The University and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have launched a to provide current and former players and their families with access to market-relevant online degrees, certificates and career development opportunities through the Syracuse’s online degree and certificate programs.

The collaboration will empower National Women’s Soccer League players and their families—as well as league and club staff and their families—to pursue customized degree programs and professional development resources designed for the unique demands of professional athletes.

With a shared vision of supporting professional development and expanding opportunities across the NWSL ecosystem, the initiative creates flexible pathways for a variety of academic offerings. Programs will draw on the expertise of the University’s renowned schools and colleges, including the , the , the �����Ի� (CPS).

“Our mission at the NWSL has always been to champion our athletes not just as players, but as people with diverse ambitions and bright futures,” Briana Gilmartin, NWSL League Player Partner, says. “This collaboration with Syracuse University provides a critical bridge to success for our current stars, our storied alumni and their families. Furthermore, by extending these elite educational resources to our internal league and club staff, we are reinforcing our commitment to professional excellence across the entire NWSL ecosystem. We are proud to offer a pathway that turns ambition into tangible skill development, fueling the goals of our community on and off the pitch.”

Opportunities created through this initiative include:
• Flexible, 100% online degrees and certificates
• Pre-academic English language program
• Credit transfer assessment
• Career-focused programs in business, project management, leadership and sport analytics, among others
• Dedicated online student support

“My fellow deans and I are excited to partner with the National Women’s Soccer League to provide the Syracuse University experience to current and former players and their family members who are  interested in pursuing our robust academic offerings,” says Falk College Dean , who earlier this year helped establish similar partnerships with Major League Soccer and National Hockey League. “For athletes and professionals with unpredictable schedules, our online programs offer the perfect balance of flexibility, extensive academic support, and real-world applicability–all without compromising the demands of their careers or personal circumstances.”

Educational offerings will be accessible online, on campus and at Syracuse’s “away” centers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Dedicated admission specialists and academic advisors will work with each participant to tailor academic pathways aligned with their goals.

For more information regarding NWSL’s partnership with Syracuse University, visit the .

Who is allowed to work in the United States—and under what conditions—has long been shaped by the intersections of immigration and employment law. While these questions are frequently in the national spotlight today, the complex layers and legal frameworks behind them have been evolving for decades.

Recognizing both the historical significance and modern urgency of these issues, the launched its first residency focused on the interweaving of immigration and employment statutes and regulations, drawing students eager to explore how policy, economics and legal precedent converge.

The Intersections of Immigration and Employment Policy and Law: In the Courts, the Agencies, and in the Congress, a four-day residency option designed for JDi students and open to on-campus students, took place last December in Washington, D.C. This popular residency drew a range of students— including a union steward, a sheriff, an individual with an H-1B visa and many other professionals working in a variety of fields—all of whom brought interesting perspectives to the classroom.

The residency was led by the , Chair and Chief Judge, Administrative Review Board, U.S. Department of Labor (presenting on his own behalf) and a distinguished immigration law scholar with more than 25 years of experience working in immigration and employment law on Capitol Hill, with the Department of Labor and in the private sector.

Curriculum Addressed Broader Immigration/Employment Issues

According to Johnson, the residency offered a broad perspective, looking at how conflicts between the courts and enforcement agencies are resolved using a review of general statutory interpretative principles and court cases that examine the interactions of immigration and employment laws. The residency also examined other legal conflicts as exemplified under the Federal Arbitration Act; the congressional deliberations surrounding the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act; and the Administrative Procedure Act, as well as some of the more influential court decisions handed down over the past six years, such as “Loper Bright, v. Raimondo,” “SEC v. Jarkesy” and “Muldrow v. City of St. Louis.”

“This residency clarified that immigration law, employment law and administrative law do not operate as separate systems but continuously shape one another— and that their interaction has long-term consequences beyond individual cases,” says attendee Kate Fioravanti L’26, who is a full-time school administrator in a Connecticut urban public school district and the president of the local union affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

“Through discussion of doctrines like Hoffman Plastics, mandatory arbitration, agency deference and cases such as Plyler v. Doe, the course highlighted how legal rules governing work authorization, enforcement and access to institutions ultimately influence who participates in the workforce, who remains economically stable and how communities develop,” she adds. “For me, the important takeaway was understanding how these legal frameworks collectively affect the country’s labor force, schoolsand economic capacity, making them questions of structural design rather than isolated doctrinal debates.”

Jacie Rodriguez L’26 also found the residency enlightening.

“The best thing I took away was that immigration policies and laws are not simple,” says Rodriguez, a bilingual claims specialist for the U.S. Social Security Administration. “There are many parties invested in the outcome of immigration law, and reform can come to a near standstill without compromise. Policymakers, administrative agencies, Supreme Court decisions, public interest groups and the president himself—everyone has a role that will either stagnate or propel momentum.”

