Isatou Sonko
Huntingdon,PA
Summary
Dedicated Peace and Conflict Studies and Development Studies student at Juniata College, with extensive experience in leadership, communication, and community development. Proven track record in mentoring and coordinating youth empowerment programs in The Gambia, designing impactful communication strategies, and supporting sustainability initiatives on campus. Strong passion for gender equality, peace-building, and storytelling as transformative tools for social change drives a commitment to amplify underrepresented voices. Aiming to contribute to the creation of inclusive, sustainable communities through academic pursuits and practical engagement.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Juniata Associate
Baker Institute For Peace And Conflict Studies
02.2025 - Current
- Assists the Baker Institute faculty and staff in developing effective communication strategies using social media, Juniata Arch, print and digital publications, and more.
- Assists with developing a procedure for engaging with prospective students during Enrollment events and following up with them afterward. Participate in all enrollment events.
- Development of website content and implementation of changes.
- Conducts research and helps Baker Institute staff coordinate in-person and virtual events at all planning stages.
- Assists the Baker Institute faculty and staff in designing and executing communication strategies that increase awareness of and attendance at PACS events. This could include maintaining the integrity of email lists, identifying and implementing new and creative outreach methods, establishing contact with engaged alums, and more.
- Assists with the coordination of student liaison work and PACS student events.
- Performs other duties and executes special projects as assigned by the Institute's Director.
- Manage social media page (TikTok)
- Create promotional videos
- Document events (photography and videography)
- Masking promotional material, posters and flyers through Canva
Student Assistant
Dean of Students Office (Juniata College)
01.2025 - Current
- Serve as the first point of contact by welcoming guests, students, and staff, providing accurate information and assistance
- Support administrative functions including scheduling, record management, and front-desk operations.
- Assist with communication strategies to enhance campus awareness, including maintaining email lists and coordinating outreach efforts.
- Design and create digital and print materials (posters, flyers, signage) to promote campus events and initiatives.
- Collaborate with Dean's Office staff to implement innovative outreach methods that improve student engagement.
- Provided administrative support to faculty, enhancing communication and workflow efficiency.
Student Intern, Sustainability Department
Juniata College – Huntingdon, PA, USA
10.2024 - Current
- Coordinated Tree Campus and Bee Campus certifications, including planning Arbor Day tree planting, pollinator events, and submitting annual certification forms.
- Contributed to the STARS sustainability report, reviewing and providing feedback on institutional sustainability data and student life metrics.
- Supported environmental restoration projects, including riparian buffer maintenance, invasive species control, and collaboration with local conservation partners.
- Drafted a campus-specific “Guide to Green Living”, promoting sustainable practices such as energy conservation, recycling, and green commuting.
- Assisted in student and community engagement initiatives, such as the Recycle Relay during orientation and Eco House plant rescue events.
- Assist with sustainability initiatives on campus, including recycling programs, energy conservation projects, and promoting eco-friendly practices
- Conduct research on environmental best practices and contribute to sustainability reports
- Help organize events and workshops to engage students and faculty in sustainability efforts
Financial Coordinator
Starfish International
01.2018 - 08.2025
- Managed Financial database
- Analyzed all financial data, monitored all transactions and prepared appropriate reports for all transactions of the organization.
- Developed and maintained a database of records to ensure smooth transactions for all financial processes.
- Assisted co-founders and ensured effective implementation of all budgets.
- Managed and reconciled all financial projects appropriately.
Student Assistant, Communication Department
Juniata College – Huntingdon, PA, USA
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Support the communication department with various administrative tasks, including designing posters, assisting professors and event management
- Help with research and data analysis for communication strategies
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to streamline communication efforts within the department
Mentor
Starfish International
05.2017 - 08.2024
- Conduct student activities
- Plan and executed classes
- Ensure the security and sustainability of the Library campus
- Build interpersonal relationships with the students and communities.
- Hand public relations work for Starfish International.
Public Relations Officer
Starfish International
05.2017 - 08.2024
- Planned and implemented community awareness and service projects.
- Guided and accompanied the students in their community activities.
- Created partnerships with community entities whose collaboration can benefit the organization and Starfish International.
- Represented Starfish and delivered presentations about the organization.
