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.” 

Newhouse Alumna Honored with Academy Award Nomination for Producing Film “Nimona”

When film producer Karen Ryan ‘06 heard the science fantasy graphic novel “Nimona” was being turned into an animated film in 2018, the Newhouse television, radio and film alumna left Disney Animation, where she had worked for 11 years, and moved across the country to produce the film with Blue Sky Studios.  

a person stands on a red carpet with the word "Oscars" behind their head
Karen Ryan (Photo courtesy of Karen Ryan)

After a series of unforeseen challenges worthy of its own movie—including Blue Sky shuttering its doors in 2021 and the team thrown into a desperate mission to save “Nimona”—the film was finally released last year on Netflix. The hard work paid off: Ryan and her fellow producers earned a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards. It’s Ryan’s first nomination.

The Oscars will be awarded Sunday in Los Angeles.

How did it feel to be nominated for an Academy Award for “Nimona”?  

It was pretty wild, because of what it took to get this movie made. This has been, for me personally, a six-year project. This movie has gone through multiple studios-we were shut down and canceled at one point-so the fact that we were able to bring the movie back without compromising any of the things we wanted in it and see it embraced with an Academy Award nomination felt great. It was awesome. 

What were some of the challenges you faced when producing “Nimona,” especially after the closure of Blue Sky Studios in 2021? 

This movie was tricky. It was the hardest project I’ve ever been a part of and the challenges were just getting the film to the screen. So there’s all the typical challenges that come with animation when you want to push the medium. And then [Blue Sky Studios] closing was just heartbreaking. We were all family over there. We had this film “Nimona,” which was such a special project at Blue Sky. And then all of a sudden, in this one phone call, it’s “Everything’s gone, but we have these reels. What are we gonna do?” We just spent every minute after that trying to find a way to save the movie. So we went around Hollywood, we played it for everybody we could, and Megan Ellison at Annapurna Pictures saw it and supported it immediately. We got her to fund it, Netflix wanted to distribute it and everything just kind of changed from there. We got to make the film that we wanted to make. 

How did you get the opportunity to be a producer on the film? 

I was working at Disney Animation where I was for 11 years, and I heard about “Nimona” being made at Blue Sky Studios. A good friend of mine, Patrick Osborne, was the director at the time. So I knew him, I knew of the graphic novel and when the opportunity came up they called me. They needed a producer and I just couldn’t pass it up. So, I left and went over to Blue Sky. 

a group of people stand in front of a screen that says "Nimona" and hold champagne flutes
Ryan (first row, second from left) and the “Nimona” team celebrate a screening of the film. “I also hope it makes people get to know each other a little bit more and not judge people so quickly by what we assume they are,” Ryan said of the film. (Photo courtesy of Karen Ryan)

What does “Nimona” mean to you and what do you hope audiences take away from it? 

I love Nimona. That character is the reason I came to the story. What I think is so special about her and the first thing that really got me is that she knows who she is and she doesn’t want to be somebody else. She just wants people to see her for who she is and to feel loved and accepted that way, and I think that is very relatable and a story we don’t really see much, especially with female characters. So, this movie was our love letter to people who feel like an outsider or like they don’t belong. To people who watch the movie, I hope they’re entertained because I think it’s hilarious and I love this film. I also hope it makes people get to know each other a little bit more and not judge people so quickly by what we assume they are. There’s space for everybody and you shouldn’t have to compromise to be able to find a community.  

What opportunities did you take advantage of as a television, radio and film student at Newhouse? 

I think, for me, I really wanted to work in production. I wanted to make films, and we had a lot of opportunities to do that at [Newhouse]. I took the production track, even though we didn’t have it [at the time]. I took every production class I could. At colleges like Syracuse, try all of it. Do the story you were not sure about because this is your time to experiment. When you get into the workforce, you’re mostly working on other people’s stuff for a long time. So, if you have a crazy idea and you want to make it, do it.  

What advice do you have for current Newhouse students looking to be a film producer? 

I think there’s so many different tracks. There’s no one way to do it, but the more you kind of let your path wander and go towards what excites you in the moment, I think that’s how you build experience that leads you to producing. So, if you want to be a producer, get to know how movies are made, understand the story process and understand the medium in which you’re working. If it’s live action, who’s your creative team? How do you work with the cinematographer? How do you get a director’s vision on screen? In producing, you’re responsible for the entire thing, so it’s not just the money, it’s not just the delivery or selling the movie. So, you really have to understand as much of it as you can and I think that makes the better producers.

Samantha Rodino is a sophomore in the television, radio and film program at the Newhouse School.

