Anna Akerman Berman, PhD, associate professor of communications and a social psychologist who specializes in child development, is taking a stand against a global media machine that’s designed to keep us hooked on content. Once a media consultant for the likes of Nickelodeon, MTV, Scholastic and Disney, Dr. Akerman Berman now uses her insider knowledge to help parents wean their children off of screens.

Peggy Cassidy, PhD, professor of communications and an expert in the history of children’s interactions with media, is looking to the past to understand our potential digital future. Dr. Cassidy has published at length on the evolution of American media environments. Her tips for a healthy media diet take their cues from 200 years of history: how generations of parents and children have adapted to the disruptive effects of new forms of media.

From attention-grabbing TV to attention-proofing phones

After earning her PhD, Dr. Akerman Berman applied the scientific theories she’d studied in school as an audience researcher for Sesame Workshop and Noggin. She analyzed children’s “eyes on screen�—when they were paying attention to the screen, when they were bored enough to look away—and worked with creative teams to modify programming accordingly. “Before I started working for these companies, I hadn’t realized the extent to which psychology was being used to create content,� she said.

Dr. Akerman Berman went on to provide consulting services to executives at some of the world’s top media and entertainment brands. “The question we always returned to was: How can we keep kids watching?�

Today, she’s determined to keep children’s eyes off of screens. Why? There’s nothing wrong with scrolling for 10 minutes to decompress, she says. The problem is, 10 minutes often turns into several hours. That’s by design. “These algorithms are using more data points than we could ever imagine. They’re catered specifically to individual interests, and they reward scrolling behaviors in a very precise, individualized way.�

The science behind our scrolling addiction

According to Dr. Akerman Berman, scrolling seems to satiate our most basic human needs: competence, connection and autonomy. In a world where it’s all too easy to feel disconnected and disempowered, scrolling can generate instant satisfaction. But, Dr. Akerman Berman says, the feeling is “brief and disingenuous,� nothing like the satisfaction that comes from real-life experiences.

People trying to meet their basic needs—particularly children and adolescents—are easy targets for big business. They always have been. The tactics that tech companies use to keep us scrolling, Dr. Akerman Berman argues, are not so different from the manipulative marketing campaigns run by tobacco companies throughout the 20th century. However, it’s been proven that young people are less likely to use tobacco once they’ve been exposed to the tobacco industry’s manipulations. Dr. Akerman Berman is confident we can apply the same logic to social media addiction.

Education is the best weapon against “brain rot�

“The first step,� Dr. Akerman Berman said, “is educating our kids and ourselves. The second is becoming aware of our behaviors.� People of all ages should start collecting data of their own: logging their screen time and noticing how they feel before and after scrolling. Armed with this “metacognitive awareness,� they might begin to turn to other activities instead of opening TikTok or Instagram.

But going from 100 to zero won’t happen overnight, Dr. Akerman Berman stresses. “Our nervous system has learned that discomfort equals phone. In moments of stress, we will fall back on this habit. Still, we absolutely can re-habituate ourselves to a new normal where we’re replacing scrolling with taking a walk or listening to music.�

The “grasshopper mind� of the endless scroller

Dr. Cassidy sees scrolling as a cultural practice—and a cultural problem. As a media ecologist, she’s more interested in media’s form rather than its content. While we should be thinking critically about the content we’re consuming online, we also need to consider the “ways of thinking, knowing and interacting� that are encouraged or discouraged by scrolling. She cites a concept coined by scholar Maryanne Wolf, EdD, called “grasshopper mind,� or “the impulse to just scroll away, to jump from one thing to another as soon as things get boring or hard or confusing.�

That impulse could very well erode the foundations of our society. If we disengage as soon as we’re faced with something we don’t understand, what will happen to our interpersonal relationships, our cultural norms, our politics? Dr. Cassidy believes the cracks are already visible. “We as citizens are not engaging deeply with ideas,� she said. “We tend to have superficial emotional responses to political messaging, which has contributed to this intense polarization we see today. We don’t stick around long enough to hear someone’s full perspective.�

New media fears have old precedents

For Dr. Cassidy, the fears around social media addiction and scroll culture are well founded. But they’re nothing new. In her book (Routledge, 2017), she charts 200 years of panicked reactions to emerging media environments, from 19th century dime novels and nickelodeons to rock ’n’ roll and TV.