- Maintained correspondences and partnerships that are geared towards reaching the vision of the organization
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Peace and Conflict Studies
Juniata College
Huntingdon, PA 12-2025
Diploma - Gender and Development
Management Development Institute
The Gambia 12-2022
Diploma - Leadership
Leadership Academy
The Gambia 06-2021
Diploma - Journalism
Media Academy of Journalism And Communication
The Gambia 05-2021
Certificate - Business Start up
Association of Business Executives (ABE)
10-2020
High school Certificate -
St Peter's Technical Junior Senior Secondary School
The Gambia 05-2017
Skills
- Skilled in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Skilled in creatively and collaboratively working with diverse populations
- Creative Writing
- Program Coordination
- Public Speaking
- Decision Making
- Effective leadership
- Video Editing
- Social Media Management
- Student support counselor
- Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding
- Effective communicator
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Effective conflict resolution
Accomplishments
- I got the opportunity to be chosen to attend a conference in the United states out of hundred girls.
- Attended a conference in Puerto Rico in January organized by 100 Million Healthier Lives on Youth Leadership 2019
- Participated in All Girls Tech Camp 2015
- Represented my school in inter debate competitions.
- Represented my school for press days.
- Participated in Let Girls Code project 2017
- Attended and award for participating in a montessori training 2017
- Facilitated and coordinated a Chapter in Jarra Soma 2019
- Planned and Facilitated an all girls training in kiang Kwinella 2020
- Coordinated a Vocational and skill learning and literacy program in Kwinella 2021
- Participated in The Path of Moral Leadership provided by Acumen Academy. 2020
- Participated at Hard-Edged Skills to Start Building a Better World by Acumen
- Attended YALI Fellowship in Ghana
- Radio host at Paradise FM
- Volunteered for Girls Talk on its workshops on Child marriage and FGM
- Deputy Information Minister Kombo North District
Certification
- Certificate of recognition for my phenomenal work towards being the most persevering starfish student in my school.
- Certification of participation for actively participating in a gender workshop(November 26th, 2016), debate competition, and playing an important role in the community's education and advancing knowledge on gender relations.
- Awarded as the best speaker of the debate.
- Certificate of appreciation for successfully serving as the club's Vice President from April 2016-April 2017.
- Certificate of participation for successfully participating in the All-Girls Tech Camp organized by Give1Project (September 2015).
- Certificate of Achievement for completing 15 15-weekend6 course on developing mobile applications with Java.
- Certificate of appreciation for taking part in a Montessori training in 2017
- Certificate of successfully attending and passing a Montessori training in 2018
- Certificate in Business Start-up through ABE in the UK 2020
- Diploma in leadership with Starfish International, National University of Mar del Plata in Argentina, and Global Community Wellbeing 2021
- Led a project in Kiang Kwinella with Youth through Starfish International in collaboration with ITC. 2021
- Certificate of completion of the Young African Leaders Initiative program (YALI)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Mandingo
Native or Bilingual
Wolof
Full Professional
Jola
Limited Working
Awards
- Campus Sustainability Champion Award – Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium, 2025
Awarded as part of Juniata College's Sustainability Intern team for contributions to sustainability certifications, reporting, and community-based environmental projects.
- Certificate of Recognition – Perseverance (Starfish International)
Recognized as the most persevering student for consistently demonstrating resilience, commitment, and leadership in advancing community-based projects. - Best Speaker Award – Debate Competition
Honored for strong communication, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. - YALI Fellowship – Ghana
Selected for the highly competitive Young African Leaders Initiative Fellowship, where I I was country lead and gained advanced leadership training and collaborated on solutions for social and economic development. - Service Award – Starfish International & Global Partners
Completed intensive training in leadership, project management, and global citizenship, strengthening my ability to lead diverse teams. - Directors Award - Starfish International
Timeline
Juniata Associate
Baker Institute For Peace And Conflict Studies
02.2025 - Current
Student Assistant
Dean of Students Office (Juniata College)
01.2025 - Current
Student Intern, Sustainability Department
Juniata College – Huntingdon, PA, USA
10.2024 - Current
Student Assistant, Communication Department
Juniata College – Huntingdon, PA, USA
10.2024 - 05.2025
Financial Coordinator
Starfish International
01.2018 - 08.2025
Mentor
Starfish International
05.2017 - 08.2024
Public Relations Officer
Starfish International
05.2017 - 08.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Peace and Conflict Studies
Juniata College
Diploma - Gender and Development
Management Development Institute
Diploma - Leadership
Leadership Academy
Diploma - Journalism
Media Academy of Journalism And Communication
Certificate - Business Start up
Association of Business Executives (ABE)
High school Certificate -
St Peter's Technical Junior Senior Secondary School
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