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Nathan Murphy

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Nathan Murphy is a Class of 2026 media and cinema studies major.

What first interested you in the media and cinema studies (MACS) major?

Ever since I was young, I’ve loved watching movies, but as I got older, I became more interested in how they were made—the behind-the-scenes work, the “how did they actually do that?” side of things. MACS lets me explore this question by gaining hands-on experience with creating short films. I also really enjoy helping bring others’ ideas to the screen. I have my own visions but being a part of a team and helping someone else realize theirs is incredibly rewarding.

What makes the MACS program at the University of Illinois College of Media stand out?

A big factor in choosing Illinois was the location. I am from the area, so staying close to home really mattered to me. What really made the MACS program stand out to me was when I came to visit for Admitted Student Day and first met senior lecturer Victor Font. He led a workshop in Gregory Hall called the 2001: A Space Odyssey Green Screen Workshop. He had a student greenscreen a scene from the film and walked us through how to shoot and edit it. It was surprisingly informative because it showed just how much access to technology students actually have. That workshop is what ultimately sealed the deal for me as it showed me what MACS looks like in practice and made the program feel like the right fit.

What had also drawn me to MACS was the size and feel of the College of Media. MACS is smaller compared to other programs, which often have huge lectures. College of Media professors and lecturers actually know your names, talk to you regularly, and check in on your projects. That kind of relationship-building is important to me.

What has been your favorite MACS class?

On the production side, my favorite class has been MACS 480: Advanced Filmmaking. It was one of the first times I got to work on a truly professional short film with a serious crew. We shot at an Airbnb over several days. It was intense, long hours, and a lot of work, but also incredibly energizing. I made friends and connections I still have today. By the end, I was exhausted, but it felt like I had really earned that sleep. Seeing the finished project was genuinely fulfilling.

I also loved MACS 282: A World of Death and Blood: The Horror Movie with senior lecturer Jonathan Knipp. He’s passionate, engaging, and really committed to helping students understand film beyond just “liking” or “disliking” it. Even when I didn’t like a particular movie, the way he breaks down the technical aspects, themes, and the real-world influences made me appreciate what the filmmakers were doing. His screening helped me see horror, and film in general, in a much deeper way.

What media-related RSOs are you involved in?

I’m currently the vice president of Illinois Film and Video (IFV). I’ve been involved with IFV for four years, but I became active in my junior year, and then joined the executive board that spring. IFV has been an amazing way to meet people who are passionate about film, regardless of their major. You get [to meet students from] a broader campus community including other College of Media students, business students, and more, rather than just staying within the same MACS circle.

We host film challenges in which we encourage members to make short films and screen their own work for the group. We also hold pitch days, where people share ideas before they even have a script, which helps generate interest and collaboration early on. On top of that, we bring in guest speakers to create great networking opportunities locally and beyond. Overall, IFV has been a huge part of my experience here. Between projects, meetings, and just hanging out with members, it’s been incredibly rewarding.

Since starting college, how have your career goals developed, and what experiences pushed you in that direction?

When I first started college, I imagined myself becoming the next Oscar-winning director and creating the greatest film of all time entirely on my own. But once I got deeper into the MACS program, I quickly realized filmmaking is never a solo process—you need a crew, and collaboration is really what brings a vision to life.

Through my production classes, I was able to try a lot of different roles including sound, cinematography, and eventually production. As I moved into higher-level courses, I was given more responsibility on the producing side, and that experience really shaped the direction I’m pursuing now. I found that producing was the role where I felt the most fulfilled. Working with different crews, taking on leadership roles in advanced classes, and even coming back to help senior lecturer Victor Font with production courses all pushed me toward seeing myself not just as a filmmaker, but as someone who thrives in a collaborative environment. Those experiences helped shift [my perspective] from wanting to be a director to becoming a producer and help bring an entire team’s vision to life.