“As a media historian, I resist the temptation to use the word unprecedented,� Dr. Cassidy said. In fact, she even takes a “certain comfort in knowing we’re not that unique. Our species has been here a long time, and other changes in media have disrupted us, upset us, required us to adapt.�

At the same time, historical precedent shouldn’t become its own deterministic force. “Just because adults were afraid of dime novels in the 1800s and it all worked out okay doesn’t mean we don’t need to worry about social media and smartphones. Throughout history, there have been missed opportunities for citizens to organize themselves around resisting the direction that certain technologies are taking us.� In other words, to create the future we want to see for ourselves and our children, we have to act now.

The secrets of a healthy media diet

Like Dr. Akerman Berman, Dr. Cassidy prescribes moderation—and an open mind—to adults and adolescents alike. “I would encourage people, especially parents, to take a breath and not throw the baby out with the bathwater,� she said. “Yes, so much of what our children are consuming is not developmentally appropriate. But we should stay open to wondering about what’s captured their attention.�

In social media, young people are finding benefits that prior forms of media never enabled. Adolescents who feel alienated in their immediate communities, for instance, can reach out to allies halfway across the world with the press of a button. These connections may be mediated by technology, but they’re indisputably human.

Scrolling addicts may be able to rewire their psychic habits by leaning into that innate human-ness, too. “We have to learn to stay with hard things, to struggle, to make mistakes,� Dr. Cassidy said. “That’s the only way we’ll get better.�

The post Is Your Phone Actually Rotting Your Brain? Why Your Attention Span Feels Broken—And How the Algorithm Intended it That Wayâ€� appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

The arts are a cornerstone of the 51¶¯Âþ experience, too. They always have been, and they remain alive and well. Our graduates are making their mark in every medium, and our arts programs continue to nurture future artists, change makers and dreamers.

After all, many of those dreamers got their start right here at 51¶¯Âþ.

Tonys, Emmys and a Pulitzer Prize

With Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, a Student Academy Award and a Pulitzer Prize, our alumni prove that while the journey begins in Garden City, the destination is often center stage.

Primetime Emmy Award winner Todd Robinson ’82 roomed with one of 51¶¯Âþ’s most celebrated alumni, Jonathan Larson ’82. Larson, of course, is known for writing the hit Broadway musical RENT, which went on to win four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. But Robinson has achieved a wildly impressive career himself. Over the years, he’s served as writer, producer and director for both films and television, such as The Legend of Billy the Kid, White Squall (directed by Ridley Scott), Lonely Hearts and The Last Full Measure.

Peter Principato ’87 at the 2016 Emmys

Peter Principato ’87 won a 2016 Primetime Emmy as executive producer of the breakout comedy series Key & Peele. A President’s Advisory Council member, Principato is now chairman of Artists First, a talent management and production company with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Principato is known for being exceptionally generous with his expertise.

“More than anything, I love nurturing creative people to help them achieve their greatest aspirations,� he noted. He demonstrates this commitment through the Principato ’87 Moving Image Arts Scholarship. This award is presented annually to a communications student who demonstrates outstanding creativity and perseverance in the pursuit of a career in the arts. He also created the Peter Principato ’87 Theatre Arts Endowed Scholarship Fund to fuel the dreams of students who aspire to a career in the performing arts.

Scott James ’84 is another Emmy winner. “At 51¶¯Âþ I got the personal attention I needed as an aspiring writer,â€� he said. “The creative process is nurtured when a teacher actually reads your work and you have a meaningful conversation. That can’t happen in a giant lecture hall.â€� As a news director, he created the long-running investigative series You Paid For It, for which he won three Emmy Awards for Television News. He continues to work as a veteran journalist for The New York Times. He’s a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Debut Fiction for his 2007 novel SoMa and the New England Society Book Award winner.

