Meet Undergraduate Education’s Interns
Ashley Wynn
Undergraduate Education Multimedia Intern
Office of General Education: Tell us about your background. Where are you from and what are you studying?
AW: I’m a senior studying multimedia journalism in the School of Communication and I’m from Chesterfield, which is a small town south of Richmond. Where I live is out in the boonies; you have to drive 30 minutes to get to a supermarket. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone.
OGE: How did you get started in photography?
AW: My father was a photographer, so I’ve been shooting film cameras since I was six or seven years old. Growing up, he was always encouraging me to bring my camera and shoot photos everywhere I went. I’ve pretty much been taking pictures my entire life.
OGE: Do you remember your first camera?
AW: It was a Nikon F 120. A big, heavy brick-sized camera that you had to crank to advance the film.
OGE: What’s your favorite way to work? You have experience in videography as well.
AW: Given a choice, I prefer taking photos. I’ve always done it, so it feels very natural to me versus shooting video. I’m still getting used to the rhythm of video. If I could, I would always shoot photos on film, it’s my favorite thing to do.
OGE: What do you like about shooting on film?
AW: Film cameras are so much simpler, there’s just the light meter, f-stop, and focus. But with a DSLR, there are so many things to pay attention to and you can shoot hundreds of images in a few minutes. With a film camera, you have to pay attention and watch for something that’s worth a photo. If you only have 36 or 24 images on a roll of film, you want to make each one count. Plus, it’s fun because you don’t know what you have until you develop the film, which is the best part.
OGE: After you finish your degree, what’s next for you?
AW: After graduation, I’d love to work as a photojournalist. I love to write too. Anything that would allow me to have a camera in my hands and create images that are worthwhile and make an impact on people.
Leah Hammes
Undergraduate Education Graphic Design Intern
“I’m a graphic design major, with a minor in art history, so I like to be able to study and learn how design has changed over time.
For example, in Egyptology we’ve looked at how hieroglyphics was arguably the first form of graphic design. Last semester, I took a course about the development of comics in America, which is one of my favorite classes I’ve taken at Tech. Comics were considered a throw-away medium, outside the mainstream culture, which allowed them to discuss social issues of gender and race and representation in America. Then with my major, I get to combine all that knowledge with what I’m learning about the present state of design and apply it in the studio.
Probably the most valuable thing I’ve gained at college is the desire to continually learn. Last summer I took a few Harvard edX courses (they’re online and free) on art history, the Pyramids of Giza, and the opioid crisis. I also love reading and I have a book club with my Dad, who is a retired police officer, and we read true-crime books, which I really enjoy.
After graduation, my primary focus will be starting an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, which I think of as a storytelling medium. But I know my future will also be doing design work for clients. It’s something I’m passionate about and always will continue to do to support projects I believe in.”
Katina Tran
Pathways to General Education Graphic Design Intern
“Hi! I am Katina, a student intern for the Office of General Education. With this role, I assist with creating flyers and advertisement material.
I'm from northern Virginia, and am a second-year student majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Innovation. As a graphic design major, I am immersed in concepts like print, digital, and logo design. In the Innovation Pathways minor, I learn about entrepreneurship and human-centered design. I aspire to be a professional graphic/user interface designer in the future.
Outside of academics, I am involved in many extracurriculars; I am an officer for the Vietnamese Student Association, a member of Bamboom Dance Crew, and the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship.”