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WMG Scholars

The intention of the WMG Scholars program is to extend the benefits received by our ambitious young WMG Scholarship and Fellowship recipients. Beginning in 2020, all students who receive financial support from Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation also have the option to join WMG as members with full benefits for three years—and their membership fees are waived for this period while they're in school or starting their media careers. We hope that this will enable each WMG Scholar to participate in all of our networking events, career-development programs and workshops, and opportunities to socialize.

We're fully committed to supporting the next generation of media superstars and innovators, and recognize that everyone has something to contribute.

WMG Scholarships

The Women’s Media Group is thrilled to sponsor several major financial scholarships, through our nonprofit Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation, with top-rated publishing programs as part of our ever-expanding efforts to support and retain talented young women in the publishing and media sectors. Through these scholarships we can support the education of future publishing professionals who have demonstrated leadership in advancing literacy and promoting diversity/underrepresented voices in our industry – an essential goal for our group as we look toward the future. We currently offer scholarships at the Columbia Publishing Course at the Columbia Journalism School, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, Fashion Institute of Technology’s Film and Media program, Fordham University's English/Creative Writing Program, Girls Write Now, NYU's Summer Publishing Course, and with Pace University's MS in Publishing program.

WMG Publishing Certificate Program at City College of New York Fellowships

Every summer, Women's Media Group awards two Fellowships to students from diverse backgrounds who are attending or have completed the Publishing Certificate Program at City College of New York using funds raised through Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation. Fellows can opt to use the fellowship for tuition or to use the stipend to help cover their living costs as they participate in WMG networking and social events, and meet our members for organized one-on-one mentoring. Our goal is to help our Fellows establish careers in media beyond their summer course, and to eventually welcome them as members later in their career.

2026 Scholars

City College of New York Publishing Certificate Program Fellows 2026

Dashawna Brown is a rising senior at The City College of New York, where she studies Media Communications Arts and Black Studies and is completing the Publishing Certificate Program. Her experience spans publishing, archives, libraries, and community engagement through roles with the Rockefeller Archive Center, Guttman Community College Library, Housing Works Bookstore, Brooklyn Book Bodega, and several New York City nonprofit organizations. Passionate about books, storytelling, and public access to knowledge, Dashawna is particularly interested in publishing, literary programming, archives, and audience engagement. Through her work, she has supported literacy initiatives, library services, educational programming, and community-centered events that connect readers and researchers with information and resources. As a lifelong reader and advocate for equitable access to books and education, Dashawna hopes to build a career that bridges publishing, media, and cultural institutions while helping expand opportunities for learning, discovery, and storytelling.

Roxanna Cardenas Colmenares graduated from The City College of New York with a B.A. in English with Honors and a publishing certificate. There, she served as the editor-in-chief of the student-run newspaper, The Paper, and as a senior editor for Promethean, the college’s literary journal. Roxanna’s Honors thesis was a collection of Gothic stories, with a foreword explaining the current rise of the Gothic genre in the publishing market being led by women of color. She previously interned at Latinx in Publishing and Penguin Random House, where she performed an array of administrative and editorial tasks. She’s excited to pursue a career in children’s book publishing, where she hopes to give a platform to marginalized voices.

Columbia Publishing Course Recipient 2026

Briana Alvarez is a writer and editor with a passion for literary publishing and storytelling that centers diverse voices. She began her editorial career at Salem State University’s literary magazine Red Skies, where she served as editor-in-chief and helped shape the magazine’s creative vision while expanding its reach. She has also interned with Molecule: a tiny lit mag and Green Light Literary + Media, gaining experience in editorial production, submissions review, and literary agency work. After graduating in December, she joined The Daily Item as a general reporter, where she continues to strengthen her voice and commitment to clear, engaging storytelling. Briana is particularly passionate about literary editing, supporting emerging writers, and championing stories that resonate with diverse communities. Guided by values of equity, collaboration, and integrity, she hopes to build a career in publishing that uplifts both writers and readers.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2026

Baran Khatib Zadeh is an Iranian filmmaker currently studying Film and Media Studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has interned as a videographer for the Communication and External Relations office at FIT, where she worked closely and collaboratively with other students. She has also produced short student films. Her own work focuses on archival footage and themes of identity, culture, and human connections. She believes visual media is a powerful tool for telling stories that can inform, engage, and hopefully unite people. Baran hopes to establish herself as an Iranian filmmaker and to learn from other creatives.

Girls Write Now Recipient 2026

Christiane Calixte is a Brooklyn-based Caribbean American freelance writer and public speaker studying Creative Writing at Columbia University. She is passionate about exploring literature and media to shine a light on issues affecting justice-impacted marginalized communities. As a teaching artist at the literary organization Girls Write Now, she has taught multiple community studios exploring writing as a means of cultural expression and advocacy. She collaborated with CUNY Law School and Books Through Bars to expand access to books in prisons nationwide as a Community Service Director for the Columbia Black Pre-Law Society. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, YR Media, the New York Public Library's Teen Voices Magazine, and the Girls Write Now Anthology.

New York University Summer Publishing Institute Scholarship Recipients 2026

Jade Dubuche is a student at Cornell University studying Communication with minors in Media Studies and Creative Writing. Through her work with The Cornell Daily Sun, she has developed experience in journalism, multimedia production, and audience engagement, serving in leadership roles including social media editor and multimedia editor. In these positions, she has overseen digital content strategy, visual storytelling, and cross-platform audience engagement while helping shape how stories are presented across mediums. She is particularly drawn to children’s publishing and hopes to help connect young readers with stories that foster a sense of belonging, imagination, and representation. Grounded in her experiences as a New York City native and a woman of color, Jade approaches her work with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging inequities in media representation.

Eden Heffron-Hanson is a poet, educator, and designer living and working in New York City. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2024, where she worked as a typesetter on the literary journal The Greyrock Review. After graduation, she worked as a design intern at Denver's Out Front Magazine and as a K-5 educator at the nonprofit ArtistYear, creating elementary literary curriculum. She is passionate about uplifting queer and trans voices in literature, writing that challenges white supremacy, and poetry that pushes the boundaries of the page.