Since graduating from 51¶¯Âþ, Jeff Filippi ’82 has built an impressive career in sports broadcasting. Best known for his work at MSG Networks, he has overseen coverage of the New York Knicks, Rangers and Islanders, and the New Jersey Devils. Filippi has also produced four Winter Olympic Games. “51¶¯Âþ provided a terrific foundation as I prepared for my career in broadcasting,â€� he said. “From the communications department to the college radio station, WBAU, where students had the hands-on ability to create content and manage people while being responsible for operating budgets—it all gave me experience, understanding and insight that proved to be invaluable.â€� Filippi has won two national and 25 local sports Emmy Awards during his career.

A Remarkable Achievement for Students in the Class of 1975: A Student Academy Award for Their Music Documentary

Richard O’Neill ’75, one of the creators of What the Notes Say, was an invited guest at the Student Academy Awards segment during the 2025 New York Film Festival.

Fifty years ago, a group of 51¶¯Âþ communications students made a film called What the Notes Say, a documentary about Philadelphia’s Settlement Music School that highlighted how disadvantaged students can flourish by creating beautiful music. The documentary was researched, shot and edited by 14 exceptionally dedicated young filmmakers: Kurt Derner ’72, Tom Bisset ’74, Sharon Thompson ’74, Ken Cohn ’75, Dorie Hightower (Caplan) ’75, Richard O’Neill ’75, Rosemary Ravinal ’75, Walter Trepashko ’75, Richard Baron ’76, Patrice Benneward ’76, John Bencivenga ’76, Sean Britt ’76, Karen Grossman ’76 and John Costello ’77.

The film’s faculty advisers—Paul Pitcoff ’65, Marge Hudson, EdD, and Len Price— submitted What the Notes Say to the Third Annual Student Academy Award competition in 1976. Two students, including O’Neill, were flown to Hollywood for the ceremony. And they won.

What the Notes Say was celebrated at the Class of 1975’s 50th reunion last year. “The award has stunned people throughout my life,� said O’Neill. “It opened the door at our local PBS station, WCNY-TV, to them doing my health, happiness and success show Cycle of Health, my radio show Checkup From the Neck Up and �Medical Student Minute� now on YouTube. And this all started with Professor Pitcoff accepting me into his Advanced Filmmaking class.�

Live From New York—It’s 51¶¯Âþ Alumni: Emmy Awards for SNL

Bob Palladino ’78 at the soundboard at Saturday Night Live

Given 51¶¯Âþ’s close proximity to New York City, it’s no surprise that a number of alumni have landed jobs at the iconic sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Robert “Bobâ€� Palladino ’78 went to 51¶¯Âþ with dreams of becoming a film editor but found himself drawn to the world of sound instead. “Studying at 51¶¯Âþ gave me the opportunity to work with like-minded, talented students,â€� he said. “The professors fostered a professional atmosphere during productions, which no doubt contributed to my career in entertainment.â€� Palladino got his start on SNL as a music mixer before shifting to production mixing, a role that he occupied for more than 40 years. Palladino won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sound Mixing for SNL’s 40th and 50th anniversary specials.

Kim Kachougian ’90, MA ’91, and husband with their Emmy Awards

Kim Kachougian ’90, MA ’91, earned a BFA in theater design and a master’s degree in theater education. She worked on off-Broadway shows and commercials before landing a job on SNL. Kachougian and her husband now work as the show’s art directors, choosing props and set decorations. In 2024, and again in 2026, the pair won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Production Design in a Variety Series.

The post That’s Entertainment: Award-Winning 51¶¯Âþ Alumni appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

Ez-Zouhra Elmaaiden, PhD, is a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. A research and development scientist with multidisciplinary expertise in bioanalysis, preclinical research and formulation development, her work focuses on bioactive compound extraction, molecular biology workflows and cosmeceutical innovation. She holds multiple patents in extraction technologies and natural product development, bringing extensive experience in interdisciplinary project management, commercialization and graduate student mentorship.

Wan Ling Fahrer is a visiting assistant professor of , bringing more than two decades of experience across higher education, K–12 schools, museums and community-based arts learning. Her work centers on art education, museum and object-based learning, and inclusive approaches to contemporary art and pedagogy. She has held appointments at Hunter College, Queens College and the School of Visual Arts, plus museum education roles at institutions including MoMA, the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, the Guggenheim and the New Museum. Fahrer has received the Keith Haring Scholarship Award and multiple outstanding art teacher awards from the NYC Department of Education, and previously served as president of the University Council for Art Education. She holds an MA in Art History from Hunter College and a BFA from the School of Visual Arts.

