Content created by Virtual Intern  Chhim Sokkunthea

Ellada Mustafayeva is a media project manager, trainer, and highly respected public relations professional working with both public and private sector clients in Azerbaijan. Mustafayeva graduated from Baku State University with a Master’s degree in International Journalism and was selected to participate in a 2017 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Sports Management and Sports as a Tool for Social Change in the United States. Mustafayeva says her IVLP was a life-changing experience, and she returned home bursting with new ideas and the confidence to take on the biggest challenge of her career – co-founding the first Master’s in Sports Journalism program in the Caucasus region.

Since its inception, the program has made significant progress on its main three goals: to deliver world-class English-language journalism education, to meaningfully assist the development of Azerbaijan's sports sector, and to establish Baku as an international center of excellence for sports journalism. Graduates of the program have secured positions with media outlets, and the overall master’s program has won awards for innovation in education.

Mustafayeva maintains contact with many of her fellow participants from the IVLP and looks forward to returning to the United States to renew connections. As a member of the U.S.-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association, Ellada Mustafayeva is using sports journalism as a platform to build effective networks and bring our countries closer together.

Edited by Virtual Interns Regina Navarro-Gomez and Kristin Mitra