Surprise! Newhouse NYC Students Join Mike Tirico ’88 on “Today” Show

Newhouse NYC students and Otto the Orange greeted “Today” show guest host and NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico ’88 with a surprise visit Friday as the morning show returned from a commercial break.

Tirico couldn’t stop smiling as a crowd filled with visitors wearing blue and orange cheered while Syracuse University’s effervescent mascot danced around the plaza outside the program’s studio in midtown Manhattan.

At one point, Tirico spoke briefly with Margaret Brown, a public relations major, and Diamonte Giacovelli, an advertising major. The Newhouse juniors are studying for the semester in New York City.

“They are part of the communications school. They come to New York for the semester … and you’re going to take our jobs at some point, right?” Tirico said in a deadpan voice to Brown and Giacovelli. “Yes, they are.”

It was the perfect end to the weeklong hosting stint on “Today” for Tirico, who regularly referred to his alma mater. Tirico sits on the University’s Board of Trustees.

“Don’t tell lies about Otto, because it is … pulp fiction,” Tirico said wryly after introducing the mascot.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Shaw Center as a Hub for Academic Community Engagement

Community engagement. Reciprocal learning. Service to others through volunteering.

Those were the principles behind the creation of the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service in 1994 under the direction of then-Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth Shaw and his wife, Mary Ann, who also served as the associate of the Chancellor.

The Shaw Center represented Kenneth and Mary Ann’s promise to the University and Central New York community that student learning would hold the highest priority on campus, promoting volunteer service as a fundamental component of the student experience.

For 30 years, the Shaw Center has proudly served as the University’s hub for academic community engagement. By giving back to nonprofits and organizations around Syracuse through service learning and volunteering, the campus community engages in the high impact practice of experiential learning.

When senior Claire Ceccoli ’25 learned that there were children who didn’t have a bed to sleep on at night, she chaired the annual bed-building project that benefits the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Through efforts she spearheaded the last two years, 132 beds have been built and donated to children in need.

“We want to help the community, and we’re also learning from them. It’s a two-way street, doing this work with that reciprocal learning mindset,” says Claire Ceccoli ’25, a Shaw Center leadership intern who is studying public relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Derek Wallace ’00 was in the first group of Syracuse University Literacy Corps tutors in the Syracuse City School District during the summer before his sophomore year. He eventually took over as Literacy Corps student manager, planting the managerial and entrepreneurial skills that inspired him to become CEO of Golden Fork Media and founder of the children’s book series and brand, “Kalamata’s Kitchen,” a multimedia property that uses the power of food to help children get excited to experience all that their world has to offer them.

“It’s hard to imagine what I would be doing or where I would be if I wasn’t given those opportunities to do well, do good and create change in the community under the mentorship of [Shaw Center Associate Vice President and Director] Pam Heintz,” says Wallace, who earned dual degrees in policy studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and public relations from the Newhouse School.

On April 21, the 30th anniversary of the Shaw Center will be celebrated and ahead of the event, Wallace and Ceccoli discuss how their involvement with the Shaw Center transformed them into leaders in their communities.

Business Pioneer and Entrepreneur Jim Weiss ’87 to Deliver Keynote Address at Newhouse Convocation Ceremony

Jim Weiss ’87, a pioneer and leading entrepreneur in the media, health care and medical technology industries, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Newhouse Convocation Ceremony.

The celebration of the Class of 2025 will take place Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Weiss is chairman and founder of Real Chemistry, a global health innovation company. A member of the Newhouse Advisory Board, Weiss is an ardent supporter of initiatives that expand learning opportunities at his alma mater. He earned a bachelor’s in communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

Weiss and his wife, Audra (Nass) Weiss ’89, founded the Weiss Center at Newhouse to develop programming on communications, influencer marketing, artificial intelligence and analytics, and their influence on society and the future of business.

The center aims to ensure students are immersed and educated in the digital world and help them seamlessly transition after graduation into careers in the fast-moving field of strategic marketing and communications.