Extensive Network of Speakers Added Unique Expertise

Not only did Johnson utilize case studies and examples from his extensive career in immigration and employment law, but he also tapped into his vast network of experts in this space to speak to and network with the JDi students, adding to the richness of the experience.

“I’m blessed to have such a huge network of professional colleagues—and I’m grateful they took time out of their very busy lives to share their views and experiences with our JDi students,” says Johnson. “When I was going through the students’ final exams, everyone identified different speakers and their appeal, as well as the opportunity to hear about various career backgrounds and, to some degree, think about post-graduation opportunities outside of big law.”

Students left the residency with a greater knowledge and understanding of U.S. immigration and employment law, including the layered complexities within each area. They also gained insight into how courts resolve seemingly inconsistent mandates between statutes, and how to effectively advocate for clients when confronted with conflicting and/or overlapping mandates. They further honed their skills by analyzing immigration law cases and looked closely at how trends shape the law and Congressional deliberations.

“I believe the JDi students walked away with a sense of how this topic is more than just today’s headlines but is a blend of the law and societal mores, and that, as these societal mores change, the law does not remain static,” says Johnson. “The skills shared at the residency are transferable to a lot of other aspects of the legal field. So no matter what area of the law they choose to pursue, I hope the experience gave them another arrow in their quiver as they go through life and represent clients.”

Residency Welcomes High-Level Thought Leaders

The following joined the JDi residency to share their expertise on various topics related to immigration and employment law:

• Jon Baselice, Executive Vice President and Head of Government Affairs, Vantoe, explained negotiations over the worker program in S. 744 and why employers were quite willing to overrule Hoffman while unions thought it would be a win
• Josh Bernstein, Director of Immigration Policy/Director of Immigration for the Service Employees International Union SEIU, U.S. Chamber, immigration programs, spoke about immigration policy, Capitol Hill negations with the U.S. Chamber and immigrant worker programs
• Joshua Breisblatt, Democrat Chief Counsel, Immigration Subcommittee, U.S. House Judiciary Committee, spoke about immigration negotiations on Capitol Hill
• Kristie De Pena, Vice President for Policy and Director of Immigration Policy, Niskanene Center, gave an update and observations on recent immigration developments and chance of reforms
• Danny Kaufer, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais, Montreal, spoke about lessons and parallels under Canadian employment law
• Roger King, Senior Labor and Employment Counsel for the HR Policy Association, presented the basics of the NLRA and crossroads with immigration law
• Camille Olson, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw, and Chair, U.S. Chamber’s EEO subcommittee, presented on statutory overlaps
• Laura Reiff, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and Co-chair of GT’s Immigration Practice, talked about union management negotiations and compliance issues
• Gene Scalia, past Secretary of Labor and Solicitor of Labor, explained the balancing legal interpretations of statutes and review of key Supreme Court decisions relating to the APA
• Chris Thomas, Partner, Holland & Hart, spoke about immigration enforcement focus and practical problems faced by employers

When G’26 was researching master of fine arts (M.F.A.) programs, one opportunity in the School of Art stood out: the Turner Semester residency in Los Angeles. The chance to immerse herself in the rhythm of LA’s art world, intern with a working artist and experience the culture firsthand became the deciding factor in her application to the school’s within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).

“I applied to Syracuse with this residency at the forefront of my decision,” Hashemi says, “and it exceeded my expectations.”

Hashemi was named one of three Turner Semester residents for the Spring 2025 semester. She lived and worked in LA under the guidance of residency coordinator who, like Hashemi, is an interdisciplinary artist. Between exhibitions and studio visits, museum tours and artist talks, Hashemi discovered what it meant to sustain a life in the arts beyond studio walls. “It was my first time truly experiencing that ecosystem firsthand,” she says.

The residency’s centerpiece was her internship with Elliott Hundley, an LA-based collage artist whose work Hashemi had admired for years. “His practice reshaped how I think about collage—not just as assemblage, but as a living, breathing cosmos,” she says. “When I finally stepped into that cosmos years later, it felt like crossing into a dream I had unknowingly rehearsed for.”

Twice a week, Hashemi worked alongside Hundley and his studio manager, cutting hundreds of tiny scraps by hand, resizing over 800 images, forming clay pins and gluing delicate fragments into place. (The pieces would travel to Regen Projects and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for his mid-career retrospective.) She also observed curators, critics and gallerists who visited the studio.

The experience opened unexpected doors. After sharing her own work with Hundley, he arranged a private studio visit with Shepard Fairey—another longtime inspiration. The visit led to meaningful conversations and connections, including the potential to assist in Fairey’s studio in the future.

