School of Media & Public Affairs (SMPA) at The George Washington University

07/10/2025

SMPA Summer Spotlight 🌟 Journalism and Mass Communication student Danny Monk has been spending his summer as a Studio Production intern at a local TV station in Westchester County, New York, called LMC Media. Hear from Danny as he shares some key takeaways from his internship so far ⤵️

“Because of the solid foundation that SMPA gave me during my freshman and sophomore years, I was able to secure a studio production internship at LMC Media, which is located in Westchester County, New York (a suburb that is 20 miles outside of New York City). LMC is a non profit corporation, who prides themselves in showcasing events that support community building through the use of digital media. At LMC, I have the freedom to produce, direct and edit my own video projects, interview potential local community organizers (both in person and on Zoom) and meet regularly with executive members of the LMC Media team. Through them, I have been given invaluable advice and tips about what it takes to be a successful broadcaster/videographer. My summer internship is helping me grow and gives me the opportunity to experience real world situations first hand, outside of the classroom. It’s preparing me for a successful career in media and I am ready for all of it!”

07/07/2025

SMPA Summer Spotlight ☀️ Political Communication student, Abbey Carlson, is working as a Student Communications Specialist at the GW Global Food Institute. Hear from Abbey as she shares some key takeaways from her experience working at GFI ⤵️

06/27/2025

Feature Friday 🌟 This summer, we’re spotlighting the amazing staff who support SMPA behind the scenes. First up: meet Jack McGuire, SMPA’s Senior Studio Engineer and the go-to expert for all things tech on the 5th floor of SMPA. Jack oversees the TV and podcast studios, manages the editing labs and distribution center, advises GW-TV and WRGW, and much more.

He shares, “The most rewarding part of my job is working directly with students, helping them grow in areas I’m deeply passionate about, like audio and video production. Collaborating with them in the TV studio is always a highlight.”

Learn more about Jack: https://smpa.gwu.edu/meet-jack-mcguire-senior-studio-engineer-smpa

06/26/2025

SMPA Summer Spotlight ☀️ This summer, Political Communication student, Ben Solasky, is working as an intern for the Middlesex County Democratic Organization. 🗳️

Ben shares about his experience so far, “This summer, I’m interning with my county’s Democratic Party organization — the Middlesex County Democratic Organization (MCDO) — while I’m back home in New Jersey. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to work on a bunch of cool projects, including staffing our office’s NJ Primary Election operations, running events with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate (Rep. Mikie Sherrill), and transforming the MCDO’s social media presence. Without SMPA, working with this organization would still be a figment of my imagination. I’m grateful for the classes that prepared me and the opportunities SMPA has provided, turning ambition into hands-on experience.”

📸: Team photo on election day after a big win!

06/23/2025

Congratulations to the GW National Association of Hispanic Journalists Chapter for being named a finalist for NAHJ Student Chapter of the year! We are 👏

06/20/2025

Before graduating from GW in May, Carolina Carmo (SMPA) and Max Cohen (CCAS) channeled their passion for music into "Plenty Happening," as a way to show their gratitude to the DC music scene that defined much of their college experience. The idea for the project came together while they both were working at GW’s student-run radio station, WRGW, where Carmo was the production director, and Cohen was the blog editor.

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences The George Washington University

Read more in GW Today:

Before leaving GW in May, two students channeled their passion for music into a fundraiser that celebrates D.C.’s local scene and supports gender-affirming care.

06/12/2025

Summer Spotlight ☀️ This summer, Political Communication Major, Sahana Withanachchi, is working as a Creative Communications Intern at the New York City Office of the Mayor. Hear some takeaways from Sahana on her experience so far ⤵️

06/11/2025

GW students Dre Pedemonte (Journalism and English) and Ceci Sécola (Environmental and Sustainability Sciences) will have the opportunity to serve as Planet Forward Mystic Aquarium Fellows this summer. This inaugural fellowship was jointly announced by Planet Forward founding director and GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future executive director Frank Sesno and Tuttle at the Planet Forward Summit in April.

Read more about this unique experience and what they will get up to this summer-- from feeding beluga whales to learning about the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of abandoned African penguin chicks, and more:

At the Planet Forward Mystic Aquarium fellowship, a science student and a storytelling student pair up to bring us behind the scenes.

06/10/2025

Breaking News — Applications are now live to be an SMPA Student Ambassador for the 2025-2026 academic year! 💛💙

SMPA Student Ambassadors are a dedicated group of students who are proud to be part of the SMPA community and are committed to serving as ambassadors and mentors for their peers, the university, and prospective students. They support the School of Media and Public Affairs by representing the school and its programs at key recruiting events and offering valuable insight into life as an SMPA student.

Learn more and apply by July 8:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaeTvUor6jodz1lB3yZ7eHQYeprD1OOeee-IiPi_Tsm-1j0A/viewform

06/04/2025

The GW Board of Trustees just announced the election of four new members, including former SMPA National Council member, alumnus, and generous supporter behind the Sesno Series, Ted Segal, BA '03.

Segal and his wife, Meredith Perla Segal, B.Accy. ’05, established an endowed fund to present the conversation series in honor of former SMPA Director Frank Sesno. In addition, the Segals partnered with one of Ted’s former professors, Steven V. Roberts, to create the Roberts and Segal Fund for Food Security, which supports a student-run pantry addressing food insecurity on campus.

Read the full announcement in GW Today:

Kevin Brown, Stacie Lissette, Jonathan Perlin and Ted Segal were elected to the board in May.

06/04/2025

Alumni Spotlight 🌟 SMPA alumnus Mark Abramson was recently awarded the Alexia Faith Grant, sponsored by Hendricks Chapel/Syracuse University, for his project titled "Blessed and Sealed."

Learn more about this award and his project:

The Alexia supports student and professional visual communicators, helping them produce projects that inspire change by addressing socially significant topics.

06/02/2025

Congratulations to Professor Steven Livingston on the publication of his new book, "Connective Action and the Rise of the Far-Right,” co-authored with Prof. Michael Miller.

Check it out:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/connective-action-and-the-rise-of-the-far-right-9780197794944?lang=en&cc=us #