Master’s Alumni Profile: Adrianna Adame G’22

Adrianna Adame G’22

Newhouse Master’s Program: Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Current Position: Indigenous Democracy Reporter at Buffalo’s Fire, Bismarck, North Dakota

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

I obtained my current position after successfully applying to Report for America for the 2023-2024 cohort. Last December I completed my time as a Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellow. Once the holidays ended, I immediately began working on my application as I went on the job hunt. My former professors such as Aileen Gallagher and Melissa Chessher recommended that I apply to Report for America since I wanted to go into local news. It wasn’t until after a lengthy three-month long interview process that I found out I got the role at Buffalo’s Fire, a Native-led nonprofit online news organization.  

What’s an average day like for you on the job? Take us through it. 

My schedule can be quite hectic at times, though I try to be well-organized. I usually start off the day responding to emails and calling sources to schedule interviews for stories. I am reporting on voting rights, tribal council, school board and rural co-op meetings, tribal college stories and K-12 education, but my main beat is Indian education. 

Then I go onto Slack and check in with my editor/the team. Sometimes I have Zoom meetings –– from June up until December 2023 I attended monthly meetings for the Solution Journalism Network’s rural cohort. Twice a week, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to the downtown office space we rent for my office hours, where members of the community are able to come visit me to chat, bring up concerns or discuss story ideas. Throughout the day I am also reporting on events, meeting sources for pictures/interviews and of course writing the story. Once I complete a draft, I contact my editor and then we begin going through the editing process together.   

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

Newhouse prepared me for my current position by teaching me multimedia and networking skills. Prior to Syracuse, I was solely a writer. After Syracuse, I was able to compete with others applying for my role because the magazine, news and digital journalism program gave me the ability to be a well-rounded and detail-oriented storyteller. Boot camp during summer 2021 really set me up for success and freshened up my reporting skills. My instructor, Julie McMahon, took the time to check in with each of us and gave us advice on how to find stories and improve our writing. Professor Harriet Brown’s News Reporting class during the fall took me to the next level in my reporting as I began to incorporate data and other visual elements into my work.  

As a part of my fellowship, Newhouse also funded my first Native American Journalist Association— now the Indigenous Journalist Association—conference in Phoenix. By providing me that opportunity, I got to connect for the first time with other Indigenous journalists. Despite being an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe in Rocky Boy, Montana, I never lived on or visited my reservation. I grew up with the Mexican American side of my family in North County, San Diego, so while I got to learn some aspects of that side of my culture, I always felt disconnected from my Native side. Attending the conference was a big part of my reconnection journey.  

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

Newhouse opened my eyes to a plethora of new professions and variety in my field. While I am primarily a writer, I became interested in multimedia storytelling after taking Professor Corey Takahashi’s class. After participating as a mentee in NAJA x Next Gen Radio in April 2022, I really began to get interested in audio stories and just began working with audio in my current work. I also gained an interest in editorial writing while in Syracuse. Though local news will always be my passion, I don’t mind expanding my horizons and trying new things.  

What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it?  

I only applied to two graduate programs—UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and Newhouse. While I got into both programs, I was already leaning towards Syracuse because of the amount of networking and professional opportunities offered. Magazine, news and digital journalism also seemed more aligned with my professional goals. I wanted to evolve from print to digital journalism and expand into multimedia storytelling. Once I was offered the Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellowship, my heart was set on Syracuse.  

Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?

As a part of the Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellowship, I worked as an intern at Syracuse.com for a year. I chose to write features as well as some arts and entertainment articles. Though it was a hectic period, I am glad I had the opportunity to work with my editors, including the thoughtful and detail-oriented Alaina Beckett. Prior to Syracuse.com, I also was a Newhouse x POPSUGAR Voices fellow, where I wrote editorial pieces on the fitness, love, beauty, family, living, technology and Latina verticals. Some of my local news stories from the first six months in my program were also published in the Stand.  

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

After my cohort graduated, the job market was tough due to layoffs in the industry. Many people I know are still having trouble finding full-time work in journalism. It can be very discouraging at times. I know it might not sound helpful at the moment, but in time things do work out. The job hunt is a painful waiting game. But in the end, all the hard work you put into applications will pay off. It only takes one yes for your life (and career) to change for the better. Stay determined, no matter how hard things get.  