Presidents Emeritae Scholarship Award Recipient 2026 – Paid internship with Ms. magazine

Siena Bannister is in Pace University's Master's program in Publishing and is currently an editorial intern with Ms. magazine. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in English and Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies from Appalachian State University in 2025. Her beats for Ms. cover pop culture and women's rights. She aspires to work in book publishing after graduation from Pace. On her days off, Siena loves to read and spend time with her lab rescue, Forrest.

2025 Scholars

City College of New York Publishing Certificate Program Fellows 2025

Bethany Mathews is a writer and educator with a deep love for literary fiction and the academic publishing worlds. Before studying publishing at the City College of New York, she taught high school English in Indonesia. She holds a B.A. in English and Philosophy from the University of Glasgow and her international background continues to shape her approach to editing and storytelling. Bethany is passionate about uplifting global voices, revitalizing international classics, and creating compassion through story. With her editorial bent and knowledge of global book markets, she hopes to establish herself in editing or subrights.

Makaiya Williams is a 21-year-old starting her senior year at the City College of New York in the fall. She is a Communications major concentrating in Advertising and Public Relations with an English minor and is pursuing CCNY’s Publishing Certificate Program. She is a go-getter and a creative student and worker, always ready for a challenge. She has broad interests and would like to learn more about writing and editing for magazine publications, as well as marketing for book publishing. Makaiya's passion is first and foremost writing, but she also enjoys many other arts like fashion, film, and music. She is currently working on her own fiction novel in the popular genre of romantic-fantasy.

Columbia Publishing Course Recipients 2025

Clara Helm grew up in California and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Santa Clara University with degrees in English and Political Science and a minor in Pre-Modern Studies. As part of the university’s Honors Program, she spent a year studying 18th Century Women's Literature at Oxford. She has worked as a reporter for Picket Fence Media, where she covered local news and developed a love for clear, deadline-driven storytelling. With experience in journalism, research, and literary analysis, Clara is excited to bring her editorial eye and curiosity to a career in academic publishing or trade non-fiction publishing.

Tabitha Klein graduated from Dartmouth College in 2024 with a Bachelor's Degree in Government. Between classes on Comparative Politics, she managed the student radio station, took some Mandarin classes, and dabbled in Comparative Literature research. She has spent the past year working at her local independent bookstore, where she pioneered a monthly newsletter, runs the store’s Instagram account, makes friends with regulars, and continually reorganizes the picture book shelves. Tabitha is currently reading Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel but you should ask her for an update next time you see her.

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism 2025

Sophia Castillo is a Lima-based journalist with over a decade of experience in media. She began her career at 19, working as a reporter while completing her studies in Communications at the Universidad de Lima, where she graduated with a specialization in Journalism. From her earliest work, her coverage of protests and civic issues has been characterized by a focus on the defense of human rights and demands for gender equality, a perspective she has maintained throughout her career. Subsequently, she worked for seven years at RPP Noticias, creating reports for both radio and television. A highlight from this period was her coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she documented the impact on vulnerable communities and the vaccination campaign amidst a context of high social unrest. Currently, at El Comercio, she continues her work focused on stories with citizen impact. As a student of the MA at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, she seeks to expand her existing toolkit by incorporating advanced investigative journalism techniques and new digital narratives to tell stories with greater depth and impact.

Jacqueline LeKachman is a journalist who writes about complex family dynamics, health, and women’s sexual autonomy. She has clips in The Washington Post, HuffPost, Women’s Health, Slate, Salon, Business Insider, Newsweek, and more. She began freelance writing while completing her BS in English Education at NYU. As a former NYC public high school English teacher, she believes that writing is a form of self-liberation and aims to advance equity not only through her teaching but also through her journalism. Now as an MA student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, she crafts reported features that uplift the experiences of diverse women and people. She hopes to become a digital magazine editor who publishes impactful articles about family, women’s issues, mental health, and sex. Regardless of her role, she wants to mentor talented young writers and journalists. Her experience as a teacher helping teenagers create essays about critical issues that impact them–such as immigration, Nuyorican identity, and the adultification of Black girls–has shown her how essential this mentorship is for youth to believe in the power of their words.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2025

Luna Abreia is a Brazilian-American filmmaker, writer, and creative producer currently studying Film and Media at the Fashion Institute of Technology, with a minor in English Writing. She is the production director and director of videography at Primadonna Zine, where she worked as a videographer and production director on a recent collaboration with Nike Women. Alongside her editorial and creative work, Luna has self-produced several short films. Her work explores themes of identity, intimacy, and the surreal moments in everyday life. She hopes to successfully finish her college career with a strong start in the film and media industry.

Fordham University Scholarship Recipient 2025

Eliana Mojica is a senior at Fordham University, majoring in Digital Technology and Emerging Media, with a minor in Marketing. Born and raised in New York City, she draws on her Latina heritage to inform her passion for storytelling, strategy, and representation in the media. Eliana currently interns at the Odyssey Group, where she develops competitive analyses and evaluates the company’s digital presence. She has also designed internal and external graphics using Adobe Creative Suite, contributing to the company’s evolving visual identity. Her interest in media began through Fordham’s Corporate Communication Pipeline Program, where she first experienced the excitement of storytelling and strategy working in tandem. What started as curiosity quickly became purpose. By the following year, Eliana returned as a program leader, mentoring underclassmen and encouraging them to take up space in underrepresented industries, viewing media not only as a career path but also as a tool for empowerment. Eliana is passionate about blending marketing with meaningful impact. Her long-term goal is to build a career in the beauty industry while helping younger women establish networks and access opportunities within it.

New York University Summer Publishing Institute Scholarship Recipients 2025

Marissa Candido received a B.A. in Creative Writing from Muhlenberg College in 2025, where she was the head poetry editor of the literary magazine MUSES, the chief editor of the academic journal Wings of Fire, and an editor for the Muhlenberg Academic Review and Muhlenberg Visions. She is also a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and a winner of the Edwin W. Miller Writing Award. As a writer and reader, Marissa strives to uplift other creatives by making their voices heard.