Marissa Galler, PhD ’26, is a clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. With a clinical background spanning critical care, oncology and palliative care, her research focuses on nurse practitioner communication surrounding end-of-life conversations. An alumna of 51¶¯Âþ, where she earned her PhD, she also holds degrees and advanced certifications from Hofstra University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Thomas Jefferson University and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing.

Charleen Jacobs-Mcfarlane ’06, PhD ’23, is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. A nurse scientist, adult nurse practitioner and double alumna of 51¶¯Âþ, her clinical practice and research focus on health equity and rare disease care, particularly sickle cell disease. She previously served as a clinician-scientist and nurse practitioner at the Mount Sinai Center for Sickle Cell Disease, a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a faculty member at Yale University and Columbia University. She earned both her BSN and PhD in nursing from 51¶¯Âþ.

Susan Kang ’14, MS ’15, DPT, is a clinical assistant professor of health and sport sciences. An 51¶¯Âþ alumna and former graduate assistant in the Human Performance Lab, Dr. Kang is excited to return to 51¶¯Âþ and join her colleagues in the exercise science program. Her professional experience spans clinical testing and a variety of rehabilitation settings, including acute care, sports, neuromuscular and cardiac rehabilitation. Through her private practice, Blueprint Performance Physical Therapy, she helps active adults return to the activities and goals that matter most to them. Dr. Kang holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise physiology and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Kyungmin Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences and sustainability director. Her research spans energy policy, climate policy, urban sustainability and community development, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Her recent work focuses on applying AI techniques to analyze public responses to environmental issues through large-scale image analysis. Dr. Lee holds a doctoral degree in energy and environmental policy, a master’s degree in environmental studies, and a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Louise Lee, EdD, is associate professor and founding program director of 51¶¯Âþ’s new Physician Assistant (PA) Program, to be housed within the College of Nursing and Public Health. Dr. Lee has worked as a PA educator for more than 26 years and as a clinically practicing PA in internal medicine and emergency medicine for nearly 40 years, holding leadership roles including department chair, program director, and director of didactic, clinical and research programs at universities across New England and New York. She has taught clinical medicine, patient assessment, and healthcare law and ethics, among other subjects. Dr. Lee holds a doctorate in education with a focus on higher education leadership, a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree in PA practice.

Yongjin Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor of health and sport sciences. Building on a decade as a K–12 physical education teacher and teacher community leader, Dr. Lee’s research examines how teacher and student reflection strengthens social and emotional development and informs curriculum design and instructional strategy. His recent work highlights physical education as a vehicle for building social awareness and responsible decision-making, and he is currently studying how artificial intelligence can support reflection among teachers and students to promote character and ethical growth.

Kathleen O’Connor is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. She is a PhD candidate at 51¶¯Âþ and a nurse practitioner and clinical researcher whose background spans pulmonary medicine, post-operative surgical care and nursing education. She previously served as an adjunct instructor at 51¶¯Âþ, a nurse practitioner and research coordinator at Northwell Health, and a clinical nurse at the Hospital for Special Surgery. O’Connor’s dissertation is focused on Rosemarie Rizzo Parse, PhD’s humanbecoming paradigm. She currently teaches pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing lab and health assessment lab at the undergraduate level, and her scholarly interests include nursing theory, competency-based nursing education and the human experience of isolation. She earned an MS from Pace University and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Carlos Encina Oleart, PhD, is a visiting associate professor of sociology. A sociologist, journalist and organizational researcher, his work spans policy research, societal analytics, strategic communications and qualitative methodology. As a former investigative journalist and international correspondent for Chile’s La Tercera, he covered major national and global events, including human rights abuses during the Pinochet regime, the 2008 Wall Street financial crisis and international politics. He has advised multinational technology companies on strategic content and taught courses in criminology, gender studies, Latin American politics, the sociology of race and qualitative research methods.

Esi Quaidoo, PhD, is an assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics. A registered dietitian nutritionist and public health researcher, her work spans clinical nutrition consulting, community health and dietetic practice. She previously served as a nutrition consultant at Mission Clinic Accra and worked as a researcher and educator at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a PhD in Public Health from UMass Amherst, an MPhil in Human Nutrition from the University of Ghana and a BSc in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology.