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

I’ve only been at Buffalo’s Fire for six months, so I’m still fairly new in my job, but there have been few cool opportunities I’ve been able to experience. Back in November, I was invited as a mentor by Doug Mitchell for IJA x Next Gen Radio: Albuquerque. I assisted my uber-talented and super organized mentee, Molly Mamaril, as she reported her audio story on a Native Hawaiian scholar who is aiming to return home after she receives her doctorate to give back to her community. It wasn’t that long since April 2022 when I was a participant in NAJA x Next Gen Radio program, so I was grateful to be welcomed back so soon. Not only did I reconnect with old friends, but I made new ones as well. It felt amazing to be surrounded by other Indigenous journalists and also be in the position to help guide someone on their project.  

What advice do you have for current or incoming students?

I first came to Syracuse right after classes were back to in-person during the Covid-19 pandemic. After losing the last year of my undergrad experience, I decided during grad school I would make the most of it and say yes to everything. I encourage current and incoming students to step out of their comfort zone, for both their social and professional life. You’re only able to expand your skill set and meet new people if you try new things. One of my favorite classes was Professor Rawiya Kameir’s Critical Writing course. While at Newhouse I was experimenting with different forms of writing outside of the news. Kameir’s class taught me how to analyze, structure and write creatively. I appreciated the chill atmosphere and healthy environment that Kameir fosters.  

Designing for Good: Newhouse Alumna Creates Mindful Work in Cape Town Internship

Shannon Kirkpatrick ‘23 wants her designs to make a difference. 

Shannon Kirkpatrick portrait
Kirkpatrick

From high school art enthusiast to visual communications major to graphic designer at the Kolisi Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa, her journey encapsulates a narrative of continuous learning, evolving interests and the pursuit of meaningful design anchored in social impact.  

For Kirkpatrick, creativity in art has been a passion since childhood. Growing up in Syracuse, she leaned into her inclination towards visual modes of expression through printmaking, drawing and painting in high school. After her acceptance to the Newhouse School, she initially pursued a degree in television, radio and film, but the film industry didn’t feel like the right fit, she said.  

She attended a presentation about the power of design in storytelling by Bruce Strong, a visual communications associate professor, and “it sparked something deep down,” she said.  

Following a recommendation from Strong, Kirkpatrick met with Claudia Strong, a visual communications adjunct professor. The meeting steered her towards the realm of graphic design—a pivot that felt more aligned with her evolving interests. 

five people stand and smile together
Kirkpatrick (far left) with friends during her Kolisi Foundation internship. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)

“I walked into Professor Claudia Strong’s office hours the same day, and she must have given a compelling case to join the vis department because I switched my entire career path shortly after,” Kirkpatrick said. 

She found the graphic design program in the visual communications department wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about narrating stories, articulating ideas and creating a dialogue through design. As she delved deeper into the program, Kirkpatrick found a platform to hone her skills as a designer for The Daily Orange, a student-run campus newspaper. 

three people pose and smile with their hands in the air
“This three-month experience in South Africa broadened my creative horizon—I know what it’s like to design with heart and see the tangible results, and now there’s no turning back.” (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)

“The opportunity to apply my design and art direction skills to a fully functional, award-winning newspaper like The Daily Orange was an incredibly unique opportunity that you don’t get in other, more traditional design schools,” she said. “Being a part of the DO shaped the designer I am today.” 

In spring 2023, an exciting opportunity arose: a graphic design internship with the Kolisi Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to combat inequality in South Africa, with initiatives focused on food security, education, gender-based violence and access to sports. 

a person sits at a desk and works on a laptop
“I decided to strive towards this career theme: creating designs that make a tangible difference,” Kirkpatrick said. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)

“From the first moment I heard about the internship, to the following meetings and interview, I was feeling a mixture of disbelief, excitement and curiosity,” Kirkpatrick said.  

She graduated from Syracuse University in May 2023 and quickly moved to a new continent, living and working in Cape Town for 10 weeks that summer. As a member of the foundation’s graphic design team, Kirkpatrick assisted with a variety of print and digital design projects, including an annual report, promotional materials and animated social media graphics.  

“Working with the Kolisi Foundation team had that real-world connection I sought,” she said. “The work I made mattered, and I could see the communities where my designs went first-hand. I’m happy to know those designs will continue impacting people there, every day.” 

The initial days of living in Cape Town were challenging as she navigated through cultural changes, but an adventurous hike with newfound friends at sunrise to Lion’s Head—a mountain overlooking Cape Town—marked a shift.  

“At this point, about halfway through my time in South Africa, I was finally starting to feel at home,” she said. “I had established strong friendships, felt comfortable with my host family and started finding my favorite hikes and cafes in Cape Town.” 

a person stands at the top of Lion's Head mountain in Cape Town, South Africa
Kirkpatrick hiking Lion’s Head in Cape Town. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)

As the internship came to a close, Kirkpatrick found that the designs she was producing, the intention behind them and her future were irrevocably changed. 