“Being embedded in the community revealed how central relationships and collaboration are to sustaining a life in the arts,” Hashemi says. “For someone who typically spends most of their time working alone in the studio, the residency exposed me to an entirely new way of engaging with the art world.”

Back in Syracuse, Hashemi has made the most of the opportunities afforded to graduate students in the School of Art. She has a private studio space in Comstock Art Facility’s printmaking lab, where she works on her large-scale collage work, and she benefits from the perspectives and suggestions of faculty members who work in such disciplines as printmaking, ceramics and photography. She has also taught three semesters of undergraduate screenprinting, her favorite medium, and worked as a technician in the printmaking lab. She recently had the solo show “Obscura” in the school’s new student-run gallery .

“As a third-year M.F.A. student preparing for my culminating thesis exhibitions, I approached this show as a kind of mini-thesis preview,” Hashemi says. “Installing and exhibiting work from the past two-and-a-half years allowed me to see the full scope of my development, and since I typically work at a large scale, it was the first time I experienced a substantial body of work installed together.”

This spring Hashemi will exhibit her work in VPA’s (opening March 27 at the college’s ) and in New York City, also in March. She is considering a return to the West Coast after she graduates in May. “Through my LA residency, I’ve developed meaningful professional connections and am interested in pursuing opportunities there, alongside my interest in teaching at the college level,” she says.

Nearly 30 Syracuse University faculty and postdoctoral researchers and nationally known thought leaders who study the in America explored the issue at a recent event in New York City hosted by the .

The two-day event was the latest in a series of talks, symposia and convenings on the topic organized by the Lender Center over the past three years. The initiative is supported by a $2.7 million grant from .

The gathering involved the sharing of resources and building the knowledge base about the root causes of the wealth gap, as well as innovative ideas for addressing the problem, says , Lender Center director and professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“In New York, we centered on the need to think about the issue from multiple perspectives and look at systems that provide access to all kinds of resources—corporate systems, information and culture systems, those that provide access to health and wellness and those that offer economic mobility opportunities,” he says. Lender Center Wealth Gap Thought Leader Advisory Group members who participated included:

• Marcelle Haddix, Lender Center co-founder and dean of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education
• Pablo Mitnik, assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Center for Inequality Dynamics
• dt ogilvie, former dean at the Rochester Institute of Technology
• Gregory Price, JP Morgan Chase professor of minority and emerging business at the University of New Orleans
• Blane Ruschak, president of The PhD project
• Thomas M. Shapiro, Pokross Professor of Law and Social Policy and director of the Institute on Assets and Social Policy at Brandeis University

This photo gallery presents a recap of the event and those who participated.

Fourteen student-athletes will experience Washington, D.C., next week as part of a new Maymester program hosted by the (IDJC).

The one-week program, Democracy Playbook: DC Media and Civics Immersion for Student-Athletes, will give students an up-close look at the inner workings of the nation’s capital and prompt them to explore how they can use their skills as athletes to bring visibility to important issues.

“Athletes are born leaders and team players,” says , Kramer Director of IDJC. “This program will guide them as they take their talent, discipline and passion off the field to develop their civics muscles, with a playbook for how to navigate media, politics and policy.”

Students will arrive in Washington having chosen a policy or issue that matters to them, with the goal of learning to support and advocate for that issue. A series of instructional modules will cover topics like Representing Your Community, Media Literacy and Engagement, and Social Media, Traditional Media and Your Brand. Students will also participate in media/advocacy training sessions, and hear from various civic and business leaders based in D.C.

The week will also include tours the U.S. Capitol Building, the Department of State, the National Archives and ESPN studios, as well as social activities like the , a and a game at Audi Field.

The new program helps expand opportunities for student-athletes, whose training and game schedules often prevent them from participating in traditional semester-long programs.

With so many career possibilities open to them, how can students explore which fits their interests? The  offers a variety of programming to facilitate career exploration and readiness, such as .

Over spring break, a group of 17 A&S | Maxwell undergraduates had the chance to experience one of those immersion trips: the annual Winston Fisher Seminar in New York City, which allows undergraduate students from all majors across the and the to explore how their liberal arts education can be leveraged into a wide variety of careers in the business world.

Founded in 2006 by Fisher Brothers partner, AREA15 CEO, Dean’s Advisory Board member and Trustee Winston Fisher ’96, the weeklong Winston Fisher Seminar allows students to spend time developing and presenting business plans, touring different employers and gaining critical networking experience with recruiters and alumni.

During this year’s immersion, participants visited several high-profile organizations, including Penguin Random House, Major League Baseball, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Morgan Stanley, iHeartMedia and more.

“Connecting with the students throughout the week, hearing their business plans and learning about their aspirations is truly one of the highlights of my year,” Fisher says. “As a firm believer in the power of a liberal arts education, I’m excited to see where their journeys take them and the impact they’ll have on the world.”