Olivia Hinck has a deep appreciation for the power of words and storytelling, which led her to study English Literature, Journalism, and Marketing at Siena College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2025. She has held editorial internship positions at Study Breaks Magazine, a digital pop culture-focused publication, and Listen In with KNN, a sports talk radio show and podcast. Olivia was also a peer tutor at the Siena College Writing Center, where she developed a passion for connecting with classmates through writing and support. An avid reader of everything from speculative fiction to social justice essays, Olivia loves when a piece of writing challenges your perspective and keeps you thinking long after reading the final page. In today’s publishing landscape, she hopes to push back against the censorship of underrepresented voices and champion inclusive media practices.

Tess Tamar graduated Magna Cum Laude from NYU in 2022 with a degree in Media, Culture, and Communications, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She is a dedicated publishing professional with a passion for books and a commitment to promoting diverse voices and children's literacy. During her undergraduate experience, she was the prose editor of NYU’s literary magazine and received three minors in Creative Writing, Entertainment Business, and Psychology. Following graduation, she has been working in marketing and publishing at PR firms and publishing houses. Tess’s goal is to merge her marketing expertise with her love for publishing, creating campaigns that amplify underrepresented authors while cultivating a lifelong reading habit in young audiences.

Pace University M.S. in Publishing Recipients 2025

Vidhi Sanjaybhai Sampat is a graphic designer and publishing graduate student at Pace

University with a love for visual storytelling and book design. Originally from India, her

international background shapes her creative approach and interest in bringing diverse

voices to the forefront. With experience in design, marketing, and production, Vidhi enjoys

finding the intersection between creativity and clear communication. She hopes to grow as

a designer in major publishing houses and eventually lead creative projects that make

stories more engaging and accessible to readers.

Chardonnae Simpson is an MS in Publishing student at Pace University and a media enthusiast from the Bronx. She earned her Bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz. Her experience includes working as a graduate assistant at Pace University, serving as a paraprofessional for the New York City Department of Education, completing two internships in summer 2025, working in customer service, and more. Her writing has been published in The Publishing Lab, a Pace University student anthology. She hopes to bring her optimism and passion to a fulfilling career in media, where she can champion underrepresented voices and help give them the platform they deserve. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, volunteering with organizations such as Girl Scouts of Greater New York and WGIRLS Inc., spending intentional time completing her epic bucket list, and writing.

Presidents Emeritae Scholarship Award Recipient 2025 – Paid internship with audio studio Wonder Media Network

Lauren Tran-Muchowski (she/they) is a writing and audio enthusiast with a passion for audio journalism and podcast production. They graduated with Honors from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in American Studies and English with a certificate in Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory. While at Wes, she was the Public Affairs Director of WESU and co-host of Engage Radio, a collaboration with the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships and WESU. She has also held positions at WHYY, KALW, and Voice of America. A deep appreciator of language, they are passionate about informing the public, deconstructing social norms, and showcasing underrepresented voices. She is originally from San Francisco, California.

2024 Scholars

City College of New York Publishing Certificate Program Fellows 2024

Isabel Blas is a young Latina who has recently completed the Publishing Certificate Program through the City College of New York (CCNY), her alma mater, two years after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2022. Her academic background in sociology, paired with the practical skills and knowledge gained from her Intellectual Property Internship with the Princeton University Press, places her in a unique and advantageous position to advocate for and promote inclusive storytelling within the publishing industry as a whole. In her own words; “I’ve learned that regardless of genre, books inspire people. But more than that, they unite people. … To be a part of a team responsible for cultivating the compassion, imagination, and adventure of a generation would be the greatest accomplishment of my life.”

As a substitute teacher, Cristina Romero is passionate about the impact of children's books on young minds, especially when the books reflect diverse experiences. Growing up bilingual with Spanish as her first language, she navigated challenges in English reading and writing due, in part, to limited representation in literature. With a BA in English from City College of New York, she is currently pursuing the Publishing Certificate Program. She is also the 2024 summer editorial intern at Levine Querido. Cristina's goal is to enhance diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature by advocating for more translated books, broadening access to diverse stories, promoting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, and fostering empathy and understanding in children.

Columbia Publishing Course Recipient 2024

Naya Solomon grew up in New York City, where her immersion in numerous cultures fostered an interest in anime, language learning, and dystopian novels. She graduated cum laude from John Jay College, where she used her English major and fine art minor to support online magazines, literary nonprofit organizations, and the creation of her own newsletter. Her time as an office assistant taught her to manage overlapping responsibilities. As a lover of literature and illustration, she hopes to use her background in creative writing and art to begin a career in editorial work, developing novels and illustrated companion books.

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism 2024

María Fernanda originally from Mexico City is a journalist specializing in geopolitics, migration, and gender issues. She holds a degree in International Relations from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, UDLAP. She has completed postgraduate studies in international relations with a focus on government and local actors from the Universidad de Guadalajara. Currently she is studying for an M.A. in Bilingual Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. She is the Editorial Director of La Audiencia, a Mexican news center where she has a column on gender and geopolitics. Additionally, she hosted the geopolitics podcast "Why Do They Fight?" on ADN40. Currently, she collaborates with El Molino Informativo, a media outlet dedicated to sharing stories of migrants in New York.

Liz Lozano is a bilingual arts and culture Journalist, former International Communications Professional, and Public Diplomat passionate about telling inclusion stories of the Latine community in the beauty, fashion, and arts and culture in the United States. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, an M.A. in anthropology, and an M.A. in Communications. Currently, and is studying for an M.A. in Bilingual Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and is part of the summer of 2024 of the News Engagement Team of GBH in Boston, supporting the inclusion of BIPOC communities through impactful stories. She has produced stories about the Bronx Fashion Week, the opening of the first flagship store of a Colombian Fashion Brand in NYC, and the turning to clean brands in a Latina fashion magazine. As an international communications professional, she has documented stories of women in the war on politics in Colombia, created communications strategies for LGBTQ+ organizations, and also led communications and cultural plans for including Colombian Communities through arts and culture in diplomatic missions in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Colombia.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2024

Brooklyn native of Mexican descent, Ashley Cervantes is a filmmaker who produces & directs short films centering Mexican Immigrants and First Generation Mexican American experiences with identity, mental health, and love, in the beautiful yet chaotic streets of New York City. Representation in this growing industry is important to Cervantes, as she comes from intersectional underrepresented communities in the mass media. Cervantes has expanded on this mission by directly reaching out to her community to create art with local talent, from music videos to documentaries. Seeking the talent within the people in her everyday life to highlight her Mexican culture and the everyday person chasing their dreams. Her goal is to uplift the communities she comes from to contribute to the new wave of art made to heal the adversities and generational traumas they face as a community. Along with creating a space with Mexican talent, creatives, and dedicated Mexican production crews.

