SOUTH AFRICA PROGRAM - 2020 PARTICIPANTS

Dr. Osei-Hwere joined the Department of Communication in 2008. She received a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She also received a master's in international affairs with emphasis in communication and development from Ohio University. Her bachelor’s degree in publishing studies is from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Osei-Hwere’s research interests include international communication, media globalization, entertainment education, women and children’s media issues, world broadcasting systems as well as communication development and social change. In 2017, Dr. Osei-Hwere proposed an experiential learning program to South Africa working with non-profit organizations and marginalized schools in South Africa to help bring attention to the work these organizations are doing in South Africa to rehabilitate marginalized children and youth.

My name is Dane Glenn, full time staff and grad student at WT. Born in Amarillo, I grew up in the Dallas area and New Mexico, but made my way back to the Yellow City where I graduated high school. I went straight to work for a decade, fathering a beautiful baby girl in the process. In 2010, I enrolled at WT, changed my major from English to Media Communication and graduated in 2016, while introducing my newborn son to this world. The following fall, I went to graduate school and here I am, almost finished. Whiles at WT, I worked for the campus radio station (KWTS 91.1 FM) and hosted an all 80s show, done video work with Maroon Productions, taught over ten classes, co-shot and edited a documentary for the Downtown Women’s Center and Texans for Israel, for the latter, I went abroad to the Holy Land to shoot the doc. I’ve been to Cape Town with the same program before, where my team and I worked with a non-profit, a humbling experience I will never forget. I chose to reenlist in the program because of two reasons: the land is captivating and to help provide a voice to those who wish to be heard. Many non-profits lack the funding, resources, and/or technology to spread their message and character. They give and give but some don’t get in return. We need to change that and this is a step toward in doing so. I don’t want fame or the limelight. That’s not what I want out of it. I’m perfectly happy with a simple “thank you.” What I do want out of it is for these organizations to succeed and grow, to become a leading name, be it local, regional or even global. They deserve the chance to continue making a difference; influence untethered, innovation unmatched, and instrumentality undeniable.

Hello my name is Hannah Frick. I am a junior at West Texas A& M University where I am studying Corporate Communication. I have a major travel bug so when Dr. Osei-Hwere told me that I could sign up for a class where I would get to travel to South Africa and get 3 credit hours I jumped at the opportunity. I am most excited to get to meet new people everywhere we go in preparation for Cape Town and while we are in Cape Town. 

 

My name is Alex Kypfer and I am a Senior at WT. I will graduate in December of this year. I am the play-by-play broadcaster for the West Texas Sports Network. I have been working for WT Athletics for 2 years now and enjoy everything I do with them! This will be my second time going on the Cape Town trip. It was a life changing experience for me and I am so excited to go back. I really enjoyed helping out everyone we worked with last year and I am excited to help everyone again this year! I hope to get a lot more great memories from this trip!

Hello all! My name is Cody Stephens and I am a senior at West Texas A&M. I am studying digital media and broadcasting and doing my best to fulfill my dream to be a video content producer. I am participating in this program because I love seeing different cultures especially in the media world. I hope to get more knowledge on how the world works and how we can help others in our expertise.

Hello, my name is Lourdes De Avila, a senior student of West Texas A&M University. I am currently an English major with a minor in mass communications. I have lived in Amarillo, Texas for over 10 years. Our upcoming voyage to Cape Town, South Africa will be the first time I have ever been to South Africa, making South Africa the second nation that I have traveled to, excluding the United States. This is also the first time I have enrolled in a study abroad course, something I’ve always wanted to do since I was in high school, but unfortunately never had the chance to do before now. I’m also excited that I’ll be a part of a program that will benefit those in need.

Hola, I’m Frank Navarrete, a graduate from West Texas A&M in Spring ‘18. I was born and raised in Amarillo,Texas. Cape Town is gonna be different this go around because now I’ll see how students will react to the culture over in Cape Town. Plus there was so much to do and see in Cape Town that it will still be like it was my first time going over there.

My name is Gloria Torres! I’m from Slaton Texas and a Junior Corp. Communication major.  I’m participating in this project because I’m a first-generation student that wants to experience and learn more about not only what WT has to offer but my major specifically. I want to give back and be able to lend a helping hand. One main thing I hope to gain out of this program will have to be the new culture I will be faced with and new possibilities to strive bigger than I have ever imagined.

Maria Valles: Hi, I’m Maria. I am a student at West Texas A&M, striving to obtain my bachelors degree in Communications. I graduated from Amarillo College with my associates degree in Mass Media. I enjoy capturing beautiful photos, but I am most passionate about speaking words of encouragement. If you know anything about the enneagram, I am a type Four. Summer 2019, I had the greatest opportunity to travel to Cancun, Mexico. I went for vacation, but my experience there was incredible. I got the chance to learn more about my culture as well as live it. This trip to Cape Town, South Africa, will be an even greater experience. The thought of learning and truly living a whole new culture excites me. I hope to come back home filled with joy, knowledge and more appreciation for other cultures.

Hey y’all I’m Katy Zimmerman. I am from Lubbock Texas! I am a Digital Media and Communication major at West Texas A&M. I am very passionate about my faith, Spanish and Videography. I am a Rogers LEAD WT Scholar which allows me to learn how be a servant leader. I am very grateful for the life that I have been given so that I am able to serve and give back to those around me. I hope to learn more about service learning. I am excited to work with new cultures and learn more about the people of Cape town.

Meet Professor Connie McKee. Connie joined the WTAMU faculty in 2003.  She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from West Texas A&M University.  She coaches the WTAMU speech team—the current Texas state champions. McKee coaches the speech and debate team, hosts tournaments and workshops for high school speech students and is the summer camp director for WTAMU's Guy P Yates Speech and Theater Camp. Professor McKee was part of the team to Cape Town last year and is returning to touch more lives. She is our teaching and curriculum expert and It is a privilege to have her back on the team.

My names Chase Brady and the first thing you need to know about me is that Chase is not my first name, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not my legal name. Its my middle name. Anyway I grew up in a small town called Dumas Texas. Media has always been a big passion of mine and having opportunity to use it in a way I never have before is something that I'm always looking forward too. 

My name is Elizabeth Chambers; however, I go by Ellee Reeves. I am 18 years old and a senior from Wellington, Texas. I was selected to go on this wonderful trip by an adult who used to teach at Wellington High School, she picked between another student and me by reading the essay questions we had to fill out. This trip will open my eyes to another culture and a different view of the world that I have never experienced before. I have always wanted to travel out of the country and change up my travel experiences. I hope to contribute an abundance of help to the other students on this trip while we are working on our projects. When I return home, I hope to come back as a different and better person who can understand the world better. I hope to be able to make an impact on others while we are visiting Africa.

 

My name is, Jordan Conde. I am from Dumas, Texas. I was selected by my administrators for my interest in multimedia. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity. I am looking forward in learning how media can influence change in not only a single community, but the world. hope to contribute new ideas and provide many different ways my generation can be informed and influenced by WT's contributions to the South African cause. I hope to gain new information on how to better my knowledge in different forms of media, as well as, learning about a unique culture from a completely different country.