“There’s no substitute for the first-hand knowledge and experience Winston’s seminar provides. In addition to gaining insight into the professional world and entrepreneurship, students build lasting relationships with peers and accomplished members of our alumni community,” says , director of employer and alumni engagement.

Check out these other photos from the 2025 Winston Fisher Seminar:

Learning didn’t stop during spring break for dozens of Falk College students who took part in immersive travel opportunities. The college offers a wide array of travel programs for students, with and being pillars of the experience.

Three immersion travel programs this spring provided Falk students with unique opportunities for hands-on learning from leading industry professionals, while also discovering and embracing different cultures.

Ireland

Students enrolled in the Sport Culture in Ireland class spent nine days in Ireland over spring break. The group of 13 students, comprised of and majors, traveled to iconic Irish spots such as the Cliffs of Moher, Temple Bar and Kilmainham Gaol to experience the culture of Ireland.

The students visited the Na Fienna Gaelic Athletic Association club, where they participated in Gaelic football, hurling and handball games with classmates while learning about the sports’ history and impact in Ireland. At University College Dublin’s Institute for Sport and Health, experts in the fields of sports medicine and exercise science gave insightful presentations about injury and rehabilitation research. At a visit to the Leinster Rugby Club, students learned from team officials about the role of technology in athlete development and what it takes to manage a winning sport organization.

Visit the to learn more about the students’ experiences in Ireland.

Italy

In each of the last two springs, students in the Italian Football: Impact and Outcomes class have visited Italy to meet with representatives from Serie A soccer clubs and learn about Italian culture surrounding soccer, or calcio.

The students on this year’s trip met with representatives from Soccerment, an Italy-based artificial intelligence platform seeking to accelerate the adoption of data analytics into soccer; networked with front office officials from Bologna FC; and toured Viola Park, home of ACF Fiorentina. Students experienced exciting Serie A matchups at Stadio G. Sinigaglia, home of the Como 1907 football club, and Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, home of Inter Milan. Aside from soccer, students toured historic locations such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Milan Cathedral. On the final day of the trip, students learned how to make authentic Italian pasta from scratch.

Los Angeles

Students have enjoyed the Falk in Los Angeles Career Exploration trip for more than a decade. Open to all Falk students, the trip offers students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, explore career paths and visit leading organizations in one of the country’s largest sport markets.

This year’s trip included stops at the NFL Network, FOX Sports, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, the Rose Bowl and more. Students met and networked with Falk’s extensive based in southern California to set themselves up for successful careers in the industry.

A new partnership between and the (MLBPA) will create academic pathways for current and former players. Under this agreement, Syracuse University will offer market-relevant and industry-specific online degrees, certificates and credentials, as well as a range of non-credit professional development and executive education training programs, courses and workshops.

Responsive to the MLBPA’s desire to expand opportunities for career growth to its thousands of players, the new cross-campus collaboration taps into the expertise of several of the University’s schools and colleges, including the new , the , the and the .

“My fellow deans and I are excited to partner with the Major League Baseball Players Association to provide the Syracuse University experience to those interested in pursuing our vast academic offerings,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan, whose initial discussions with the MLBPA inspired the creation of this new initiative. “This partnership reflects our collectively held value that higher education should be achievable for everyone, regardless of the demands of their profession or personal circumstances. For athletes and professionals with unpredictable schedules, our online programs offer the perfect balance of flexibility, robust academic support and real-world applicability—all without compromising their careers.”

“The Major League Baseball Players Association is thrilled to partner with Syracuse University to provide our members with exceptional educational opportunities,” says Chris Singleton, MLBPA special assistant for player resource programs and a former major league outfielder. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting players both on and off the field, ensuring they have access to world-class academic resources that empower their personal and professional growth.”

The MLBPA represents the 1,200 players on major league 40-man rosters, as well as approximately 5,500 minor league players. This new partnership creates opportunities for these players to pursue several noteworthy objectives, including the following:

• Skill Development and Post-Career Readiness: The partnership will align market-relevant curricula and programming with players’ post-career aspirations and needs, ensuring they acquire meaningful skills and knowledge.
• Research and Innovation: The MLBPA and Syracuse will collaborate on research projects that inform progressive and advanced programming for professional athletes. These efforts may lead to the development of new technologies, products or processes, benefiting the MLBPA and other professional athletic organizations.
• Practical Experience: The partnership will provide Syracuse students with opportunities for internships, co-op programs and hands-on projects with the MLBPA. This practical experience will enhance learning, make students more competitive and serve as a potential pipeline for talent to the MLBPA and other professional athlete associations.
• Networking Opportunities: Players will gain access to professional mentors associated with Syracuse in sports, broadcasting and business, to aid them in post-playing career development and job opportunities.

