SCM Mentoring Program Celebrates Fifth Year

Pairing students with mentors working in high profile media and communications roles at NBCUniversal, The Simpsons, ABC News, Walt Disney Company, adidas, Yahoo, the New York Giants and many others, the fifth annual School of Communication and Media (SCM) Mentoring Program kicked off this week in Presentation Hall.

More than 100 SCM alumni, faculty, staff, mentors, mentees and distinguished guests gathered for the formal announcement of this year’s mentor and mentee pairings, and to celebrate a significant milestone for the program that has helped place dozens of students in jobs and better prepared them for the workforce through one-on-one meetings, mock interviews, networking advice, and resume and cover letter tips.

The program was founded and is run by Marc Rosenweig, a retired SCM professor, longtime media executive and SCM Advisory Board member. The kick-off event included Rosenweig honoring four mentors who have been with the program since its inception: Kristen Bunk, Michael Price, Al Prieto and Julia Siegel.

“It’s an honor to be a mentor and part of this program,” said Prieto, Vice President at ABC News, MSU alumnus, and SCM Advisory Board member. “It’s about giving back for me. Part of the reason I’ve had a good career is what I got here from the teachers, students and facilities.”

“I look around and see how many people are here from where it started,” said Bunk, Day to Day Artist Manager at Mick Management. “It’s proof of concept that this actually has an impact on students and the mentors. It’s a special program and I am honored to be part of it.”

Students must apply to the prestigious program after receiving a nomination from a faculty or staff member during the spring semester.

This year’s program pairs 20 students with mentors in a variety of communication, media and production jobs across the country:

Emma Caughlan with Al Prieto (ABC News, MSU alumnus)

Madeline Daly with Kristen Bunk (Mick Management, MSU alumna)

Jenna Sundel with Julia Siegel (TV Guide Magazine, MSU alumna)

Serbenna Bazile with Michael Price (The Simpsons, MSU alumnus)

Ryan Breyta with Omnika Thompson (NBCUniversal)

Grace Roland with Keith Cutler (KCMG Consulting)

Fabby Prescott with Bobby Melok (WWE, MSU alumnus)

Alessandra Bontia with Steven Vasquez (KXLY Broadcast Group, MSU alumnus)

Olivia Licini with Mike Claudio (Yahoo Finance, MSU alumnus)

Alex Pavljuk with Mike Mee (Zero Point Zero, MSU alumnus)

Joseph Giordanao with Chanila German (Walt Disney Company, MSU alumna)

Isabella Wnek with Jasmine Amjad (Now This, MSU alumna)

Jennifer Portorreal with Samantha Easterday (ABC News, MSU alumna)

Cathryn Pace with Kylie Mocarski (Philadelphia Union, MSU alumna)

Jose Saborio with Laura Hand (Hand Made Productions)

Cayla Ingram with Joe Gressis (Producer, Writer, Director)

Sofia Russo with Emma Kaptein (New York Giants, MSU alumna)

Cole Kutner with Rich Efrus (adidas, MSU alumnus)

Ben Petruk with Geoffrey Phelps (Coyne PR, MSU alumnus)

Yaz Yilmaz with Brenna Falvey (Yelp, MSU alumna)

“To have a chance to work one-on-one with a professional in my field is an opportunity that not many students get,” said senior Communication and Media Studies major Cole Kutner. “This program shows why the School of Communication and Media is the best in the state and one of the best in the entire country.”

“It is an honor to be part of this program,” said senior Communication and Media Studies major Sofia Russo. “Seeing how the program has given SCM students amazing opportunities during and after college is what makes it so special.”

“This program truly has become a model for this University and schools everywhere,” said. Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of the School of Communication and Media. “This is one of the finest mentorship programs in the country and we are grateful to the mentors and students who continue to make it such a huge success.”

Story and photos by Keith Green, School of Communication and Media