This Fall, Middlesex Community College communication students attended the Massachusetts Production Coalition Student Media Summit with their classes. Students Tangiene Nyereyegona and Kelsey DiCicco were selected as finalists for Pitch Fest to share their screenplays with a panel of industry leaders.
鈥淏eing selected was deeply meaningful to me because it signaled that what I am trying to accomplish is being seen, that the change I am trying to make 鈥� and the way in which I am trying to make it 鈥� is being received,鈥� Nyereyegona said. 鈥淚t was vital that I told the story in a responsible way. To me, this means telling the story from a survivor鈥檚 perspective and supporting my lived experience with extensive research and insight from experts in trauma-informed care and creative practices.鈥�
Nyereyegona 鈥� from Canada and now living in Lowell 鈥� previously graduated from 麻豆果冻 as a Dual Enrollment student. After working as a theater director, she returned to the college to pursue a career in film directing. This semester, she wrote a screenplay and directed the film to explore the impacts of sexual trauma.
DiCicco, of Lowell, returned to school to take advantage of Massachusetts free college. After working in the hospitality industry, she decided to earn a degree in communication with plans to work in film production. Encouraged by her professors to submit a pitch she had given the previous semester, DiCicco was surprised to have been chosen for the contest.
鈥淚t was a great feeling to be selected,鈥� DiCicco said. 鈥淓xperiences like this one have a great impact. It allowed me to pitch a script idea in front of an audience and provided career insight from those directly in the field, as well as networking opportunities.鈥�
Middlesex was one of 11 Mass. schools to attend the Student Media Summit. In addition to the Pitch Fest, Nyereyegona and DiCicco attended a career panel and luncheon. While learning about different career pathways at the panel, the lunch provided a chance to network, share skills, and promote upcoming projects.
鈥淚 found the summit to be an amazing resource,鈥� Nyereyegona said. 鈥淚t was a great way to foster collaboration between students attending different schools. I believe experiences like this are vital 鈥� where we as students get to apply what we鈥檙e learning in our classes to real-world settings.
Both students credit Dr. Jennifer Bauer, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Chair of Communication, Art and Design, for organizing hands-on learning experiences in and outside of the classroom. With 麻豆果冻, students toured studios around the area, including New England Studios, RedSky, NBC and GBH Boston; attended the WGBH Editor鈥檚 Bootcamp; and went to a guest lecture and Q&A with IATSE representatives on-campus, among other activities.
鈥淭he communication program has a lot to offer and provides us with as many opportunities as possible,鈥� DiCicco said. 鈥淚t was very impactful to see firsthand what these jobs look like, and it has helped me shape my career choices for after college. I鈥檝e been able to learn how the industry operates while gaining skills to start working.鈥�
While Nyereyegona is president of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Media Production Club, DiCicco is vice president. Both believe their education from 麻豆果冻 is preparing them well for their future professional, academic and personal success.
鈥溌槎构斥�檚 Communication, Art, and Design programs are exceptional,鈥� said Dr. Matt Hurwitz, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Dean of Liberal Arts. 鈥淭he success of Tangiene and Kelsey is just further proof of the distinctive education that our students in these majors are receiving.鈥