Dedicated admission specialists and academic advisors will tailor academic pathways in support of the unique needs of each participant. These educational opportunities will be accessible through a number of formats, including online, on campus and at Syracuse’s sites in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The University will also offer an online academic English program to prepare non-native English speakers for success in their non-credit programs, courses and workshops.

Visit the Syracuse University website to learn more about this innovative partnership.

, adjunct professor for , has been named president and chief executive officer of the , effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Blockwood has taught Maxwell students in the nation’s capital since 2022 and served as executive vice president at the Partnership for Public Service. He also previously served in the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs.

Blockwood will s쳮d Terry Gerton, the Academy’s longest-serving leader.

“In our search for our next president and CEO, the board of the Academy was looking for a combination of broad and deep experience in public administration, outstanding leadership skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the Academy’s unique role and mission,” says Janet A. Weiss, Academy board chair. “Terry Gerton has been an extraordinary leader for the Academy and in James-Christian Blockwood we have identified a leader we believe will build on Terry’s legacy, the reputation of the Academy and our capacities for the future.”

As one of only two congressionally chartered institutions of its kind, the Academy has a mandate to advance the field of public administration and provide nonpartisan expertise to Congress and the next presidential administration.

The Academy has 1,000 fellows from all levels of government, academia and the private sector. Fellows include public managers and scholars, business executives, current and former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, state legislators and diplomats. Among them is .

Van Slyke said Blockwood advances the field of public administration through his work with the University. “He helps students and executive professionals hone critical skills and prepares the next generation to be the future leaders our country needs,” Van Slyke says, adding that his course on strategic foresight is a valuable experiential learning opportunity for students and builds on his strong reputation in strategy, management and public affairs. “He is very well-equipped to lead an organization focused on advancing the practice of public administration.”

Blockwood says it is a “privilege to have the confidence of the board of directors to lead the Academy into its next era—especially with the Academy’s 60th and our nation’s 250th anniversaries as milestones ahead.”

The opening of a new Syracuse University center in Washington, D.C., was celebrated by members of the University community at a special event Sept. 24.

“This city is a place our students want to be. It’s a place they want to live. And it’s a place they want to build their futures and careers after they graduate,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our students studying away here benefit from Syracuse’s academic strength and deep connections in policy, government, media and law.”

The center, located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave. in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, will serve students, faculty, staff and alumni. Building on an already thriving presence in the nation’s capital, the center will enhance the University’s global influence and impact.

Mike Tirico ’88, host and play-by-play commentator with NBC Sports, hosted the event. Speakers included Chancellor Syverud, Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie.

The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion examining the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy. Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, moderated the discussion. Panelists were James Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, Syracuse University women’s basketball coach, and Tirico.

Expanded Opportunities

The Washington, D.C., center houses the and serves as a home base for study away programs offered by the , and , through which hundreds of students live, learn and work in the city every year. Washington is home to more than 15,000 alumni, many of whom connect with students as teachers, mentors and internship supervisors.

The center will support the continued growth of study away programming across the University’s schools and colleges, as envisioned in the academic strategic plan, “.”

“We now begin a new chapter in that already successful story,” Provost Agnew said. “This space is more than just a building. It is Syracuse University’s academic home in one of the most important cities in the world. It will serve as a hub for students, faculty and staff, positioning them as change makers and thought leaders on some of the most important issues of our time.”

The center will also enhance the work of the (IVMF), which has a satellite office in the building. Haynie noted that IVMF has contributed more than 1,750 research publications, engagements and products for public benefit, with much of that work focused on the federal level.

“I am confident that with a permanent presence in Washington, the institute’s impact will grow considerably and accrue to the benefit of those who have worn the nation’s cloth and their families,” he said.

The center includes classrooms, student lounges, conference and interview rooms and a multipurpose space, as well as satellite offices for the and the Division of Advancement and External Affairs. It features the Greenberg Welcome Center, named for alumnus and Life Trustee Paul Greenberg ’65, whose philanthropy supported the 1990 opening of Greenberg House, the University’s first outpost in Washington.

They toured the offices of Fox Sports, SONY Pictures and the NFL Network. They got tips on making presentations from former NFL champions Lou Alexander ’12, Derrell Smith ’10 and Roland Williams ’97. They learned storytelling from sports broadcasters Andrew Siciliano ’96 and Cameron Lynch ’21 and entertainment producers Kip Konweiser ’85 and Doug Robinson ’85. They heard about the power of marketing from We Are Social head Rebecca Coleman ’00 and discovered the keys to pitching a TV show idea and giving a great TED talk.

Those were among many lessons packed into CRS 360, Communication Strategies in Sports. The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) offered the new, three-credit Maymester course for the first time this year to provide a study-away opportunity for student-athletes whose academic year schedules are defined by little flexibility due to training and game commitments.

