This spring, the Department of English is pleased to honor the achievements of our Graduating Class of 2023. The seniors below were each nominated by individual faculty members of the Department of English for this public recognition. Click on a profile below to learn more about these students’ time as English and Film Studies majors at MSU, their inspirations, passion projects, and future plans. They also have advice for their peers, and reflect on graduating during this unprecedented semester in MSU’s history.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid: 

“I have had the pleasure of working with SaMya in the context of two advanced creative writing courses,  Advanced Poetry (Spring 2022) and her senior capstone in creative writing (Spring 2023).   SaMya’s creative work in both of those courses has been devoted to crafting pieces that center and uplift Black female characters and experiences.  In her poetry chapbook “Black Compliance,” she offered a multi-faceted look at Black womanhood and empowerment through the lens of hair care and style.  Her senior capstone project, a young adult dystopian novel, moves outward from personal experience and family relationships to meditate on systemic racism and violence perpetrated against Black people, as well as the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, through a fictionalized “contagion” used as population control.   As a writer, SaMya excels at characterization and world building; perhaps more impressively, her work showcases the perseverance it takes to work on a longform project.  It’s been a pure delight to work with her.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

I found my home in the English department, specifically the Creative Writing Department. I have many memories of attending “Live Lit,” workshopping my fiction and poetry and developing my writing purpose. I started as a journalism major at MSU and knew I didn’t love it. I loved writing, specifically fiction, so I met with the English advisor at the time, Andrew Murray, and realized the English department was for me. Since then, I’ve blossomed as a writer, and I have a clear life goal of empowering Black and Brown voices in my writing and the book publishing industry as a whole.

2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

I enjoyed my introduction fiction class (Megan Giddings), advanced fiction class (Megan Giddings), advanced poetry class (Robin Silbergleid) and creative writing capstone (Robin Silbergleid). In each step of those classes, I could deeply contemplate my purpose as a fiction writer and poet. Professor Giddings and Dr. Silbergleid gave me the autonomy and motivation to try new things and, most importantly, to fail. I grew so much in these courses as they prepared me to take risks in my writing and figure out my space in this predominantly white book publishing space.

I also really enjoyed hearing from author Jason Mott this semester. The masterclass was inspiring and motivated me to finish my novel over the summer (I have a day-by-day plan already set!). Mott demonstrated a dedication to his craft that I want to imitate, plus a general love for the nuances and intricacies of publishing a novel and writing as a career. I am glad Dr. Silbergleid worked the masterclass into our course schedule.

3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

Try it. My path for my English major is going to be similar to some and very different from others. But I found much of my success when I let go of the fear of failing in writing and tried new things. I completely forgot how much I loved dystopian YA fiction as a child, and thought I could never write a novel similar to these works, especially not with the nuances of Black culture I wanted to have. But I tried it. And I’m doing it. So I would tell future English and Film Studies majors to try things creatively. There’s literally no risk, and so much reward.

4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)

My capstone creative writing project is a dystopian YA feature loosely based on the COVID-19 pandemic and issues pertinent to the Black community. The piece focuses on the basic themes of coming of age, identity, oppression (with sub-themes of racial and economic oppression), and public health. The work is intended to be a commentary on the recent COVID-19 pandemic and how our lack of preparation for a public health emergency demonstrates the ineffectiveness of our current government. Outside of this, the piece focuses on themes of oppression for poor Black and Brown people and how survival, public health crises, race, and poverty are interconnected. With two Black main characters at the forefront of the story, the main character navigates her sense of identity while maintaining her will to survive in a competitive public health crisis game. Inspired by Suzanne Collins’s “Hunger Games” and Veronica Roth’s “Divergent,” “Contagion: The First 120” is about revolutions, personal and social.

5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

After taking a month or so off to enjoy being a first-generation college graduate, I plan to get a job in communications near Detroit. Then, after saving some money, I want to pursue a career in book publishing in production editorial and move to New York with my partner. I also want to dedicate time to my novel, hoping to have a rough draft by the end of September.

6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?

COVID-19 and the recent shooting at Michigan State shaped my time as an undergraduate. First, I spent a year and a half behind a computer screen, isolated from my college peers. Then, after returning and finally experiencing college, my safety foundation was shattered due to a senseless tragedy. I struggled with both of these; my attendance dropped significantly during these semesters, and my mental health took a hit. But, particularly after the shooting, I found solace at The State News, where I worked for four years. The professional staff and my coworkers made the challenging times more light and gave me a purpose outside of schoolwork when schoolwork got too difficult. I know I’m still coping with everything that happened on Feb. 13. But my advice to students who deal with these stressful situations is to take it one day at a time. Do the best you can: not what your professor wants or your friends want, just what you can do. You’ll get through it.

Faculty Shout-out by Prof. Pete Johnston: 

“Maddie has always been a strong (no pun intended!) student, a great writer, and a committed filmmaker. Good filmmakers can work across disciplines, they’re well-rounded. Maddie has written great scripts, made some really clever shorts, worked in the art department, she even wrote and recorded a song for the Fiction Capstone. And her short film PB&J was a total riot. That’s a well-rounded filmmaker!”

 

Faculty Shoutout by Prof. Jeff Wray: Maddy is a bit quiet at times, but she is a force. A jack of all trades, she knows how to do so many things that I am always confident in whatever Maddy takes on. When she speaks up, her classmates and filmmaking collaborators always listen to her.”

 

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

 
Being a Film Studies major at MSU has been amazing. I’ve met a lot of hardworking, creative people who are passionate about film production and storytelling. Throughout my years at MSU, I’ve been encouraged to grow as a filmmaker and a writer, and I’ve felt supported through all artistic endeavors.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
The most impactful experience I’ve had at MSU has been the Fiction Filmmaking Capstone class. Pete Johnston and Jeff Wray were always encouraging through all of my classes with them, but this one was so memorable. They guided me and my peers through the process of making a short film, being hands on only when needed. I learned valuable skills about production, planning, dedication, and teamwork.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Be ready to write, a lot. Take advantage of all the creative clubs MSU has to offer. Connect with other students, because they’ll be there to hold a boom-mic in your future products. And create as much as possible!
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
 
Again, the Fiction Filmmaking Capstone was my main focus through this year. It took a lot of dedication and resilience from everyone involved to pull this off. I’m immensely proud of how our film “Promises, Promises” turned out, and I’ll miss the incredible cast and crew I spent months with.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I hope to move to Chicago and learn as much as possible from professional production crews. My dream is to travel all over the world, making impactful films or documentaries, and meeting other creatively-driven people.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
I was fortunate enough to be safe through both the pandemic and the tragedy that happened in February, although I am aware that there are many who were deeply and personally affected by both of these experiences. Leaning on those in my life who care about me helped me through the long years of Covid-19 and the horror and anger that came from the shooting. I believe MSU offered many resources for those who were impacted, which is appreciated.
Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid:
 

“Marshall is a delight to have in class, a student who is always there, ready to dig into workshop or just talk shop.  As a writer, Marshall takes worldbuilding to impressive heights, creating complicated family histories and detailed maps for his novel-in-progress.  HIs characters and settings come to life from a deft combination of research and imagination.”  

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
Being an English major at MSU has been an extremely fun time. The resources and the professors are all-around some of the best. There is a genuine concern for how you are doing and what can be changed to help improve your writing skills. There are a lot of opportunities to build great bonds with both fellow peers and professors. I hope to keep communicating with both in my future endeavors.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
My creative writing courses stood out the most. Those classes taught me a lot of advanced writing techniques that go beyond just grammar. Workshops have been the best experience as they have helped me train my skills and hone my personal craft. Going to office hours for Dr. Tim Conrad to discuss my short stories has helped me improve significantly. It’s also assisted me in altering the way I think when I approach my stories, specifically with revision. With my next phase of life, everything has prepared me for professional interactions and communicative skills. Having the ability to hold a good discourse over anything will surely help me in my career to come.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Reach out! The professors want to build a relationship with students. They want to help you hone your craft and improve your academic capabilities. Also, go to the social events and mingle. There is a ton of great resources for anything you need. If someone does not know directly something particular, they know someone who has that knowledge. It is a great place to build your confidence and build connections.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
 
I’m currently writing a novel for my Creative Writing Capstone. The title is still a work in progress, but it is a fantasy work. It has been extremely interesting gaining perspective on how others, who are not fans of the genre, think on specific scenes and characters. It’s helped me find things that I could not originally think of. The research that I have been doing for the project has been extremely fun. I didn’t realize I had an interest in history until I began writing this story.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
To be a published author is goal #1. There are a few other options for me as I become published. Ideas of getting an MFA, grabbing a teacher’s certificate, or something else entirely! Either way something with education and writing.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
My four years here at MSU have been different than a typical college experience, or so I’ve heard. At first, as everything is at first, it was extremely challenging to focus. It was like being smacked in the face by a charging bull, and it left me and so many others stunned. However, the community has helped me in strengthening my resolve. In a time when you just want to lay in bed, you need to get up and keep moving forward. We took a much needed time to breathe, but we need to keep going. The incidents have better helped me see the value of Christ in life. I don’t want to the sacrifices of everyone to be lost, and I want to continue to push on for them.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Steve Rachman:

“Sophie is a fine student. Her comments in class were always incisive and pertinent. She always has something interesting to say whether discussing crime fiction or medical literature (the two subjects she has studied in my classes.) She often would express things that many students were feeling but could not find the words for. Her papers also reflected this same cast of mind, revealing a nice attention to detail with an eye to the larger meanings and contexts. I know she will succeed in whatever field she enters.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
I loved it! Every English class reminded me why I became an English major – they were so fun and interesting. I loved all my professors as well – they were so kind and created great classes, even through the pandemic.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
Readings in Women Authors was one of my favorite classes. It was a class of all women, and we got to have such great discussions since we all shared that point of view. We read really incredible queer authors of color, like Audre Lorde and Octavia Butler, whose books I’ve gone on to enjoy outside of class. Other favorite classes include one focused on graphic novels and another on crime novels – I can’t remember their specific names. I loved these classes because they brought importance and insight to genres that are often less respected in literary circles.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Take the classes that push you out of your comfort zone! Creative writing scares me, but I wish I had gotten to take some of those classes. Also, some of the classes I thought would be difficult or strange, like graphic novels and medieval writings, turned out to be some of the most interesting.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
 
Right now I’m working on my Capstone research project, which I’m focusing on the treatment of women’s pain in medicine. In medicine, there’s a long history of not taking women’s pain seriously, not studying diseases that affect women, and offering women less pain relief than men. I want to bring awareness to this problem in hopes that doctors and medical researchers can start respecting women’s pain.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I hope to work as a copy writer or editor after graduation. Eventually, I’d love to go to grad school for library science and become a librarian. As we see so many attacks on and censorships of books today, I’m passionate about protecting access to knowledge and literature, which is the mission of libraries!
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
It was horrible for MSU to go through such a tragic event this semester, but much of what helped me through it was seeing how everyone came together in response. Throughout the pandemic it’s often been hard to feel a sense of community, whether it’s due to political polarization or the world becoming more virtual, so it was special to feel a sense of togetherness.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Steve Rachman:

“Ryan is notable in many ways—an excellent writer, an avid and voracious reader, an adept in the mysteries (at least to me) of crocheting. Her kindness and intelligence are always present in her smile and her comments. She is part of a constellation of friends and fellow students in my pop culture methods class that are delightful and reflect well on MSU and the good of this place where education and friendship can come together so harmoniously.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
My time as an English major was fulfilling. An English degree was something that I always wanted to pursue, but it took me a while to figure out the way I wanted to pursue it. I knew that my passion for reading and books would be at the center of my studies. With intimate classrooms and students just as passionate as I am about the subject, there isn’t a better place to foster a strong learning environment that always seemed to leave me with thoughts to ponder or questions to consider.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
Becoming a Writing Center consultant was an experience that provided me with so much knowledge and experience that I will continue to sing its praises for the years to come. As a consultant, I gained the empathy and skills to continue working with others and their writing.Having the chance to visit the East Lansing Public Library and learning about the range in which the Writing Center works to help others was such an enlightening period in my life as a student at MSU.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Participate in your classes! It is sometimes the most daunting thing, but it is always worth it! Whether it’s in-class discussions or talking with the classmates around you, I’ve found that there’s something you’ll learn from anyone that you meet if you’re willing to have a conversation with them. Also, stay on track with your work (especially your reading)!
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
This year, I completed an internship through the Global Remote Internship Program (GRIP). Working as an editorial intern at a media group in Dublin, Ireland, I was able to learn so much about what it’s like to be on the inside of a publishing a magazine and daily content. I loved getting to chat with my co-workers from across the pond and although the time difference made interactions difficult, I still had such a great time with them!
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
Post-graduation, I would love to work as an editor at a major publishing house! As nice as it will be to not have coursework to complete, I’ll want to keep busy and jump into work as soon as I can.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
Three years after the pandemic, I found that attending classes was still difficult. After the tragedy that occurred this spring semester, walking to and sitting in class wasn’t any easier. I found that taking breaks when you need them is important and taking stock of what’s going on in your life, what makes you happy, what doesn’t, and making changes accordingly. Truly, the professors that would meet students where they were at made the difficult experiences much easier. Their support and kindness continue to be things I am very grateful for
Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid:
“MJ Lenk is a joy to work with, a student whose comments in class are not only intelligent but wise beyond her years.  I’ve learned much from her.  As a nonwriter and poet, she deftly explores complicated emotional subjects in a grounded way; in a recent memoir, for example, she harnessed the detail of banana cereal to explore not only the loss of a family member but how we live in the aftermath of tragedy.  That will stick with me for a long time.”   
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
My time as an English major here at Michigan State has accounted for many of my favorite memories and most enjoyable learning experiences. I felt a sense of home within my major and at the university overall. I have been lucky enough to meet such great peers and make friends I know will last a lifetime. In addition, my time as an English major has given me skills that will be beneficial for not only my future career, but for life. I am lucky to have strengthened of course my writing and communication skills, but also research skills, critical thinking, and embracing diversity and individuality. The College of Art & Letters does an impeccable job at making each student feel comfortable and safe, it is one of the things I value most about my major and college! To expand more on life skills learned through my major here, I would like to think I have gained more empathy, understanding, and desire to be a better person in society and the world while being an English student at Michigan State. I have been reminded at how beautiful it is to be a human and share my knowledge in any way I can!
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
I have enjoyed all of my courses here in the English department at Michigan State, and having a Creative Writing Concentration has definitely influenced my favoritism towards all the writing courses. The most memorable for me have been all of the poetry and nonfiction classes! (Both intro and advanced). I also enjoyed Methodologies of Literary History along with the other Literary Theories classes. The Literary Theories course extended my knowledge on how to approach and read literature and how to apply a broad range of theories. I carried this knowledge with me throughout my college career and often would reference theories in many of my essays and projects! Two professors I have appreciated greatly during my time in the English department are Dr. Robin Silbergleid and Dr. Timothy Conrad. Both of these incredible instructors have made me enjoy learning and have both influenced me greatly as a student, a writer, and as a person. I will forever appreciate their guidance and teachings.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
The best advice I could give to future English majors is to make connections! Prioritize connected with other people whether it be students, professors, other peers, etc. Connection is so important for many reasons. I also want highlight that there is no shame in asking for help or asking questions in general. It is okay to not be okay at times! This is absolutely okay. You are never alone.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
 
During my final year here, I took two capstone classes. In the fall I took ENG483: Seminar in Literary Editing & Publishing where I helped edit and assemble the Red Cedar Review which is Michigan State’s undergraduate literary magazine. In the spring I took WRA480: Publication Management where I wrote articles for another magazine called The Current. I have enjoyed both of these courses and they have strengthened my professional skills greatly. Both classes are instructed by Dr. Kate Birdsall who is phenomenal!
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
My hopes for post grad are to, above all, be happy with whatever I am doing. My goal is to work in editing and publishing, but also utilize my skills learned with content strategy, publication management, and social media. I hope to continue learning in any way possible, education is a gift no matter how it is received. My focus right now is securing a job within my field and planning some travel!
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
As many of us are aware, we as a community and university have experienced some unprecedented circumstances. Reflecting on both the ongoing pandemic that occurred for most of my, and many of our, college careers and the tragedy that occurred on our beloved campus on February 13th, 2023, I want to reiterate how important connection and community are. You are never alone and help is always available. There is a strong Spartan nation behind you despite any obstacle. What helped me through these difficult times were talking with classmates, friends, and instructors about my thoughts and feelings. Communication is vital at all times.
Faculty Shout-out by Prof. Cindy Hunter Morgan: Julianna was a delight to have in class. I will remember (and always admire) how, in a ten-minute writing exercise in class, she summoned the raucous charm of Beal Street (our own in East Lansing), compressing a year’s worth of memories into a concise, enchanting, full-hearted meditation on place. I’ll also remember the pleasure of reading her creative nonfiction essay, which moved gracefully back and forth between sublimely pithy scenes at band camp during the 2017 solar eclipse and paragraphs in which she shared peculiar and sometimes profound information about the celestial event. Of course, the wit and style I admire in Julianna’s writing is all part of Julianna herself. I loved hearing her ideas all semester, and I love knowing she’s headed out into the world to share her ideas – and her wit and empathy – with lucky students.”
 
Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Julianna was a standout student in my crime fiction class, the first one in-person after the height of the pandemic. She would come into class with her John Lennon shades and then proceed to share such a wide range of insights about whatever we were reading, supplemented by an amazing breadth of film and literary knowledge. It is such a pleasure to encounter someone who has read so widely and thoughtfully. She plans to be a teacher and I know that any student of hers is lucky indeed.”
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
I have really enjoyed all of the funky classes I’ve taken, as well as the peers and teachers I have met.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
I’m about to list a ton of classes because they were each so cool in their own way. Most recently I’ve taken ENG 226 with Cindy Hunter Morgan, which has been so much fun because I have that external accountability to finish the really awesome creative writing projects I start. Additionally, last semester in ENG 408, I had Brittany Brewer who built the most amazing classroom community that I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of at MSU. Finally, a special shout to Stephen Rachman for his “Mystery” classes covering everything from “the hot girl with a gun” trope through to True Crime and Edgar Allan Poe. This list wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging Steven Arch’s Gothic Lit IAH class. I don’t think he ever knew I really existed beyond my emailing him to stop spoiling the parts of the books we hadn’t been assigned yet…If you’re seeing this, thank you for recommending In the Dream House, but no I don’t forgive you for spoiling Beloved. These classes stand out to me because of the friends I made in them, the dialogues that I had with my peers, and the ways they often felt like an extended book club. They introduced me to new lenses and ways of thinking about reading, writing, and consuming media that I continue to carry with me. I’m really excited to teach these lenses, and I will definitely be implementing a “Hot-Take-Tuesday” into my classes where students give a hot take on the book we’re reading and provide textual evidence to support it.
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Make an effort to get to know some of the other students in your classes because they’re often working on really cool projects and publishings that can help you get a handle on different experiences that are possible for you. Also obviously try to make an effort to get to know your professors. It is so important for scholarships, recommendations, etc, and having those good relationships can make a world of difference. Also did you know that you can order so many of your necessary books from the MSU library? And even if they don’t have the one you’re looking for you can use the Iliad (the BIG 10 interlibrary loaning service) to order it for free. Yeah, I would recommend that. Another pro tip: If you have a Shakespeare class, go to the Book Burrow in the Basement of the Lansing Capital District Library on a weekend (check their hours beforehand) and you can get most of the texts you need there for around a dollar each.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
In ENG 408, I worked on a really cool grant proposal that I can tweak to meet my needs in the future to provide my students with an opportunity to choose their own scholastic book and read to 4PawzStrong therapy dogs. I think as educators we often drop the ball on acknowledging the emotions of our students due to the testing time crunch, but it is so necessary to build in pockets of pauses and joy so our students can continue to be lifelong learners. In ENG 413, I’m currently working on a children’s book featuring a main character with ASD. I think it’s really important that we have texts that reflect our population, and neurodiverse literature is sorely lacking, especially those featuring varied intersectional authorship. Autistic people read and write books, so it’s silly that we often don’t acknowledge it. Schools need to do a better job exposing their students to a variety of authors, so hopefully my project brings just a little bit more awareness to the issue.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I’m in the process of finalizing my student teaching placement in Utica Community Schools, where I’ll hopefully be teaching 10th grade American Lit, as well as Yearbook and Newspaper. I’m really excited about it because I was a big yearbook and journalism kid in high school, and I think having those elective classes really helps break up the day from the standard curriculum. Beyond that, I’d love the opportunity to teach abroad at some point in my life, potentially in Prague in the Czech Republic since I’ve heard such good things and my grandpa is Czech. I also love nature-based schools, and I think there are so many ways that we can get students outside more than we do. One of my fantastic professors even okayed my teaching a mini lesson outside to my peers on campus. We can all agree that learning doesn’t just take place in a classroom, and being outside has so many mental health benefits. This upcoming summer I’m going to Vermont where I’ll be a backpacking trip leader to campers ages 9-14, so I’m really excited to have that breath of fresh air before school restarts.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
Having a really lively Groupme can help a class connect with each other outside of class, which of course enhances our in-class relationship. I know the classes with the really active chats and different goofy activities often have a closer community.

Faculty Shout-out by Prof. Pete Johnston: “Our Film in Britain and TIFF study abroad programs would not have been the same without CHARLIE! Everyone who’s met Charlie has had their day brightened by his offbeat sense of humor and friendliness. He put a lot into learning new skills for our fiction film capstone, and he always puts so much thought into his discussion about film. Terrific person to have had in classes these past 4 years!”

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Justus Nieland: “It was a delight to get to know Charlie as part of the Film in Britain Program. He’s exactly the kind of person you want on a study abroad experience: curious and adventuresome, funny and kind, and super smart! A real cinephile, Charlie possesses a contagious passion for cinema, and he’s a terrific writer. I loved that he was always finding new films and events to discover in London, and he was always excited to share these discoveries with everyone on the program. He made all of our experiences richer. Charlie will be missed!”

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Kaveh Askari: “Charlie is the kind of student one is always happy to have in a class. He is serious, he maintains a deep commitment to understanding cinema, and he follows his own intellectual path. It has been a pleasure hearing his thoughts about films after screenings and hearing about his cinematic adventures during the study abroad programs in London and Toronto.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

Pursuing a Film Studies major with a Fiction Filmmaking minor has given me the time and resources needed to develop myself into a more confident writer and filmmaker. MSU is not frequently talked about as a place to pursue film as a craft and a career, but this is merely due to the quality of not only the curriculum and resources, but also the personnel, going unrecognized. I’ve been able to establish a personal foundation for pursuing a career in the film industry that is sure to last a lifetime.

2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

There are too many professors from my far-too-short years at MSU to thank in a concise paragraph, so this paragraph will not be concise. Joshua Yumibe helped expose me to the fascinating origins of the film medium and the philosophy, and it was his personal endorsement of the university’s film program that led to me choosing MSU in the first place. Pete Johnston has been an integral mentor and guide as I continue to explore the technical sides of filmmaking, and he and Justus Nieland managed to make our shared experiences abroad in London and Toronto both thrilling and enriching. Ellen McCallum, Kuhu Tanvir, and Kaveh Askari’s enthusiasm for exploring film as a reflection of a myriad of critical historical movements and societal visions helped me to appreciate cinema in a way that I had yet to fully register until recent years. And Rick Blackwood’s intimate and granular breakdown of the subtleties of form and style in developing scripts to be embraced by the film industry has given me the opportunity to finalize the type of writer that I want to be.

 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

Get your hands on a camera, learn all the important lingo and basic techniques, and get going on honing your craft as fast as possible. You have the privilege of spending your time on one of the most photogenic and picturesque college campuses in the world; you’d best try to capture it in frame as you work to break into the filmmaking world. Be sure to make ample use of the resources available to you at places like the Film Lab in Wells, and try to connect with the students and staff of the CommArts center as well. You have the opportunity to make use of professional-grade equipment, so get out there and start shooting.

4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 

I have been hard at work on finalizing an undergraduate thesis in the form of a feature-length screenplay with the help of Professor Blackwood. I have also had the honor of working alongside many talented individuals in my capstone course to produce a short film called Promises, Promises, which promises to showcase the incredible talent and potential of many of my contemporaries in the program.

5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

My hope is to pursue an MFA in screenwriting after taking a short gap year to decompress after such an eventful undergraduate tenure. I am already looking at multiple schools in the Toronto area, and also a few domestic schools that include UC-Berkeley and NYU Tisch.

6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?

We had to deal with a pandemic that killed millions, multiple rumblings of global war, threats to national and social stability, and bloodshed right here on our college grounds. And we’re still here. The endurance that these students have shown is enough to last a lifetime. But we’re going to press on, and we’re going to start fixing things. I’m confident in that.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Katie in the context of three creative writing courses, including Advanced Poetry (Spring 2022) and her senior capstone in creative writing (Spring 2023). As a poet, she is willing to get vulnerable and take risks, exploring the complexity of biracial experience and family dynamics; as a fiction writer, she lets her imagination lead her to develop complex plots involving romance, murder, and more.  As a storyteller, she’s kept her classmates on the edge of their seats begging for the next chapter.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
The English department has become my home away from home during my time at MSU. It wasn’t always easy, and it wasn’t always fun, but it’s been incredibly worthwhile. I can say that I’m going to miss the campus and community with all my heart.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
All of my creative writing classes have been amazing. Dr. Robin Silbergleid has inspired me and helped make me a better writer. Professor Megan Giddings made me believe I could do it as a career. Really, all of my professors have been so great, and I truly believe that if I keep on the path I am, I’ll be successful. They helped me develop the confidence I needed to be ready to submit my work to publishers. They’ve inspired me to challenge myself and attempt things I might not always believe I can accomplish
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Take risks! Submit your work for competitions. Attend the different events held by the college! Make memories because the time goes by so quickly.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
I’m so excited about my capstone course; I’m working on a novel right now for the course and I’m confident it’ll be my first official book that gets published.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
After graduation, I’m going to take a semester or two to get a job in a courthouse or law office so that I can apply to law schools: hopefully going so far as to passing the bar and going into family law. I’ve also been thinking about attending a masters program, probably to go into communications if I decide law isn’t where I want to be. Wherever I end up, I know I’ll continue my education in some context.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
The pandemic has been a struggle. I only got one real semester before everything hit the fan. Going to classes amid the pandemic was also difficult. I get sick easily so keeping up attendance on top of that wasn’t easy. Spring semester this year was a challenge too. I struggled with anxiety after the shooting and felt uncomfortable being on campus most of the time. My professors were so supportive and understanding, and I had mental health resources that I definitely utilized.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid: “It has been a pleasure to work with Annabelle Italia in two classes. Her poetry centers on food and family, including the conflict that arises when one doesn’t eat what is culturally expected; from an ode to sugar in its myriad forms to the pasta cooked by a significant other, her descriptions are luscious, her metaphors evocative.”   