“Combining a new cultural experience with a design internship had a profound impact on me—I saw the true meaning behind ‘designing for good,’ where my designs would help this incredible nonprofit tell its stories,” she said.  

“Afterwards, I decided to strive towards this career theme: creating designs that make a tangible difference.” 

a person points to a sign pointing towards New York on the top of a mountain
Kirkpatrick on a hike in Cape Town. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)
a person hangs out of a safari vehicle on a game reserve
On a safari on Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Kirkpatrick)

Now back in the United States, Kirkpatrick remains committed to designing purpose-driven work that creates positive change. She still designs for the Kolisi Foundation remotely and continues to shape the trajectory of her career as she blends her passions for art and social impact. 

“This three-month experience in South Africa broadened my creative horizon—I know what it’s like to design with heart and see the tangible results, and now there’s no turning back.”

Allen Huang is a graduate student in the media studies program at the Newhouse School.

Master’s Alumni Profile: Justin Maccagnan G’22

Justin Maccagnan G’22

Newhouse Master’s Program: Television, Radio and Film
Current Position: Production Support Engineer at NBCUniversal and CNBC Business Channel

How did you obtain your current position?

This position, weirdly enough, came through a LinkedIn recruiter. My profile was suggested to her as I had a large technical background working as an engineer for trucks, stadiums and universities. I’ll be honest, I thought it was spam, so I ignored it, but after looking her up, I decided to talk to her. We had two interviews and here we are. It has been nothing short of spectacular since. 

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

As a production support engineer, I support all technical equipment for CNBC business channel and NBCUniversal, specifically the New York offices at the NASDAQ. This includes camera equipment, graphics operation systems, INews software, transmission technology and control room operations (any equipment breaks, I am fixing it). Aside from this, our shop has also merged with the IT department. So, I am also tasked with making new employee work accounts, troubleshooting computer programming issues, internet software updates, fixing PC routers and dealing with any issues that may be IT related. 

Any given day can be vastly different, which is why I love this job so much. We are a call support shop, so we respond to whoever calls with an issue, meaning one day I could be working on an INews issue and the next I am working on a camera problem in one of the main studios. On a regular day, I am also working on major projects that the network needs done. These projects come in spurts, but they are very exciting, and I love knowing that I am working on the future studios/equipment of CNBC.  

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

Classes in sports and TV production were what helped prepare me the most for my current position. With professors like Olivia Stomski and Andy Robinson, I was able to obtain base knowledge of how to work in sports production and operate cameras as well as learn technical aspects of production. Specifically with Robinson’s class, the greatest part was staying after our show tapings and studying the technical aspects that went into operating the graphics system as well as the TD switchboard. I never thought staring at wires would be so enjoyable but after seeing how every wire contributed to the broadcast, I was hooked. Without Robinson’s class, I don’t know if I would have gone in the direction I did. 

All of the hard skills I learned were from being an engineer intern for the ACC Network and Syracuse Athletics. I did this job for the entire time I was in Syracuse. Things I learned included how to make ethernet cables, hardwiring cameras, setting up audio consoles, troubleshooting video signal issues and cleaning fiber cables. I developed a very close friendship with the chief engineer of Syracuse Athletics, and that friendship both led to my current job and is a friendship I will have for the rest of my life. In truth, Newhouse as well as Syracuse Athletics helped guide me to what my true-life passion was. 

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

Through Newhouse, I was introduced to the ACC Network and Syracuse Athletics. At first, my objective was to just get in the door and work live sporting events. Scott Hecht, the then director of ACC Network, appreciated my enthusiasm and asked if I wanted to be an engineer intern. I had no clue what engineers do, but to me, it was an opportunity, so I jumped at it. That one leap of faith was what led me to where I am now. 

The greatest thing that happened to me while at Syracuse was working for Tom White, the chief engineer for Syracuse athletics. Up until I met Tom, I had never known what an engineer does. Tom took every chance he had to teach me something new. As an engineer, your main task is knowing every single piece of equipment, wire and cable that goes into a specific broadcast. You are the line of defense if something falls apart and all eyes look to you to fix said problem, so you are always learning something new. With Tom, we dealt with lots of issues, and I began to realize this is the career path I wanted to pursue. Very few people want to become broadcast engineers, so this helps the field as there are usually job openings for these positions. I saw this as not only an exciting growth opportunity, but one that I could make a full career out of.

What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it? 

