Meet the COM students to answer your questions — whether you’re considering COM or are already here.
Sophie Jin
- Hometown: Cresskill, NJ
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Journalism
- Minor: Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: Associate Director, anchor, editor, and writer for WTBU, BUTV10 (The Wire) anchor, the Daily Free Press Podcast reporter & writer, the Buzz writer, BUmixx, KSA
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: There are so many activities and clubs to do on campus! You will be able to meet new people and have hands-on experiences. Don’t be hesitant to try out opportunities that are offered or interest you!
- Contact: sjin02@bu.edu / @sophieejin
Kenna LaFitte
- Hometown: Sacramento, CA
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: WTBU, Off the Cuff Magazine, Gamma Phi Beta
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Getting around the city is surprisingly easy. The T can take you anywhere in the Boston area in under an hour!
- Contact: klafitte@bu.edu
Mia Parker
- Hometown: Irvine, CA
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Public Relations
- Minor: Computer Science
- Extracurriculars: : Gamma Phi Beta, The Buzz Magazine, The Daily Free Press
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone! Trying new things will help you make new friendships and find new passions. BU and Boston have so many amazing opportunities to offer to make sure you take advantage of them!
- Contact: mparker4@bu.edu / @miaapparker
Anaya Williams
- Hometown: Singapore
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: GMBU for BUTV10, It’s On Us, COM Student Government
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Hit the ground running! I would say it’s never too early to get involved and begin to scope out communities and activities you’re interested in. BU has so much to offer so reach out, be yourself and you will feel at home.
- Contact: anayaw@bu.edu @anayawilliams.x
Aidan Walsh (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Chatham, NJ
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Journalism
- Extracurriculars: BU Running club, BUTV10’s The Wire & Good Morning BU, WTBU News
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone takes different paths in life, especially in college, and it will not benefit you to worry if you aren’t doing the exact same thing as others. Be content with your path by doing what makes you happy and benefits you!
- Contact: ajwalsh@bu.edu / @aidanw31
Irene Hae Rim Jin
- Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Media Science
- Extracurriculars: BUTV10’s The Wire, WTBU News, BU Mixx, BU On Broadway, International Mentor Program
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: There are so many renowned clubs in COM! I wish I would have joined it in my freshman year to get to know more friends and family. Also, don’t let your passion be gone! There are a bunch of opportunities that you can still work on, which may end up as your future career – who knows!
- Contact: haerim@bu.edu / @truehaerim
Karolina Bermudez-Manjarrez (First Generation Student)
- Hometown: Chicago, IL
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: BUTV10 Writing Room for Shadows
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Before coming to BU, I wish I knew to make a balanced schedule that makes time for things I was doing before coming to school like going to the gym and social time for friends. It’s also very important to make time for yourself to re-energize and self care.
- Contact: kberm@bu.edu
Jonathan Messer (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Belmont, Massachusetts
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Film/TV
- Extracurriculars: : BUTV10, Athletics Video Production, WTBU, The Redlist, Comedy Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: How accepting everyone is! As a transfer, I had no idea what I was going to jump into. At BU, if you genuinely be yourself, you can easily find people who will accept you! Here at COM, we are a team and a family, we all want each other to succeed.
- Contact: jcmesser@bu.edu / @jnthnmssr
Jess So
- Hometown: Manila, Philippines
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: BUTV10, BUISO, BUFSA, ADClub, Tennis Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Go out of your comfort zone! Challenge yourself to join clubs and orgs on your own, you never know who you will meet. Also, ALWAYS check the weather app before going outside (especially the wind).
- Contact: jyuloso@bu.edu / @jyuloso
Kelly Tang
- Hometown: Beijing, China
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Public Relations
- Minors: Film and TV & Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Extracurriculars: External Relation Intern @ BUild Lab, Marketing Coordinator @ BUTV, Fashion Model @ Off the Cuff Magazine, Student Ambassador @ COM
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Good things take time to go! Be patient and explore! Opportunities don’t come by themselves.
- Contact: kxytang@bu.edu / @kel_101888
Michaela Shunney (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: Marketing Chair for DKA, The COMmunicator, BU Ski and Snowboard Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Change is a good thing! Exploring new places and meeting new people can only bring more joy to your life, and BU is a great place to get out of your comfort zone!