Real Chemistry also provided the founding gift that established the Emerging Insights Lab. The space is a state-of-the-art social media command center that serves as a central hub for the interfacing of digital media monitored and researched by students and faculty at the Newhouse School.

“Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and forward-looking mindset, Jim Weiss serves as a role model for students as they begin to forge their own paths in technology-driven industries,” Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato said. “He offers a distinct perspective as a Newhouse graduate, longtime champion of the school and leader in strategic marketing and communications.”

Under Weiss’ leadership, Real Chemistry has evolved over the past two decades from a one-person consultancy to a team of more than 2,200 employees who partner with clients at the highest levels of organizational decision-making. A pioneer in the application of analytics, data and precision targeting to the biopharmaceutical and health care business, Weiss has said he learned early in his career to follow the data to get to the right outcome.

Today, Real Chemistry uses real-world data, proprietary technologies and analytical insights to solve the health care industry’s most significant challenges. Weiss prides himself as an action-oriented driver to make the world a healthier place for all. 

Graduation Weekend

All graduating students and their families are invited to attend the Newhouse Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, May 10. Visit newhouse.syracuse.edu/convocation for more details.

Syracuse University Commencement will be held Sunday, May 11. For the most current information about Commencement Weekend events, visit commencement.syr.edu. 

Bob Costas H’15 to Receive Dressler Leadership Award at 2025 Mirror Awards

Bob Costas H’15, one of the most recognizable and authoritative broadcasters in sports whose iconic career includes a record 29 Emmy Awards, will receive the Fred Dressler Leadership Award at the Mirror Awards ceremony June 9 in New York City.

ICT, a nonprofit multimedia news platform that covers the Indigenous world, will receive this year’s Lorraine Branham Award. The honors were announced Thursday by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, which sponsors the Mirrors.

The Dressler Award is named after Fred Dressler ’63, an influential figure in the cable broadcasting industry until his death in 2007. The award honors individuals or organizations that have made distinct and consistent contributions to the public’s understanding of the media.

Few journalists have done it better or as eloquently as Costas, who has more Emmys than any other sports broadcaster. The versatile Costas has been recognized for excellence in hosting, play-by-play, writing, journalism, interviewing, news and entertainment.

Costas has hosted 12 Olympic Games and seven Super Bowls. He has called or hosted 10 NBA Finals and seven World Series. In addition, Costas hosted the Triple Crown horse races and golf’s U.S. Open for NBC. He has been part of the MLB Network since its inception in 2009, covering a sport he has often said is his favorite.

Costas is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s broadcasting wing and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He has been named National Sportscaster of the Year eight times.

Also a member of the WAER Hall of Fame, Costas began his professional career at WSYR-TV and radio in Syracuse in 1973 while attending Newhouse before joining KMOX radio in St. Louis the following year.

Branham Award

Established in 2021 in honor of late Newhouse Dean Emerita Lorraine Branham, the award recognizes a media organization that has worked to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility over the previous year. 

The 2025 honoree, ICT, reaches audiences through digital and broadcast platforms. At the core of ICT’s mission is telling stories about Indigenous communities by Indigenous journalists. Since its inception in 1981 as The Lakota Times weekly newspaper, ICT has grown into the largest multimedia news organization serving Native American communities.

Today, Phoenix-based ICT is owned by IndiJ Public Media, which has five regional bureaus across the country with plans to open five more in the next three years. This localized approach to reporting allows ICT to disseminate stories written and produced by Indigenous journalists through accessible, free, digital and broadcast channels, providing millions of people with news about Indigenous communities around the country every day.

The Dressler and Branham awards are the featured non-juried prizes at the annual Mirror Awards event.

About the Mirror Awards

Established by the Newhouse School in 2006, the Mirror Awards are the preeminent competition in the field of media industry reporting. Prizes are awarded in four juried categories, recognizing the reporters, editors and writers who hold a mirror to their own industry for the public’s benefit.

The competition is open to anyone who conducts reporting, commentary or criticism of the media industries in a format intended for a mass audience. Eligible work includes print, broadcast and online editorial content focusing on the development or distribution of news and entertainment. Winners are chosen by a group of journalists and journalism educators.

