Gotham EDU Film And Media Career Development Program Unveils Participants For Fifth Cycle 

EXCLUSIVE: The Gotham on Monday announced 30 participants for the Summer 2024 cohort of The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program, its eight-week program designed to help catapult students into the media workforce through access to mentorship, industry insights, comprehensive resources, and support in developing their selected projects.

The expanded 2024 curriculum will span networking, development, pitching, marketing, public relations, independent filmmaking, television writing, digital storytelling, and entrepreneurship, with workshops, peer-to-peer sessions, and open conversations that allow students to explore opportunities and carve a strategic path into the media industry. In previous EDU cycles, session leaders have come from Showtime, FilmNation, Amblin, CAA, Archer Gray, PBS, Cinereach, and MTV.

This year’s program runs virtually from June 17 to August 9. Participating students will also have the opportunity to attend this year’s Gotham Week, with select students to participate in paid internships at The Gotham and MTV Entertainment Group’s Ambassador’s Program.

“We are thrilled to host 30 students from colleges and universities around the country for this year’s Gotham EDU Career Development program,” said The Gotham’s Deputy Director, Kia Brooks. “Providing resources and access to industry leaders will help shape the bright futures of these remarkable students.”

Added The Gotham’s Executive Director, Jeffrey Sharp, “Since its founding in 2019, The Gotham EDU has welcomed over 200 students into the broader Gotham community. These students have been invited to expand their networks and form lasting creative partnerships that will benefit their careers well into the future.”

 Established in 2020, The Gotham program’s alums have gone on to work at A24, Apple, Amazon Studios, CBS News, HBO Documentaries, PBS Kids, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Showtime Networks, Nickelodeon, Nike, NBC Universal, Paramount, and UTA. Another Gotham EDU initiative underway for 2024 is the Focus Features & JetBlue Student Short Film Showcase. For the list of students selected for the Gotham EDU 2024 Career Development Program, read on.

Recipients of The Joel Schumacher | Sophia Cranshaw Scholarship supported by the MTV Entertainment Group:

Javier Cruz-Ginez, The Ohio State University

Kaya Trefz, New York University

Lauren Barina, Columbia College Chicago

Mahbuba Sumiya, Harvard University

Polly Chesnokova, Dartmouth College

Recipients of The Sidney Poitier Initiative Scholarship supported by MoviePass:

Ariana Neal, Columbia University

Busola King Adeboyejo, University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Lauren Luke, New York University 

Olivia Charis, Yale University 

Samuel Vargas, Miami Dade College

Recipients of the Burke Family Foundation include:

Alex Aljouni, University of California, Los Angeles

Bianca Vucetich, Nova Southeastern University

Chad Mow, Miami-Dade College

Sumana Syed, Columbia College Chicago

Julius Ewungkem Jr., Harvard University

Recipient of The Islamic Scholarship Foundation: 

Sumana Syed

Gotham EDU Member Institutions:

Colgate University:

Brayden Barros-King, Colgate University

Hugh Carlin, Colgate University

Jieni Wu, Colgate University

John Cremins, Colgate University

Lincoln University:

Danielle Vignovich, Lincoln University 

Supported by The Gotham:

Michelle Tang, Princeton University

Molly Smith, Yale University

Mrugesh Thakor, Pratt Institute

Oliver Schaffer, Emerson College

Osaro Lee, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Santiago Pacheco, University of Texas at Austin 

Zaryah Qareeb, Emerson College

Sumana Syed, Columbia College Chicago

Julius Ewungkem Jr., Harvard University

Michelle Tang, Princeton University

Molly Smith, Yale University

Mrugesh Thakor, Pratt Institute

Oliver Schaffer, Emerson College

Osaro Lee, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Santiago Pacheco, University of Texas at Austin 

Zaryah Qareeb, Emerson College

Ebun Adebonojo, New York University