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

 
I think the most significant way I could describe my time as an English major at MSU would be “inspirational”. I came into the program not really knowing what I was going to do with myself; I had switched over from Food Science when I realized I wouldn’t be happy in a career where I couldn’t write, but still wasn’t sure what I was going to do with that desire to create. Throughout my time at MSU I’ve grown both as a writer and a person because of the experiences I’ve had and the pieces I’ve discovered because of it– I never would have discovered my favorite book if I hadn’t picked up “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” for an essay, nor would I have ever discovered my adoration for writing poetry if I hadn’t needed to take those classes! I loved attending MSU because I loved to learn, and I was given constant opportunities for growth and change that I will be forever grateful for.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
The classes that have always stood out for me most throughout my time have been Intro to Poetry Writing, Advanced Poetry, and Advanced Fiction Writing. I feel like this workshop format had been what I was missing this whole time; the camaraderie of a small-classroom space and receiving intimate feedback that you can look back on, advice to work off of and use to improve your pieces in ways you may not have considered. I think my experience in coming to love poetry is due predominantly to the effect that Dr. Divya Victor and Dr. Robin Silbergleid have had on me and on my work; going into Introduction to Poetry, taught by Dr. Victor, her instruction and understanding during the pandemic blossomed in me a brand new love for an art form I had never considered myself “good at”. Dr. Silbergleid helped me to advance those skills in Advanced Poetry, to find my strengths and how to hone them into something all my own, being able to grasp a form of writing I never thought I could handle. I also want to thank Dr. Victor for her guidance during the “Writing Water” creative writing community; it was a beautiful experience that instilled in me a new appreciation for the way we experience the world and how I think about it outside my own life, as something living on its own that we often take for granted. It also helped me to experience forms of creative writing that take inspiration from other art, such as photography, a delight to hear as someone who has a passion for it and mixed-media creation. Dr. Tim Conrad’s thoughtful critiques and writing advice during Advanced Fiction Writing were paramount to my growth as a creative writer. I’d been writing creatively in my spare time for many years, but had never found planning stories nearly as fun as writing them, instead electing to simply go with the flow or write alongside others. Dr. Conrad gave me the opportunity to share workshop space with other creative writers and learn from them, but also gave me helpful tools to use in plot planning, character writing (though I’ll never stop giving my characters fun names!), and effective use of language to convey a story independently. For me (whose never been the greatest at rough-draft writing, and who loathed the idea of having to find intricate symbolism in poetry), the format these classes were in helped me immensely in realizing what I could do if I shared my writing rather than keeping it tucked to my chest, unedited and never to see the light of day. To see what could grow if I allowed myself to share the bits of me I kept hidden. They inspired me to reach outside what was comfortable, and to blossom into a new sort of writer that is always yearning to stretch further.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Always strive to explore new opportunities and find new loves. Part of my love for literature and poetry came from exploration of subjects outside of my comfort zone; testing myself and encouraging new challenges, so that I could continue to grow as a creative in an environment that encouraged experimentation and self-reflection. The professors in the Department of English want you to reach your full potential; take the opportunities you are given and run with them, so that you can push yourself out of the box.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
 
Through Advanced Fiction I found myself working on an anachronistic retelling of my favorite Greek myth– the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. There are things about the plot that I have tweaked, changing and shifting, because the most interesting piece of critique I got on the drafts had been how I would make it my own. I love retellings and the new directions they take old tales, and it has been an experiment and a delight trying to find a way to bring characters to life as my own, instead of facsimiles of their former selves. My capstone course project has had its ups and downs, but I am most excited to continue working on it upon graduation. It is a poetry and essay anthology focused on food and the many ways it is used symbolically, focused on both my personal connections and an ethereal appreciation. Food has long been an inspiration and an interest for me, but also something I grew up with a complicated relation to. Working on the anthology has not only helped me to find a deeper understanding of my emotions, my thoughts, and my tumultuous relationship with food, but has helped me to visualize how much I genuinely love food writing and want it to be a part of my life.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
My ultimate dream is to do food and travel writing. I have plans to put together a photojournalism/creative writing portfolio where I focus on food and landscape photography, my anthology, and travel blogging from various places– even the most mundane. I love learning new languages and learning about new cultures, and being able to travel as a career would give me the opportunity to pursue that. In the future I’d love to seek out an education at a culinary school abroad, as well as becoming sommelier certified, in order to expand my knowledge pool and eventually become qualified for food and restaurant critique. I aspire to be able to write both for pleasure and as a career, creatively and non-fictive, and to be able to combine my two great loves; writing and the culinary arts.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
It rerouted me. The pandemic has been a difficult thing; online schooling was nice, because it’s always been easier for me to follow along with lessons or lectures when I’m allowed a sheet or a PowerPoint to read along with, but I was missing the same connection I had begun to feel my first year on MSU’s campus. I knew the people in my classes, but at the same time I had no idea who they were. There was no face-to-face communication. I’d had friends online for years, very used to the ideas of knowing people and not knowing their faces, but this was different, because this wasn’t voluntary. This was a decision none of us had a choice in, and it was hard to get through. Even harder, for me, was readjusting to being back into in-person classes, simply because I had just grown used to the alternative. I think, ultimately, I was glad to go back, to be back on the campus and teach myself to love it again, but there was always the lingering worry, because things weren’t going to go back to “normal”. The shooting was different. I remember the frantic texts, group chats of mine lighting up checking in on everybody, trying to make sure the people we knew were okay. I was alone and contacting everyone I knew, texting because I didn’t know if a call would put them in danger. It was terrifying, and it’s tragic, and it never should have happened. It never should have happened. But in the wake of tragedy, I grew closer with my classmates. We went out for coffee, we talked about books, our lives, astrology– we became friends. And while I couldn’t bring myself to write my poems about death, about the acceptance of it when it had been ripped away from others, I found ways to treasure life a little more. It was hard to go back to campus and be overwhelmed by the flowers, the signs, the chalk and the colors. It was hard to sit in a classroom again. It was hard to leave my house without anxiety creeping into my veins and bile in my throat. But if you only live paranoid from danger, avoiding people and hiding away and stifling yourself, you aren’t much living at all. Life is about love and community and the littlest joys like plucking the perfect book from a shelf and thumbing the pages. Life is worth living. You don’t have to be courageous to do it; you simply go.
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Jeff Wray: Maggie came to MSU on a mission. She is involved – a writer, an actor, a filmmaker, a leader. I often ask myself in the film courses she has been in with me, ‘Is there nothing that Maggie cannot do?’ What a pleasure and honor to have had her as a student.” 
 
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Pete Johnson: Maggie is a phenomenal writer and creator. Since her freshman year when she won the “Who is a Citizen?” art contest I’ve seen her work blossom, and the students producing her fiction script in the capstone film program was the icing on that cake. And she was a wonderful addition to the TIFF Study Abroad program, and really spread the word with her TikTok creations. We’ll miss her!”
 
Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Kaveh Askari: “When we were teaching our large classes online during lockdown, it was a challenge to get a sense of our students’ personalities and intellectual curiosity. This made it especially satisfying when a brilliant paper came through the submission portal. Maggie’s writing jumped out during a time when teaching could feel impersonal through the digital interface. Her essays continued to impress when I had a chance to work with her in-person in Classical Film Theory. I appreciate her multifaceted talent and joyful engagement during class and as part our inaugural cohort for the TIFF study abroad program.”  
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
I am endlessly grateful for the amazing opportunities that the MSU Film Studies program has offered me through the years. From having my freshman year film displayed in the Broad Art Museum alongside the work of Claudia Rankine in 2020, to attending the Toronto International Film Festival in the fall, I have loved my time in the program. I would describe it as engaging, inventive and Battleship Potemkin.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
One of the highlights of my entire college career has been my fiction filmmaking minor capstone class. Our capstone could not have asked for two better professors to guide us. Pete Johnston and Jeff Wray make every class a welcoming environment simply with their presence. Pete was the first film professor I encountered when I took his Intro to Digital Film course my freshman year. After my very first class I knew that Film Studies was the right place for me. Pete exudes an innate love for film that shines through his teaching in a way I had never experienced before. He was able to find something to complement in even my most dismal freshman year film work. My third year I took Jeff’s Film Directing course. I never wanted that class to end. Jeff found a way to fill that drab Bessey classroom with laughter and light every day and I so admire him for that. I would also like to recognize Dr. Kaveh Askari as another professor who has been integral to my career in the Film Studies program. Because of Dr. Askari’s passion for cinema and constant drive to improve and reshape the film studies program, myself and a group of students were able to attend the Toronto International Film Festival this past September. I remember being in Dr. Askari’s film theory class when he asked us if anyone would be interested in the program if it were to come to fruition. My hand instantly shot up and less than a year later we were at the festival. I am endlessly grateful to Dr. Askari for this opportunity and working to enhance the experience of film students like me.
 