Newhouse Trailblazer Career Committee Provides Alumni Mentorship to Students

When you think about graduating college, the immediate reaction might be of excitement, uncertainty, or perhaps, somewhere in between. Now what if you had a supportive mentor to guide you through that time, someone who helped you prepare for the future when you were still a student?

At the Newhouse School, the Newhouse Trailblazer Career Committee (NTCC) is a new resource which works in tandem with the Career Development Center (CDC) to give current students direct access to mentors, who also happen to be successful Newhouse alumni.

The volunteer-based committee was created by Newhouse alumni Samantha Bash ’23 and Sammy Schneider ‘23, birthed from a “genuine want to help future communications professionals,” said Bash.

Schneider and Bash share how the program—which has more than 40 alumni mentors and over 100 students signing up in 2024-25—bridges the gap between college and the professional world, the impact they hope it will have and more.

What went into making this committee come to life?

Schneider: I cannot take all the credit here, Sami came to me and asked if I wanted to be a part of this committee she was starting to bring alumni mentorship to the students. The second Sami began explaining the concept behind the committee, the decision was easy. Once Sami brought me on to the team, we started having regular meetings with [CDC director] Bridget Lichtinger, where we spoke through the different methods we could employ to ensure that the committee was as successful as it could be.

Bash: We brought this committee to life by driving forward with our core force—passion. Everything we do is fueled by our genuine want to help future communications professionals at our alma mater. Looking back on my time as a student, I remember the uncertainties I faced while learning how to network and navigate real-life scenarios. It was through these challenges that I realized the incredible potential of a committee focused on connection and a passion for helping others. Because we led with this passion, we were able to find some of the most dedicated and like-minded mentors—individuals who want to help because they understand where students are, having walked that path themselves.

How does the Newhouse Trailblazer Career Committee differentiate from the CDC or the Newhouse Alumni connections database?

Schneider: The Newhouse Trailblazer Career Committee is different because it gives students direct access to mentors, who also happen to be alumni. The Newhouse Alumni Connections database is a system where you may be able to get in contact with alumni to get their mentorship. Our committee identified the alumni who were interested and had a passion for mentoring students and the future leaders in the communications industry. 

Bash: The Newhouse Alumni Connections Database is owned by the CDC. The NTCC works closely with, but is separate from the CDC. Bridget is a huge help when we need assistance connecting with students or the alumni network, whether it’s to share application opportunities or brainstorm ideas that help us better understand the needs of the student body.

Why did you, as alums, feel that this committee would be beneficial for current students?

Schneider: This is a committee that I would have loved to have as a student! Now that I am an alumnus and have been working in the communications industry for just over a year, the best way to ensure that another student was not going to wish they had this, was to just create it and give it to the students.

Bash: I believe this committee would be incredibly beneficial for current students, especially as the world undergoes significant shifts in how we work and interact. With the rise of hybrid work environments post-pandemic, the rapid advancement of AI technologies, and the ongoing evolution of social media, it’s clear that students need to be prepared for these changes. While some topics may be addressed in class, it’s through additional one-on-one time and mentorship that students can gain clarity on things they may be uncertain about. This approach offers real-time insights, helping students better understand what life is like during an internship or after graduation.

What does the NTCC do?

Schneider: We are a volunteer-based mentorship program designed to connect professionals with current students. As mentors, volunteers will share their experiences, insights and practical advice to help students understand the dynamic world of the communications industry. This initiative is not just about providing guidance; it’s about creating a supportive community that empowers the new generation of young professionals.

Bash: We carefully select passionate mentors and pair them with enthusiastic, committed students based on their major. This pairing allows students to receive guidance on essential career skills such as interview preparation, resume reviews and networking—areas that may be unfamiliar to many. Additionally, we plan to host monthly meetings where we explore valuable topics, like how to leverage  [LinkedIn] for networking. We are also organizing a mock interview session, giving students the opportunity to practice with someone other than their mentor, offering a real-life scenario and constructive feedback.

What impact do you want it to have?