,  professor and chair of communication and rhetorical studies (CRS), and , visual and performing arts program director for the University’s Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, worked with G’20, assistant provost for student-athlete academic development in the Department of Athletics, to devise the experience program.

Classes, activities mix

The students experienced class days split between coursework, business site tours, discussions with top sports and broadcasting executives and the creation of presentations. They were taught by , renowned award-winning book author, documentary creator and film producer. Students were housed in a Hollywood Hills apartment complex near the . They enjoyed a weekend Dodgers game and a hike to the iconic Hollywood sign, and got to meet with many members of the LA Regional Alumni Council for a roundtable discussion. Another highlight of the course was the tour of Fox Sports, where students visited the set used for several Fox Sports shows organized by alumni Bernie Kim ’01 and Cayden Feifer ’12. Students were able to meet “Speak” show hosts LeSean McCoy, Emmanuel Acho, Joy Taylor and Skip Bayless.

“This was an incredible opportunity to explore a course in a short amount of time, get a sense of Los Angeles, go on many site visits and meet alumni who are excited to impart their wisdom, who really care about these students’ success and who now are contacts for continued communication,” Proulx says.

Life after athletics

She believes the course’s career-development focus offers a sense of what life could be like after athletics and after Syracuse. “Many of our former players who moved beyond football have gone into careers in entrepreneurship, sales management, investments, NASCAR, athletic design and sports broadcasting. These alumni showed the students that the skills they already have from football are transferable to many different future careers.”

Student LeQuint Allen Jr. ’26, a running back on the Syracuse football team and a sociology major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, says it was “unbelievable” how many people he met during the two weeks he spent in Los Angeles. He says he identified with alumnus Lou Alexander, “whose story is like mine,” and he wants to model the demeanor of alumnus Roland Williams. “I was getting a lot of tips from him, seeing how he handled himself and learning from him, and I felt like I can mirror that.”

A good balance

Kyle McCord, a CRS major, will graduate this December. The quarterback plans to play football professionally after graduation then envisions a career in either coaching or sports broadcasting. He was impressed by the way the course maximized the Maymester timeframe. “It was a really good balance between school and being able to explore LA. Given how busy our schedules are, carving out two weeks and having a very productive trip, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ll 100% be able to put what I learned to use right away.”

Marlowe Wax Jr. ’24, G’26, earned a psychology degree in May and is now enrolled in the project management master’s program in the College of Professional Studies.

The linebacker says the course allowed him to learn a lot about public speaking and how to control a stage. “I want to go into professional football, and after that, I’d love to do anything in sports. I really appreciate the number of people I met and I love that I have these people to connect to.”

Powell says the course offered a transformative learning experience. “Our student-athletes gained unparalleled exposure to dynamic instruction and industry leaders, that enriched their academics and broadened their perspectives,” he says. “Few student-athletes have the opportunity to benefit from study abroad or away opportunities. This class aligned with the University’s academic strategic plan and our commitment to prepare students not just in their sport but as global citizens poised to lead in an interconnected world.”

More information about VPA’s Los Angeles Semester is available on the school’s .

The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is a unique college with a diversity of programs from exercise science to social work to sport analytics.

The common denominator is Falk’s focus on experiential learning, and this past fall 27 students representing on-campus and online programs from all departments participated in one of the college’s most immersive experiences: the “Falk in D.C. Career Exploration Trip” hosted by the .

It was the third Falk in D.C. trip, but the first that included separate tracks for health/human services and sport-related careers, with all attending Falk students joining together for select site visits and panels that represented both health and sport professionals. The students engaged with alumni and employer representatives from 28 Washington, D.C., and Baltimore area organizations through site visits and panels, and even more at the alumni networking reception.

“The combined nature of the trip allowed many students to expand their professional interests and discover the overlap between health and sport professions,” says , associate director of career services. “Over the course of the trip, all attending students demonstrated new or improved ability and confidence in career skills including networking, industry knowledge, communication and awareness of professional values.”

Health students met with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bread for the City, Urban Institute, and MedStar, among many others. Sport students met with representatives from several organizations, including Under Armour, Big League Advantage, Washington Commanders, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, DC United and Leveling the Playing Field.

All students participated in visits with the NFL Players’ Association, Washington Nationals, Building Bridges Across the River, Living Classrooms Foundation and PeacePlayers, International.

“The Falk in D.C. Career Immersion Trip gave me the opportunity to learn about the vast array of options that will be there for me post-graduation in the public health field,” says public health major Brinda Parikh ’26. “Being able to hear firsthand from industry professionals about their experiences throughout their careers was very eye-opening, and this trip helped me grow my network of Syracuse University alums that could help me in my own career in the future.”