Fordham University Scholarship Recipient 2024

Tylese Rideout is a senior at Fordham University majoring in English and minoring in African American studies on the Pre-Law Track. She is originally from Peachtree City, GA. At Fordham, Tylese is the President of ASILI: Black Student Alliance, a Student Worker at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and a Staff Writer on the Fordham Undergraduate Law Review. She is currently an Editorial Board Member for Revolutionary Literary Zine, where she helps elevate the literary genius of Black girls ages 11-24. She is passionate about combining her passions of literature and the law. Tylese intends to attend law school in the near future. Her lifelong goal is to fully fund and open a school.

Girls Write Now Recipient 2024

Esther Omolola is a Nigerian American student at CUNY Hunter College, majoring in Media Studies with a minor in Africana Studies. She is a Roosevelt Honors Scholar and a McNair Scholar, and has participated in prestigious programs like the Mellon Public Humanities and Social Justice Program and the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at Northwestern University through the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Esther currently works as a production intern at CUNY TV on the show Black America. She aspires to have a career in the media industry or academia, focusing on media, Black studies, and Women and Gender Studies.

New York University Summer Publishing Institute Scholarship Recipients 2024

Isabela Cordero has an MFA in Creative Writing from The City College of New York and earned her B.A. in Literary Studies from The New School. She is a writer, editor, and creative. She’s been published in The Portland Review and Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, among other publications. She freelances as a copyeditor and web designer and is currently a Senior Copy Editor and Email Marketer for StyldLife.l. As a Hispanic woman, Isabela is committed to creating a change in the publishing landscape so that future generations see themselves through equitable representation.

Sarah Hilligoss graduated Magna Cum Laude from Barnard College in 2021 with a B.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Meliora journal’s inaugural team, where she contributed to the creation of the journal’s guidelines and developed and edited one of the English thesis articles. She also was named an Erica Mann Jong Fellow during her time as a Head Writing Fellow. She currently works as the Drew Post-Baccalaureate Fellow at Barnard College, where she coordinates the Creative Writing Program and pursues her fiction writing career. At Barnard, she has organized events with some of her favorite writers, and she hopes to continue connecting underrepresented authors with avid readers.

Pace University M.S. in Publishing Recipient 2024

Oriana Galvis Marin is an MS in Publishing student at Pace University. Her dreams and passion for books made her move from Medellin, Colombia, to the US to finish her undergraduate degree in English at The College of Wooster and pursue publishing, attending the NYU Summer Publishing Institute in 2023. As an undergraduate, she was a student editor and social media coordinator at The Dodge Literary Magazine, and a summer intern for Sílaba Editores, a Colombian Independent Publishing House. Currently, as a graduate student, she is part of Pace Pub Lab, the program’s anthology of student creative work, as a contributor and is working towards getting more involved with the editorial process. Her main interests range from writing, diversity in literature, books in translation, literary fiction, accessibility, highlighting underrepresented voices, and the Latin American publishing industry.

Presidents Emeritae Scholarship Award Recipient 2024 – Stipend for educational use to Girls Who Code undergraduate student studying artificial intelligence or machine learning

Emily Xu is a sophomore attending Boston University. She aspires to drive change at the intersection of communication, technology, and design, one step at a time. She has explored various industries, carving her path to leverage these tools. Last summer, she undertook a Social Media intern role, gaining insights into the pivotal role of design in effective and inclusive communications. During the previous semester, she spearheaded her Programmatics Team for NASA's L’Space NPWEE Program, leading the successful development and collaboration of an innovative proposal that enhances NASA's state-of-the-art capabilities. Presently, Emily serves as the Marketing Manager at Boston University's sole, student-led design club, Forge Design Studios. She derives immense satisfaction from amplifying voices within the design community and fostering inclusivity in design practices. Emily is committed to forging her path, harnessing her studies in this multidisciplinary intersection to effect meaningful change.

2023 Scholars

City College of New York Publishing Certificate Program Fellows 2023

Jenifer Nuñez is a senior at The City College of New York CUNY. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She joined CCNY’s Publishing Certificate Program to learn more about the publishing world and how her favorite books are made. In the near future, Jenifer hopes to become a children’s book editor and help diversify the world of books and literature for younger generations.

Born in Puerto Rico, Elaine Vasquez moved to New York when she was 12-years-old and began reading books in English to become fluent in the language. Soon, reading books became an obsession. After graduating from Purchase College SUNY with a Bachelor's in Creative Writing and an Associate's in Screenwriting, finding an internship or entry-level job seemed nearly impossible. Then she found hope at City College’s Publishing Certificate Program. Now, having finished the program, she is looking forward to a career in publishing and hopes to help make books that represent different cultures and backgrounds in a variety of genres.

Columbia Publishing Course Recipient 2023

Maria Martinez Castro calls Stockton, California, her hometown, but she was born and spent most of her childhood in Guanajuato, Mexico. She graduated from the University of California at Davis in June 2023 with an English degree and minors in professional writing and community development. She has been a news and media relations intern in the UC Davis strategic communications department, and during her senior year she wrote for the California Aggie’s features desk, focusing on uplifting underrepresented and underserved communities. Currently, she is attending the Columbia Publishing Course, where she hopes to learn about all aspects of the book and magazine publishing industry. Maria believes in the written word’s power to inspire and create positive social change.