Schneider: It’s hard to apply what you’ve learned to your job, as many students could feel unprepared for the realities of the professional world. It’s even harder to understand the unconventional work lifestyles that have emerged post-COVID, such as technological advancements, office etiquette, and hybrid/remote work environments. Our program aims to demystify these challenges by offering real-world perspectives and advice from those who have made the transition themselves. We hope that the relationships built between mentor and mentee continue past the student’s graduation. We want to ensure that the Newhouse family/community is sticking together and benefitting from each other, even once a student’s time at Newhouse is over.

Bash: We want the NTCC to provide students with the opportunity to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with mentors who can offer guidance throughout their academic journey. It brings students closer to alumni while giving alumni the chance to give back by helping others as they progress in their professional careers. This cycle of support can empower many students to navigate their future with confidence.

How does NTCC bridge the gap between college and the professional world, and what’s some advice for Newhouse students post-graduation?

Schneider: By providing students mentors, we hope to provide clarity on what the professional world is like, during a time where there are so many unknowns about the future and what it holds. The best advice I have for someone post-graduation is to embrace the unknown and remember that everyone else is also new at the post-graduation thing. It is ok if people are getting jobs around you while you struggle to get one. Everything works itself out, and eventually, you will be the one giving the advice to the young student on the same things you were scared of when you first left college.

Bash: The NTCC helps bridge the gap by connecting students with someone in the communications industry who has already navigated this phase of their life. The best advice for Newhouse students post-graduation is that there is no race to the finish line—everyone has different experiences and challenges when figuring out life after graduation. Stay confident and true to yourself, and you’ll end up with the job that’s the best fit for you.

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Alumni seeking to become mentors in 2025-26 or students looking for more information can email nhtrailblazercareercommittee@gmail.com. 

New Fund Boosts Educational Experiences for Newhouse Journalism Students

A new fund established by the Mildred and Jube Foundation Inc., supports educational experiences for Newhouse School journalism students such as travel to work on reporting projects or attend conferences, and costs related to internships.

The Virginia-based nonprofit is named after the late Mildred and Jube Shiver Sr., the parents of former Los Angeles Times journalist Jube Shiver Jr. ’75. He also worked at USA Today, The Washington Post and The Washington Star. Shiver covered a variety of subjects including healthcare, entertainment, politics and the antitrust case against Microsoft in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Shiver said the foundation sought to provide support to students at a time when many families are grappling with how to pay for college. Shiver’s parents, who were both schoolteachers, helped finance the college educations of dozens of students during their lifetimes through donations to their respective alma maters, the foundation said.

Foundation board members grew up in the segregated South to middle class parents, Shiver said, and foundation president Jacqueline West and her sister were the first Black students to integrate an elementary school in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Arlington, Virginia. Shiver also grew up in northern Virginia during Jim Crow.

“I think the expectation for all of our parents was that we would do better than they did professionally and continue the fight against discrimination and segregation,” Shiver said. “The affordability of higher education a half-century ago was a huge help.”

While attending Syracuse, Shiver worked for a summer at a now-closed Chrysler plant in the area. At one point, he worked overnights on a transmission assembly line until 7 a.m., then would rush back to campus for an 8 a.m. class.

“My sleep was just terrible. I basically ended up staying up all day,” he said. “After two months, it just caught up with me and I just said, ‘I can’t do this.’”

Two other summers, he returned home to work at The Washington Post as a copy messenger. Each time, he earned enough money to cover most of the rest of his tuition on top of what his parents were paying.

“You can’t do that today. The foundation is making this contribution to help surmount the huge financial challenge students face in today’s economic environment,” Shiver said.

“In addition, the reason we made this donation to [enhance experiences for Newhouse student journalists] was to support critical thinking and democracy and honor the legacy of my parents,” he added.

Shiver also cited William Donald Wright, a media consultant and pioneering advocate for expanding access to broadcasting for traditionally underrepresented groups, as an inspiration for the foundation’s donation.

A focus on assisting students with off-campus opportunities was important for Shiver based off his own experiences at Syracuse. One year, he was awarded a $300 grant at Newhouse to travel to Chicago for a writers’ conference. There, he met Samuel Yette, the first Black Washington correspondent for Newsweek and author of the landmark book “The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America,” which documented the effects of federal government policies on African Americans. 