One of the key features of my program was that I was brought on as an instructional associate. As someone who aspires to be a college professor one day, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to get some teaching practice. I worked with first year and sophomore production courses and loved every minute of it. 

The television, radio and film program is arguably the most unique program at Syracuse. It is an amazing program in that the objective of both the professors and the curriculum is to allow the student to grow their mind as well as tap into their creative potential. The program’s objective is to help you find your creative voice and run with it. Aside from that, this program also uniquely combines all facets of the film and entertainment industry into the coursework, including screenwriting, pitching films, business models of the film industry, production and law practices that all networks/film houses follow, giving a well-rounded knowledge of the entertainment world. 

Lastly, if you join the program and you feel you may not be bonding with the film material as much, Michael Schoonmaker, the television, radio and film department chair, is more than willing to help find you electives that are in the other programs of Newhouse. I had several graduate friends take courses outside the normal TRF curriculum and they couldn’t have been happier.

Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?  

The Newhouse Career Development Center did help me, both with my resume as well as job leads. Bridget Lichtinger was crucial to my success at Syracuse and my resume looked a lot better once we went over it a couple of times. She is a true asset to the school. 

What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field?

A lot of young students that get into the broadcast engineering field may think they just set up the equipment and then leave it for the people to operate. Unfortunately, this is anything but true. As an engineer, your job is to know where everything goes for a broadcast. And when I mean everything, I mean EVERYTHING.  

I’ll use an example: Say you are using a Sony camera. As an operator you just need to know which buttons on the camera do what, how to shoot and what to shoot. As an engineer, you need to know button functions, where do the wires that are connected to the camera go, what signal goes to those said wires, what is the lens type of the camera, what unit powers the camera and what signal sends to the operator so they can see what they are shooting. When you think about this, most people’s minds explode and you’re not expected to know all this right out of the gate- but when you work many years in the field, you are expected to eventually know all the information pertaining to those systems spoken about. 

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

There have been many, so I’ll name a couple:

The engineer job with CNBC and NBCUniversal: This is a position most people don’t get until they are in their 30s due to the level of knowledge required. By a stroke of luck, I was brought on with an expectation they would train me on equipment for the long term, so I am always appreciative that I got such a unique and amazing opportunity. 

Phillies corporate event: This was the first major corporate event I had worked for the Phillies and due to a callout, I was left to man the event by myself. I set up everything, operated all consoles and broke down everything afterward. It was a big moment for me as it increased my confidence that I could do these events by myself.

What advice do you have for current or incoming students?

One of the greatest assets of Newhouse is the main control room for Syracuse Athletics and ACC Network out of Syracuse. Go inside, look around and talk to the people that run operations there- they are always looking for dedicated students that can work events and want to learn. Whether you are someone that wants to be an on-air talent, producer, replay operator, or even engineer, they always have spots available for people to get involved. 

Even if you don’t enjoy it as much as I did, I promise you the most successful producers and on-air talents are the ones that know about the technical aspects of a TV broadcast. It can only help you in the long run. 

The classes I recommend are any production classes with Olivia Stomski and I also recommend any courses with Kelly Leahy, Robert Thompson and Shaina Holmes. Three of the best professors I had while at Syracuse.

Master’s Alumni Profile: Jerald Pierce G’18

Jerald Pierce G’18 

Newhouse Master’s Program: Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications 
Current position: Chicago Editor at American Theatre Magazine, Chicago, Illinois 

What set you on your career path?

Well, I got my undergraduate degree in acting and realized fairly quickly that that life wasn’t for me. I still loved theatre, so I wound up looking for other ways to stay involved. I saw a (now defunct) website advertising that it was looking for theatre reviewers who were also theatremakers themselves. I had strong opinions about theatre and it was a pretty low risk opportunity, so I gave it a try. I wound up running that site for a bit when the editor needed to step away, and I realized that I absolutely loved criticism, both writing and working with other writers on their reviews. So, when I got to the point in my life where I was thinking about getting a masters degree, Newhouse and the AJC program were one of a few different paths I was interested in, and I let the admission fates decide what was next. That’s all to say, basically I just kept following open doors until I made my way to my current path.

What skills did you acquire at Newhouse that you use in your work now?

I came into Newhouse with basically zero reporting or journalism knowledge beyond what you can glean simply from reading a lot of news. I could form complete sentences to give my opinion on art, but everything I know about journalism, reporting and editing I got from Newhouse.

What experiences or activities that you took part in outside the classroom stands out from your time as a graduate student at Newhouse?

