Class of 2020 Commencement events to be held Sept. 17-19

Syracuse University will host a Commencement ceremony—delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and other celebratory events for the Class of 2020 during the weekend of Sept. 17–19.  

Commencement will be held Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Stadium. This University-wide ceremony, where Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will formally confer degrees, is for all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Following Commencement, all 2020 Newhouse graduates and their families are invited to join Dean Mark J. Lodato and the faculty and staff for a celebratory reception. The event will include a dean’s welcome, recognition of participating graduates and an opportunity to reconnect with faculty. A precise time and location will be announced soon; stay tuned for details.

For more information about Commencement activities for the Class of 2020, see the event listing.

Newhouse IDEA Office Recognizes This Year’s Women’s History Makers 

Newhouse School’s Bridget Lichtinger and Karen McGee honored

The Newhouse School’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Office is proud to announce this year’s Women’s History Makers honorees, celebrating the outstanding contributions of women alumni, faculty or staff who have had significant impact on their respective fields. 

The Newhouse School’s Bridget Lichtinger and Karen McGee will be recognized April 4 during a faculty and staff appreciation week event for their exemplary leadership, creativity and innovation.  

“They are true trailblazers,” said Wesley Whiteside, associate director of the Newhouse IDEA Office. “We want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate their remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions they have made to the Newhouse School, Syracuse University and to the field of communications.” 

Bridget Lichtinger  

Director, Newhouse Career Development Center (CDC) 

Bridget Lichtinger

With over two decades of teaching and providing guidance, Lichtinger has become a beacon of inspiration and support. Beyond her impressive professional achievements, Lichtinger has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. Her allyship sets her apart in the DEIA space. Whether it’s putting up signs to represent different identities in the office, acknowledging the achievements of students and colleagues or hosting events, Bridget uses her privilege to advocate for everyone around her. Colleagues across the University consistently seek her mentorship because of her sincere commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued, heard and supported.  

Lichtinger stepped into the role of CDC director and demonstrated remarkable poise and grace in handling the challenges that come with the position. She has exceeded expectations, creating an atmosphere beyond the ordinary. Lichtinger prioritizes the well-being and growth of her colleagues. Through encouraging words and thoughtful actions, her unique ability to uplift others has had a profound impact on the team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Her legacy is one of inspiration, not only shaping the present but also sowing the seeds for the future. She embodies the essence of a Women’s History Maker. 

Karen McGee 

Assistant Dean of Student Success 

For over three decades, McGee has provided an unwavering source of inspiration at the Newhouse School. Her dedication to helping others has surpassed the expectations of her roles, making her a role model for students, alumni, faculty and staff alike. McGee has played a vital role in shaping the Newhouse Career Development Center, academic advising, the first-year student experience class (COM 100), intra-university transfer process and recruitment. Despite her many achievements, McGee remains humble and does not seek recognition for her work. It is no exaggeration to say that many students, faculty and staff owe our time at the Newhouse School to her. She is a true testament to the power of hard work, dedication and selflessness. 

Research by Newhouse Faculty to Detect and Combat Misinformation Draws More Funding 

Research by two Newhouse School faculty members that seeks to detect and combat misinformation and disinformation has received another $175,000 in funding, pushing the total for the program to more than $1.5 million. 

Gina Luttrell
Regina Luttrell

The effort led by Jason Davis, research professor and co-director of the Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab, and Regina Luttrell, senior associate dean, focuses on refining a theoretical framework for the creation and testing of artificial intelligence algorithms that can identify manipulated media.   

Their research is tied to a subcontract that is part of the Semantic Forensics program, which is funded by an $11.9 million Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract with PAR Government Systems Corp. The  Semantics Forensics (SemaFor) program seeks to create a system for automatic detection, attribution and characterization of falsified media assets.  

DARPA said in an announcement that it is launching two new efforts to help the broader community defend against manipulated media. The first comprises an  analytic catalog containing open-source resources developed under the SemaFor program for use by researchers and industry.  

