Communication and Media @ CUNY SPS

Author: frankiemurphy (Page 1 of 2)

Introducing Lianna Scull • CCS/CM Resources

September 24, 2026 / / 2 Comments

Hello, everyone, and happy fall. If you read our latest post, you’ll know there are some new changes for the CM program, which is now part of Communication, Culture, and Society (CCS) at SPS. As I will be stepping down in my current College Assistant role starting September 25th to move to Chile, I have an exciting update regarding CM resources.

Lianna Scull, our Assistant Director, will be CCS’s new support for Communication and Media students! Lianna has been Assistant Director for Sociology, Human Relations, and Immigration Law Studies since 2019. She is incredibly kind, super knowledgable, empathetic, and caring. I am so honored to have Lianna take over my work as I transition out of the College Assistant position. It is with my full faith that students will be more than supported under Lianna’s guidance.

If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to introduce youraelf as we enter this new chapter, please feel free to reach out to Lianna at <Lianna.Scull@cuny.edu>.

Fall Updates for the CM Program

September 24, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Happy autumn! I hope you are all having a great start to the semester. There have been some exciting updates over the past few months that I felt would be relevant to share with everyone here.

Firstly, an excerpt from our Fall 2026 Welcome Letter that was sent out to students, written by Dr. Melanie Lorek:

“As some of you may know, there have been some changes at SPS over the summer. Communication and Media is now part of Communication, Culture, and Society [CCS], which also includes Sociology, Human Relations, Museum Studies, and Immigration Law Studies. I’m very excited to welcome Communication and Media into this new unit and to begin working with all of you.

I’m excited that I’ll be joined in my work by Professor James Richardson, who will serve as Faculty Coordinator for Communication and Media. Professor Richardson will continue to teach in the program while also working closely with me on its academic and administrative leadership and supporting our students and faculty.

I also want to take a moment to recognize and thank Dr. Elizabeth Alsop, who has served as the Academic Director for Communication and Media. Dr. Alsop has done incredible work building and supporting this program and its community of students and faculty. I’m very grateful for the foundation she has built, and I look forward to continuing that work.

There are also a few changes to the team supporting you. Our wonderful College Assistant, Frankie Murphy, who has been such a supportive presence for Communication and Media students, will be with us through September 25 before embarking on an exciting new chapter as an English teacher in Santiago, Chile. I’m thrilled for Frankie and this new adventure.

I’m also very happy to welcome Lianna Scull, our Assistant Director, to Communication and Media and who has been Assistant Director for Sociology, Human Relations, and Immigration Law Studies since 2019. She is tremendously knowledgeable, caring, and committed to helping students succeed, and I know you will be in excellent hands with her. Samantha Boodoosingh, Academic Program Coordinator, will also occasionally be supporting Communication and Media students and the program.

Please join me in giving both a warm welcome!

As always, if you have questions or need support, please reach out. Assistant Director Scull [<lianna.scull@cuny.edu>] should be your first point of contact for program-related questions, and your assigned undergraduate academic advisor (listed in CUNYfirst) remains an important resource for questions about your individual degree plan, registration, and academic progress. You are also always welcome to reach out to me.”

These are important updates that I felt would be pertinent to include here on our OpenLab site in addition to email, in case anyone missed it. Please look out for an upcoming OpenLab post as well, formally introducing Lianna Scull as your new CM resource as I transition out of the College Assistant role.

Although I am leaving, I am so excited for this new era of the CM program under its new umbrella of Communication, Culture, and Society (CCS)!

Fall 2026 CM 400-Level Offerings

March 30, 2026 / / 0 Comments

As we gear up for spring break, the CM program would love to look ahead and share our Fall 2026 semester 400-level course offerings. See below for more information as well as course flyers:

CM 490.01 (CRN 34046): Introduction to Podcasting, taught by Professor Courtney Garcia

CM 490.02 (CRN 34045): Television and Popular (American) Culture, taught by Professor Casey McCormick

CM 499.01 (CRN 34241): Capstone, taught by Professor Nina Hien

&

CM 499.02 (34044): Capstone, taught by Professor Elizabeth Alsop

CM 499Download

Explore course descriptions here for additional information on 400-level classes. Please note, all 400-level courses require permission before being able to register. Kindly reach out to @frankiemurphy at <Frankie.Murphy@cuny.edu> for guidance.