“It was really a growth experience for me,” Shiver said. “The other thing about travel is that you get to challenge yourself in a lot of different ways … which I think contributes to making people better journalists.”

A key pillar of the Newhouse academic experience is fostering opportunities for students to apply what they learn in class to real-world opportunities like internships and immersion trips, or semesters spent abroad or at Newhouse centers in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

“This donation by the Mildred and Jube Foundation is so impactful because the funds support our student journalists as they prepare for careers in the newsroom and follow in the footsteps of alumni like Jube Shiver,” Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato said. “We are so appreciative of the foundation’s generosity.”

Shiver graduated with a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and worked at WAER. He spent most of his career after graduation in newspaper newsrooms, having also covered Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and the fiery accident during a Pepsi commercial that led to severe burns for pop superstar Michael Jackson.

Shiver went on to teach writing for communication at American University. He is now retired from his family’s real estate management and investment business, Shiver Management Group, though his time at Syracuse still resonates today. “Just challenge yourself doing different things and do things that you don’t think you’re good at,” Shiver said in offering advice for current students. “Don’t focus on one particular thing but have a variety of experiences.”

Master’s Alumni Profile: Alex Hosilyk G’24

Newhouse Master’s Program: Public Relations
Current Position: Assistant Account Executive, Corporate Technology, Edelman Smithfield

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

I attended the public relations graduate program benchmark trip and networked with some of the speakers at the Edelman New York office. It was through those connections that I was able to have my resume considered. 

Before that, I was a human resources communications and development intern at Intel Corporation. During my time at Newhouse, I served as the graduate assistant to the senior associate dean in the Office of Research and Creative Activity, where I produced the Newhouse Impact Podcast and ran social media. I was also a member of Hill Communications. 

What is an average day like for you on the job? 

No day is ever the same as an assistant account executive, or in public relations! Some of my daily tasks include monitoring the news for client or competitor coverage, drafting pitches, performing competitor audits, preparing briefing documents for C-Suite executives or reporting on large announcements including product launches and quarterly earnings. 

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

There’s one thing Newhouse students take for granted: research! Believe it or not, half the job in public relations is research. Your clients expect you to understand not just their business, but the industry as a whole! A huge part of my job is researching media targets and competitor media strategies. 

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

Newhouse helped me understand the foundation of public relations that I needed to enter the field, including how to write professionally and persuasively. 

What are the moments of your career so far that have been the most important? 

My role at Edelman has helped me understand the broader field of PR and the importance of relationship-building. 

What unique features encouraged you to apply to your graduate program? 

The networking opportunities and academic experiences that the PR program offers are what brought me to Newhouse, and ultimately how I landed my job at Edelman. My advice to students is to take advantage of all the different events, trips, classes and opportunities Newhouse has to offer.  

What are some of the obstacles and misconceptions that students should be aware of when it comes to navigating Newhouse and post-grad?

Public relations is a fast-moving industry and there are many different paths. It is important to consider what you’re interested in when applying for a job. Are you interested in media relations? Social media? Influencer? Crisis? Something I did not realize before entering my field was how much your client’s industry can impact the work you do, which is something else to consider. Do you want to write about technology? Brands? Sports? Whatever you decide, make sure it is something you want to learn and write about!  

What advice do you have for current or incoming students? 

Do not be afraid to try something new. Anything is possible at Newhouse! Take advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer, because you never know what you might learn or who you’ll meet, and where that may lead you.  

Newhouse Alumna Honored with Academy Award Nomination for Producing Film “Death By Numbers”

Janique Robillard ’08 is a producer, director, filmmaker and now, an Oscar nominee. The magazine journalism alumna earned a nomination for Best Documentary Short Film at the 2025 Academy Awards for “Death By Numbers.” The film, which Robillard produced alongside director Kim A. Snyder and producing partner Maria Cuomo Cole, tells the powerful story of Sam Fuentes, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 2018.