When the students returned from D.C., Career Services asked for their reflections of the trip, how it fit into their decision to attend Syracuse University and their career goals. Here, we’re sharing responses from five students from across the college: master of social work student Nicole Corrente, public health major Tommy DaSilva ’26, health and exercise science major Alexia Harris ’26, sport management major Brianna Nechifor ’26, and sport analytics major Liam Roberts ’27.

Why did you choose Syracuse University and Falk College?

Alexia Harris: I chose health and exercise science because I have always loved studying the way the body works and moves. I chose Syracuse University because its program is amazing and has already set me up for success in my first semester here.

Tommy DaSilva: I chose both of my majors (public health and policy studies) because I want to improve the lives of others through government action or nonprofit community work.

Brianna Nechifor: I chose to become a sport management major because I was encouraged to enter the industry by my tennis coaches and friends who saw my burning passion for sports. I chose Syracuse University because of the community and opportunities that are available to me, including the Sales and Marketing Club, Sport Management Club and WISE (Women in Sports and Events).

Nicole Corrente: I’m a graduate student of social work who’s originally from Syracuse, so choosing Syracuse University was a natural fit.

Liam Roberts: Outside of school my biggest passion has always been sports and in school I always enjoyed math and working with numbers. As a result, the sports analytics major was perfectly catered to what I am interested in and what I want to do in life. The opportunities this major provides, including ones like this D.C. trip, were not available anywhere else and it’s ultimately why I chose to attend Syracuse.

What are your top three highlights so far from your Syracuse University experience and what are your career goals?

Brianna Nechifor: My top three highlights have to be the introduction of the new esports major, a field that I am very passionate about; the Falk in D.C. Exploration Trip; and the Sport Management Charity Sport Auction (shoutout to the Sales Committee!). My ultimate career goal is to work in esports, possibly in event management.

Nicole Corrente: My top three highlights have been my graduate coursework and research; the Falk in D.C. trip; and all the amazing connections I’ve made along the way. In the future, I plan to have a career in anti-trafficking efforts as a therapist for survivors of trafficking.

Alexia Harris: My top three highlights so far are setting up my internship with strength and conditioning in the athletics complex for next semester; being able to go on the Falk in D.C. trip; and all the different campus opportunities available. My ultimate career goal is either to go into athletic training or sports nutrition.

Liam Roberts: My Syracuse experience has only just begun, so my highlights are likely still to come. But so far, my No. 1 highlight would definitely be this trip, while other great experiences are connecting with Professor (Shane) Sanders and participating in the basketball and baseball analytics clubs.

Tommy DaSilva: Highlights of Syracuse so far have been my service-learning work with International Services and the YWCA; the work done by my organization SAPHE (Student Association of Public Health Education); and the professional connections I have been able to make. I don’t have a specific ultimate career goal as I’m open to any opportunities that come my way, as long as they can be used to help someone in some way.

What is your most memorable takeaway from the Falk in D.C. trip?

Liam Roberts: I engaged with and explored exciting opportunities within the sports industry that I would have otherwise never been able to experience, and in a manner that was fun and interesting. This experience was one that I could not see myself getting anywhere else and I’m glad I had the opportunity to join.

Alexia Harris: This trip provided me with exposure to a lot of different employment opportunities and fields that I had never thought about before, as well as connecting me to a wide variety of people.

Tommy DaSilva: This trip gave me insight into potential careers that I would have never thought possible without these face-to-face conversations.

Brianna Nechifor: I was able to interact with a variety of perspectives in the sports industry, even those you may not think you have a connection with them. Everything is in one way connected, and this trip can help shift your opinions on different sectors of the industry. It’s honestly something you shouldn’t be afraid to apply for!

Nicole Corrente: This was an amazing experience! This trip provided me with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet representatives from the CDC, United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and several nonprofit agencies. Learning about these organizations taught me a lot about the importance of a strong work ethic and an open mind. I look forward to staying connected to the Syracuse University alumni that I met and staying engaged with the work they’re doing in D.C.

Students interested in the “Falk in D.C.” trip in the fall 2024 semester can watch a video summary of the trip and find fall 2024 updates on the .

Celebrating the enduring legacy of a well-loved alumnus, members of the University community marked the official opening of the new location of the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program in North Hollywood, California on Saturday, March 2.

Along with family members of the late Dick Clark ’51, students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni and friends gathered to dedicate the University’s new home in LA, the result of a gift from the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation to significantly expand the University’s presence and impact in the entertainment field.

The expansion of the , a vibrant example of the University’s commitment to Study Away, includes new space for offices, classrooms, studios, additional academic programs, faculty and internships. It is home to LA programs for the and the .

A new study away opportunity for student-athletes will be offered this year as a Maymester course in Los Angeles.

