Meet Communication Peer Advisor Mia Ransom Yance

By Nusrah Azeez and Christine Souaiden

Tell us who you are and why you chose UMass.

My name is Mia and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I chose UMass because it fit my financial needs and it has a good reputation in Massachusetts. I also chose it because I like the programs that are offered and it is not too far from my house, so I still get the chance to go home. I really like the UMass culture, everybody is very vibrant and passionate about this school. We also have number one dining, maybe not number one anymore, but we still have good dining. 

What do you love most about UMass?

You can like UMass for what it is, but once you get involved on campus you will like it a lot more. Getting involved on campus has helped me a lot in terms of meeting people and appreciating everybody around me. I have met so many people through different organizations.You have the opportunity to talk to people you normally would not talk to, and you recognize that you are all from different places but we are all here for the same reason, to get our degree. I really like meeting and connecting with new people in UMass

What do you think about the Communication department?

I think the Communication department is one of the most aware departments in this school. In terms of classes and conversations, we are always getting updated on real world events, we have that space to talk about it. The Communication department does not shy away from issues and you build a good support system within the department, whether that be your advisors, or  the peer advisors, there is someone that is always there and willing to hear from you.

What are your Involvements on campus?

I am the event coordinator for Latinos Unidos, a lot of my time goes into being a part of LU. We have been planning the biggest LU event for the semester for weeks now. There is a lot that goes into that. I booked a space, I am talking to vendors, meeting with a lot of people, plugging it on my social media and being as active as I can whether it is in person, or over social media. I am also a Comm Peer Advisor, this has brought me into a great group of women that are very smart, educated and are able to show that through our advising, whether that be through our professional development events or during our advising hours, we are always there to help and willing to grow within our department. I am also a part of the SBS Dean’s Advisory Council where we talk about everything to do with SBS, we talk about issues, what would like to improve, form solutions and create dialogues through that.

What is like being a peer advisor for the Communication Department?

It is very multi-layered in a way. When I first applied I thought I would mostly just be interacting with students and helping them with their schedules or answering questions about the Comm department. However, I have done a lot more than I thought I would. I run the Umass Comm social media accounts with one of my fellow peer advisors and I planned my own professional development event. I am constantly meeting people that are talking about Comm and I almost always have answers, so I feel like now I am very knowledgeable about the department and more confident in conveying what I know.

What is your involvement in the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) Foundation and the conference?

I was a part of the IRTS Foundation’s multicultural workshop, it is a three day workshop conference. The organization is centered on providing people of color with opportunities and exposure to the media industry. They run through the days with different panelists, and have different people in different media sectors like CBS, Comcast, Instagram, Snapchat and other big media conglomerates. People that are employed by those companies talk to us about how they got there, what they do, and provide us with their contact information so we can reach out to them and learn more about it and get ourselves to these places. This was a really good opportunity for me, I know I want to go into entertainment and PR, but I also did not know how to get myself there. I am from Boston, most people that are from Boston want to stay there and work there, but I do not see myself in Boston. I would like to go somewhere like New York City. IRTS had been life changing in the sense that the way people were talking to us and talking about their experiences was very inspiring, a lot of them came from different backgrounds, some of them were first generation students. This showed me that people who did not have family in college or had never been to these places before were still able to get there, which is really important to me because I am a first generation student. Making these connections, learning more about the media industry and being connected to places I want to work for in the future was really beneficial. For those interested in attending, applications open up in October, you submit all your information, your name, college, major, and answer two essay prompts. This is something I researched on my own. I was trying to find something in media entertainment, and wanted to make sure that it brought in the companies that I was looking for. 

What do you hope to take away from your junior year? 

I have more ambition to take classes that I like. As a junior, I have the opportunity to choose from a broader range of classes. I am excited to take classes that have to do with media entertainment and special topics. My other takeaways are being more involved on campus, getting the grades that I want, and performing my best.

What advice would you give students trying to get involved on campus?

I would say just do it, do not overthink it. Just apply, if you think a little part of you might like something, do it. If you try it out and you do not like it then you can leave. If you are interested in a club, check it out and see what it is, if you like it then continue, if you do not then you do not have to continue. You can learn and grow in so many different places, you just have to try it. 

What is your favorite UMass extracurricular activity?

My favorite extracurricular activity is Latinos Unidos, because I am Hispanic and being in a space where everyone is Hispanic like myself reminds me of home, and I get homesick so it’s nice to have people around that remind you of that piece of yourself. It gives people a space, whether it is through a general body meeting or events, we are opening conversations and trying to inspire culture on campus through our events, social media and through our presence. 

What are your top three Umass dining meals?

My number one is chicken teriyaki sushi, my number two is cookies & cream froyo at Berk, and my number three is stir fry noodles.