Robillard reflects on staying true to Fuentes’ story, how her Newhouse education has influenced her career and more.

The Oscars will be awarded Sunday in Los Angeles.

What does it mean to you to have “Death By Numbers” be nominated for an Oscar and receive global attention?

It’s an incredible honor to be nominated as a producer on “Death by Numbers” with our director, Kim A. Snyder, and my producing partner, Maria Cuomo Cole. I think one of the most meaningful things to us is that our writer and collaborator, Sam Fuentes, who is a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting and is a brilliant, fierce, courageous and vulnerable young woman sharing her experience through her writing… It means everything to me to be able to bring her story to an audience and a larger platform in this way… This whole experience is surreal being here now, but staying true to Sam and her story is the most grounding thing in this moment.

How did your time as a magazine major at Newhouse get you to where you are today, an Oscar-nominated producer? 

At Syracuse, I studied finance and magazine journalism. I was drawn to [the magazine major] because I knew that I liked longer form investigative storytelling, and I loved the idea of being able to drop into a world and immerse myself in something and be a specialist by proxy in a lot of different things and meet different people. That was my vision there…With finance, it was something I knew I wouldn’t just learn myself. I was in the business school and I looked at the options and I thought, that’s the one somebody should teach me.

My role now in film as a producer really does take things that I learned from magazine and journalism and finance when it comes to the accounting and budgets and project management and storytelling and interviewing and culling down years of material into a concise story. I didn’t do either of the exact things that I was studying, but I feel gratified that I use a lot of the things that I learned.

What advice do you have for Newhouse students?

[Something that] I think is important, if any student at Syracuse is reading this, is that the alumni network is really everything. I would not be on this exact course that I’m on if it hadn’t been for the opportunities that I had because of the alumni network or the NBC Olympics internship program that works with the Newhouse School. That was a huge opportunity for me to get immersed in the world of journalism and motion broadcast coverage. I would encourage any student to read the [Newhouse Network] alumni magazine, and keep in touch with classmates because you never know where they’re going to end up, even if it’s not your exact major. That made a big difference for me.

What were some rewarding moments in creating this documentary?

For me, being able to work on a team steeped in the gun violence prevention space for more than a decade… of survivor-centered storytelling with a core team who really understands that space, it brought a trust and camaraderie that we knew we were all in this to, maybe it sounds grandiose, but hopefully make a difference. To be able to work on something that will hopefully spark conversations around gun violence prevention, safe storage, [and] the things that we can do as a community to make sure that nobody has to go through what Sam and her classmates and her community and so many others in this country have had to go through because of gun violence. That’s the most rewarding part. And, working on a small team that’s female-led with Kim, Sam, Maria… It’s not the case on every film. It’s a very male dominated industry. So there’s a lot of heart in there, too, for me in that way.

What changes or progress have you seen when it comes to women in the film industry?

With documentary filmmaking, it’s interesting [because] I think we’re the category, whether it’s the shorts or the features …that often does have more women at the helm. So I feel good about that, but it’s something I’d like to see ripple further throughout the industry. So much of that comes down to who’s making the decisions when it comes to funding, access to distribution, access to who gets to share their story. A lot of those decisions influence if I get to be in the room as a storyteller. And with documentaries, I think we have less of those barriers when the storytelling process starts…Every year, I see reports of more women getting funding or more women directors getting opportunities. It’s something I hope to continue seeing.

Hope Amid the Rubble

As wildfires raged through California in January, tearing apart thousands of lives, Syracuse University responded by doing what it does best—coming together. Mimi Teller G’22 and Rob Rivera G’18, G’19, alumni of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, have been part of the American Red Cross’ disaster relief services.

“We were thrown into the tragedy, despite living on opposite coasts,” says Teller, a Los Angeles native. “The University has strengthened our bond.”

Working Around the Clock

Rivera is a professional photographer and videographer who volunteers for the American Red Cross’ Central and Northern New York Chapter. He was deployed to California for two weeks in January to assist Teller, the development communications manager of the American Red Cross LA Region. The duo worked around the clock providing emergency services and communications, including several prerecorded news stories—“packages” in journalistic parlance—about devastation and resilience.