- Contact: mshunney@bu.edu @michaelashunney
Mia Chai
- Hometown: North Bethesda, MD
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Public Relations
- Minor: Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Extracurriculars: PRLab, BU PRSSA, Provost’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Board, and Delta Gamma
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Clubs are an amazing resource and a great way to make new friends! SPLASH, BU’s club fair, can seem overwhelming so it helps to scout out a few clubs beforehand.
- Contact: miachai@bu.edu / @mia.chai
Elaina Fuzi
- Hometown: Hudsonville, Michigan
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Journalism
- Extracurriculars: BU Stage Troupe, BU International Adoptee Club, and BU All Campus Orchestra
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Even though it may be daunting, challenge yourself to get out to meet new people and try new things! There are many opportunities at BU in terms of jobs, internships, clubs, and classes. For example, there are many classes that are worth up to one credit you can take in addition to your main classes like First-Year Experience or a PDP class like yoga, fencing, ballroom dance, and more!
- Contact: zixzhang@bu.edu / @a_zzixin
Zixin (Alice) Zhang
- Hometown: Shanghai, China
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: BU After School, BUTV10, International Peer Mentor, Community Service Center, GPower Dance Crew, BUMIXX
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: College is the place to explore future careers, the place for networking with people, the place to develop your skills. Believe in yourself and college will be a great experience for you!
- Contact: zixzhang@bu.edu / @a_zzixin
Yuanyuan (Amanda) Wu
- Hometown: Shanghai, China
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Public Relations & International Relations
- Extracurriculars: PRLab, PRSSA, Unleashed PR, Research Assistant on international development, writer at Migration Tales
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Don’t be afraid to step out or meet new people. Just be prepared to explore all the possibilities. At the end of the day, you will realize how much you have grown as a person!
- Contact: amandawu@bu.edu/@amanda_w524
GT Nguyen
- Hometown: Orange County, California
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Media Science
- Extracurriculars: VSA, BU Sports Business Club, Girl Gains
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Download the Terrier Transit app and purchase a CharlieCard to get around campus and Boston! Don’t be intimidated by your peers / their accomplishments because you are on your own path and you are right where you’re supposed to be. Dedicate your time and energy into what you’re interested in, get out of your comfort zone, and you will find what’s best for you. Trust the process and most importantly, trust yourself.
- Contact: gtnguyen@bu.edu
Chloe Patel
- Hometown: Walpole, MA
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: AdClub, The Daily Free Press, AdLab, Cheese Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Joining a club that is for fun is just as important as the clubs that align with your professional goals! Make time for yourself!
- Contact: cgpatel@bu.edu
Toby Pannone
- Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Film & Television
- Minor: Urban Studies
- Extracurriculars: Training Director and DJ on WTBU Radio, Director and Camera Op for BUTV10’s The Wire, Event Planning Chair for BU UNICEF, BU YDSA, BU Transportation Services
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: I wish I knew how personable and level-headed most professors are! Before I got here, I thought that professors were a level above all my teachers in high school and there was no way I could possibly form a personal connection with them, but going to office hours has allowed me to keep connected with professors even when I no longer have classes with them.
- Contact: tpannone@bu.edu
Vanessa (Su Ah) Lee
- Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Journalism
- Minor: Business Administration
- Extracurriculars: COM Student Government (Journalism Rep), BUTV10 (Programming Coordinator, Writer, Camera Operator), Board of International Student Ambassadors, International Peer Mentor Program, COM Ambassador
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: It’s okay to have little or no experience! Organizations in BU welcome all students to try new things. Being passionate and having confidence is key.
- Contact: salee25@bu.edu
James McIntyre
- Hometown: Tiburon, CA
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Film & Television
- Extracurriculars: BUTV10 – Offsides & Shadows, Redlist independent short film production club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: There are a million things to do on campus and building in time to try a lot of new things can lead to new passions and friends!
- jameshm@bu.edu
Lindsay Shachnow
- Hometown: New York City
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Journalism
- Minor: Political Science
- Extracurriculars: BU Today, The Daily Free Press
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: BU has so many resources and opportunities. Try out anything and everything that sounds interesting to you!
