This Fall, Middlesex Community College communication students attended the Massachusetts Production Coalition Student Media Summit with their classes. Students Tangiene Nyereyegona and Kelsey DiCicco were selected as finalists for Pitch Fest to share their screenplays with a panel of industry leaders.
“Being selected was deeply meaningful to me because it signaled that what I am trying to accomplish is being seen, that the change I am trying to make – and the way in which I am trying to make it – is being received,” Nyereyegona said. “It was vital that I told the story in a responsible way. To me, this means telling the story from a survivor’s perspective and supporting my lived experience with extensive research and insight from experts in trauma-informed care and creative practices.”
Nyereyegona – from Canada and now living in Lowell – previously graduated from MCC as a Dual Enrollment student. After working as a theater director, she returned to the college to pursue a career in film directing. This semester, she wrote a screenplay and directed the film to explore the impacts of sexual trauma.
DiCicco, of Lowell, returned to school to take advantage of Massachusetts free college. After working in the hospitality industry, she decided to earn a degree in communication with plans to work in film production. Encouraged by her professors to submit a pitch she had given the previous semester, DiCicco was surprised to have been chosen for the contest.
“It was a great feeling to be selected,” DiCicco said. “Experiences like this one have a great impact. It allowed me to pitch a script idea in front of an audience and provided career insight from those directly in the field, as well as networking opportunities.”
Middlesex was one of 11 Mass. schools to attend the Student Media Summit. In addition to the Pitch Fest, Nyereyegona and DiCicco attended a career panel and luncheon. While learning about different career pathways at the panel, the lunch provided a chance to network, share skills, and promote upcoming projects.
“I found the summit to be an amazing resource,” Nyereyegona said. “It was a great way to foster collaboration between students attending different schools. I believe experiences like this are vital – where we as students get to apply what we’re learning in our classes to real-world settings.
Both students credit Dr. Jennifer Bauer, MCC’s Chair of Communication, Art and Design, for organizing hands-on learning experiences in and outside of the classroom. With MCC, students toured studios around the area, including New England Studios, RedSky, NBC and GBH Boston; attended the WGBH Editor’s Bootcamp; and went to a guest lecture and Q&A with IATSE representatives on-campus, among other activities.
“The communication program has a lot to offer and provides us with as many opportunities as possible,” DiCicco said. “It was very impactful to see firsthand what these jobs look like, and it has helped me shape my career choices for after college. I’ve been able to learn how the industry operates while gaining skills to start working.”
While Nyereyegona is president of MCC’s Media Production Club, DiCicco is vice president. Both believe their education from MCC is preparing them well for their future professional, academic and personal success.
“MCC’s Communication, Art, and Design programs are exceptional,” said Dr. Matt Hurwitz, MCC’s Dean of Liberal Arts. “The success of Tangiene and Kelsey is just further proof of the distinctive education that our students in these majors are receiving.”