Jason Davis
Jason Davis

The second will be an open community research effort called AI Forensics Open Research Challenge Evaluation,  which aims to develop innovative and robust machine learning, or deep learning, models that can accurately detect synthetic AI-generated images.  

“The challenges associated with disinformation continue to accelerate with the injection of generative AI and synthetic media, and it’s going to take the entire community to keep up with the threat,” Davis said.    

“This new effort represents an exciting evolution in the research program as the technology is transitioned to a more open platform that the broader community can leverage moving forward.”  

The threat of manipulated media has steadily increased as automated manipulation technologies become more accessible, DARPA said, while social media continues to provide a ripe environment for viral content sharing. 

“Our investments have seeded an opportunity space that is timely, necessary and poised to grow,” said Wil Corvey, DARPA’s Semantic Forensics program manager. “With the help of industry and academia around the world, the Semantic Forensics program is ready to share what we’ve started to bolster the ecosystem needed to defend authenticity in a digital world.” 

Winners of 2024 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting Announced by Newhouse School

The Toner Program was established at the Newhouse School in 2009 to celebrate the life and work of late alumna Robin Toner ’76, the first woman to serve as national political correspondent for The New York Times.

The Washington Post won the 2024 Toner Prize for national political reporting for a series of stories that probed the impact of ideological disagreements on a thriving Michigan county.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s coverage of the city’s mayoral election earned the 2024 Toner Prize for local political reporting.

The winners of the annual Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting were announced by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications during a ceremony Monday night in Washington, D.C. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper delivered the keynote address.

THE CITY, an independent nonprofit newsroom that covers New York City, took an honorable mention for local political reporting.

Finalists for each category were announced earlier this month.

The judges were:


Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Winner: The Washington Post
Reporters: Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley
Entry: “Ottawa County”

Judges’ Comments

“This is a superb example of a microscopic examination of a growing national infection and its lessons to the nation as the drama unfolded. It fits the Toner criteria as ‘fact-based reporting; illuminates the electoral process, with a special focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns or elections … [and] reveals the politics of policy.’” – Compton

“Very strong look at changes in a small Michigan county with lots of Americans who seem very disappointed by the way their lives and the place they live [have] been going.” – Treaster

“This also was an incredibly well-done project. The narrative style was truly exceptional and in order to [do] that you need to do exceptional reporting. If I could give another [five] to this entry, I would.” – Rodriguez

Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

Winner: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Reporters: Anna Orso, Sean Walsh, Julia Terruso, Aseem Shukla and Layla Jones
Entry: “The race for Philadelphia’s 100th mayor”

Judges’ Comments

“This is the whole package—a richly reported political series, giving readers a thorough look at the choices for mayor. … The issues are there, the city’s voting demographics, the voices of voters and officials, and profiles of the candidates. And, so importantly, explained to the readers why Parker won. Very well done.” – Schwartz

“The best part of this series of stories is the voter data piece that breaks down the city’s demographics. It provides a roadmap of how Philly residents vote and adds critical context to all of the stories in the series. Very compelling, and very well done.” – Kirk

Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting Honorable Mention

THE CITY
Reporters: George Joseph, Bianca Pallaro, Haidee Chu, Tom Robbins, Yoav Gonen, April Xu (Documented) and Katie Honan
Entry: “Straw Donors, Ethics Violations Plague Eric Adams Campaign Fundraising Efforts”

Judges’ Comments

“Dogged work connecting the dots and exposing the potential breadth of a problem a federal indictment first put into focus. Illumination of how [a] public matching funds program may now be abused and exploited, raising the stakes for candidates, their campaigns and the electoral process.” – Dwyer

“Wow. This is insane. Each of the stories breaks new ground and is vividly written. The reporting is detailed, with each major claim backed up. It also has a clear impact on the city.” – Bellantoni

__

About the Toner Prizes

Established in 2009, the Toner Prizes recognize and reinforce quality, fact-based political reporting—work that illuminates the electoral process, reveals the politics of policy and engages the public in democracy. The awards, along with the Robin Toner Program in Political Reporting at the Newhouse School, are named after Robin Toner ’76, the first woman to serve as national political correspondent of The New York Times.

