Faces behind the feed: Meet the voices behind Heidelberg's TikTok story

This semester, a new corps of student Brand Ambassadors joined the Branding, Marketing, and Communications Office. They have hit the ground running.

We’re excited to welcome Blake Raymond, Brooke Barnes, Evelina Podvoiskis, Ilyeis Franks, Garrett Wahl and Mallory Zavatchen. They join returning Brand Ambassadors Lexie Honigford and Ian Bain.

Get to know them in this Q&A. They’re equally excited to share the Heidelberg story from all angles of a student’s perspective. Follow them and check out their creativity on TikTok.

BLAKE

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: I am Blake Raymond from Chesterfield, Michigan. I’m majoring in sport management and communications with a minor in media.

Q: What excites you about being a Brand Ambassador?
A: I’m excited to be a brand ambassador because I want to show potential students what Heidelberg and Tiffin have to offer and show the stuff you might not see on a visit.

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: I plan to create a variety of TikToks this semester, whether it's current trends or local shops, just creating cool content to show off the campus.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making most—funny, aesthetic, chaotic, or wholesome?
A: Being a sports photographer and videographer, I love filming on the field. Lighting is always good, and I also get good shots.

Q: If you had 30 seconds to show someone Heidelberg, what’s the one stop you’d include?
A: I think my first stop would be the Bistro. I live at the Bistro. It definitely isn’t talked about enough.

Q: What campus spot or tradition is totally underrated and deserves TikTok fame?
A: Again, Bistro. The chicken chucks are amazing, the cheese curds are delicious, and the ranch is some of the best.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making most: funny, aesthetic, chaotic, or wholesome?
A: I love anything funny … TikToks that can make someone laugh or smile are probably the best to make.

Q: If you could use one emoji to describe your vibe as a Brand Ambassador, what is it? 
A: 😎

Q: Why do you think TikTok is the perfect way to show what campus life is really like?
A: You can make it more personable to viewers. Instead of a picture online or a flyer, seeing someone else doing something on campus helps potential students connect better with the school.

Q: What do you hope someone watching your videos feels about Heidelberg?
A: I hope they feel more confident in the school, and maybe I can help make their college decision easier for them. Coming into college, there were so many things I didn’t know. So I hope we can make TikToks that comfort future students.

Q: Finish the sentence: You know you go to Heidelberg when ________.”
A: You know you go to Heidelberg when you run out of Berg Bucks before the semester ends because you’re always at the Bistro.

BROOKE

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: Hi! My name is Brooke Barnes and I am from Northfield, Ohio. My major is Adolescent/Young Adult Education with an English concentration and a minor in literature.

Q: What excites you about being a Brand Ambassador?
A: The opportunity that I have to show people the experience that I have at Heidelberg! I think it’s important for both prospective and current students to see everything that Heidelberg has to offer. Heidelberg is home to me, and I want to show other people why it feels like that to me!

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: I love to make TikToks where I explore different places around campus and Tiffin. I want to show my fellow students, as well as prospective students, all the different places that Tiffin and Heidelberg have to offer.

Q: What campus spot or tradition is totally underrated and deserves TikTok fame?
A: This might be showing my love for reading a little too much, but personally, I believe Beeghly Library does not get enough love on TikTok. We have an awesome library with a ton of study space, games, Legos, and a great student help center! I love doing homework and just spending time there.

Q: If you could only use one emoji to describe your vibe as a Brand Ambassador, what is it?
A: I would use the hands making a heart emoji because it encapsulates how warm and welcoming the Brand Ambassador team is, as well as how fun it is to make content for this position. I absolutely love being in this role, and the hands making a heart emoji is one of my favorites, so it just fits!

EVELINA

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: Evelina Podvoiskis. I am from Norwalk, Ohio. My majors are Data Analytics and Marketing.

Q: What excites you about being a Brand Ambassador?
A: I’m thrilled to be diving into the fundamentals of marketing and content creation. This group has been instrumental in pushing me beyond my comfort zone and making the learning process truly enjoyable.

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: My goal is to blend humor with helpful insights to create viral-style content about being a Student Prince and the best local spots to explore in Tiffin.

Q: What’s your go-to spot on campus to film—and why does it always deliver?
A: The HeidelBean! is my ultimate go-to. Whether I’m there to capture some content or just to reset with a perfect latte, it’s the heart of my campus routine.