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism 2023

Maria Monica Fernandez is a bilingual multimedia journalist from Cúcuta, Colombia. Since she can remember, looking for information has shaped her path in life. She has a bachelor's degree in Law. She took multimedia journalism classes at Montclair State University, where she found her passion for producing informative visual stories.

Currently, Maria Monica is studying for an M.A. in Bilingual Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, where she is the vice president of the NAHJ student chapter and the recipient of the Univision Scholarship. Maria Monica has worked on fact-checking information in Spanish during the U.S. midterms of 2022 and has covered stories about the fights for labor and housing rights in NYC. She wants her work to deliver stories that strengthen communities facing inequity and hardship.

Zakiyyah Woods is a photojournalist, street/documentary photographer, and FAA certified drone pilot from the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. As a young child she realized early on that the news coming out of Bed-Stuy in the mass media during the 80s and 90s did not fully reflect what she saw in her community. There was joy, love, success, family units, traditions, history, milestones, etc. but the world didn’t know that. A graduate of Benedict College, an HBCU in Columbia, SC, Zakiyyah spent her undergraduate years as a staff writer and photographer for the student newspaper with a goal to always tell stories of communities authentically. Zakiyyah remains dedicated to the promise she made to herself while presently studying engagement journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2023

Jessika Perez is a rising Film and Media senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology who was born and raised in Germany. Growing up with a passion for stories, she intends to improve as a writer and filmmaker. She aspires to be able to tell authentic and relatable stories in the future where people like her are represented in the media. Being an international student, Jessika hopes to find her place in the big city and is excited to start by becoming a part of the Women’s Media Group.

Fordham University Scholarship Recipient 2023

Laura Arroyo is a senior at Fordham University, working towards a degree in English and history. After graduation in 2024, Laura hopes to enter the field of education, and demonstrate the power of the written world to tell histories that aren't always told. When she’s not in school, she is studying French and Arabic, and working as a homeschool tutor for a fourth grader. Laura dreams of being a published author and educator, and hopes to find an agent for her first novel!

Girls Write Now Recipient 2023

Beth G is an Eritrean student attending NYU Gallatin, studying Suffering (Anthropologically, Philosophically, and through Art History). Beth is originally from Eritrea, and has lived in Sudan, Uganda, and the United States. Beth currently resides in NYC. Beth has maintained an interest in the literary arts since high school and has been on The Moth, an Anaphora Arts Writing Fellow (2022), and a mentee for Girls Write Now (2021). Beth has also worked at the MET and at Creative Time, aiding with curatorial and programming tasks. Currently, Beth is seeking out positions, internships or permanent, in editorial and publishing departments.

New York University Summer Publishing Institute Scholarship Recipients 2023

Molly Berrey graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in May 2021 with a double B.A. in Film Studies and English, plus a Creative Writing concentration. As an undergraduate, she was an editor of The OWL, the Ohio Wesleyan Literary Journal, where she coordinated a team of 12 students and reviewed upwards of 170 submissions in a variety of formats, from poetry and short stories, to essays and photographs. Molly has interned at The Rights Factory and DAW Publishing as part of the New York Arts Program. Her narrative writing, which highlighted her unique perspective as an Asian and an adoptee, earned her the prestigious T’iannan Memorial Scholarship.

Tara Fischer will graduate from the University of Alabama in May 2023 with a B.A. in Communications and Information Sciences. She worked as an opinions columnist for the student-run newspaper The Crimson Write. As a summer intern, Tara worked as the social media manager for Secant Publishing, a regional book publisher in Salisbury, Maryland. She also produced exclusive content, conducting interviews with local authors for blog and website posts. Recently, Tara worked at Langton’s International Agency as an editorial intern, evaluating up to eight manuscripts a week and providing in-depth reader’s reports. She also runs a literary blog, where she writes recommendations and reviews of popular books.

Pace University M.S. in Publishing Recipient 2023

Kayleigh Woltal is an MS in Publishing student at Pace University from Long Island, NY. After graduating with a BA in New Media & Digital Design and a minor in English from Fordham University, Kayleigh began writing and designing for grain of salt magazine. There, she found her passion for using design to promote the work of marginalized identities and knew that she wanted to take her design skills to the publishing industry as a career. At Pace, Kayleigh is a graduate assistant at the Pace University Press where she designs book interiors and jackets. She is an avid reader, writer, and designer and hopes to someday land in the publishing industry as a designer for a women’s fiction or romance imprint. She specifically hopes to work on titles with queer, disabled, and otherwise underrepresented identities.

Presidents Emeritae Scholarship Award Recipients 2023 – Medgar Evers College Scholarship

Sherisma A. Liburd, is a senior attending Medgar Evers College. She is an aspiring writer, trying to find her place in the ever-bustling city that is New York. She loves to write everything from the news articles to songwriting. She is a Teaching Artist at the prestige organization at the Harlem Children’s Zone, teaching young scholars creative writing as well as music! Sherisma is so grateful for the opportunity to be part of WMG, and hope that it only ascends from here on out!

Cassidy Ridgeway a senior at Medgar Evers College CUNY. She is currently on her way to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. Professionally, she intends to become a social media manager. Until the pandemic, she previously worked at an aesthetics office, initially as the receptionist and later becoming the social media manager running all social media pages connected to the company. Additionally, in her free time, Cassidy enjoys writing various stories because writing allows her to find freedom through artistic expression and helps to build communications skills.

2022 Scholars

City College Publishing Program Fellowship Recipient 2022

Samantha Correa joined CCNY’s Publishing Program to gain a deeper understanding of the process behind a book’s success. City College’s Publishing Certificate Program taught Samantha about the publishing industry and the fascinating work that is involved in turning a manuscript into a book. She had the opportunity to learn from successful publishing professionals, mostly female, working in various areas of the book business. However, Samantha noticed that female protagonists of color were a rarity in YA fiction. It wasn’t until the diverse book movement penetrated the publishing industry that she finally read novels with protagonists that looked like her. She wants to pursue a career promoting literature that is ripe with diversity and representation because it may serve as a guidepost for connection, expression, learning, and entertainment as diverse populations find their people and place in the world. Samantha is extremely grateful to the Women’s Media Group for their support in helping her achieve her career goals.