—Interview by Lia Roa-Hernandez, New Voices Intern

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Rafael Aguirre

Get to know some of our College of Media Students! Rafael Aguirre is a Class of 2028 advertising major.

What made you choose advertising as your major?

A specific moment that really confirmed my interest happened during my senior year of high school when I visited Revolution, a sports marketing agency. They work on advertisements for organizations like F1, MLS, and other sports leagues in the U.S. Visiting their office gave me a real look at the industry and seeing how creative and collaborative the environment was stood out to me. It made the career feel exciting and [like] something I could genuinely see myself doing. That experience helped me realize that advertising was the direction I wanted to pursue.

What excites you about the advertising industry?

Since starting at Illinois, my perspective on advertising has evolved a lot. One of the biggest things I’ve realized is how quickly the industry changes, especially with the growth of new technology like artificial intelligence. Something that might have worked as an advertising strategy four years ago might not work today because the tools, platforms, and audiences have all changed.

Being in the program has helped me understand that advertising is becoming more modern and data-driven, and that professionals in the field must constantly adapt. It’s not just about creativity anymore, it’s also about understanding trends, using new technology, and analyzing data to see what works. That realization has made the field even more interesting to me.

What has been your favorite class so far and why?

Right now, my favorite class is Advertising 250: Advertising and Brand Strategy. One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is because it’s very project-based and collaborative. Instead of doing a lot of smaller assignments, we work in groups on one major project throughout the entire semester.

For the project, we either choose an existing brand and identify a challenge it’s facing, or we create our own brand and develop a solution to a problem within an industry. For example, a team might look at the energy drink industry and notice that there are too many single-use cans, which creates sustainability issues. From there, they would build a brand concept that addresses that problem. I like how the class encourages creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, which makes it feel like the type of work you might do at an agency.

What resources have been helpful in navigating Illinois?

One resource that has been helpful is access to research databases through our school email. For example, Statista is a platform that provides statistics and industry data that are useful when working on projects or building marketing strategies. Normally, access to those types of resources can be expensive, but as Illinois students we can use them for free through our university accounts.

Having access to credible data makes it much easier to support ideas with real statistics, especially in advertising and marketing where research is important for making strong arguments and decisions.

Are you involved in any media-related RSOs? What makes your organization different?

I’m one of the founders of La Agencia, and I currently serve as the recruiting treasurer. We started the organization in Fall 2025 with the goal of helping students build stronger portfolios. The internship market in media and advertising has become very competitive, so we wanted to create a space where students could gain experience working on projects and develop work that they can showcase to employers.

One thing that makes La Agencia different from some other RSOs is our focus on building a sense of community. In many organizations, people already have their own friend groups and sometimes don’t interact much with new members. As an executive team, we try to encourage everyone to talk to each other and get to know people outside of their existing circles. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where members feel comfortable attending events, collaborating on projects, and building connections.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating, I hope to work at an advertising agency, ideally in sports marketing or copywriting. I’m especially interested in copywriting because I enjoy the creative side of advertising and the process of developing messaging that connects with audiences. Overall, my goal is to work in an agency environment where I can contribute to creative campaigns, particularly in industries like sports where marketing plays a big role in connecting brands with fans.

—Interview by Andrea De La Torre, New Voices Intern

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Take 5 with Media Alumni: Alex Hedlund

May 15, 2026

Los Angeles-based film and television producer Alex Hedlund (BS ’05, media studies; MS ’06, journalism) knew he wanted to make movies at a young age. When he was just 10 years old, he wrote a letter to Stephen King’s publisher seeking the famed author’s autograph. Hedlund still has his signed copy of Needful Things to this day.

Hedlund has three major projects set to premiere this year, including a 10-episode remake of Cape Fear for Apple TV starring Javier Bardem and Amy Adams; a feature adaptation of Verity starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett; and the independent horror film River.

Learn more about this College of Media alum who has empowered writers and directors for the last two decades, and find out which film or TV show he will champion next.