 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
My advice would be to turn to your classmates and compliment their shoes. Ask them where they’re from or what dorm they’re living in. Grill them on their favorite movie and TV show. Form connections with your peers in the program because it is so valuable to have people with similar interests and passions to confide in. These will be the people you send your scripts to and the ones that will watch your first cut and actually enjoy it. They are the people that will lift you up when you need it and the ones you will return the favor to. Some of my very best friends I sat right next to in my first year intro class, but was too shy to say anything. Luckily, we found each other again down the line, but I wish I had had the courage to compliment their shoes.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?
 
This year I have had an amazing time working alongside my class of talented filmmakers to bring a screenplay I wrote to life. Our fiction filmmaking capstone short film, “Promises, Promises” has been a labor of love. It was truly an honor to have my work selected by my class and my professors to produce. I have especially enjoyed stepping up as Co-Production Designer and Costume Designer! I have so much love for my art department and the work that they do to breathe life into the sets and spaces that we work in. Filming “Promises” has been some of the most fun moments I have ever had, but also some of the most frustrating and difficult. To follow along on our film’s journey, check out @promisespromisesfilm on Instagram! I am also completing an Independent Study with Dr. Bill Vincent for screenwriting. All semester I have been working to finalize a feature-length screenplay of mine titled “Dog Hair.” The story I am telling through “Dog Hair” means a lot to me and I am very proud of the screenplay. I hope to see it come to life someday!
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
This June I am going to Los Angeles to work for the National Student Leadership Conference at UCLA. While I will only be working for this program for about a month, I could not be more excited! The NSLC offers high school students the opportunity to explore their passions through different professional conferences. The conference that I will be working at is the Film Intensive program which allows students to dive headfirst into the medium during their 18 day stay at UCLA. I will be operating in a Teaching Assistant capacity as well as stepping back into my role as a Resident Assistant (as I have been at MSU for the past 3 years). I am so excited to act as a mentor to the future filmmakers attending the program! Beyond working for the NSLC, I will continue to chase my dream of being a professional screenwriter and director.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
This was a tough year. I remember when the pandemic first hit and we were all sent home, grieving the freshman year experience that everyone else got to have. Countless people told me, “at least you will have your senior year.” What a senior year this has been. The month following February 13th was a blur. I was tasked with balancing being there for my 46 first and second year students as their RA, staying on top of school work, navigating post graduation opportunities, rallying for gun control, grieving, and taking care of myself. I could not have made it through that trying time without the support of the faculty of CAL and my other major, RCAH. My professors gave us time and space to process the tragedy, and for that I am so grateful.

Faculty Shout-out by Professor Divya Victor: “I think a lot about the function of the lungs when Kalynna speaks in class. She takes what circulates in the discourse and reframes, elevates, and clarifies the ideas offered by peers to breath new life into what is being co-composed. Her work is atmospheric, organic, clarifying. She is fearless in a way that only the most tender-hearted poets are— ready to interpret a word or an image at its farthest edge, confident in her ability to swim back to shore from that risked place. Her warm, garrulous humor keeps her diligent, determined, and serious practice good company. I will miss the way everyone’s attention shifts, slows and becomes brighter when she speaks in class.”

Faculty Shout-out by Professor Jeff Wray: “Kalynna is such a talented creative. She has been a real glue person, a cultural builder in my classes. It has been such a pleasure to teach and learn from her.”

Faculty Shout-out by Professor Josh Lam: “Kalynna is a powerful presence in the classroom: always thoughtful, willing to engage, and to bring texts and media into conversation with real-life experience and contemporary political discourse. She is also hilarious—a constant source of levity and wit that warms any classroom she is part of, creating community in even the largest of courses.” 

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
My time as an English major here at Michigan State University has been made by the creative writing community that’s housed inside of the Arts and Letters. I’ve learned a lot of great theory, technical analysis, and essay methods from my literature focused classes–but the creative writing community was where I first felt seen. The students and faculty involved in screenwriting, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, film–they are passionate people who care about the voices of others, who value them. Professor Gordon Henry was one of the first professors who extended this grace to me during a fiction writing class–and I found it mirrored in my screenwriting classes, my poetry classes, and even workshops I attended outside of class. These people–who accepted my work, who challenged me to make it better, who appreciated it anyway–made my years here at Michigan State University phenomenal. There are other communities that helped, as well, particularly Black Student Alliance, and the Writing Center at MSU–where my skills, knowledge, and talent as a writer were further encouraged.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
The faculty in the Arts and Letters are really what makes the program and the offered courses amazing. There have been lots of little things that caught my interest, but paired with these phenomenal professors, they’ve gone from lessons learned within a classroom to lessons applied outside of it. This is particularly true for my advanced writing courses in Screen Writing and Poetry, taught by Rick Blackwood and Divya Victor receptively. Their teaching styles were quite different, but each instructor encouraged me to have confidence in my craft. Another class that had this effect was Black Cinema, taught by Jefferey Wray, my first and only Black instructor during my time on campus. As a Black student myself, being involved in this course taught me to have confidence in the craft of others–and to capture our experiences with authenticity and truth. All of my favorite classes have helped me develop a clearer sense of self–which I believe is invaluable going forward not just in a professional sense, but in a personal sense, as well.
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Have fun. It seems like basic and unhelpful advice, but being involved in the arts becomes a lot more manageable when you’re enjoying it. Explore the argument you think may be too “out there,” write a rushed piece of poetry, go to the Writing Center and talk about your work with people who don’t have the same educational background. Be involved in community. Do things that are outside of your comfort zone. Apply for scholarships even if you’re scared. Submit that fiction even if you’re a new writer. Talk to teachers even if you aren’t a 4.0 student. These are all actions that have helped develop my sense of confidence and technical ability, especially when applying to new opportunities.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
This past year I worked on student publications such as the Red Cedar Review (RCR), and the Current. These were both interesting because they offered an “other side of the coin” expierence, working on literary publication for the RCR, and journalistic publication for the Current. Learning the processes for these magazines reminded me of the value in diverse writers, diverse staffs, and diverse stories. As a result, I’ve begun curating my own work into a debut collection of poetry, titled “The First Bite Needs Blood.” It’s a rather short complication of work that centers themes like family, water, the mystic, and grief–and has made absolute strides since I’ve been involved in an Advanced Poetry course this past year.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
Resting, first. It’s important to give myself time to reflect, take some space, and do some learning outside of a classroom space. After this brief period, I plan on furthering my education with a Masters in Poetry–and hopefully a certification in Library Science. The ultimate goal is to better encourage and archive the works of poets, past and present. This will aid me in having a full life, I believe. A full career. I want to be known not just as a good student one day, but as a great poet, a great speaker, and a great appreciator of art, of poetry, of people. Perhaps I will not end up as a librarian, or an archivist, but my greatest aspiration is to make people fall in love with literature and the arts the same way I have.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
It’s an odd sensation, living your life with tragedy all around you. It’s easy to ignore it sometimes–especially when the sun is shining, or when you have friend and family nearby, or when you’ve got good news from work. At other moments, grief can hit you suddenly. This has happened an uncountable amount of times for not just me–but for other students, as well. I’d like to think it’s made us kinder, and more thoughtful. Sometimes students will pause in the doorway of the Union, some constantly look towards the doors, or ask if you’re alright, or extend a conversation to the stranger whose been riding the bus at the same time. That sense of care that blanketed all over campus has been my greatest resource. The knowledge that there are students just like me, teachers just like me, who have cried with me, and who have been strong, too. I’d like to say it was something more concrete than that. That it was therapy, or a free goody bag, or a fundraiser–but honestly, without the support of my peers, my faculty, my professors, my community–I would not have made it this far.

Faculty Shout-out from Dr. Zarena Aslami:

“Katie Burkhardt brought a sharp and insightful perspective to the classroom and to her senior honors thesis. In class, her comments and questions enlivened the discussion, adding intellectual spark, while her papers were sites of original inquiry that showed precise and careful literary interpretations. Katie’s thesis was a fun yet rigorous romp through several literary texts that featured reanimated bodies, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and H. P. Lovecraft’s “Herbert West—Reanimator.” In her thoughtful handling of these texts, she considered historical factors of race, class, and gender, asking how each literary instance of reanimation connected with specific contemporary social and legal circumstances.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

It’s been a turbulent time, for sure. I’ve switched my focus from literary studies to secondary education back to literary studies, so it’s hard to describe my time as an English major in terms of one prevailing theme or experience. But one thing I can say is that I’ve always found a sense of community in my English classes, regardless of what I was going through and what was happening around me. My English major has truly changed the way I view the world and interact with others, and I’m sad to see it end since the community has been such an anchor for me.

2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

It’s difficult to pick just one, but I’ve definitely appreciated my time learning from Dr. Zarena Aslami and doing my honors thesis with her. She helped me learn how to dig deep into texts and scholarly sources to craft my own arguments while also examining the roots of many literary texts in structural inequalities. Even though I’m not becoming a teacher anymore, English 302 and English 308 both gave me a strong understanding of how language and literature affect people, and how to be as inclusive as possible—not to mention the advantages of learning about different types of Englishes. Finally, I’ve been fortunate enough to take a creative writing class with Dr. Gordon Henry during his last semester teaching here, and I feel that he and the class have helped me grow so much both in my writing and in my identity as a writer, as well as offering many important life lessons and a general sense of support and community. These all prepared me in different ways for the next phase of my life, but I feel like a more well-rounded person who is ready to use what I’ve learned to help others and enact positive change in the world.