CUNY Uncut Looking for a New Host

March 12, 2026 / / 0 Comments

CUNY Uncut looking for its next student host! A new television show and podcast, CUNY Uncut explores topics on the minds of CUNY students with an approach that is uncensored, unedited, and uncut. If you’re passionate about CUNY college culture, conducting interviews and producing engaging content, we’d love to have you join the legacy of CUNY Uncut student hosts. Deadline to apply is March 31st. More details and application form linked here.

CUNY SPS CM Grad School Roundtable

March 12, 2026 / / 0 Comments

On March 3rd, Dr. Sarah Ruth Jacobs hosted a roundtable for CUNY SPS CM students interested in graduate school. Below is the video, relevant timestamps, and transcript. Click here as well for a document pertaining to resources for applying to grad school!

Timestamps

4:52 Question 1: How should I begin to research graduate programs? How can I find out if a certain graduate degree will likely lead to a job?

12:40 Question 2: Can I go to grad school while working full- or part-time? How can I find grad programs that might give me employment as part of the program?

18:51 Question 3: What should I be doing now to make myself a better candidate for grad school?

24:17 Question 4 : In practical terms, how much do a program’s reputation and alumni network shape long-term opportunity?

27:59 Question 5: How can I learn about what makes a grad school application successful, especially as a non-traditional student?

36:54 Question 6: Should I plan to attend grad school immediately after graduating from SPS or are there advantages to waiting?

41:53 Question 7: What does a typical timeline of applying to grad school look like? How many programs should I apply to?

45:14 Question 8: What kinds of graduate degrees students from SPS, and our program in particular, have done just to get a sense of, what is the landscape of possibility?

47:01 Question 9: I’m curious what your thoughts are on getting a master’s and job hirers considering you overqualified for a role. I’m pivoting into an adjacent field, but some would consider positions I’m researching entry-level. So is it dangerous to be overqualified?

51:39 Question 10 (paraphrased): Can I get scholarships or free tuition for grad school? 

55:16 Last Words of Wisdom 

GradSchoolRoundtableTranscriptDownload

Museum Education Experience Program (MEEP) Summer 2026 Applications Now Open!

March 6, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Dear Students,

Below is information about the Museum Education Experience Program’s (MEEP’s) summer 2026 application. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 15th at 11:59 P.M.

Good luck!

“The Museum Education Experience Program (MEEP) Summer 2026 application is now open!

MEEP offers hands-on experience in informal science education and public engagement, providing undergraduates with practical skills in communication, inquiry-based learning, and working with diverse audiences in a museum setting.

Students interested in teaching, science communication, or community-based learning may find this experience particularly valuable.

At-a-Glance

  • Program Dates:  June 1 – August 7, 2026 (*No program hours June 29 – July 3*)
  • Time Commitment: Up to 25 hours per week 
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 PM

We look forward to meeting the next cohort of thoughtful, curious, and engaged museum educators!”

CM College Assistant Resource

March 5, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Dear CM Students,

I would like to formally introduce myself. My name is Frankie Murphy, and I am the Communication and Media (CM) program’s College Assistant, here to assist with anything you may need or to point you in the direction of someone who can help. I have a BFA in Film and am very enthusiastic about my job here at SPS! It is my privilege to be able and support your academic plus professional journeys throughout our program.

On Thursdays at noon, I hold a weekly Zoom hour, and students are encouraged to drop in for assistance. This is an opportunity for me to aid in any inquiries/issues you may be experiencing, or to direct you to someone who could have the answer.

Feel free to reach out at any point if you would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting, as well. My typical working hours are weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., and I can be found at this email: <Frankie.Murphy@cuny.edu>. My office number is also 646-664-8738; if you get my voicemail, kindly leave a message including your EMPLID and I will respond as soon as possible. I always do my best to address any communications in the most timely of manners.

Thank you for reading this message, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

-Frankie Murphy


Save the Date! Graduate School Roundtable

February 6, 2026 / / 0 Comments
Virtual Roundtable for Students Applying to Graduate SchoolDownload

I hope everyone is having a great start to the semester. Today we would love to bring to your attention a save the date for a Virtual Roundtable for Students Applying to Graduate School event. Anyone is more than welcome to attend, especially those considering grad school. If you are interested, please register with this link, check out the attached flyer, and mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 3rd, from 6:30 – 7:30 P.M. Eastern. The event will take place over Zoom; students must register to receive a passcode for this virtual session. More details to come, so stay tuned!

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