By Mclaine Kenney

When I first started my social media internship with President Amy Parsons as a senior at CSU, I thought I knew the school and the campus well. I had walked across campus more times than I could count, been to countless football games at Canvas Stadium, and spent my share of late nights studying in the library, just like most Rams do. But working behind the scenes of President Parsons’ social media offered an entirely different perspective on student life at CSU, and more importantly, what it means to share that story.

Getting involved made me more involved

Being on the social team meant I needed to stay up-to-date on what was happening across campus, and in doing so, I became more involved than ever before.  

Through this internship, I discovered just how much more was happening on campus than I had ever realized. I learned about new student organizations I had rarely interacted with. I started showing up to events I’d never been to before, like Festival on the Oval, Grill the Buffs, and even the groundbreaking ceremony for the Clark Building. I found myself at new sporting events, cheering on Women’s Volleyball and basketball teams, and I even had the chance to step inside the massive organ at the University Center for the Arts, something I never imagined I’d do as a student.  

I also had the chance to experience CSU football game days from a completely different perspective, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the energy and coordination that goes into each game while working alongside President Parsons. Instead of being in the student section with my friends, I was down on the field, in the tunnels with the band, and behind the scenes, capturing everything for social media. 

One of the most unexpected highlights was meeting CSU alum and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Terrell Davis, outdoor industry leader Luis Benitez, and political journalist Eugene Daniels. Those moments reminded me just how many inspiring people are part of the CSU community, and how this role gave me a front-row seat to stories I might never have encountered otherwise.

Telling the student story

One of the biggest realizations I had early on was that President Parsons’ social media wasn’t just about posting the perfect photo. It was about building genuine connections with the university community. Every post I had the chance to contribute to, I approached with the student perspective in mind. Always asking myself and the team, “What do students my age want to see from their university president?”

One example that comes to mind was when Lucy Scott, another social media intern, were tasked with creating meaningful content for this year’s graduating class. Together, we brainstormed and landed on a video concept we dubbed, “CSU Class of 2025 Signing Off,” where seniors signed a camera lenses marking the end of their college journey. We also created a version featuring every college dean congratulating our recent grads. It was celebratory, personal, and exactly the kind of content that resonates with students. The student version had over 61,000 views, 3,100+ engagements, and a comment section full of seniors cheering each other on. 

 

Lessons I didn’t expect to learn

This internship taught me so much more than how to edit Reels or write captions. Yes, I learned the ins and outs of content creation, like how to spot a good trend or craft the perfect caption, but the real lessons were in leadership and storytelling. Watching President Parsons interact with students showed me how leadership doesn’t have to be distant or formal, it can be approachable, creative, and fun.   

I also learned so much from my manager, Teddi Tostanoski, who constantly led by example, encouraged creativity, and trusted me to take lead on projects. Their leadership styles left a lasting impression on me. I hope to carry these lessons I’ve learned from them into my future career, showing up with confidence, commitment, and the same creative energy that made this internship so meaningful.

Final thoughts

Being part of President Parsons’ social team has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at CSU. It completely changed the way I see the university and student life, through the lens of storytelling, connection, and Ram pride. I’ll always be grateful for the chance to help tell those stories and be part of a team that celebrates what makes this place so special.  

To students: Find a role that helps you see campus beyond your own circle. Whether that’s through an on-campus job, internship, club, leadership position, or service opportunity, these experiences can open your eyes to the people and stories that shape the university. You’ll discover perspectives that challenge you and deepen your sense of belonging. 

To social media professionals: students are your greatest asset when it comes to building authentic, community-driven content. Trust them. Empower them. Let them create content that speaks in their voice, because they are your audience, and they know how to reach their peers better than anyone else. 

So, next time you see a post from President Parsons, whether it’s a sticker drop, a student spotlight, or a quick moment captured on the Oval, just know there’s a student behind the scenes who loved every second of creating it. Because I did, and I hope it makes you feel even more proud to be part of CSU’s community.