Q: If you had 30 seconds to show someone Heidelberg, what’s the one stop you’d include?
A: I have to mention the study rooms in Adams Hall. A lot of people think they’re strictly for conferences, but they’re actually open to all students, making them the perfect quiet spot to focus.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making most—funny, aesthetic, chaotic, or wholesome?
A: I love creating funny TikToks because I believe everyone deserves a moment of laughter to help get them through the challenges of student life.

Q: Why do you think TikTok is the perfect way to show what campus life is really like?
A: When a student ambassador shows off the Adams Hall study rooms or dorm halls, it feels like a recommendation from a friend. TikTok allows you to be a student ambassador without it feeling like a sales pitch, trusting that the student is being authentic and truthful.

Q: What do you hope someone watching your videos feels about Heidelberg?
A: I want every student to feel a sense of pride in their choice to join the Heidelberg family and graduate as a Student Prince. And to those considering their future, take that leap of faith! Schedule a tour with our amazing admissions team and see for yourself what makes this place home.

ILYEIS

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: I am Ilyeis Franks, from McComb, Ohio. I am a Business Administration major with a Self-Designed concentration, as well as a double minor in Writing and Management.

Q: What excites you about being a Brand Ambassador?
A: I'm excited to share my experiences with those actively attending or intending to come to Heidelberg and the rewards that have come about while being a student here.

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: You can expect all kinds of TikToks from me this semester, highlighting my favorite areas/things on campus, as well as learning about the opportunities one can obtain here at Heidelberg.

Q: If you had 30 seconds to show someone Heidelberg, what's the one stop you'd include?
A: Definitely Frann’s Fieldhouse. It's such an eye catcher and has so much to offer within the facility.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making the most?
A: I love making TikToks that are more on the wholesome and aesthetic side to really capture the finer things of campus that remind me of why I love Heidelberg so much!

Q: What do you hope someone watching your videos feels about Heidelberg?
A: I hope that someone can find some guidance and comfort in my experiences or advice.

Q: If you could only use one emoji to describe your vibe as a Brand Ambassador, what is it?
A:  🫧

Q: Why do you think TikTok is the perfect way to show what campus life is really like? 
A:  TikTok has a great way of merging multiple personalities while conveying one larger message, but also seeing familiar faces from around the campus/community.

GARRETT

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: I am Garrett Wahl and I am from Wilmington, Ohio. I am a Marketing & Finance major.

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: I plan to make some fun and exciting TikToks that are a little bit educational about Heidelberg University.

Q:   If you had 30 seconds to show someone Heidelberg, what’s the one stop you’d include?
A: I would make sure to show Frann’s Fieldhouse, because it is amazing.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making most—funny, aesthetic, chaotic, or wholesome?
A: Funny and aesthetic.

Q:  If you could only use one emoji to describe your vibe as a Brand Ambassador, what is it?
A: 😎

Q: What do you hope someone watching your videos feels about Heidelberg?
I hope that someone watching my videos sees what a great campus Heidelberg is and how friendly all the students and faculty are. I hope they see that Heidelberg is a welcoming place.

Q: Finish the sentence: “You know you go to Heidelberg when _____.”
A: You know you go to Heidelberg when “Go Berg!” feels like a complete sentence.

MALLORY

Q: Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your major?
A: My name is Mallory Zavatchen. I am from Cleveland, and I am a third-year General Business major with minors in marketing and media.

Q: What excites you about being a Brand Ambassador?
A: One thing that excites me about being a Brand Ambassador is that I have the ability to show prospective students what life is like on campus.

Q: What types of TikToks can we expect from you this semester?
A: You can expect room tours, days in the life, and hopefully some silly TikToks.

Q: What campus spot or tradition is totally underrated and deserves TikTok fame?
A: Opening Convocation, when first-year students get a penny from an upperclassman at T Bridge. Students have the choice of throwing it over the bridge from the right or the left, symbolizing either to find love or success at Heidelberg.

Q: What kind of TikToks do you love making most—funny, aesthetic, chaotic, or wholesome?
A: I love making aesthetic TikToks the most!

Q: If you had 30 seconds to show someone Heidelberg, what’s the one stop you’d include?
A: I would include Frann’s Fieldhouse!

Q: Why do you think TikTok is the perfect way to show what campus life is really like?
A: I think TikTok is the perfect way to show what campus life is really like because a majority of students at Heidelberg and incoming freshmen are all on TikTok.

Q: If you could only use one emoji to describe your vibe as a Brand Ambassador, what is it?
A: ☺️

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