The course, Networking and the Art of the Pitch, was developed by , chair of communication and rhetorical studies (CRS) in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), and , director of VPA’s Los Angeles program, working with , assistant provost for student-athlete academic development in the Department of Athletics.

The course was designed to help break down a common barrier faced by student-athletes who are interested in studying off campus.

“Student-athletes are often constrained by their training and game schedules, which means they do not have many opportunities for study abroad and study away,” Dubrofsky says. “Tommy mentioned that student-athletes would love an opportunity to study away, and that a perfect time for it is Maymester, when they don’t have any games or practices.”

Dubrofsky adds that CRS enrolls many student-athletes, making it the logical program to house the new initiative.

The two-week course will introduce students to the principles of persuasive communication and networking in the sports broadcasting industry. Students will visit studios and other companies and attend games and cultural events. Syracuse alumni who were student-athletes and pursued a variety of career paths will serve as guest lecturers.

The course is open to all CRS student-athletes; those in other majors can take it as an elective. For more information, contact Proulx at 818.314.6722 or asproulx@syr.edu.

Sam Clark ’24 has known since he was 9 years old that he wanted to be a film director when he grew up. After a family trip to Egypt where his dad took hours and hours of video, Clark found himself enthralled by the footage and the ability to tell stories through film.

When it was time for him to choose a college, Clark was interested in Syracuse because not only did it boast one of the top-ranked film schools in the country but also because of its , offered through the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education in the School of Education. InclusiveU, celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, offers one of the premier opportunities in the country for students of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting.

The decision to attend Syracuse was one of the best he ever made, Clark says. He’s spent the last four years studying the craft of filmmaking through his coursework, primarily in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

For the past two semesters, Clark has taken advantage of the , getting a flavor of life on the West Coast and “in the industry,” as he would say.

“LA has been incredible,” Clark says. “Every morning I go to my internship and then at night, I take awesome classes with professors who have been in the industry and who know the ins and outs of working in the media and entertainment fields.”

In spring 2023, Clark participated in the and interned with Doug Robinson Productions (founded by fellow Orange alumnus Doug Robinson ’85) on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot, where his duties included reviewing and evaluating scripts, shadowing production assistants on set and listening to pitches for future projects.

“He [Doug] took me on the set of an ’80s flashback show called ‘The Goldbergs’ and I learned about the art of production, editing and sound mixing,” Clark says. At night, he studied acting, writing and production through his Newhouse coursework.

Notably, he also found professional and industry mentorship under , director of Newhouse LA. “Robin has been awesome about giving me many opportunities in LA, from going to industry premieres to teaching me about pitching and helping me to attend PA [production assistant] bootcamp, which was hugely valuable,” says Clark.

“Sam is truly a shining light, a fantastic young man!” says Howard. “Everyone here has been deeply touched and inspired by his journey with us. It is a gift to know him.”

When faculty and staff affiliated with the saw how enthusiastically Clark was embracing the Newhouse program and all he was learning, they encouraged him to remain in Los Angeles for the fall semester through their immersion program. Clark got another internship, this time as a development intern with The Gotham Group, a talent management company, where his duties include listening to and evaluating clients’ pitches and their potential to become a movie or TV production. “I can’t say too much about the types of projects I’ve been working on, because it’s kind of classified,” Clark says with a grin.

His fall 2023 coursework encompassed a filmmaking senior project, a scriptwriting class focused on episodic dramas and a networking class, which he says has been his favorite class of the semester. “SULA has been helping me out with the alumni community in Los Angeles and making connections with people who may be able to help me in my future career, hopefully with getting a job in the industry,” Clark says. “I have especially appreciated [VPA program director for SULA] and the many opportunities she has given me as an InclusiveU student, including facilitating my attendance at several film festivals.”

“Sam embodies the spirit of SULA—a positive attitude, a willingness to try new experiences, an openness to network and introduce himself, and a strong work ethic,” says Proulx. “He has touched this program in so many positive ways, and we are honored to be a small part of his learning journey.”

Clark’s senior film project draws inspiration from the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes—the plot involves artificial intelligence taking over an actor’s career. He says he has learned a lot about pitching his own projects through his internship at The Gotham Group, and he hopes to get a job as a production assistant after he graduates in May. Ultimately, he aspires to achieve his dream of becoming a filmmaker, and while Clark is not sure if he’ll remain in Los Angeles or return to his hometown of Philadelphia, he knows his time spent at SULA has set him up for future success.

“Sam is the epitome of what you want to see in a college student,” says Sam Roux, academic coordinator with InclusiveU in the School of Education and Clark’s academic advisor. “He is acutely aware of college’s transient nature and hustles every day to get the most out of this experience. The guy is a total rockstar.”

Rockstar, yes—and hopefully someday a big-time movie director too.