K. Lynn Robinson, PhD, is assistant professor of . She holds a PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy (concentration in art education) from The Ohio State University, began her studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She brings extensive experience in exhibit design and activation for arts institutions as a curatorial and archival assistant, and as a facilitator of community-based art and teacher development in arts integration. Her research expands the definition of educators to include caregivers exploring the arts and community-based interventions to support a “village� model for young Black learners and their caregivers, within and beyond formal schooling. She serves on the editorial review boards of Art Education, Visual Arts Research and the Journal of Social Theory in Art Education, and as an editorial assistant for the Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education.

Jason Spencer, PhD, is assistant professor of communications, teaching and researching AI, emerging media, podcasting, virtual production and immersive storytelling, with a focus on how AI, XR and adaptive learning can support creative practice, personalized education and public communication. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University, where his work in virtual production and AI-assisted education produced six intellectual property disclosures. His 20-plus years in film, TV and emerging tech include work with PBS, MTV Networks, Bravo, and documentaries by Blackside and Florentine Films, as well as teaching 1,800-plus students at Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M University, The Art Institutes and CUNY. Dr. Spencer’s current work explores how emerging tech can expand human creativity and learning while preserving human judgment, authorship and agency.

Sloan Vahldieck is an assistant teaching professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. She is a nurse educator and adult nurse practitioner whose career reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, student development and community service. She has taught at 51¶¯Âþ since 2018; after discovering how much she loved teaching, Vahldieck returned to graduate school to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at 51¶¯Âþ. As an adult nurse practitioner at St. Francis Hospital, she provides comprehensive occupational health services, diagnostic interpretation and employee wellness support. Her earlier roles in the emergency department shaped her expertise in triage, quality assurance, interdisciplinary teamwork and high‑acuity patient care and developed her focus on initiatives that improve safety, strengthen clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes.

Eric Dean Wilson, PhD, is an assistant professor of English and faculty member in the Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program. He is the author of After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort (Simon & Schuster, 2021), a work of literary nonfiction weaving the science and history of Freon with reflections on living meaningfully in a warming world. His essays have appeared in The Baffler, Orion, Esquire, Time, and Evergreen Review, among other publications. He holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from The New School and a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, and previously taught at Wagner College. He is currently writing a book-length work of literary nonfiction for Timber Press.

James Zahardis, PhD, is a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. He earned his doctorate at the University of Vermont and completed postdoctoral fellowships at both The University of Iowa and the University of Vermont. His research expertise centers on physical chemistry, with specializations in aerosols, mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy.

To learn more about the members of 51¶¯Âþ’s faculty, visit our Faculty Profiles.

The post 51¶¯Âþ Welcomes New Faculty for 2026–2027 appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

An internship at Random House during the summer before her senior year clarified her path. After graduation, DeBois joined Random House Children’s Books as a marketing assistant and has continued to grow with the company. She now serves as assistant director, licensed marketing, overseeing campaigns for licensed publishing programs and collaborating with partners including Disney, Sesame Street and Nickelodeon to connect young readers with beloved characters and stories.

DeBois has also become a published children’s author of Little Golden Books featuring properties from Nickelodeon, Star Wars, Marvel and Sesame Street.

Her career began taking shape on campus in another important way. During four years as an 51¶¯Âþ Admissions Ambassador, DeBois learned the power of branding and authentic storytelling while helping prospective students envision their own futures at the University. She remains close to friends she met at 51¶¯Âþ, including through a shared book club.

51¶¯Âþ recognizes DeBois for building a creative career that brings books to young audiences and for using stories to help people find connection, possibility and joy.

Member of 51¶¯Âþ’s

The post Jeneanne DeBois ’16 appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

A 75-Year Legacy on Campus

Hitting a 75th anniversary isn’t just a fun milestone—it’s a testament to student grit.

Launching right after World War II, The Delphian quickly became the heart of campus conversation. Whenever history unfolded, 51¶¯Âþ communications, history and political science majors were on the front lines, documenting everything from cafeteria menus to major national turning points like the Vietnam War protests, the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate and the COVID-19 pandemic.