- Contact: shachnow@bu.edu
Morgan Mulligan
- Hometown: Albany, NY
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: BU Dance Team, social media staff for the Pinky Toe/ Bunion satire publications
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: It is okay to not find your group of people right away! It can take time, but once you find them it will be so worth it.
- Contact: morganlm@bu.edu
Eleanor “Ellie” Schiener
- Hometown: Geneseo, New York
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: BU Pep Band (Clarinet), BU on Broadway (assistant producer), and LIME
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: The wind tunnels are intense and everywhere on campus. They will break your umbrella, so definitely bring a good raincoat.
- Contact: eschiene@bu.edu
Diya Shah
- Hometown: Sayreville, New Jersey
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Media Science
- Extracurriculars: BUTV10’s the wire, BU Fatakada Dance Team, and Com Stu Gov committee
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: You will find your place if you just give it some time :)
- Contact: shahd122@bu.edu
Emily Frank
- Hometown: Granby, MA
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Film & Television
- Minor: Education
- Extracurriculars: BU on Tap, BUTV10 (COED), StageTroupe
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Make sure your jacket is wind-proof! The wind gets pretty bad here, especially in the winter.
- Contact: emfrank@bu.edu / @Memily03
Stella Tannenbaum
- Hometown: Milford, PA
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Journalism & Political Science (Kilachand Honors College)
- Extracurriculars: Daily Free Press, BU on Tap, a remote social media internship and an on-campus job
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: It’s completely normal to be nervous – everyone is! But don’t let nerves stop you from advocating for yourself, taking advantage of the resources BU has to offer and stepping out of your comfort zone! There’s so much help and support in every corner, all you have to do is ask.
- Contact: stellat@bu.edu
Donna Callery (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Long Island, NY
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Film & Television
- Minor: Theatre Arts
- Extracurriculars: Stage Troupe, Alpha Phi Omega, Transition to BU (Mentor), FYSOP
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: There are so many amazing opportunities at BU! Also, join clubs that spark your interest because it’s an easy way to make friends when you first get to college and to get involved with a community on campus!
- Contact: dcallery@bu.edu
Sara Hirani
- Hometown: Dallas, TX
- Class Year: 2024
- Major: Advertising
- Minor: Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Extracurriculars: Alpha Phi Omega (Community Service Fraternity), SASA (South Asian Student Association), AdLab
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: COM and BU as a whole have such great networking opportunities and events that everyone should take advantage of. Also, joining as many clubs to try them out is a great way to find a new passion and meet more people!
- Contact: shirani@bu.edu
Abby Kleiner (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Westport, CT
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Film & Television
- Extracurriculars: Boston University Women’s Rowing, FilmBiz, Spoon University, Girl Gains, BUTV
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: The public transportation is a lot less daunting then it seems, but is so useful in exploring Boston and getting around when it’s cold.
- Contact: akleiner@bu.edu
Ali Cook
- Hometown: Rochester, NY
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Journalism and Media Science
- Extracurriculars: The Buzz, The Daily Free Press, WTBU, BU On Broadway, Stage Troupe, Admissions Ambassador (Campus Tour Guide)
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Prioritize time for things other than school work! You live at school so it can feel like you have to be productive all the time, but this is your life so enjoy it! Join a fun club or hangout in your room – you get to live right next to all of your friends. Also, a diffuser, a phone wallet, and a mini vacuum are dorm essentials.
- alircook@bu.edu @ali.coook
Delia Rune (Transfer Student)
- Hometown: Austin, TX
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: Women in Law, Daily Free Press
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: I was overwhelmed by the size of BU before I came here, but I wish I’d known how small and close-knit it can feel once you join orgs and get to know the people in your college!
- Contact: deliar@bu.edu
Carly Intraversato
- Hometown: Freeport, ME
- Class Year: 2025
- Major: Advertising
- Extracurriculars: Fabrio Magazine, Strike Magazine, AdClub
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: One thing I wish I knew before coming to BU is to plan out your classes before you register for them!! Have back up classes because classes fill up fast. If you don’t get the class you want don’t freak out!! Keep checking to see if there is an opening, plus some of them have waitlists!!
