Lilly Stence

Background

About Lilly Stence

I am a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa studying Journalism, Mass Communication, and Sustainability. While I have narrowed my academic career down to only a couple subjects — these subjects mean the world to me. I am perpetually captivated by things that evoke curiosity, exploration, and emotion. I am a deeply interested individual. I have spent much of my life abroad and because of that, I've drawn my curiosity from folks, communities, and ways of life outside of my own. During my high school career, my family and I lived on a sailboat, and completed a full circumnavigation of the globe via our 'floating home'. Among many epiphanies this form of travel showed me, one that stood out was a love for storytelling. This lead me to pursue journalism and mass communication. In tandem, learning about the world from such a close standpoint (literally living on the water) shed a light on how important it is to protect it. Studying journalism and sustainability together has enhanced my collegiate journey immensely. Professionally, I’ve taken on roles that blend creativity and leadership. I have worked as a Photojournalist at The Daily Iowan, the University of Iowa community's undergraduate newspaper. I worked as a counselor at a highly regarded summer camp for teens in the British Virgin Islands, where I co-captained sailboats with 10-15 campers aboard and taught sailing maneuvers, marine biology, Leave No Trace, and more. I completed an internship at the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability and the Environment where I grew a campaign urging local businesses to commit to eco-friendly practices. I now work as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I also intern for archaeologist and professor Dr. Robert R. Cargill in the Office of Innovation at Iowa. I am seeking post-graduate fields where I can relay my ideas and experiences through intentional and strategic storytelling. Specifically through multimedia marketing, I hope to pursue a path that continues to deepen my understanding of the world and contribute to thoughtful change.