The easy answer is to point to any of the trips I was able to take while at Newhouse that I never would have been able to take on my own. Attending the Toronto Film Festival, traveling to the Spoleto Festival in Charleston and spending time in Israel were all life-changing experiences that I never would have had the opportunity to do, and now they’re all foundational in one way or another to who I am as a reporter and editor.

Jerald Pierce
Jerald Pierce (Photo by Dominique Hildebrand)

What does it mean to you to be a Newhouse alum?

Newhouse has been a great support system for me so far in my career. I’m not a big “networking” person, but Newhouse comes with a built-in network that continues to pop up everywhere I go (American Theatre Magazine’s current managing editor is also a Goldring alum, for instance). Over the years, I’ve leaned on folks I met at Newhouse for career advice and job references, so being an alum has been a real support system during my career journey.

What advice would you offer someone thinking about pursuing a graduate degree?

Take the leap. I went to graduate school at 27, marking a complete change in career path. It can be hard to find time and opportunities to solely focus on skill-building post-college. Grad school gave me a chance to hyper-focus on what I wanted to learn with minimal distractions, and that’s incredibly valuable.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ideally, I’d love to be the lead theatre critic at a publication somewhere in the country. As someone prone to walking through any door that is open, I’ve learned that I never really know where life is going to take me. But if I could shape that path, I’d want it to lead to being a trusted source of theatre criticism for a community.

Crafting a Legacy

Alumna artist and activist uses her poetry to communicate injustices and advocate for change.

a woman stands on a stage and speaks into a microphone
Imani Wallace ’16, who performs around the world as Lyrical Faith, found her calling as an artist, activist and educator while a student at Syracuse University.

While a student at Syracuse University, Imani Wallace ’16—the internationally acclaimed and award-winning spoken word artist known also by her stage name, Lyrical Faith—found her voice and launched on her path as an artist, activist and educator.

Wallace, a public relations major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, was a student leader and very engaged in the campus community. Her senior year, she was recognized with a Martin Luther King Unsung Hero Award for her service and advocacy.

What do your identities as an artist and an activist mean to you?

I see art and activism as intertwined. I see art through the lens of spoken word poetry, which is both writing and performance. And activism is speaking out against societal ills, providing counternarratives, actively challenging power structures, advocating for what is just and calling out what is unjust. I use the word “artivism” to describe how I use my art—something I’m deeply passionate about—as a way to communicate about these social ills and injustices around the world.

I think about the leaders who came before me—my ancestors and the peoples whose shoulders I stand on—who spoke out about Black struggles and Black liberation. I think about what they’ve done, what they sacrificed, the streets they marched, what they gave up and the lives that were taken from them. They paved the way for me to be navigating the spaces I am and using my voice as I do. It’s my responsibility and my social duty to pave the way for those who will come after me to continue the fight for what is right.

I hope to inspire and to educate. Over the years that I’ve been writing and performing, I’ve been able to reach thousands of people. And every time I step up to a microphone and share a poem, it’s an opportunity to spark someone’s imagination, broaden someone’s perspective, or change someone’s mind. I take that responsibility seriously—you never know how you will impact another person’s life. Art has the power to bring strangers together and make people feel like they are not alone in what they’re experiencing, whether that’s grief, a mental health struggle or joy.

And of course, it is also cathartic. Sharing my thoughts and experiences, and having others connect with them, makes me feel seen and understood. So, spoken word is my way of shining in the world. And by shining myself, I hope to give others permission to shine their own light, in their own way.

Newhouse Alumnus Achieves Goal of Working “Percy Jackson” Disney+ Series Premiere

Liam Crowley ’22 is a self-proclaimed go-getter. In January 2022 he sent a single, straightforward tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I will work the red carpet premiere for the Percy Jackson Disney+ series.”

Liam Crowley stands on the blue carpet for the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” premiere at Metropolitan Museum of Art. He holds a microphone and a book in his hands
Crowley working the blue carpet for the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” premiere in December 2023. (Photo courtesy of Liam Crowley)

In December 2023, the broadcast and digital journalism alumnus fulfilled that goal, working the blue carpet for the extravagant “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” premiere at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Crowley has been a fan of the fantasy book series that the show is based on since he was 8 years old.

For those almost two years in between the tweet and the premiere, Crowley worked toward reaching his objective, whether in his Newhouse classes or his involvement in student-run CitrusTV. After graduation, he joined ComicBook.com—a pop culture news website—as an entertainment reporter, and worked “to cement myself as the leading voice on [Percy Jackson coverage],” he said.

Crowley spoke to Newhouse and answered a few questions about working the premiere, his favorite Newhouse class and what he’s looking forward to in the future. Watch more of the interview here.