Columbia Publishing Course Recipient 2022

A Texan native, Arianna Siddiqui graduated from Trinity University, where she studied political science and philosophy. While at Trinity, Arianna advocated for marginalized students through her work with the Diversity and Inclusion Office. She also spent time abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, and London, England, where she studied the different political systems of Europe. Prior to the Columbia Publishing Course, Arianna completed an internship with Lucinda Literary, working under literary agent and CEO Lucinda Halpern. Arianna hopes to use her experiences and background to uplift marginalized writers as a future literary agent.

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Recipients 2022

Aaliyah Fisher is a first generation college student at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Multimedia Journalism. Writing has always been a passion of hers for as long as she can remember. That coupled with her keen interest in storytelling fueled her love for journalism. She's committed to producing powerful stories that often get lost in the chaos of the world. She has written articles published in newspapers and media sites (The Paradigm Press; Medium), produced segments for a local podcast (South Florida Journal), as well as trying her hand at producing her own podcast, which centers around the damaging effects of misinformation and disinformation on a society.

Myriam Vidal Valero is a bilingual science journalist from Mexico City. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Science, The Open Notebook, Slate, Cancer World, Medscape, Muy Interesante, ¿Cómo ves? among others. In 2019 she received the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism. She is also a recipient of the European School of Oncology Cancer Journalism award 2019-2020, the COMECYT Award for journalism on Scientific and Technological Innovation 2019 and other awards. Currently, she's is coordinating the Mentorship Program for early career journalists of the Mexican Network of Science Journalists (Red MPC). She's currently based in New York City, where she's studying an M.A. in Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY.

Imani Sebri is an alum of The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied International Relations, African Studies, and Arabic. She is currently a MA Candidate at The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Imani is a passionate storyteller, aspiring photojournalist, and all-around media enthusiast. She enjoys writing stories that sit at the intersection of race, identity, and culture. Through all of her work, she hopes to create pathways for marginalized identities to share their stories authentically, with intentionality and care. She is looking forward to strengthening her writing and multimedia skills while pursuing her graduate degree. Through the WMG Scholars program, she hopes to continue subverting the status quo for a more equitable, innovative media landscape.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2022

Muskaan Vatvani is a junior Film and Media major at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Born and raised in Indonesia, she is an international student who intends to pursue a career in the film industry. She has been interested in film since she was a young girl and hopes to use her education to create films that provide a voice for underrepresented communities. Furthermore, as a third culture kid, she recognizes the struggle of understanding one’s own identity and aspires to tell authentic and significant stories to help others better understand their identities.

Fordham University Scholarship Recipient 2022

Sera Allen is an Undergraduate at Fordham University working towards a Bachelor of Arts in English. She also holds minors in Creative Writing and American Studies. A member of Fordham's graduating class of 2023, she hopes to enter the publishing or editing fields upon graduation. At school, she is an editor of Bricolage and contributes writing to The Ampersand (a student-run publications). An avid writer of poetry and prose, she vows to continue to write throughout her life no matter what. It is important for Sera to uplift the voices of marginalized or stigmatized individuals through her writing, and eventually her vocation one day as a publisher. Sera is honored to be the first Fordham recipient of the Women's Media Group Scholarship and cannot wait for all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead!

Girls Write Now Scholarship Recipient 2022

Daleelah Saleh is a senior Posse Scholar and Film & Media major at Middlebury College. A writer, photographer, and filmmaker, she approaches multimedia storytelling as an act of love and resistance. Daleelah is currently a multimedia editor for The Middlebury Campus, a college writing tutor, and a public speaking coach. Looking towards the future, she hopes to continue helping other people build confidence in their storytelling abilities. Beyond her school life, Daleelah was recently an editorial intern for the anthology “Nonwhite and Woman,” published by Woodhall Press. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to elevate the stories of other women of color, in addition to having her own work published. As a proud Egyptian, Muslim, and New Yorker, she ultimately hopes to use her pen, camera, and voice to uplift her communities and make her mom and grandma proud.

New York University Summer Publishing Institute Scholarship Recipients 2022

Jessica Gutowitz attended the NYU Summer Publishing Institute in 2022 and is now an Assistant Publisher at Springer Nature. She is a writer, researcher, and editor from Long Island, NY. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in English. During her university career, she worked for Pipe Dream, BU's only student-run newspaper, as an Opinions columnist, advice columnist, copy editor, and Opinions section editor. She has also worked as a writing and editing assistant for The Human Condition, a mental health startup.

Kaila Mundell-Hill is a 2020 magna cum laude graduate of Saint Joseph’s University with a BA in English, and minors in sociology and communications. She worked as a tutor for heruniversity’s writing center for three years. She worked for her university’s newspaper, The Hawk, as a copy editor and eventual copy chief. Her work on The Hawk led her to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2019 to live and work as astudent-reporter, writing stories that centered black women and girls. Kaila hopes to break into the publishing industry, where she hopes to work with marginalized authors helping to ensure their voices remain prominent in their stories.

Pace University M.S. in Publishing Recipient 2022

Yaritza Santana is a first-generation college student at Pace University pursuing her master’s in Publishing. She is interested in a career in legal publishing or production and operations. For the last fifteen years, she has been working at a community college where she enjoys helping students accomplish their academic goals. She has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase in Legal Studies and has graduated from Rockland Community College with associate degrees in Business Administration, Paralegal Studies, and Liberal Arts.

2021 Scholars

Columbia Scholarship Recipient 2021

Asia Harden grew up in the Mississippi Delta and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi, where she studied integrated marketing communications. Her childhood was spent immersed in stories and while little has changed since then, her college study abroad experience in Granada, Spain, made her realize that adventure is not exclusive to fictional characters. Recently, she has fed her creativity as editor-in-chief of The Ole Miss yearbook and a bookseller at Square Books, Jr. Her honors thesis regarding black female readers' relationship to young adult literature increased her desire to work as an editor in children’s publishing.