“The level of devastation in California is like none other,” says Rivera, who also has earned an executive master’s in international relations and a certificate of advanced study in public leadership and management, both from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Making a Difference

“The experience was surreal,” recalls Teller, calling the wildfires some of the most destructive in LA history. “Thanks to our Syracuse education, Rob and I were able to make a difference.” Teller, who also is a professional photojournalist, completed her master’s dissertation in communications after a 29-year hiatus. “The Newhouse School has prepared me a thousand percent for what I do today.”

Boots on the Ground

Rivera met hundreds of displaced residents at American Red Cross shelters and disaster recovery centers. “These survivors are some of the bravest people I know,” says the Army veteran and former EMT. He attributes his crisis communications acumen to master’s training in public relations. “Competency is learned by real-world experience, which Syracuse offers plenty of.”

Master’s Alumni Profile: Emma Grace ReVille G’24

Newhouse Master’s Program: Public Relations
Current Position: Associate Director of Athletic Communications, University of Louisiana-Monroe 

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

The College Sports Communicators website posted this job, and I interviewed! Before that, I was a communications intern for Syracuse Athletic Communications and a research assistant for Professor Brad Horn. 

What is an average day like for you on the job? 

I spend the morning updating game notes, media guides and the rosters (especially if there was a game the night before). Usually, I am in contact with various coaches and players regarding interviews and other media opportunities. In the afternoon, I am developing new media guides for sports that are not in season and emailing the media, pitching opportunities with them. I also work with our graphic designer and social coordinator to come up with content on our teams’ various social media accounts. 

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

I would not be able to write as many press releases as I do now if not for Newhouse. Learning AP Style writing and learning Adobe Creative Suite skills, especially InDesign, were crucial to the job I have now. In a less tangible sense, connecting with the media and developing connections with them has been very important, as well as thinking critically in a public relations lens. I have to balance the needs of the team with the needs of the media and find a happy medium between the two. 

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

I knew practically nothing about public relations when I came to Newhouse, so everything I know now about public relations as a career, a skill and an industry came from Newhouse. I learned how we must essentially learn to be renaissance women (or men) and learn skills in multiple categories to effectively work as a PR professional.  

What are the moments of your career so far that have been the most important? 

Some of the most important moments in my career came from my time at Newhouse. I got the opportunity to work at the Empire State Winter Games writing press releases and that solidified what I wanted to do this full-time. If not for that opportunity, I would not have found out how much I love writing. 

What unique features encouraged you to apply to your graduate program? 

The fact that Newhouse has a sports emphasis was crucial to my decision. Newhouse’s reputation speaks for itself, but the sports emphasis allowed me to learn public relations in a general sense, but then learn how to apply it to the industry I want to work in. The one-year length of the program was also the one of the top perks to me, as I was looking to enter the workforce as soon as possible.  

Did you take advantage of the Newhouse Career Development Center?

The Career Development Center jumpstarted my networking by introducing me to the Newhouse Network and showing me how crucial networking can be. While the CDC did not assist in me finding the job I am at now, I remain in touch with Newhouse alumni who I found due to the CDC’s encouragement and the Newhouse Network. 

What are some of the obstacles and misconceptions that students should be aware of when it comes to navigating Newhouse and post-grad?

There is pressure that comes with going to a school with as much prestige as Newhouse. I found myself comparing my own timeline and job to my classmates, which I learned should not have been the case. Every person and every industry has their own timeline, and every job or internship will come with learning opportunities that will get you to your “dream job.” You do not need to get a job months before graduation, and you don’t need to pressure yourself about not landing your dream job straight out of grad school. 

What advice do you have for current or incoming students? 

If you are interested in sports public relations specifically, get to know Professor Brad Horn. He was a mentor and a lifeline for me, introduced me to alumni and helped me to better understand the industry I wanted to work in. Getting involved in clubs is great, but, if possible, find a professor who needs a graduate assistant or research assistant. Not only is it nice to have a job on campus, but you will develop relationships with professors, which will help you in the long run!