What was the “Percy Jackson” premiere like?

Liam Crowley conducts an interview on the blue carpet
Crowley conducts an interview on the carpet. (Photo courtesy of Liam Crowley)

I was fortunate to talk to just about every single person that was there! I didn’t have to prepare a single question in the sense of I knew what I wanted to ask going in. I knew that if I’m approached by an actor who plays a role in the show, I’ve written and talked about this role for the past year, so I can come up with really good questions on the spot. I think I ended up doing like 14 or 15 interviews on that carpet. After that we went into the theater and watched the first two episodes. Then there was a very nice after-party at the Met where the cameras were off and we got to have one on one conversations. Me and Walker [Scobell], who plays Percy, talked about Fortnite. I talked with Charlie [Bushnell], who plays Luke, about our gym splits. It was nice to talk to these people like human beings, you know? It was an amazing night. I’m glad that I get asked about it so often because I’m not going to ever forget it.

What skills or classes from Newhouse have stuck with you?

The class JNL 400 taught by Marquise Francis. I cannot sing Marquise’s praises enough. It was so refreshing to have a professor who was embracing the digital side of our industry, and telling us that this is the future and also the present, and let’s hone in on these skills rather than catch up on those skills when it’s too late. In the class I did a lot of Marvel and wrestling stories and eventually he was like, ‘Do something that’s going to make you go out of your comfort zone.’ And I shocked him by doing a short form podcast piece on Pop Smoke’s first posthumous album breaking some Billboard record. I had so much fun with that piece and it solidified that [being an entertainment reporter] is what I want to do. I was put in a position where my two most passionate beats at the time were taken away from me, and I still found something that I was like, ‘This is awesome, I can sink my teeth into it.’

Liam Crowley conducts an interview
“It was an amazing night. I’m glad that I get asked about it so often because I’m not going to ever forget it,” said Crowley of the premiere. (Photo courtesy of ComicBook.com)

What projects are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to things slowing down a little bit! I remember when I would starve for interviews and be like, ‘I just want like video content, I want to do something fun.’ And then you get one after the other after the other and now I just have such a backlog of clips I need to get out there into the ether, once Percy wraps up. I mean, my dream is still to host a panel at San Diego or New York Comic Con. I’d love to host a press conference. That’s on the list of goals. It’s hard to say what comes next, but I love what I do. And I’m just looking forward to finding those new projects like sink my teeth into.

Giana DiTolla ’23 is a graduate of the public relations program at the Newhouse School.

Master’s Alumni Profile: Kellan Godfrey G’ 22

Kellan Godfrey G’ 22

Newhouse Master’s Program: Advanced Media Management
Current Position: Assistant Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Gardner-Webb University Athletics

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

After completing my master’s at Newhouse in July 2022, I worked briefly in communications and marketing at Washington & Jefferson College. I worked in athletic communications prior to Syracuse at Bowling Green State University and Indiana University Bloomington, and I really missed it. I cold applied to various department openings in the summer of 2023 and was fortunate to get this opportunity at Gardner-Webb. It has been an amazing experience and one of the best moves of my career.  

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

In athletic communications no two days are the same. As a sports information director, I wear many different hats. My assigned sports are men’s and women’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s tennis. My office days consist of updating game notes, managing my assigned sports on our website GWUSports.com, updating social media and organizing and tracking official stats for the NCAA. On game days, I work at my designated position and help whenever anything is needed, whether it is official stats keeping or DV Sport instant replay. Post-game I will manage media requests, send stats where necessary and write the recap for our website.  

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

My program at Newhouse helped me tremendously in many ways, but one specific example I can give is with my content management skills. I have a much better understanding and a keener eye for how our content should be presented to the appropriate audiences whether it is on our website, social media or another form of communication. I purposely worked outside of the sports industry through my graduate school assignments and as an instructional associate, so I have been able to bring this knowledge and apply it back in an industry I am very passionate about.  

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

Absolutely! That is what drew me to the position I had prior to this current one. I know I am capable of using my knowledge and skill sets to work in a wide range of content management positions in the future. But this is the industry that I belong in. I spent enough time out of it to know that my place is in it.  

What features of your graduate program drew you to it? 

What drew me to the advanced media management program in the first place was the versatility it was going to provide me. Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, I knew I wanted a program that would strengthen the skills I had, while providing me tools to take what I know to any industry if needed.  

Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?

