Education Studies UC San Diego
Overview
As an Office & Communications Student Assistant for the Department of Education Studies at UC San Diego, I supported both internal and external communications, engaging a diverse audience of students, faculty, and community members. I also provided in-person administrative support to my supervisor, the Undergraduate Advisor and Program Coordinator, and assisted with daily departmental operations.
My contribution
Administrative Support Communication Design Content Creation
The team
Timeline
May 2023–June 2025
Process
Internal Communications
I managed key internal communications tasks, including monitoring the department inbox and mailroom, distributing mail to faculty and staff, and supporting the development and maintenance of the department’s alumni network.
I was also responsible for creating and sending a bi-weekly newsletter to all Education Studies majors and minors. Each issue featured important advising deadlines, departmental news and events, job and research opportunities, and relevant campus events.
External Communications
Social Media
I supported the department’s external communications across multiple platforms, including Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn by creating original graphics and written content tailored to each platform.
A key highlight was introducing short-form video content on Instagram to increase engagement with current and prospective students.
A few examples are highlighted below, and more are viewable on the Education Studies Instagram.
Insights with CalTeach Student Ambassadors
The CalTeach Student Ambassador reel series introduces students to CalTeach, UC San Diego’s STEM Education Program, through the voices and experiences of its student ambassadors.
Education Sciences Major: Senior Capstone Pathways
The Senior Capstone Pathways reel series was created to clearly explain the three pathway options available to Education Sciences majors, helping students make informed decisions about their academic and professional goals.
Events with EDSSA
The Events with EDSSA reel series was designed to help current and prospective students learn more about Education Studies Student Association (EDSSA), a student organization that brings together students passionate about education.
EDSconnect newsletter
A major responsibility in my role was the monthly creation and distribution of EDSconnect, the department’s newsletter with an audience of over 1,000 subscribers. This audience includes current and former faculty and staff, alumni from undergraduate and graduate programs, and affiliated community members.
Each issue featured faculty/staff and student spotlights, departmental updates, and community highlights. I also led key improvements to the newsletter process, including the transition from Mailchimp to MyEmma and the introduction of a feedback form and a news contribution form to encourage greater engagement and input from the EDS community.
EDS website
I assisted with content creation and maintenance for the Education Studies department website. My contributions included updating and organizing information across several key pages, such as Alumni, Awards, EDSSA, Newsletter, and Undergraduate Advising.
Department Support
I contributed to a variety of departmental tasks, including event coordination and administrative support. Working under the Undergraduate Advisor and Program Coordinator, I assisted with updating course spreadsheets and promoting open courses through both in-person and virtual outreach. Additionally, I supported faculty members by preparing course materials and handling various organizational tasks. Additionally, I helped train the incoming student assistant by providing in-person support and creating a detailed guide.
Reflection
I held this position for over two years, which was a rewarding and satisfying experience. During this time, I grew significantly– developing confidence, professionalism, and a strong understanding of the higher education and office environment. I'm especially grateful for this role as it provided a supportive space for my growth and helped shape my passion for communications, which I plan to continue pursuing in my career.