Class of 2024: Jack Micallef leaves his creative mark on University Libraries
If you’ve scrolled through University Libraries’ social media feeds over the last three years, chances are you’ve seen the face of Jack Micallef.
From Cheesy Nights to Giving Day, the library homecoming tailgate, and Game Night, Micallef has produced and starred in many library photos and videos. Micallef is the creative student force behind the library’s entertaining social media presence.
Micallef, University Libraries’ student social media production assistant, is graduating with a degree in packaging systems and design. He plans to use his degree to become a packaging designer.
“I find packaging systems and design interesting because it combines a variety of fields such as materials science, operations systems, engineering, and design into one career,” said Micallef. “I want to become a packaging designer because I get to experience these different fields when creating packaging for products or companies. I enjoy the ideation process that goes along with designing a package that is structurally and aesthetically pleasing.”
Content creator
At the library, Micallef creates content for the library’s social media channels including Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, and LinkedIn. With a digital camera in one hand and iPhone in the other, he’s always ready to capture the next big moment through professional photos, videos, and snappy captions. Whether it’s promoting events, showcasing exhibits, or bringing library spaces to life, he does it all with boundless energy and flair.
“My job is unique because I am creating social media content for Hokies, like myself,” said Micallef. “My favorite part of my job is creating Instagram reels and short videos around the library with my co-workers on the strategic communications team. It’s a cool feeling to know that something you created will be watched by thousands of other Hokies.”
In the ever-evolving social media landscape, Micallef has proven invaluable at keeping the libraries relevant. New platforms pop up while others become less popular. “When Jack joined our team, our only social media channels were Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter,” said Elise Monsour Puckett, communications and development coordinator who manages the library’s social media and supervises Micallef. “Over the last three years, we have added Threads, LinkedIn, Twitch, and were on TikTok for a while. Jack helped us launch these new platforms, learning the ins and outs, training other student employees, searching for trends, and creating new content tailored for each unique platform.”
“Embracing new platforms is always a learning curve,” said Micallef. “But I pivot and dive in head-first until I’ve mastered the video editing tricks for that app’s style. When you are used to creating a vertical video in one app and then suddenly have to switch apps you have to relearn how to apply filters, add text, use stickers, and find audio again. But I quickly got the hang of it.”
Jack of all trades
Of course, Micallef’s path to library social media stardom has featured no shortage of stunts and hijinks. “I have dressed in a suit and tie to eat grilled cheese with a fork and knife,” said Micallef. “I’ve sprinted down the sidewalk for Giving Day. I’ve 3D-printed donuts with sprinkles, stacked books to make animal shapes, created virtual reality videos, served as a model for the socks campaign, photographed 3D-printed skeletons of dinosaurs, created stop-motion videos of Scrabble for Game Night, captured the VT therapy dogs’ birthday parties, contributed photos for Imagine Magazine, and shared rare items in Special Collections and University Archives with the digital world. You name it, I’ve probably done it.”
“He’s going to be hard to replace,” said Puckett. “Jack is a true creative, brimming with fresh ideas, and up for anything — not to mention he is smart, dependable, a team player, and universally adored by library faculty and staff.”
Micallef said working at the library has allowed him to learn all that libraries have to offer. “I’ve gained such an appreciation for all the cool resources right at our fingertips,” said Micallef. “The knowledge that I’ve gained has been very useful when doing work for my classes.”
Learning how to communicate effectively has been a key takeaway for Micallef during his time at the University Libraries. “A lot of times, when I am photographing or taking video, especially for events and exhibits, I need to ask people if they are OK with being in a photo or video,” said Micallef. “Being confident and having a clear message when talking to new people allows for effective communication in any situation, including in my career in packaging, and I am glad that I have been able to practice and become better at this while working at University Libraries.”
“I have really enjoyed working at the library,” said Micallef. “It has given me the opportunity to work creatively in a welcoming environment. Everyone at the library is nice, supportive, and open to working on any ideas I’ve had. I have loved working on the Strategic Communications Team and plan to take what I’ve learned into my future career.”
As his Virginia Tech journey nears its end, Micallef encourages fellow Hokies. "Try new things and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way during your time as a student at Virginia Tech,” said Micallef. “Because this is where you'll create lifelong memories and friendships."