Champion of Free Speech and Journalism Margaret Talev Leads Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship (Podcast)

Margaret Talev can vividly recall the specific moment she knew journalism had failed to properly inform and educate a large portion of the American voting electorate.

It was Jan. 6, 2021. More than 1,000 citizens were protesting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Talev was working as managing editor at Axios, overseeing the outlet’s political coverage. During the events, one of her reporters became trapped in the chambers of the House of Representatives, while another was trapped in the Senate’s chambers.

Margaret Talev

A decorated and accomplished national political journalist, Talev prided herself on helping people understand the news, both in the short-term and big picture. Talev covered American politics and the White House for 30 years, including working the campaign trail for presidential elections in 2008, 2012 and 2016 as a White House correspondent for Bloomberg News and McClatchy Newspapers.

Talev watched the events unfold and was left wondering how thousands of her fellow citizens could stage a protest based on misinformation.

Unsure of her future in journalism, Talev wanted to focus her career efforts on the relationship between the news that was being produced and consumed by voters and how that was impacting their views on democracy and governance.

She was immediately interested in serving as the Kramer Director of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship (IDJC), a joint effort of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Based in Washington, the institute promotes nonpartisan, evidence-based research and dialogue in the public interest, striving to create new knowledge, foster a more informed and engaged citizenry and better equip students for success.

Master’s Alumni Profile: Claribel Rivas G’20

Claribel Rivas G’20

Newhouse Master’s Program: Magazine, News and Digital Journalism 
Current Position: Social Media Manager, PBS Digital Studios in Arlington, VA.

How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?  

In November 2020, I was offered the Gwen Ifill fellowship at Washington Week where I managed the Instagram account which the team was really interested in growing. After my fellowship was over in June 2021, I was offered a position as a senior social media manager for the National Digital Content team at WETA. There, I worked with the digital content team and producers to come up with social media strategies for campaigns, identify best practices to build viewership across broadcast and online programs, as well as oversee the social accounts for WETA programs. In December 2021, I was offered a social media manager position at PBS Digital Studios, working my way up to the PBS headquarters in Arlington, VA.  

What’s an average day like for you on the job?

PBS Digital Studios is a network of educational digital shows distributed on YouTube. The show topics range from STEM to music and arts. I start my day looking through any messages from the producers we work with and see if there is anything I need to review for the day. Some of the things I would review would be rough cuts of social videos, final cuts of social videos, social scripts or social assets that our show producers send us to help promote their series. Once I go through the reviews and approve them, I head over to our social calendar and see what is scheduled to be published for the day. I try to block time on my calendar for up to two hours to focus solely on publishing. Once all the posts are scheduled for the day, I attend any meetings on my schedule. Usually, our meetings are to catch up with producers and check in on how the show is going. We talk through episode ideas, social video ideas, episode schedules or any other agenda items. Once meetings are done, I usually have a few more posts that need to be published so I’ll go back and see what I’ve missed and make sure they are good to go. I also take time in the afternoon to review/moderate our comment section and respond/flag to anything that needs our attention.  

How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?

Newhouse prepared me for my current position by providing a wide range of classes that helped build my skillset. From magazine writing classes to video production classes, I graduated with essential design and creative skills that would be useful for any job. Since graduating, I have used almost all of the skills I learned at Newhouse. I’ve had to manage websites, create graphics, edit social videos on Adobe, present in front of an audience and use my storytelling skills in all aspects of writing and design. Newhouse taught me so many great real-world professional skills, and I felt more than ready to enter my career after graduation.  

Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?  