3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

Don’t be afraid to branch out and explore classes in other departments! It’s important to diversify your skills and knowledge, and English provides an amazing framework to better understand other disciplines. Also, make sure to take English classes that are outside of your comfort zone, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn and grow from it!

4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 

This year, I got to work with Dr. Zarena Aslami on my honors thesis, and I absolutely loved doing that! I got to write about the ways that three horror texts portrayed the human body and the sociocultural factors that influenced these portrayals. I’ve always been interested in horror and the “paranormal” so getting to research and write about it for an entire semester AND get credit for it was amazing. Getting to work with Dr. Aslami was also incredibly beneficial to learning about the aspects of power through colonialism, racism, sexism, etc. being portrayed in the horror genre.

5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

My goal is to earn a PhD in Sociology. English as a discipline is my first love, but I’ve found that my background in English allows me to have a deeper understanding of sociological issues and vice versa. My time as a secondary education focus also inspired me to eventually become a sociology professor because of what I learned about inclusive teaching practices. Those are my dreams, and although the future is uncertain, I am adamant in my goal of helping teach or mentor future generations while remaining a lifelong learner.

6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?

It has been an exhausting semester, to say the least. Community has been the biggest thing that has helped me through this year. In the English department, I appreciate Dr. Gordon Henry for making our classroom a space where we could come together as writers and share a space of processing and healing. Outside of our department, I’ve leaned heavily on my friends in MSU’s Paranormal Society, the people I was with during the actual event, and have appreciated my sociology professor Dr. Jennifer Carrera for also fostering a space of healing.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Steve Rachman: “Liv is a subtle reader with a keen eye for interpreting texts. With her passion for art and her background in physiology she makes an ideal student for the study of literature and medicine (the course she took with me.) I always looked forward to her fresh slants on whatever we were reading on a given week. She has written with great insight about the pandemic and the literature produced during it and I know she will find a way to balance her varied interests. She is a fine student, and I cannot wait to hear of her accomplishments.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

My time as an English major at MSU hasn’t been linear, but I’m beyond grateful for my experience. As a freshman, I went into college thinking a STEM focused career path was the smartest, most stable decision. I declared a Physiology major and truly enjoyed advancing my scientific knowledge; however, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I abandoned something I considered part of my identity – my love for reading and writing. I continued college as a Physiology major but took any English course I could cram into my schedule. After graduating with a Physiology degree in May 2022, I took a semester off of school before coming back to officially declare and complete an English degree. Coming into this semester older and more confident has allowed me to maximize my English studies. This degree has refined my writing skills, broadened my understanding of various literary topics and theories, and allowed me to cultivate meaningful relationships with professors and peers.

2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

There were so many beneficial courses I’ve taken throughout my time at MSU. Two classes I found particularly influential were ENG 280 (Intro to Literary Theories) with Professor Lam and ENG 473A (Literature and Medicine) with Professor Rachman. Professor Lam did an excellent job laying the ground work for my literary studies. He assigned engaging, diverse readings that effectively sparked new ideas and class discourse. Most of the learning was done by discussing and interpreting various texts with peers that pertained to both the literary and ‘real’ world. Outside of his dynamic teaching style, Professor Lam is extremely intelligent and kind hearted. He truly cares about his students well-being and humbly guides their understanding of various subjects. As someone with dual interests in English and Science, I didn’t think those subjects would overlap much in my academic career. I was glad this notion was disproved after taking ENG473A. This course explored the intersection between literature and medicine, dissecting every angle of the medical world from plagues and patient/doctor experiences to major ethical questions and concerns. Through his thought provoking questions, Professor Rachman was able to stimulate meaningful, interesting discussion that probed a wide array of topics and opinions. Much like Professor Lam, Professor Rachman really cares about students. Personally, he was sincerely invested in getting to know me in order to provide the best education as well as advice for the future. After talking with him, I’m convinced Professor Rachman himself is an encyclopedia considering the amount of information he knows. Overall, expanding my knowledge, improving my writing and interpersonal skills, and gaining a deeper understanding of the world and the people in it are a few ways these classes/professors have prepared me for the next phase in my life.

 3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

One useful piece of advice for future English/Film Studies majors would be to take the time to research the classes and professors you sign up for. Instead of blindly enrolling in any course that fits your degree requirements, make sure to look for topics that peak your interest. This also means being open to topics you’re unfamiliar with! Furthermore, choose classes that are conducive to your learning style. Personally, I do best in courses with heavy loads of reading and a focus on class discussion. Look around online and ask peers how courses and professors operate. Also, take advantage of the resources you have. Talking to both professors and peers can be useful in fostering knowledge and opportunities. Remember that your time at university is limited, so make the most of it – even if you’re scared!

4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them?

ENG473A is a capstone course that ends the year with a creative project. My project is focused on an art piece dedicated to Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells produced the first immortalized cell line. This project is exciting because it encapsulates the consonance between literature and medicine; it’s pertinent to know both the science and personal story behind Henrietta’s cells.

5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

My goal after graduation is to get my first ‘big girl job.’ I hope to do some sort of writing or editing for a creative journal or scientific network. Also, I’m considering going to graduate school at some point in the future.

6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?

School has not come without its difficulties. Following the emergence of COVID-19, learning was completely disrupted as classes moved online and people were displaced across the globe. Shifting to a virtual learning environment was difficult, and I found myself feeling lonely and discouraged frequently. After coming back to campus in fall 2021, it was strange to see peers everyday without being able to identify their face due to masking. The unavoidable feeling of disconnection was still apparent. I was beyond ecstatic after learning my last school year would be normal. This feeling faded after the horrific tragedy that occurred on February 13th. Now a days it seems impossible to achieve a sustained state of ‘normalcy,’ yet I can’t help but feel grateful for the community that was strengthened by these experiences. People are your greatest resource. Whether it comes to learning, protesting, or simply crying, the only way to get through these events is together.

Faculty Shout-out by Professor Pete Johnston: “Josh is a wonderfully thoughtful student I’m so pleased to have worked with on the Film in Britain program. He’s got a great spirit and a dedication to exploring film, is very insightful into film analysis and discussion, and he made such a great addition to that cohort of students! I have a feeling he’s going to go on to a bright and brilliant future.”

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Justus Nieland: “I am so impressed by Josh, as a student and a person. He was an essential part of a wonderful cohort of students on the Film in Britain program. In addition to being a super smart, inventive, and surprising writer, he is the kind of thinker who can powerfully reorient a discussion with an incisive comment or gently probing question. I was grateful for his kind and compassionate spirit during our time in London. I’ve been grateful to witness more of his resilience as a person and his deep intelligence and maturity as a student and writer this semester. Watch out, world! Josh is going to continue to impress us in this next phase of his life.”

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Ellen McCallum: “In two classes with me, Josh Kish proved himself to be an amazing student and person, exemplifying astute critical reflection on the material, genial collaboration with his colleagues, and a maturity in meeting challenges. Early in the semester, Josh reached out both to discuss how intimidating the readings were and what he needed to do to be on track with the course. We talked about strategies for approaching the reading and gaining a handle on the material, and he showed himself to be a quick study. His increasing confidence in moving forward in the course was notable, and it was a privilege to witness him come into his own in class, regularly providing wise insights in our discussion. He excelled at taking feedback from an assignment to improve on the next one.

He was accepted to the Cannes Film festival internship last summer, and then from Cannes he went on to the Film in Britain program. He was doing super well in FLM380 in the fall when tragedy struck his family. His resilience and tenacity in facing that awful challenge and hanging in here to finish up this term is remarkable and attests to the richness of his character. Josh’s resilience, determination, wisdom, and thoughtfulness will stand him in good stead beyond MSU.”

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

My time as a Film Studies major at MSU is best captured by the word “illuminating.” My time at MSU, in general, has led to self-realization and growth in numerous ways, but, specifically, the experiences I’ve gathered through the Film Studies department have allowed me to find deeper understandings of me and what I want to do with my life. I started off at MSU as a STEM major – being a first-generation college student often comes with the pressure to pursue one of those stereotypically successful career paths. It took a lot in me to switch courses, but after taking that FLM200 class during the spring semester of my freshman year, I realized that I was never going to be happy in that STEM career. With each subsequent Film Studies class, I have fallen deeper in love with movies and have come to understand using this opportunity of higher-education to pursue something I love IS doing right by my ancestors. That’s why I’ve chosen that word – my time as a Film Studies major at MSU has been an incredibly illuminating one.

2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

The time I spent on the Film in Britain study abroad program has proven unforgettable. Those five weeks offered me the chance to explore London and surrounding cities while gaining a deeper appreciation for film and a new understanding of a totally different film culture than the one I am used to. Although my fellow students started out as practical strangers, roaming London with them led me to find some of my closest friends and confidants. Pete Johnston and Justus Nieland, the two faculty joining us on this trip, used their own passions for film and love of London to enhance the experience even more. I’d say, however, the greatest insight this experience left me with is this newfound confidence in my ability to really thrive in a more-independent environment. I was full of anxiety and doubt leading up to the trip, but as my nerves calmed, I found myself just truly living in every sense of that word. I formed deep bonds with other students in the group and gained connections with people from all over the globe – Texas to Oxford. Therefore, no matter where I end up next, I can always remember that I am capable of just truly living.

