Today we’d like to introduce you to Acacia Laliotis.
Hi Acacia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My second grade short story called “Best Friends” being made into a play at my school. My mom received an email from my teacher saying “Charge your video camera, your scriptwriter has her first production.” I took that statement and ran with it, literally.
I attended Point Loma Nazarene University to study media communications and public relations. Through my experience being the student-run TV Station Manager, I found my passion for helping students, whether through teaching or advisement. The natural San Diego transition led me to study my M.A. in Mass Communication, where I became a lecturer post-grad.
My passion for storytelling runs deep. From interviewing YouTubers for a teen podcast at the age of 14, to working with small businesses at 16, and to eventually becoming a professor teaching social media, I have sought roles that embody mentorship and storytelling. Through my early immersions in the film, marketing, and communication fields, I strive to empower my students and colleagues in their career endeavors.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Balancing full time school with part time work and internships was challenging, yet rewarding. It taught me how to prioritize what was important to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Professor in San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies. I started out as a Graduate Teaching Associate in graduate school. I have been teaching and introductory social media class since graduating in 2023.
I am also a Marketing Manager for an English proficiency assessment center called International Testing Services Center.
Connections that I have made at an early age have panned out to be the most influential people in my career pursuits thus far. I always advise my students that you can meet someone in your life that can introduce you to your dream.
Social media is just one of those forms of connection and storytelling. Creating content in this time period can bring people together in ways people weren’t able to do before.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Learning and teaching remotely was a cultural shift. On the learning side, making sure you remained interactive and curious with the content and lecture was pertinent.
On the instruction side, keeping students engaged got creative through the features on Zoom or third party digital instruction tools.
Online modalities for teaching and learning are powerful methods that transcends in-person limitations. If executed correctly, people from all over can receive instruction.
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Image Credits
Michael Masso
Elina Kim