After graduation, I was certain I was going to go straight into reporting for a digital magazine. However, the skills that I learned at Newhouse were transferable for a variety of different jobs. Social media was already an interest of mine, and I didn’t realize that there was more to being a social media manager than just posting on Instagram. Although publishing and managing our social calendar is a big part of my job, I also act as an editorial/social lead for some of our YouTube shows. I work with producers to craft entertaining and educational stories through social media video, while also ensuring each video meets our editorial standards and expectations. Creative storytelling is a big part of what I work on at Digital Studios and Newhouse was able to prepare me for a role that entailed the skills needed for this.  

What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it in the first place? 

What drew me to the magazine, news and digital journalism program was the Newhouse Diversity News Fellowship. This fellowship was granted to two students interested in the program who majored in something other than journalism in undergrad. The fellowship seemed like a great opportunity for someone like me who was interested in pivoting to reporting, especially since I had a growing interest in international reporting. Syracuse was the only school I applied to for my graduate degree, and I wanted to take a chance at being accepted into the fellowship program. I was selected as a semi-finalist and was able to receive a full-tuition scholarship to attend Newhouse! Since the program was only a little over a year long, I quickly applied to positions that would help make my resume stronger and enhance my skills, as well as trying new journalism avenues that I didn’t get to do during undergrad. I interned at NewsChannel 9 as a show intern, worked at Orange Television Network as the Promotions Manager, and even tried some broadcast roles as a bilingual reporter for Noticias on CitrusTV. There were so many great opportunities on and off campus.  

Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?

The Newhouse Career Development Center was helpful in connecting me with alumni that were working in positions I was interested in, as well as in the city I was hoping to move to after graduating. There were many classes where alumni would come speak to students and have an hour to network, exchange contacts and allow us to ask questions. It was all really inspiring to me to hear from alumni that were in my shoes not too long ago, and now able to share their success with students. It made me hopeful for the future.  

What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field that students ought to be aware of? 

Working in journalism can be incredibly fun and rewarding. There are many opportunities to be in rooms with amazing people, travel across the country and help give a voice and platform to people who are often underrepresented or overlooked. However, even after graduating with a master’s degree, I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to start off with the most amazing salary, or even a senior-level role. Before attending Newhouse, I already had a full-time job and was on my way to moving up the ladder. Once I graduated from Newhouse, I had to pretty much start over as an intern again and work my way up. Although I worked my way up pretty quickly, I learned that sometimes you have to take a few steps back to get into the position and field that you want to be in. Only now, with a degree from Newhouse, you are much smarter, wiser, better connected and have a strong skillset to take on any role.  

What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far? 

Every day I get to work with some of the smartest creators on YouTube. It is so cool to see how a video idea comes to life from start to finish and knowing that I was involved in part of the process makes me really proud. One of the most exciting moments was when I attended the YouTube conference Vidcon in Los Angeles and represented PBS Digital Studios. I had dreamed of attending Vidcon ever since I was 12 years old. It’s an opportunity to meet famous YouTube creators and hear their success stories. My parents couldn’t afford to send me, so I would just watch the recaps on YouTube. Being able to attend years later, as a representative for PBS and networking with other industry professionals felt like a full-circle moment. I felt like I was making my younger self so proud!  

Another moment is connecting with Syracuse students at Newhouse DC! I had connected with Cheryl Brody Franklin, and she offered me the chance to be on the alumni panel for Syracuse students spending a semester in DC. It was an exciting experience because I also remember being a student, eager to learn from alumni, and now I get to share some of my knowledge! Another full circle moment.  

What advice do you have for current or incoming students?

Really take advantage of your time at Syracuse and try new things! Even try things that you think you won’t enjoy and see if you can prove yourself wrong. It may surprise you! I would definitely recommend taking Corey Takahashi’s class in multimedia journalism. It really helped me think outside the box and learn how to be a creative storyteller through a bunch of different mediums. The skills I learned in that class come up in my professional life every day. From storyboarding, to identifying b-roll, to scripting, this class prepares you for any creative role you may have upon graduation.  

