookston
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Supported student outreach, engagement, and career readiness initiatives through event coordination, campus programming, and communication efforts within Career Services and student engagement offices
- Managed and updated employment and internship postings through Handshake, increasing student awareness and utilization of career readiness resources and opportunities
- Represented Career Services through campus tabling initiatives, outreach events, and informational programming designed to connect students with professional development resources and career opportunities
- Coordinated and promoted career fairs, workshops, and student engagement events through targeted communication campaigns and in-person outreach efforts
- Assisted students with navigating career development resources including internships, employment opportunities, resume support, networking events, and campus involvement initiatives
- Collaborated with faculty, staff, student organizations, and campus departments to strengthen awareness of university resources and student support services
- Assisted in administrative coordination and event logistics, supporting student check-ins and operations for campus engagement initiatives
- Built strong customer service, communication, and relationship-management skills while working directly with diverse student populations in a fast-paced higher education environment
Content Creator
CAPA The Global Education Network
Greater London, United Kingdom
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Selected as a student content creator during a semester abroad in London, producing digital storytelling and multimedia content designed to promote global education experiences and student engagement initiatives
- Created engaging short-form videos, blogs, photography, Instagram Reels, and social media campaigns to showcase student life, cultural immersion, travel experiences, and academic opportunities abroad, enhancing audience connection and brand visibility
- Managed content planning, filming, editing, caption writing, and publishing across digital platforms while maintaining consistent audience engagement and storytelling quality
- Utilized social media trends, SEO strategies, hashtags, audience insights, and engagement analytics to expand digital reach and foster authentic connections with prospective study abroad students, improving engagement rates
- Produced written blog content documenting personal experiences, cultural observations, and global learning reflections to support organizational marketing and recruitment efforts
- Contributed authentic student-centered storytelling perspectives that supported CAPA's digital marketing and recruitment efforts, enhancing international student engagement and promoting organizational initiatives
- Balanced content creation deadlines, international travel, academic coursework, and cross-cultural communication within a fast-paced global environment
- Strengthened skills in digital storytelling, social media strategy, content marketing, videography, photography, audience engagement, and international communications
Senior Residential Assistant
University of Minnesota Crookston
, United States
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Developed a welcoming, safe, and inclusive residential community across multiple residence halls by leading student efforts within Residential Life.
- Provided leadership, mentorship, and ongoing support to Resident Assistants by assisting with onboarding, training initiatives, operational guidance, and peer mentorship efforts
- Planned and facilitated educational, social, and community-building programs designed to strengthen student engagement, belonging, and campus connection within residential communities
- Responded to crisis situations, roommate conflicts, student conduct concerns, policy violations, and emergency situations while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and sound decision-making
- Functioned as the main contact for students with academic, personal, social, and transitional concerns, linking residents to relevant campus resources and support services.
- Mediated conflicts and promoted community accountability, fostering an inclusive living-learning environment while encouraging student involvement.
- Facilitated communication between students and Residential Life staff, enhancing student support and strengthening residential experience initiatives.
- Coordinated administrative tasks and maintenance efforts to ensure smooth occupancy processes and support resident needs.
- Strengthened leadership, crisis management, communication, operational coordination, and student development skills within a fast-paced higher education housing environment
Creative Strategist
Fast Horse
Minneapolis, United States
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Developed a Creative Platform and Influencer Strategy for Liberté Yogurt, a General Mills brand, to increase audience engagement, brand awareness, and consumer connection through strategic storytelling and digital marketing initiatives.