3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

By far, the best piece of advice I can give other Film Studies students would be to get to know your professors. Our department has a very strong group of faculty who want to see their students succeed. I have been lucky to form pretty good connections with a handful of professors, and those connections all stemmed from speaking up in class and attending office hours. They’ve led me to different paths with unforgettable experiences!

4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 

Over the summer, I completed my capstone course under Pete Johnston with two other students while studying abroad on the Film in Britain program. We got the chance to work with the British comedian Ben Rufus Green to film one of his comedy sketches. This was an incredible experience which gave me the chance to work on a set for the first time. It is something I am quite proud of and a memory I’ll hold onto forever.

5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

In about a year from now, I plan to move to Los Angeles with a group of friends to pursue filmmaking. I think my background with dual majors in Film Studies and Advertising Management alongside a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies offers me a unique set of skills when it comes to filmmaking. Specifically, I’d like to write and direct – Film Studies has helped me develop my writing a lot, so this is what I plan to pursue, but I also plan to be open to whatever may come my way. Being open and flexible has led me to some really profound experiences, so ultimately, I don’t want to be too firm in any plan ahead of me. During the year between then and now, however, I plan to spend it at home. After losing my little sister in October and being unable to take time off from school, I’d really like to spend the next year unpacking everything. I want to reflect on the last four years – I want to reflect my little sister and figure out how I can move forward while honoring her. I hope to also work on some personal projects and travel more. But, ultimately, I’d like to spend the next year just truly finding myself and determining what I want out of this life moving forward.

6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?

School is hard when “unprecedented times” hovers over your head. While I cannot speak for any other experiences, I know that my fellow students and I have been faced with very high levels of difficulty throughout these last four years. A global pandemic is certainly something we were not prepared for, and learning virtually was hard to get used to. As for me personally, this schoolyear has truly been the worst of my life. Losing my little sister in October was a tragedy, and I’ve spent every second since then trying to live this life for her. And after February 13th, I realized that I am no longer just trying to make Amanda Grace proud. Life is hard, and not everyone gets as far as they hoped, and I’m afraid that is the sad truth. But, another truth is there are countless people that will offer their support in any way they can. I have been very lucky to be surrounded by friends, family, and faculty who all care and have supported me through the loss of my sister and our fellow Spartans Brian, Arielle, and Alexandria. Being open with my professors and letting them know what I am going through has been by far the greatest resource to my disposal, and I implore others to do the same as they find themselves. struggling.

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Robin Silbergleid: It’s been a pleasure getting to know and work with Ren Newman this semester on their senior capstone project.  From developing the world’s mythology to scripting family drama and fight scenes with magical creatures, Ren’s fiction showcases the heights of their imagination even as the narrative tackles real-world issues including generational trauma and mental health.  
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
Extremely fulfilling and rewarding. It provided a place for me to dedicate time to my work that I wouldn’t have had without it.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
My Advanced Fiction and Nonfiction classes with Tim Conrad were my first introduction to in person workshops. The classes had a very personal and welcoming environment that helped me feel comfortable with sharing my work and exploring topics I was hesitant to write about before. They have certainly helped me improve my craft as well as learn how to give feedback to others.
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
I would say not to be scared to submit things that might have darker themes or be “cringe”. and to attend department events. I skipped out on a good number of them that I regret not going to and feel as though I could have gained a lot from.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
There are two projects I’ve worked on this year that feel special to me. First is a three-part novella that I’ve temporarily dubbed “The June Story”, creatively named after the protagonist. It explores abuse of power, toxic and ridged masculinity, and rape culture through the lens of a young man whose family is deeply entrenched in and glorifying all of these things. I’m heavily invested in this project because I feel as though these topics are rarely seen through this sort of framing. And that they—particle rape culture—is often explored only through illusion and metaphor or sexualization and objectification of victims. I want to use this project to desexualized rape and shine an uncomfortable light on how abuse of power and toxic masculinity feed directly into rape culture. The second project is my Capstone project. A currently untitled fantasy novel (I’m not the best with titles evidently) that follows two brothers having to come together for the first time in order to stop their father from attempting to conquer the world through dark and god-like magical abilities. It focuses on themes of generational trauma and how the present often painfully echoes the past, as well as mental health and the way religion can be utilized to multiple people. This project is extremely personal to me. It’s a world that holds characters I built when I was younger and dealing with things in my life. It has changed and grown up with me. And I’m excited to finally breathe life into it.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I aspire to be an author, unsurprisingly. In an ideal world, I’d be able to run a little bookstore and write all the stories that live in my head. Tackling all the topics that I feel need to be spoken more openly about and hopefully helping someone through my writing.
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Jeff Wray: “In the two years of the fiction film capstone, Brien has been a leader from the start. He steps up, takes on and organizes any and everything as needed. Brien is the person who makes the various parts of filmmaking work as a whole.” 
 
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Pete Johnston:Brien has done such a fantastic job with producing the fiction film capstone project. He’s easy to get along with, shows up to everything, and gets everything done, all with a smile on his face (and in shorts, no matter the weather). He’s a multitalented person who I’ve been lucky to have now in several classes. Going to be seeing some great things come from him and a lot of people will be luck to work with him.
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
I would say that my time here at MSU was a rollercoaster. Full of plenty of high points as well as low points, with plenty of those moments where you get ripped right out of your seat. I was allowed to produce for the capstone course on fiction filmmaking which definitely contributed a lot to how I approach projects and productions. Throughout the years I was challenged by projects and coursework, but without that struggle, I wouldn’t have had learned so much, and for that I am grateful for that.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
It’s so hard to choose. If I had to pick, Pete Johnston and Jeff Wray were definitely insurmountable in my time in MSU. Their boundless positivity and wealth of knowledge have helped me grow so much. They’ve helped to teach me so much about myself, and what I need to improve and work on once I graduate in order to make better and better things. Jeff has improved my self-confidence and has helped me to pursue creating content and telling stories I want to tell. Pete has helped me with teaching me the technical aspects behind creating. Everyone I took classes with, Kaveh Askari, Joshua Yumibe, Bill Vincent, as well as Pete and Jeff, have rather varied and different approaches to teaching and instructing film to their classes.
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Become a sponge. You will meet people that know more than you. That’s ok! Learn as much as you can from them. Most of them want to help you. Take on every project, and try as hard as you can so you can learn, then focus the notes from the last thing into the new project, and keep moving up from there.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
There are 2 massive projects that I have been a part of this year. First is producing for the Fiction Filmmaking capstone, “Promises Promises”. It has been such an eye-opening experience working with and managing 24 other creatives to create a narrative film. The Second project was “Cultivar” as an independent study with a small group of other students, in which I was the DIT, Script Supervisor, Head Editor, and Colorist for. I have also taken on the task to write and plan another short film to be filmed over the summer titled “Things Lost”. I would be lying if I said I had an ounce of free time to waste, but it has been an amazing experience to challenge myself creatively and to improve my skills as a filmmaker.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
My biggest hopes are to direct/produce films in Hollywood, making a living working in New York or Los Angeles. I want to be able to explore stories and tell them the way I want to. I hope that I can work with some of the people I met throughout college onwards in my professional life. Eventually I want to take a step back from filmmaking and teach at a University, to inspire the next wave of filmmakers.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
It’s been hard. I definitely appreciate having my freshman year unaffected for the most part, but being a filmmaker when the looming question of safety is looming above your head isn’t a great feeling. It gave me more time to think and write scripts about it and convey the loneliness I felt during that time. Being near campus didn’t help that feeling, with the perpetually empty campus. It did, however, give me the time to reread some of the theories that I had been given earlier in my time here, and helped me gauge a new perspective on them. So looking back on it, the time stuck in my apartment with the sense of dread and loneliness lead to me finding readings and films to be the most comforting things and sort of forced me to reflect inwards.
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Steve Rachman: I have never had the opportunity to meet Sam in person because she took ENG 280 in the Fall of 2020, during the chaos of the election and the terror of COVID-19. She was the kind of student that gave me hope for the future, working so patiently and hard from her room online. I recall her asking via email if it was okay to use materials from a podcast that supplemented the assigned readings. The request showed someone already digging into our studies and finding another vista, a further range to pursue. Her excellent work reflected this diligence. She was one of those great students who managed to transcend Zoom and I wish her all the best.”
 