Newhouse Creative Advertising Students Win Big at ADDY AAF Awards in Rochester

On Feb. 29, Newhouse School creative advertising students swept the ADDY American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards in Rochester, New York, remarkably winning 12 out of 14 student awards.

After the competition announced the winners of each category, the Newhouse students eagerly ran up onto the ADDY stage to collect their trophies and scholarship awards for their submitted campaigns which showed their creativity and skill. They smiled proudly with their accolades and checks in hand. 

6 people stand on a stage and hold trophies and large checks
L-R: Jenna Byers, Sophia Donio, Tori Aragi, Greta Hartwyk, Juliette Keller and Brooke Hirsch all smile while holding their trophies and checks.

The winning students collected a total of four Gold awards, four Silver awards and three Student Scholarship awards, each valued at $500, $750 and $1,250, respectively. Two students also won the esteemed Mosaic Award, which is only given to a campaign that promotes systemic change through equity and inclusion.  

The outstanding achievements display the dedication and expertise fostered in the Advertising Creative Portfolio II and III courses taught by Mel White, a professor of practice, and Portfolio II course taught by Kevin O’Neill, also a professor of practice. Winning students created their campaigns throughout their time in these courses. 

To create these campaigns, students implemented AI, Snapchat, X (formerly known as Twitter), apps, NFTs, experiential, outdoor, print and product design to communicate their big ideas for the brands. 

“I’m impressed with the level of dedication these students have,” White said. “They continuously developed sophisticated ideas that solved problems, and as a result they created such innovative work.” 

The student winners will be entered into the ADDY AAF District which is the next level of the student competition. Then, the district winners will be entered into the final level: the ADDY AAF National Student Competition. 

Award winners: 

Jaden Wilson is a graduate student in the magazine, news, and digital journalism program at the Newhouse school. 

Forever Orange: Dara Dilmaghani ’23

Syracuse University’s Forever Orange Scholarship provides half of the tuition for students who enroll full-time in a qualifying graduate degree or certificate program at Syracuse University. The scholarship is automatically available to all Class of 2024 graduating Syracuse University seniors who are eligible for admission—no separate scholarship application is needed. Graduating seniors who have already been admitted to a qualifying graduate program are also eligible.

Learn more about recent students like Dara Dilmaghani, who is developing his skills and the ability to lean into the future of technology with the help of a Forever Orange Scholarship.

Dara Dilmaghani

Undergraduate Program: Advertising, ’23
Newhouse Master’s Program: Advanced Media Management, G’24

Dara Dilmaghani smiles in his graduation cap and gown
Dara Dilmaghani

What drew you to Syracuse University for your undergraduate studies? 

Newhouse played a role in me coming to Syracuse. I was not sure where I wanted to end up when I was applying to college but when I was accepted to Newhouse and researched more about the school, I knew that this was the place I needed to be. 

What made you want to pursue a master’s degree?    

There were a few factors that led me to stay one more year, with the main one being the pandemic. I felt like my senior year was the first year I was experiencing the full in-person opportunities Newhouse had to offer, and I wasn’t ready to leave without spending a little more time growing as a student. The advanced media management program was the perfect place for me to continue my journey. With an emphasis on skills I didn’t get the chance to develop in my undergraduate career and the ability to lean into the future of technology was just something I could not pass up.  

How did you first hear about the Forever Orange Scholarship and how did it play a role in your decision to attend graduate school?  

I heard about it in my application process. I had always had plans on pursuing a master’s degree, but the Forever Orange Scholarship was another great incentive to stay here and pursue it at Newhouse. The ability to receive my master’s degree in half the time for half the price was honestly a bigger blessing than I could have ever imagined.  

What unique features of your graduate program made you want to apply?  