- Developed creative campaign concepts, brand positioning recommendations, and influencer partnership strategies aligned with Liberté Yogurt's target audience and overall brand identity
- Conducted audience research and trend analysis to identify consumer behaviors and influencer culture, enhancing social media engagement strategies in food and lifestyle industry
- Translated consumer insights into strategic communication recommendations to strengthen brand visibility and enhance digital engagement
- Collaborated with marketing professionals and creative teams to brainstorm storytelling approaches, campaign messaging, and audience-centered engagement tactics
- Participated in creative presentations and strategic discussions to foster collaboration and innovation in fast-paced agency environment
- Strengthened skills in brand strategy, influencer marketing, audience engagement, creative storytelling, and integrated marketing communications
Strategic Planning
Words At Work
Minneapolis, United States
09.2018 - 11.2018
- Participated in an in-house consulting and strategy internship focused on strengthening Step Up, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit workforce development organization that supports youth career readiness, internships, and professional development opportunities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to develop strategic marketing and communication recommendations that increased youth engagement, retention, and long-term program participation among high school students ages 16-18
- Conducted focus groups with Minneapolis high school students to better understand youth perceptions around internships, careers, workplace readiness, and professional opportunities
- Assisted with audience research, data collection, messaging analysis, and engagement strategy development through surveys, recordings, interactive activities, and social listening techniques
- Developed audience-centered value statements, campaign messaging, taglines, and communication strategies tailored to various stages of youth career development
- Contributed strategic recommendations for social media engagement across Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube, enhancing connection with youth audiences and improving recruitment outcomes
- Presented final strategic recommendations focused on storytelling, youth empowerment, alumni engagement, inclusion, and long-term workforce development initiatives
Creative Strategist
SapientRazorfish
Minneapolis, Minnesota
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Developed redesign concepts and user experience recommendations for U.S. Bank mobile banking application, enhancing accessibility, functionality, consumer engagement, and visual storytelling
- Facilitated brainstorming sessions, concept development, and creative presentations that informed strategic discussions on digital product experiences
- Utilized creative and prototyping software including Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Framer X to support interface concepts, wireframing, and digital design ideation
- Conducted research and collaborated with creative teams to analyze user behaviors, digital engagement trends, and customer-centered design strategies
- Participated in a collaborative creative strategy internship focused on user experience, digital innovation, and brand-centered design solutions within a large agency environment
- Shadowed and networked with professionals across multiple departments including creative strategy, UX/UI design, account management, technology, and project management to gain a comprehensive understanding of agency operations and cross-functional collaboration
- Strengthened skills in visual communication, digital storytelling, creative problem-solving, and strategic brand thinking within a fast-paced agency setting
Education
Master of Science - Student Affairs and Higher Education
Miami University
Oxford, OH05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN05-2023
Skills
- Community Development
- Event & Program Coordination
- Student Engagement
- Audience Engagement
- Social Media Management
- Digital Storytelling
- Content Creation
- Marketing & Brand Strategy
- Strategic Communications
- Project Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Stakeholder Relations
- Student Staff Supervision
- Leadership Development
- Residence Life Operations
- Microsoft Office
Leadership & Involvement Experience
- Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers
Communication & Marketing Committee Member | Dec 2023 – Present
- Develop weekly social media content and strategic communication campaigns focused on higher education, residential life, student engagement, and professional development initiatives
- Create and manage digital content across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, photography, videography, and graphic design tools
- Analyze audience engagement metrics, social media insights, and communication performance data to strengthen outreach planning and future engagement strategies
- Provide on-site photography, videography, live event coverage, and same-day editing support for regional conferences and professional events with turnaround times under 24 hours
- Collaborate on editorial calendars, content scheduling, campaign planning, and storytelling initiatives supporting organizational visibility and member engagement - Miami University
Residence Life Marketing & Communications Committee Member | Sept 2023 – May 2024
- Created social media campaigns, email marketing materials, flyers, newsletters, and digital promotional content supporting residential life initiatives, campus events, and student engagement programming
- Conducted student outreach through interviews, surveys, and engagement initiatives to gather audience insights and strengthen communication effectiveness across residential communities
- Supported communication strategies highlighting departmental initiatives, community programming, and student engagement opportunities across multiple platforms
- Collaborated with Residence Life staff on content planning, promotional campaigns, outreach initiatives, and student-centered messaging strategies - Miami University
African Students Union Advisor | Aug 2024 – Present
- Advise and support student leaders in planning cultural, educational, and community-building programs designed to strengthen student engagement, belonging, and campus involvement
- Provide mentorship and guidance to executive board members on organizational leadership, event planning, communication strategies, and student organization operations
- Collaborate with campus departments, student organizations, and university partners to coordinate outreach initiatives, cultural programming, and student engagement efforts
- Support student leadership development, conflict resolution, organizational planning, and community-building initiatives while fostering an inclusive campus environment
Certification
Nielsen Television and Radio Training
Accomplishments
- Student of the Year Award Recipient, University of Minnesota Crookston (April 2022)
Timeline
Pre-College Student Life
Emory University
05.2025 - 07.2025
Community Manager
Miami University
09.2023 - Current
Business Development Intern | Veden Center for Rural Economic Development
University of Minnesota Crookston
01.2023 - 05.2023
Content Creator
CAPA The Global Education Network
09.2022 - 01.2023
Brand Marketing
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
05.2022 - 08.2022
Project Manager
Colle McVoy
05.2021 - 08.2021
Senior Residential Assistant
University of Minnesota Crookston
08.2020 - 05.2023
Creative Project Manager
KNOCK Inc.
05.2020 - 08.2020
Outreach and Engagement & Career Services
University of Minnesota Crookston
08.2019 - 05.2020
Creative Strategist
Fast Horse
05.2019 - 08.2019
Strategic Planning
Words At Work
09.2018 - 11.2018
Creative Strategist
SapientRazorfish
05.2018 - 08.2018
Master of Science - Student Affairs and Higher Education
Miami University
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Minnesota Crookston