While earlier publications existed—like the 51¶¯Âþ College Fortnightly (1921–1946) and the 51¶¯Âþ Guidon (1946–1951)—it was The Delphian that truly took root, growing from a scrappy four-page weekly paper into an award-winning newsroom.

In its very first issue, the inaugural student editors issued a bold call to action that still drives the team today:

“Take notice, 51¶¯Âþ, and give your representative voice all your backing. The Delphian is new, but most of all, the year is new. What better time is there to get those dingy scowls off our faces and ‘do something’?â€�

Today, The Delphian is winning recognition—including three awards in 2025 from the Press Club of Long Island, and many others over the years, including Best College Newspaper and Best College Reporter.

Time Travel in the Campus Archives

How did past generations handle absolute chaos? In the spring of 2026, Professor Maria Cristina Zaccarini, PhD, took students from her sophomore history deep into the archives at Swirbul Library to find out.

Heading down the stairs and into the stacks, students cracked open old issues of The Delphian from the 1960s and 1970s, analyzing how past Panthers reacted to the Vietnam War, the political earthquake of Watergate and the fight for gender equality.

“51¶¯Âþ was ahead of the curve in many ways with the free speech movement and protesting the Vietnam War,â€� Dr. Zaccarini explained. “There were incredible insights that made you understand the mindset of the entire community, just like our newspaper today helps us understand who we are right now.”

Launching Real Careers (and Bestselling Authors)

Joining the Delphian team isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a hands-on career accelerator. You learn how to ask tough questions, connect with people of all kinds, meet real deadlines and lead teams.

Consider Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.). Before she became the New York Times bestselling author of the hit novel Practical Magic, she was sitting in the Delphian newsroom developing her writing voice.

Liza Burby, senior adjunct at 51¶¯Âþ and faculty adviser for The Delphian from 2013 to 2025, emphasizes that student journalism pushes people out of their comfort zones in the best way possible, preparing them for their careers.

“Having to come up with article ideas, figure out how to get the information you need to tell the story, and then being able to either interview someone on the phone or across a table—those are skills that a lot of people are really hesitant to pursue,� she said.

Professor of communications Paul Thaler, PhD, who preceded Burby as advisor to the paper, sees work on the paper as a powerful rite of passage for students.

“As a student-journalist, you are an active witness to events and also a commentator to ongoing matters of importance on campus, with the power to heighten the collective consciousness of the University,� he said. “In short, a student writing for The Delphian now wears the badge of a journalist—and that is an empowering feeling.�

That culture of mentorship creates a chain reaction where experienced editors help train the newest writers on campus.

“I’ve grown so much as a writer,” said Arpan Josan, a recent editor-in-chief who will graduate in December 2026. “It has challenged me to create meaningful articles and engage with different topics. As an editor, I’ve been able to help younger writers develop their skills while sharpening my own.

The Next Page

The Delphian is not standing still. Current faculty adviser Suzanne Valenza and the student staff are focused on leveling up their digital footprint.

“Our goal is to make the absolute go-to spot for campus news,� Valenza said. “We are building a strong staff with regular meetings in our redesigned office—a space where students can hang out, swap story ideas, debate current events or just kick back with friends.�

Alumni and current students are also invited to celebrate 75 years of student voices at a special anniversary event on October 17 as part of Spirit Weekend.

It’s a homecoming for generations of writers, photographers and designers who left their mark on campus—and proof that student voices at 51¶¯Âþ continue to shape the future.

The post 75 Years of Unfiltered Student Voices: Inside 51¶¯Âþ’s Award-Winning Newspaper, The Delphian appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

The film, What the Notes Say, was created under the guidance of three faculty mentors and ultimately submitted to the prestigious competition. For the students involved, the project became far more than an academic assignment—it was an unforgettable lesson in the power of storytelling, creativity and collaboration.

Working as a team, the students learned firsthand what it takes to bring a meaningful vision to life: balancing roles, supporting one another through challenges, and combining individual talents into a shared success. The experience underscored how teamwork and dedication can transform a student project into something with lasting impact.