I picked Newhouse because it had already done so many amazing things for me and taken me to so many places. I picked advanced media management because I felt like I was going to have the opportunity to do something really great, and I have. The faculty in the program, especially Professor Adam Peruta, have gone above and beyond and given me opportunities that I never imagined I could achieve. Just in one semester I feel more knowledgeable than I have in the past four years, I have met some amazing like-minded classmates and was able to go to Las Vegas. I don’t think there are many graduate students that are having the same experiences as me and I’m so grateful that Newhouse has given me these opportunities to continue growing as a student.  

4 people smile in a large esports area
Advanced media management students (from left to right) Henos Mulugeta, Dara Dilmaghani, Hongjian Yu and Matthew Brodsky in the HyperX Esports Arena at the CES tech event in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Adam Peruta)

What moments in graduate school have been the most exciting or defining thus far?  

100% learning about the impact AI is having not only on media, but the world as we know it. This program has given me the ability to test out these new tools and find a workflow that works for me. I do not think I would’ve been able to stay ahead of the curve if I was already in the professional world. Now, I can spend my time preparing myself for an inevitable change in the way media will function with tools that are unfamiliar to many.

What advice would you give to students that are in the initial stages of deciding to pursue graduate school? 

It is worth it, especially right after undergrad. It is tough to go back to school when you have been out of the routine for a while but spending that extra year or two learning a bit more can really take you far once it is all said and done. Do not be afraid to lean into discomfort and remember that opportunities are just right in front of you, you just need to know when to take them. 

For more information on Newhouse School graduate programs, please email nhmasters@syr.edu

Newhouse in the News

Some recent media appearances, interviews or stories by Newhouse School faculty and staff.

Mark Lodato, Dean

Jennifer Grygiel, Communications

Robert Thompson, Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture

Anthony D’Angelo, Public Relations

Charisse L’Pree, Communications

Joel Kaplan, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism

J. Christopher Hamilton, Television, Radio and Film

Austin Kocher, Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

Roy Gutterman, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism

Bill Werde, Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries

Joey Gawrysiak, Esports Communications and Management

Sean Branagan, Communications

“The Marketer’s (Early) Guide to AI”: AI is Here to Help, But Not Take Over Our Jobs

With artificial intelligence rising and rapidly changing the communications industry as we know it, it is imperative that we keep up with the latest developments surrounding the technology. The Weiss Center hosted an exclusive group of Newhouse students for a livestream of Marketing Brew’s “The Marketer’s (Early) Guide to AI.” This experience served as a lucrative learning opportunity for us as young professionals to hear from prestigious industry experts about how they’re applying AI in marketing and technology.

Marketing Brew hosted a series of executives to discuss how AI has impacted their companies and day-to-day operations. Topics varied from the relationship between chatbots and employees, how AI can impact storytelling and how to leverage AI to maximize the customer experience.

The five key takeaways from the sessions were:

AI technologies can work in conjunction with human labor to optimize efficiency.

The industry mentality shifted from being fearful to embracing AI.

AI is helping to ease the consumer customer service experience.

AI can be trained to effectively tell a brand’s story.

Companies have been using AI longer than you think. 

Marketing Brew’s livestream event opened a world of new possibilities in technology happening right before our eyes. AI technology is rapidly changing industry practices every day, and it is imperative that we absorb as much information as possible before we enter the workforce. Attending this livestream event not only taught us about how AI is being used in practice right now, but it also helped us understand how we can utilize AI in our future careers.

Beth Egan is an associate professor and director of the master’s in advertising program at the Newhouse School.  

A Newhouse Education Can Lead to Success in a Variety of Fields

Learn More about the Career Arc of Paul Marchand ’91 from Advertising Student to Top Exec at Charter Communications

Paul Marchand’s career journey from Newhouse advertising student to one of the top executives at Charter Communications took a key turn at Lord & Taylor. 

Paul Marchand headshot
Paul Marchand

Marchand ‘91 joined a buyer training program with the department store giant after graduating from Syracuse, though he stayed involved with his field of study by placing ads in The New York Times and connecting with the heads of the company’s advertising and public relations teams. 