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Recipient 2021

Hafeezat Bishi is an alum of Temple University, where she majored in Communication and Social Influence and obtained a certificate in Spanish. She is currently an MA candidate at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism studying Engagement Journalism. Hafeezat hopes to use her education to advocate for marginalized groups and bring about change to how these groups are treated and represented. Her goal is to work on media efforts with and within groups that dedicate their work towards helping the unheard. Because everyone deserves to have their basic rights recognized, realized, and their authentic stories told.

CUNY Fellowship Recipients 2021

Stefanie Betancor is a DACA recipient who currently studies History and publishing at City College of New York. Last summer she became the first intern for the Intellectual Property department at Princeton University Press. She works as a Visitor Service Representative at the American Museum of Natural History, where she takes care of customers and deals with the uniforms for the department. Currently she interns at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency where she hopes to gain a better grasp on what it takes to be a literary agent. Stefanie hopes to promote diversity in writing and publishing.

Naomi Spratley started her academic journey by earning a two-year degree from Kingsborough Community College in Journalism & Print Media. She then continued her education at City College, then changed her major and earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She also has obtained a certificate from the Publishing Certificate Program at City, which provided her with a substantial overview of the publishing industry. She interned for Laura Dail Literary Agency in the Spring of 2020. Then a year later, for McKinnon Literary Spring of 2021. Through the Association of American Literary Agents, Agents of Change Program, She will be interning for McIntosh & Otis.. She hopes to continue working in publishing in marketing.

CUNY Journalism Scholarship Recipient 2021

Candace Pedraza was born and raised in the Bronx and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo with plans to attend the Craig Newmark School of Journalism in the Fall of 2021. She is interested in pursuing a career in storytelling and research while studying audio journalism as well as health & science journalism. She has published articles in Livingston County on mental health as a public health crisis, and was the News & Public Affairs Director for her college's local radio station WGSU. She hopes to hone her skills in radio while developing new skills in writing and investigative journalism.

Pace University M.S. in Publishing Recipient 2021

Sasha Charlemagne is a recent Howard University School of Communications graduate pursuing her master’s at Pace University. She hopes to build an impactful career in media and has held internship positions at HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Council on Foreign Relations and Bully Pulpit Interactive before joining the digital strategy team at SKDK. This upcoming semester she will begin work as a Junior Copywriter at APCO.

Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program Scholarship Recipient 2021

Tianna Greene is a junior studying Film and Media at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her interests lie in screenwriting, film production, and editing all of which she’s spent years teaching herself and learning through classes held by the program. She hopes to use this opportunity to build connections with the women of this organization and use her skills to tell important stories.

NYU Scholarship Recipients 2021

Erin Clements is a 2021 graduate of the Summer Publishing Institute at NYU and a 2020 first-generation summa cum laude graduate from Ohio Christian University with a BA in English. She currently works as a Junior Editor at Brink Literacy Project's F(r)iction publishing imprint and as an Assistant Publicist for Darcie Rowan PR. Erin is also a founding member and Editorial Team Lead of Publishers Pending, a collective of publishing hopefuls working together to make publishing industry content accessible to everyone. Previously, she interned at LEO PR and worked as the Senior Community Manager for author John Green's charity book club, Life's Library. Erin hopes to secure a career in publishing, where she intends to work in editorial or publicity, and hopes to prioritize authors from underrepresented backgrounds.

Mel Bautista is a senior at NYU studying English. She has worked for her university's publication, Washington Square News for three years and is currently the Business Manager. She has interned at W. W. Norton as a College Sales intern where she realized her appreciation for higher education publishing. While she enjoys sales, Mel is looking to branch into marketing or publicity in the book publishing industry. She is interested in any genre from children's literature to personal essays. Most of all, Mel is excited to continue learning and connecting with other book lovers and publishing professionals.

Past WMG Scholars

Mumtahinah Ahmed graduated from The City College of New York in 2018 with a degree in Communications. She has interned at publishing houses and literary agencies but then she decided that she wanted to make an impact on children's lives. Mumtahinah worked in The New York City Department of Education as a Communications and Operations Associate where she did teacher takeovers on @TeachNYC social media accounts, managed teaching opportunities on the ITeachNYC website and connected with teacher candidates to principals. She is now getting her master's degree in Education from John Hopkins University and will teach second grade in the fall. Mumtahinah is very excited to reconnect with her past mentors and Fellows!

Destany Atkinson is a 2018 graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a baccalaureate honors degree in English, Destany aims to utilize her editorial and writing experiences to become part of the publishing field and secure opportunities in writing, editing, and publicity. She is currently the Lead Children's Bookseller at McNally Jackson.

Wyleesha Bradley graduated from The City College of New York with a Bachelor’s degree in english with a creative writing concentration. She has experience working at Penguin Random House and Bloomsbury.

Megan Caceres graduated from Baruch College with a dual Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Romance Languages and went on to graduate at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where she specialized in Broadcast Journalism and International Reporting. As a Latina, Megan hopes to one day merge the divide between the Spanish-speaking news networks and English-speaking news networks. She was born and raised in White Plains, New York, where she resides with her chocolate standard poodle named Teddy.

Angie Campusano is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course. She graduated from the SUNY University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in Communication. She was born in the Dominican Republic and was raised in the Bronx, NY. Angie has spent the last couple of years working as a Paralegal for Stephen Einstein and Associates P.C. Angie loves books and writing, which is why she chose a career in the publishing industry.

Denise Conejo graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s degree in english language and literature/letters. She went on to complete the Publishing Certificate Program at the City College of New York. She has experience working at Tantor Media, New York University, and Angelella Editorial.

Candice Coote graduated this spring from the City College of New York. She majored in English Literature and is part of the school’s Publishing Certificate Program. Having previously attended art school, earning her A.A.S. in Graphic Design/Illustration from Pratt Institute, she is creative and well-rounded with varied skill sets that have helped her to keep striving toward her goals in publishing. Before entering the PCP, Candice was an editorial intern at BUST Magazine and Akashic Books and bookseller/intern at Artbook @ MoMA PS1. Currently, she is finishing up a managing editorial internship at Open Road Integrated Media and is an agency assistant/intern at McKinnon Literary. Dedicated to diversity and representation, she hopes to carve a path for people of color and other underrepresented voices both in books and behind the scenes in the publishing industry.