1. What first drew you to filmmaking and production, and how did that evolve into your current role today?

Ever since I was a kid, I told people, “I want to make movies,” before I even knew what that meant or how that would even be possible. All I knew is that I craved escapism through movies, TV, novels, and video games, and for my 10th birthday, I only wanted one thing—Stephen King’s autograph. I wrote a letter to his publisher with this request and received a hard copy of Needful Things signed by the man himself! (I still have and cherish it.) That moment subconsciously unlocked something for me that became a big part of my career, which is identifying uncompromising stories and reaching out to connect with world-class storytellers. As a career producer, I’m constantly looking to empower writers and directors who have a story to tell.

2. What do you consider your biggest career accomplishment? Is there one project that has felt especially meaningful to you?

I’m celebrating 20 years in Los Angeles this year, so I consider my survival in this industry a tremendous accomplishment as a baseline. Project-wise, 2026 is a very meaningful year for me with the premiere of three projects I produced (all of which are seven long years in the making!). The first is a 10-episode series reimagining of Cape Fear for Apple TV in June that stars Javier Bardem and Amy Adams. As a fan of the novel and having seen the Martin Scorsese film as a child (long before I should have!), being a producer on this one was a full-circle moment for me. I also have a feature adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling erotic thriller Verity that drops in theaters October 2. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, all of whom are fantastic in the film and incredible to work with personally. That’s a big-budget studio film, whereas my next film River is a low-budget indie debut from a writer-director that I discovered and championed. The horror film will premiere this fall, and I couldn’t be prouder.

3. In addition to two degrees at Illinois, you then earned your MFA in the producers program at UCLA. What advice would you give to students who want to break into directing or production but don’t know where to start?

I used to say you absolutely need to move to Los Angeles, though I don’t believe that’s essential anymore. YouTube, MasterClass, Zoom, and social media has democratized everything so you can make a lot of connections and gain knowledge that way. If you want to be a director, you can now shoot a film on your iPhone and upload it online for the world to see. Just create something and get it out there! Or try to get an entry-level job on set or intern at a production company. No matter what, check your ego at the door and be unabashed about your desire for mentorship.

4. The media landscape is constantly changing—how do you keep your work both current and true to your vision?

I always internalize that the only certainty in entertainment is uncertainty, and not to stress about external factors that I cannot control. What I can control though is my taste and what I want to see. If I’m not first in line for a film on its opening night, I know that I’m not the right producer to advocate for it. I think it’s a huge mistake to try and “chase the market” or pursue something for cynical, surface-level reasons—for me, it has to be love at first sight. I need to lose sleep thinking about a project. I’m constantly gut-checking myself to see if this is something my 10-year-old self would have wanted to see—and most likely have to beg my parents to let me see it!

5. What’s one dream project you’d love to direct or produce in the future?

Too many to name, though one of my “white whales” I actually just set up as a feature at Netflix! It’s an adaptation of an award-winning graphic novel called Torso by the brilliant artists Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko. It’s a true story about Elliott Ness hunting America’s first serial killer in the 1930s. You might say it’s The Untouchables meets Zodiac. [It’s an] incredible, stranger-than-fiction story that was first published decades ago and I’ve been tracking it ever since. I always thought it would make an amazing film, so I’m pinching myself that I was finally able to get my arms around it and hopefully champion it into finally getting made!

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Media alum Jordyn Poulter named to Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026

May 8, 2026

Jordyn Poulter (BS ’18, media and cinema studies) is among eight legendary athletes named to the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Poulter, a two-time Olympian, along with seven other elite Illini athletes, will be honored at the Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11, at State Farm Center.

Poulter helped lead the United States to Olympic Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games and Silver at the 2024 Paris Games, while being named “Best Setter” at the 2020 Games.