The Career Development Center at Newhouse helped me a lot. Mainly in the presentation of my resume and how to emphasize different skills for different applications. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having multiple resumes. I served as an IA in media law for two semesters at Newhouse and had the opportunity to lead a team to create one of three designated capstone projects in the summer of 2022. I was able to perfect the idea for a Morning Brew style email newsletter for remote workers called “Remote Start.” 

What campus organizations you were involved with while at Newhouse?

I was involved with the Blackstone Launch Pad in the spring of 2022 and won third place in the Raymond von Dran iPrize competition for my newsletter “Remote Start.” I used the competition to fine tune the idea for capstone.  

What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field? 

I would say that students might think that jobs in sports media or college athletics are glamorous. There is a lot of excitement, but it takes a lot of hard work as well to be great at what you do. I do what I do to build relationships with student athletes, coaches and student workers who are learning from us. 

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

There are plenty of great moments. My first year as a sports information director I covered the men’s ice hockey team at Bowling Green State University the year that they ended an almost 30-year drought in reaching the NCAA tournament. Some people work their entire careers and never get that experience. I also covered a team that reached the NCAA tournament in my first year in athletic communications at one of my alma maters. Whenever I visit, I still get choked up when I see the 2018-2019 NCAA Tournament season banner in Slater Family Ice Arena.  

What advice do you have for current or incoming students?

I would say to incoming students to ignore the imposter syndrome you might feel from time-to-time. You were accepted to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University for a reason. Come ready to work hard and expand your thinking in every way possible. You will learn and achieve things you may not believe by the time you are done.  I extend a special thank you to my professors Adam Peruta, Shelly Palmer, Bob Bierman, Jeff Passetti and former professor Ulf Oesterle. I learned a lot from all of them.  

New Newhouse Emerging Leaders Alumni Volunteer Board Launches 

A board of 18 distinguished alumni join forces to enhance alumni engagement and student support at the Newhouse School  

The Newhouse School proudly announces the formation of the Newhouse Emerging Leaders (NEL) Alumni Volunteer Board. This new initiative features a dynamic group of 18 alumni, dedicated to fostering alumni engagement, supporting philanthropic endeavors and advising the school on initiatives that benefit Newhouse students and Syracuse University.  

The NEL board is comprised of accomplished professionals from various sectors of the media and communications industry, and co-chaired by Nick Cicero G’10 and Jaime Fraser ‘05. They will spearhead efforts to mentor students, enhance community engagement and provide current industry insights to the faculty, staff and school leaders. The board’s inaugural activities will commence this spring semester.  

Statements from the co-chairs 

Nick Cicero: “Having benefited from the Newhouse network as both a student breaking into the industry, and later as an alumni entrepreneur hiring students, I know the unique value of our community first-hand. I am dedicated to advancing this exceptional network, ensuring it continues to be a powerful resource for students and alumni, fostering growth, innovation and opportunity.” 

Jaime Fraser: “Newhouse has had an enormous impact on my life, from preparing me for the launch of my career to the many ways I have benefited from the friendships, connections and camaraderie of the entire Newhouse network. As an active member of the Newhouse 44 for several years, I’m excited about the evolution of the Newhouse Emerging Leaders and the opportunities it brings to have an impact on the university and – most importantly – our incredible students.”  

The role of the NEL  

In collaboration with Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato and other school leaders, the NEL will engage in various initiatives, including connecting students and alumni through professional networking and providing opportunities that encourage innovation and experiential learning.  

Emerging Leaders will also:  

“The expertise and industry connections of the Newhouse Emerging Leaders board members are invaluable to our students, faculty and recent graduates. Their commitment to giving back to the Newhouse School is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of our community and I am grateful for their willingness to volunteer their time and experience,” Lodato said.  

The NEL board members 

These individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various facets of the media world, and their collective efforts will significantly contribute to the enhancement of the Newhouse community. 

●  Amanda Quick  

●  Annemarie Norris 

●  Chelsea Brown Ferguson  

●  Chris Marino  

●  Dave DeRobbio  

●  Jaime Fraser  

●  Jessica Mendelson  

●  José Armando Lopez  

●  Julia Haber  

●  Kevin Belbey  

●  Leah Davies  

●  Mark McClennan  

●  Matt Cohn  

●  Mike Gursha  

●  Mindy Stockfield  

●  Nick Cicero  

●  Rachael Gallodoro  

●  Perry Russom 

The Newhouse Emerging Leaders is an evolution of the Newhouse 44, an alumni volunteer board conceptualized by the late Dean Lorraine Branham and Jack Myers ‘69. This new board represents a commitment to the continued growth and evolution of the Newhouse School, ensuring it remains at the forefront of media and communications education.