Tessa Crosby graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor’s degree in English, French, and Philosophy. She went on to complete the Publishing Certificate Program at the City College of New York. She has experience working as a freelance copy editor and proofreader.

Boranda Diaz is a senior at City College where she majors in English and is currently enrolled in the Publishing Certificate Program. One of her goals as an aspiring editor is to explore stories written by Latinx writers like herself as well as other writers of color. Boranda hopes that through this fellowship she can learn what it takes to be an editor so she can help writers of multiple backgrounds get their stories out there. There is a growing need for those voices, especially now.

Ellen Dong recently graduated from the City College of New York with a degree in English, Creative Writing and completed the Publishing Certificate Program. She is a first-generation American who learned to take her struggles understanding the English language and turn it into inspiration. Ellen has a passion for both the publishing and healthcare fields. For the last two years, Ellen worked as a phlebotomist in a hospital. She is also one of the frontline healthcare workers who fought alongside many others throughout the pandemic. Ellen hopes to use this fellowship as an opportunity not only to develop experience in the publishing field but also to change how her community views this career path.

Alfha Gonzalez is a senior at the City College of New York, pursuing a career in publishing. At the age of twelve, she left her family in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York City with hopes for a better future. During her high school years, Alfha immersed herself in the world of literature, falling in love with the English Language. After years of studying literature and learning more about her own passions, she decided to pursue a career in the book business. Alfha has published articles in campus publications such as Harlem Focus, and The Campus. Her love for reading and writing underlies her commitment to the written word, and how books can transform lives for the better.

Ashley Grant-Hewitt graduated from City University of New York City College with a Masters of Science in Pharmaceutics and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry accompanied by a Publishing Certificate. Ashley went on to Long Island University to receive and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Tahmena Hussain graduated from The City College of New York, with a B.A. in English Creative Writing. She was on the Dean’s List in 2016, and her attention to detail in writing earned her The David Markowitz Essay Award in 2017. Shortly after graduation, Tahmena interned at Penguin Random House with Penguin Young Readers Group in the publicity department writing pitch letters, researching bloggers and media outlets, and drafting itineraries for author tours. Her internship was a very rewarding experience which gave her insight into the realities of the publishing industry, and it has increased her interest in pursuing a professional career in publishing. As a first-generation Muslim-Bengali-American female, and the only member of her family to graduate from a four-year college, Tahmena is grateful and honored to be a Fellow recipient of the Women’s Media Group. She is looking forward to exploring new opportunities and to building connections with various women of such an esteemed organization.

Linda Kessler is a graduate of the NYU Summer Publishing Institute and a first-generation summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas, where she majored in journalism. An experienced writer and editor, she has worked for multiple newspapers, an academic publisher, and a statewide dog magazine. Working in media has taught Linda the importance of telling and sharing diverse stories. Fueled by her love for grammar and storytelling, she hopes to become an acquisitions editor or work as a literary agent.

Jéla Lewter is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies with a minor in Creative Writing. In her three and a half years at AU, she held executive editorial positions on two campus publications and consulted with students on their academic papers at the campus writing center. After graduating, Jéla continued an internship with SAGE Publishing in their college editorial department. Recently, she completed the NYU Summer Publishing Institute and hopes to take all she has learned into a career as an acquisitions editor in children’s and young adult book publishing.

Chrisinda Lynch grew up in New Hampshire and attended the City College of New York,

including their Publishing Certificate Program. She currently works as an Associate Managing Editor for

St. Martin's Press and lives in New York, where she facilitates two book clubs, including one at WORD

Brooklyn, and keeps on the lookout for new bakeries and thrift shops.

Brianna Madrigal graduated from City University of New York City College with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative writing. She also completed SUNY the Publishing Certificate Program at the City College of New York. Brianna is now an animation Sales Coordinator skilled in data analysis, digital marketing, and operations support.

Amber Oliver was born and raised in the Bronx. She has been in publishing for more than five years and is currently an associate editor at Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, acquiring contemporary literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, and select non-fiction (essay collections, memoir, humor, pop culture) that is well-written, culturally relevant, and totally engrossing. She is also particularly interested in lifting up voices of writers from marginalized communities. Her authors include Robin Page, Shayla Lawson, Lee Matalone, Yaffa S. Santos, Shirley Smith, Claire O’Dell, Boyah J. Farah, Morgan Jerkins, LaTanya McQueen, and Ben Philippe. She was a 2019 Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree, graduated Cum Laude from The City College of New York (2015) with a B.A. in English and concentration in Creative Writing, is a graduate of the Publishing Certificate Program, and was a Women’s Media Group Fellow in 2015. She resides in Harlem with her husband.

Hana Park is an Editorial Assistant at Simon & Schuster. She joined Simon & Schuster in 2019, after completing the Columbia Publishing Course. She graduated with Honors from Brown University with a Bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in Non-fiction. Hana was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Norma Perez-Hernandez is an acquiring editorial assistant at Kensington Publishing Corp. She has worked on a variety of projects, including fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers, and non-fiction. A New York City native, Norma studied English Literature at the Macaulay Honors College at The City College of New York and is a graduate of the Publishing Certificate Program at City College. She is thrilled to build a list with diverse authors and books.

Christen Pruitt graduated from City University of New York City College with a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature. She has experience working for Wiley and Morressier.

Aurora Soriano is an English Literature major and Theatre minor at the City College of New York, where she is also enrolled in the Publishing Certificate Program. She is an English Honors student, and loves reading both contemporary YA novels and classic literature. Aurora is the current feature editor and a staff writer for CCNY’s magazine The Campus, and is looking forward to working more on editorial skills at her internship with the Children’s Department of McIntosh & Otis this summer.

Smaranda Tolosano is a French-Romanian journalist and illustrator (pencil and ink, digital) with 4 years of online marketing and digital project management, 9 years of photography, and 2 years of video production experience. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in English and International Relations and Affairs. She went on to get a Master's degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.

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