Two students were flown to Hollywood to attend the awards ceremony, where the project received national recognition. When the moment arrived, the announcement was unforgettable:

“And the winner is… What the Notes Say!�

As then-Department Chair and 51¶¯Âþ alumnus Paul Pitcoff ’65 reflected, the honor was “a testament to how significant student hard work, dedication, and passion can guide and affect educational advancement.â€�

Their achievement remains a lasting example of the creativity, teamwork, and excellence that define our alumni community—and a reminder of what students can accomplish when they come together with purpose.

We proudly recognize the talented student filmmakers from the Classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976: Rich Baron, Patrice Benneward, John Bencivenga, John Costello, Kurt Derner, Rosemary Ravinal, Sharon Thompson, Walter Trepashko, Tom Bisset, Sean Britt, Ken Cohn, Dorie Hightower, Karen Grossman and Rich O’Neill, along with their faculty mentors Marge Hudson, Len Price and Paul Pitcoff.

The post Celebrating an Award-Winning Legacy in Film appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

Liza N. Burby, 51¶¯Âþ senior adjunct professor and Delphian faculty adviser, was also recognized as a reporter of the year. They were honored among hundreds of top journalists on Long Island on June 5 at the 2025 PCLI Media Awards at The Fox Hollow restaurant and hotel in Woodbury, New York.

The Delphian took second place in the Best College Newspaper category. In addition, 51¶¯Âþ student William Conboy won second place in the features category for his article “How a Class Project Turned into a New ASL Club.â€� And 51¶¯Âþ student Karla Pena won third place in the editorial/commentary category for “Slowing Down the Pace of Fast Fashion.â€�

Burby won six awards, including second place for reporter of the year for her reporting in Newsday and other publications. Burby, who teaches in 51¶¯Âþ’s Department of Communications and serves as the student newspaper faculty adviser, also won first and third place in the narrative arts category, first place in real estate, third place in race and diversity, and third place in profiles.

Learn more about 51¶¯Âþ’s The Delphian.

The post 51¶¯Âþ’s Student Newspaper Wins Three Awards at 2025 PCLI Media Awards appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.

Akuya earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, focusing on children’s media and showcasing her leadership skills as class president and an Orientation leader. After graduating, she went on to build up her career, from a senior brand director at Nike up to her current role at Lego, a position she’s held since 2021.

Pharrell Williams Tells His Story in Lego

The company got into Lego-themed movies in 2014 with The Lego Movie. The new film project, , is a collaboration with Pharrell Williams to tell the multi-Grammy Award-winning artist’s life story in brick form. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10 and released in theaters on October 11. In addition to Williams, the film portrays—and features the voices of—artists such as Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z.

Akuya recently : “Inspired by Pharrell’s passion for space, together with The Lego Group, we have embarked on a mission to inspire creativity and curiosity through Lego play.”

.

Lego Superpower Studios

Continuing to expand the brand’s universal appeal, Lego’s new collaborated with several artists to create the first Lego Superpower Studios, which opened its doors to guests in Paris in September.

In a story in , “It’s probably the most experiential brand in the world—so how do you demonstrate that at scale?” She added, “There’s always a wow factor with Lego. It’s about creative problem-solving.”

Lego and Nike Join Forces

As announced in a news release on the in August 2024, Lego and Nike will begin partnering next year.

In the release, Akuya said, “By combining the creativity of Lego play with the energy and passion of sport, we want to inspire new ways for kids to play and be creative. We are excited to partner with Nike, Inc., on this journey and help reimagine how creative play and sport can unite. Together, we will create unique experiences that will engage and excite kids around the world, inspiring them to explore their imaginations.â€�

Building a Community Around Play

“The best part about the job is that, at the end of the day, we’re talking about play,� . “And we get to play all day long if we so choose—it’s really welcome in the workplace. We have Lego bricks in every conference room, table or desk. It’s encouraged in meetings that we make playful games and incorporate that into our dialogues, or we think playfully about the ideas that we’re developing. For me, it’s the playfulness of the work environment and the playfulness of my colleagues that’s really enjoyable.�

The Media Takes Notice

Many media outlets are reporting on Lego’s moves. Here are a few:

The post Alero Akuya ’05, VP of Global Brand Development, Is Helping Lego Build on Success appeared first on 51¶¯Âþ.