1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
I’m so so glad I chose to pursue English in addition to my Construction Management degree. After my first semester, I found myself really missing reading and writing and the intellectual challenge English classes had always been for me. I’ve been introduced to so many amazing people and works of literature/art, and I truly feel like I’m a better person for it. This major has given me the chance not only to improve my written and verbal communication skills but also to step into the shoes of people (characters, writers, classmates, etc.) of different backgrounds. I’ve developed more empathy, and I’ve also exercised and strengthened my creative muscles in ways I didn’t know were possible. Through that process, I’ve also learned so much more about myself. Much of my coursework pushed me to think deeper about my identity and my positionality on a variety of topics concerning myself and the world around me.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
My very first English course at MSU was ENG 211H with Dr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick, and I knew soon after stepping into that classroom that I had made the right decision to double major. I wrote an essay (loosely inspired by Jia Tolentino’s “Trick Mirror”) coming to terms with how my favorite color is pink (monumental, I know :)) and the tension between that and my lifelong desire to subvert traditional gender roles, and I will never forget how that book, our discussions in class, and my eventual essay changed my outlook on life and how I define myself (as someone proud to love pink!). Another really important class for me was ENG 226 with Dr. Tim Conrad. I had always wanted to take a creative writing course, but I was also terrified to step out of my comfort zone and do so. What if I couldn’t find any inspiration? What if I hated everything I wrote? In the end, I absolutely loved coming to Tim’s class everyday, and I’m also really pleased with the work I produced. More soul searching was involved with the poetry and creative nonfiction assignments. Now that I say that, I think the courses that stood out to me the most were those that prompted some “soul searching” and digging deeper into my own beliefs and understandings of myself, often to produce an essay or some other project that would also resonate with others. ENG 308 with Dr. Emery Petchauer and ENG 302 with Kaelyn Muiru also come to mind for that reason, as well as ENG 483 with Dr. Kate Birdsall (my English capstone).
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Your advisor is your best friend! One of the greatest things about the English major and CAL in general is that there is no one path of coursework that you are forced to take. Your advisor will help you figure out where your interests lie and craft the best curriculum for you.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
My capstone course (ENG 483) was centered around producing an issue of Red Cedar Review, MSU’s student-run literary magazine. We poured through the 50+ past issues to select pieces that resonated today for an archival issue, and we practiced pitching them to the class, copy editing, writing an editor’s note, making decisions about typography, and so much more. It’s awesome to come out of a class with a physical representation of our efforts (in the form of our 60th Anniversary issue) that will be memorialized online and in the library for all to enjoy. We also pursued our own independent creative projects. For mine, I dug deeper into the creative nonfiction I had produced back in ENG 226, and I worked closely with Kate to transform them into much better versions of themselves. I grew a lot as a writer thanks to Kate and (again!) learned more about myself in the process.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I have accepted a job in the construction management industry post-graduation. While this isn’t the most obvious career path for someone with an English major, I’m confident that this degree will make me a better construction professional and a better person. I will definitely continue to read avidly, and I hope that I will find time and inspiration to write as well. During my four years here, I was also a part of special education professor Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller’s writing education research team (https://www.writingresearch.net). Although I have no current plans to return to academia, I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself back here one day, whether as a construction management professor or to pursue something more closely related to English or writing research).
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Pete Johnson: “Nithya has been a dedicated member of the film lab assistant team for a few years now, and has grown so much in so many areas of film analysis, writing, and making. She has put a lot into her screenwriting and become such a fantastic addition to our film community here. We’re going to miss her and NYU is so lucky to have her coming their way!’

 

Faculty Shout-out by Dr. Rick Blackwood: “Nithya was my student at MSU in FLM 434, Advanced Screenwriting, and FLM 480, Sex & Violence in Cinema. Nithya is one of the best students I ever taughtI repeat, best. She played a critical role intellectually in both courses. She’s the thinker. Nithya loves film, but she loves it with both heart and head. She doesn’t flinch. She’s good in discussions. She handles analytically filmmakers as diverse as Milius and Scorsese. She’s a good comrade in arms. You can talk straight to her. Nithya believes in the highest values, yet she doesn’t fear moral complexity.  

Her creative and analytic work has been articulate and succinct. Her script, I’ll Meet You in the Rose Garden, is one of the best student scripts I’ve ever read. It reads with flashes and tropes of real poetry, with both queer romance and a disciplined, clear-headed creativity.” 

1)How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
 
My time here as a film studies major has been some of the happiest, stimulating, and challenging years of my life. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to take a multitude of film classes that have introduced me to new concepts, films, and theories that have inspired my academic and creative work. I’m very proud of the work I have produced in my classes, from completing a pilot script and feature length film, to writing critical analyses and research papers on texts and films I love. The Film Studies department has been incredibly supportive as well, and I my relationships with my peers and professors are invaluable to me.
 
2)Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
 
Professor Tanvir has been there since my first Intro to Film class my freshman year, all the way to this year’s Gender and Sexuality in Film and Classical Film History. She has made me think about film differently, to consider history and culture and expand my knowledge of film beyond the screen. She recommended me to submit a paper on the hijra of India to the University of Buffalo’s Rustgi Undergraduate Conference on South Asian Studies, and served as my advisor, and I had the incredible opportunity to attend and present my paper.
 
Professor Wray’s Black Cinema class was absolutely the highlight of my time here at MSU. His style of teaching has inspired me to think about teaching in the future, and his commitment to forming connections with his students and fostering important intellectual and creative scholarship has enhanced the experience for me at MSU. I had the incredible opportunity to work with him on a script as an independent study last fall semester, and his guidance and mentorship has been invaluable to my development as a screenwriter.
 
Professor Askari has been an great supporter of my further career as well as my academic aspirations. I took his Classical Film Theory class as well as his Contemporary Film History class, and his approach to film theory and history was one of my main inspirations to continue film studies in graduate school. I’m especially thankful for his aid during the graduate application process and coaching me on interviews.
 
I’m incredibly indebted to Professor Johnston for introducing me to the technical side of film in his Intro to Digital Media class, and being extremely helpful and patient even as the class was online during the pandemic and we were much more limited in the films we could make. For the past two years I have worked with Pete at the Film Production Lab as a lab assistant, which has been an amazing opportunity to learn about so many different aspects of film production and gain valuable skills and experience through connecting me to filming opportunities on campus that have helped expand my skill set.
 
Professor McCallum’s classes have been some of my favorite classes that I’ve taken, as they have pushed me intellectually and made me a more adept writer and academic. Her critique and guidance have helped me create my own critical point of view in her Contemporary Film Theory and Intro to Literary Theory graduate-level class that she graciously encouraged me to take. It’s because of her that I feel confident and excited to take on graduate school.
 
Finally, I’d like to especially thank Rick Blackwood for everything he has done for me these past three years. From my first Intro to Screenwriting Class to him guiding me through the crazy film school application process, Rick has been my biggest supporter and advocate as I considered film graduate school. His partner Kathleen has also been a great advisor as I decided between film schools, and I’m forever indebted to them for all of their advice, mentorship and guidance.
 
3)What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
 
Talk to people. Speak up in class, make conversation with your classmates, approach your professors after class and during their office hours. I can’t stress enough how important fostering relationships is in the film department. My experience in Film Studies exponentially improved once I realized, early on in my freshman year, that my opinions do matter, that my views and takes hold as much weight as anybody else’s. Only through participating in discussion and lectures, not being afraid to ask questions, and not being afraid of being completely wrong was I able to foster genuine intellectual curiosity and scholarship. Show your work in class, accept the constructive criticism, and offer to provide the same for your classmates. Don’t be held back by what you think you should do, and don’t be afraid to experiment academically and creatively.
 
4)What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? 
 
I had the incredible chance to work with Jeff Wray on a pilot script for a planned TV show called “Bloom” in the fall semester as an independent study. This was a project that was in the works for a while, and Jeff graciously allowed me to work with him to create a script I’m immensely proud of. I plan to continue with this script right after I graduate and throughout graduate school.
 
5)What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
 
I’m so incredibly happy and honored to say that I’ve been accepted to both NYU Tisch School of Arts and Columbia University for graduate film studies. I have chosen to attend Tisch for their Cinema Studies M.A. program, and because they have offered me an incredible scholarship and work/study opportunity. This program will allow me to further both my academic and creative film pursuits. I aspire to be a screenwriter and director, as well as explore academia and film criticism, and pursue an MFA and/or PHD in the future. Working in Hollywood and writing and directing my own projects would be the ultimate dream. My more immediate goals are to excel in this Master’s program, enjoy my time in New York, create the projects and scripts I’m passionate about, meet other creative people, and not restrict myself to one area of filmmaking and film studies.
 
6)If you’re interested in doing so, please reflect a bit on the experience of being a graduating senior during the ongoing pandemic and a tragic spring semester on campus. What resources have been most useful to you in navigating this unprecedented situation?
 
It’s an odd feeling when the best years of your life have also been the toughest, most emotionally and mentally challenging of your life as well. The pandemic and the shooting recalibrated my approach to school and work in different but similar ways, and I found myself trying to push through the difficult times without actually allowing myself to process my emotions. Learning to reach out for help and take it slow has been a difficult, but necessary journey over the past three years. I’m inspired daily by my friends, peers and professors. When it became tough for me to show up to class some weeks this semester, to even get out of bed some days, the support I received from my social and academic circles bolstered me, gave me the strength to keep moving forward, to take care of myself and not be ashamed of asking for help and guidance. My parents and my sister Anu, along with my amazing group of friends that I consider my family as well, have been essential to maintaining my mental health throughout my time here.