Then, he got invited by Lord & Taylor’s human resources staff to go to college campuses to recruit prospective employees. The thinking was that he could serve as a role model as a recent graduate.  

Marchand did such a good job that he ended up getting recruited himself—Lord & Taylor offered him a job in HR. Marchand is a prime example of how a Newhouse education can lead to success in an array of fields.  

“I did it on a condition that if this doesn’t work, I would go back to being a buyer,” he said. “One year in, I never looked back and just realized that HR was something I was really passionate about.” 

But the core skills he honed at Newhouse helped to set him on the path for success. After working in HR roles at Lord & Taylor, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch and PepsiCo, Marchand is now the top human resources executive at Charter.  

Marchand joined Charter in 2015 as executive vice president and chief human resources officer. A leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator, Charter is a Fortune 100 business with nearly $50 billion in annual revenue, serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states under the Spectrum brand of internet, TV, mobile and voice products.  

“I never really lost the elements of the foundation of what Newhouse taught me,” Marchand said. “How do you influence your audience? How do you persuade people? How do you build advocacy? All those things that I do in my daily job get me back to my Newhouse roots.” 

At Charter, Marchand oversees HR strategies, policies and practices; recruiting training and development; and diversity, inclusion and community impact at a company with more than 101,000 employees. He played a pivotal role in helping guide the company and its employees through significant growth. A year after Marchand’s arrival, for example, Charter completed a three-way merger that quadrupled the size of the company’s workforce. 

a person stands next to a sign that says "Welcome to the Newhouse School" in the Newhouse 1 lobby
“I think there’s a grit and hard-working ethic to Newhouse and Syracuse students,” Marchand said.

Marchand said he is proud of key Charter initiatives that have helped expand the company’s workforce and retain employees at a time when the labor market is tight, including the establishment of a minimum starting wage of $20, freezing cost increases for employee health benefits for the past 11 years and a new free tuition program for full-time employees to continue their education and enhance their skills. Additionally, he said, all of Charter’s employees are based in the United States as part of the company’s commitment to have workers live in the communities they serve. 

It has been a busy time overall for Charter. Currently, the company is in the middle of a multiyear effort to build out its Spectrum Internet service to more areas, including the expansion of its high-speed broadband network to more than a million homes and businesses in unserved or underserved communities as part of the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.  

Last fall, the company unveiled the Xumo Stream Box, which gives users access to live TV and popular streaming apps and puts “customization and aggregation of content at top of mind,” Marchand said. A new distribution agreement reached in 2023 with the Walt Disney Company that gave Charter’s Spectrum TV customers free access to the Disney+ streaming app represented “a step forward for the video industry.”  

“It’s not unique to us, it’s an entire ecosystem issue. There’s so much content, and so many ways that people consume it, and where they consume it, and we want to be at the forefront of making it easy for people to watch their favorite programming wherever they are,” Marchand said.  

Consumer habits continue to evolve, driven in large part by younger viewers who have grown up watching videos on their phone or binging TV shows on a tablet. What hasn’t changed, Marchand said, is the drive and talent exhibited by Newhouse graduates in the workplace that date back to when he was a Syracuse University student in the late 1980s.  

“I think there’s a grit and hard-working ethic to Newhouse and Syracuse students,” Marchand said. Charter employs many Newhouse graduates across the company, he said, and dozens of alumni can be found both in front of and behind the camera in Charter’s Spectrum News operations around the country, from multimedia journalists like Caitlin McVey in Tampa, to anchors such as Cheryl Wills in New York City, to Karl Turner, senior news director in Columbus, Ohio. 

His biggest tip to current students sounds a lot like advice he might have followed when his career was just getting started. 

“Be as open-minded, flexible and realistic as possible,” Marchand said. “And I think what will happen is that you’ll focus on what is the actual work you want to do, and you’ll go do that work, and find success.”