Media, Culture, and Communication

OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES

As the semester winds down this will be our last newsletter of the year. While we hope you will finish strong, be sure to take advantage of the self-care activities on campus, including the SAMM event below and others (see the schedule for free bagels, restorative yoga, kitten therapy, and more!).

We also hope to see you at the department's Holiday Party tomorrow from 3-5pm (RSVP here). Otherwise, enjoy the winter break and see you in the new year! -- Christian and Winnie

Seasonal Self-Care with SAMM

Stop by the East Building 8th floor for some pampering and treats Tuesday, 12/12 from 5-8pm.

MLK Week 2024: Spoken Word Contest

Apply by December 15!

The MLK Spoken Word Contest is an annual event at which NYU students honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through oral performances.

This year's contest will feature spoken word pieces by students from across the university. Inspired by the MLK Week 2024 theme, Power Reimagined, all performances will center around the prompt, "The Power of Love," and focus on the beautifully positive outcomes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of fighting against oppression and segregation with love and perseverance.
The Grand Prize winner will be awarded an iPad mini and be highlighted during the University-Wide MLK Week Event on February 6, 2024. The first and second runners-up will receive cash prizes.

Social Sector Leadership Development Fellowship

If you are graduating in or after May 2025, you may be eligible to apply for the Social Sector Leadership Diversity Fellowship, an 18-month leadership development program for NYU graduate students, centering the experiences of BIPOC students. Through a combination of retreats, monthly workshops, coaching, social events, and annual leadership summits, fellows are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities. Apply by January 14, 2024!

Alumni Spotlight

Meilun Chen '23

I graduated from the MA program in January this year and I'm currently enjoying my first semester as a Ph.D. student at Rutgers School of Communication & Information. My research interest lies in the intersection of critical algorithmic studies, gender studies, and STS studies.

Graduating in the fall term posed a challenge for an international student like me who was applying to Phd programs. The dilemma was that I couldn't learn the application results until spring, yet I needed to secure my immigration status (i.e., find a job) after graduation in case all my program applications were unsuccessful. The uncertainty and negative thoughts took a toll on my well-being. I was juggling a course assistantship, working on my culminating project, submitting papers to conferences, applying for Ph.D. programs, and exploring industrial jobs all at once exacerbated the stress.

Fortunately, I got tremendous support from MCC’S great faculty, staff, cohort, and program alumni—both emotionally and academically. The outcome? I received a digital marketing internship and a research assistant internship right after graduation, and acceptances from three fully funded Ph.D. programs this spring. To those currently applying for Ph.D. programs and feeling the pressure, I hope my experience serves as a source of encouragement.

Meilun has generously offered to answer questions related to her application process: mc2789@scarletmail.rutgers.edu