- Contact: carlyi@bu.edu @carlyintra
Kristin Rosenmund
- Hometown: Oxnard, California
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Film & Television
- Extracurriculars: Film Business Club, Daily Free Press, Spoon University, It’s On Us Club, BUPOI Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: It can be really daunting your first few weeks on campus trying to figure out who you are when no one knows you, but take the opportunity in that and try as many new things as possible! You don’t find out who you really are until you experience the new things life has to offer while you grow.
- Contact: krose999@bu.edu
Emily Wyrwa
- Hometown: Scotch Plains, NJ
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Journalism
- Extracurriculars: The Daily Free Press, Society of Professional Journalists, BU on Broadway, WTBU News, BUTV
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: It’s totally normal to get off to a rocky start! I don’t know anyone who had the perfect first semester, but with time, you find your people and your passions that will make this place feel like home! There are so many resources and people who have your back, too!
- Contact: evwyrwa@bu.edu/@emilywyrwa
Daisy Levine
- Hometown: Hoboken, NJ
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Journalism and Public Relations
- Extracurriculars: The Daily Free Press, The BU Buzz, WTBU, BU SPJ
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Get to know the people in your classes! Don’t count the first week as the only time to make friends.
- Contact: daisylev@bu.edu/@ddaisylevinee
Sana Muneer
- Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Journalism and Psychology
- Extracurriculars: The Daily Free Press, BU Book & Ink, South Asian Student Association
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Make time for yourself! It’s easy to get caught up in schoolwork and socializing, but don’t forget about your hobbies and activities that make you feel fulfilled and happy :) Taking time for yourself is crucial for your overall well-being and happiness, especially while in college!
- Contact: smuneer@bu.edu/@sana.muneer26
George Lehman
- Hometown: Frankfort, IL
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Journalism and Political Science
- Extracurriculars: Lifestyle Correspondent for Good Morning BU, Reporter for The Daily Free Press, Society of Professional Journalists, BU Italian Students Association
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: At BU, there’s so many opportunities for students to gain real-life experience in their field through networking. Boston is a fantastic place for COM students to meet and work with mentors in the field of their interest. Don’t be afraid to jump in and start talking to people! Whether it be with a COM Ambassador or upper years in the extracurriculars you join, we’re all here to help you succeed!
- Contact: ghlehman@bu.edu
Kerlin Campos (First Generation Student)
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Film & Television
- Minor: Business Administration
- Extracurriculars: BU Athletics Video Production, BUTV10, Migration Tales, Delta Kappa Alpha (Professional Film Fraternity)
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Don’t be afraid of asking for help! College can be a very different environment for everyone and it can feel very overwhelming at times, but know that there are people who want the best for you and will help you, you just have to ask and not be afraid to put yourself out there!
- Contact: khcampos@bu.edu/@kerlincamposh
Miranda Westerlund
- Hometown: San Francisco, CA
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Media Science
- Extracurriculars: BU Running Club, BU AdClub, Photography, BU Ski & Board Club
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Seek out all of the resources that BU has to offer. I participated in the First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) before starting at BU and it was a great experience. Since becoming a student at BU, I’ve also learned to take advantage of the tutoring services and have tried out clubs that I’ve really enjoyed. Trying new things at BU is something I recommend to everyone.
- Contact: mirwest@bu.edu/ miranda_west11
Elise Stromayer
- Hometown: Scarborough, Maine
- Class Year: 2027
- Major: Public Relations
- Minor: Business Administration
- Extracurriculars: BU Intramural Volleybal
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: Don’t be afraid to reach out and try new things, now is the time to do it, and BU is the perfect place! Explore your interests, get involved, and don’t hesitate to ask for help- the BU community is strong, and great things will come from utilizing it!
- Contact: eliseaks@bu.edu
Zoe Rahaim
- Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
- Class Year: 2026
- Major: Advertising
- Minor: Business Administration & Management
- Extracurriculars: DJ on WTBU, AdClub
- One thing you wish you knew before coming to BU: BU is not as big as it seems, but you have to be proactive. Talk to your classmates, go to your professor’s office hours, and join clubs you’re interested in! COM is a great way to make a big school feel small and there are so many ways to find your people at BU. College is really what you make of it!
- Contact: zrahaim@bu.edu