Crafting Communications for “Lasting Impact”

A communications major at Lake Forest who aims for a career in public relations, Juan Jose Campos Villalta ’24 (Costa Rica, UWC Costa Rica) describes himself as a “devoted storyteller. I aim to craft narratives that not only serve a purpose but also leave a lasting impact on the audiences and communities I engage with.”

He has made a strong start Along with completing communication and media relations
internships with BMO Harris Bank, Executives’ Club of Chicago, a Chicago PR agency, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “Juanjo” has been publicity chair for the college chapter of It’s On Us, a national organization that advocates for awareness and prevention of sexual assault on campus. He has also been a student mentor for First Connection, Lake Forest’s pre-orientation program for students of color, international students, and others starting college from historically marginalized backgrounds.

“Sexual assault prevention and assisting newcomers in navigating their new environment are pivotal issues,” Juanjo writes. “These roles not only amplify student voices but also highlight the collective strength we possess as a community.”

A member of the National Committee for UWC Costa Rica, Juanjo assists with Agents of Change, UWC’s two-year program in which students learn to work in collaboration to generate positive impacts in communities.

“My involvement with Agents of Change has been transformative,” Juanjo writes. “The most rewarding aspect is witnessing students transition from mere belief in their ability to effect change to actively implementing it. They start with small, impactful projects in their communities, evolving into true agents of change.”

This profile is part of the “Undergraduates in Action” series from the 2024 Annual Report.