She earned All-America honors three times at Illinois, including First-Team honors as a senior in 2018 when Poulter led the Illini to the NCAA National Semifinals. She ranked second nationally with 1,521 assists in 2018, when she was named the AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year.

The Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame began in 2017 and now has 162 total members, with representatives from each current varsity sport. University of Illinois varsity athletics started with baseball in 1879 and now has 21 teams competing at the NCAA Division I level.

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Rikkie Gunawan

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Rikkie Gunawan is a class of 2027 journalism major.

What excites you most about being a journalism major at the University of Illinois?

The most exciting part is how many opportunities there are as a journalism major. Students can get involved in The Daily Illini, WPGU 107.1, UI7 Newsroom, and even Illinois Public Media. Since it’s a small college, you end up getting to know other journalism students and your professors. I like that and the fact that I’ve gotten to meet several of the upperclassmen in journalism and connect with others who have similar interests as myself, which has made my time here at Illinois a great experience.

What sets the journalism program here apart from other schools?

After doing lots of research on schools, I decided to apply to Illinois because their journalism program is versatile. Illinois is inclusive and offers more options of paths to take in the industry. I originally only wanted to do print, but after taking some of the more broadcast-focused classes offered here, I realized broadcast could be pretty fun as well and I could also see a future in that area.

How early on did you realize journalism was the general career path you wanted to take?

My older sister was working for my high school’s newspaper, and they were in need of graphic artists. She knew I liked drawing and encouraged me to join the newspaper team, so I was involved for all four years.

In the beginning I knew I liked writing and drawing, but I didn’t know much about newspaper writing, or really journalism in general. I ended up taking a journalism course in high school and became an editor for the newspaper, and the intersection between reporting and visuals was really fascinating to me. I know a lot of people take in information visually, so that aspect of journalism always really interested me.

What goals have you already accomplished or hope to accomplish at Illinois?

I had this really cool opportunity last year to do an independent study with associate professor of journalism Charles “Stretch” Ledford. He did a global documentary trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Although I didn’t go on the trip, I was able to work alongside him to produce a comic for it.

I adapted the story they had already shot into a comic form that focused on the topic of period poverty. Professor Ledford sent me pictures of girls from Sierra Leone holding my comic, and it was just one of the coolest things I’ve been able to do.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

It’s important to put yourself out there. There are so many opportunities at this school to take advantage of. At the same time, don’t always say yes to everything, as it’s very important to set those boundaries and figure out how to manage your time and prioritize what you really want to do. Some things just come your way and it’s important to take the chance.

—Interview by Jaedynn Clark, New Voices Intern

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Rawan El-Bawab

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Rawan El-Bawab is a Class of 2026 CS + advertising major.

What led you to your decision to major in CS + advertising?

In high school, I really enjoyed math and statistics, but I was also very interested in psychology. When I was applying to Illinois, I came across the CS + advertising major. It immediately stood out because I had never seen a program that combined both sides of my interests so well. Even though I only had surface-level experience with computer science, I knew I enjoyed puzzles and logical thinking, so coding felt like a natural next step. I decided to take a chance on it, and it ended up being exactly what I was looking for.

How does combining computer science and advertising shape your perspective or skill set?

We live in a world that’s increasingly digital and driven by technology, so having a computer science background is incredibly valuable. What makes this major unique, though, is the addition of advertising. It pushes you to think beyond just the technical side and really consider people—their behaviors, preferences, and how they interact with products and platforms. That perspective is useful in any field. Understanding concepts like market research and branding gives you a broader view of how businesses operate. Knowing how to code is one thing, but if you don’t know how to connect it to people, it can only go so far. This major really helps you bridge that gap and develop a more well-rounded skill set.

What has been your most impactful or defining experience during your time in the College of Media?

My experience in AAF, the American Advertising Federation, has been one of the most defining parts of my time here. It played a huge role in helping me find both community and confidence. At the end of my freshman year, I applied for an executive position just to see what would happen. I ended up being offered a presidential role for one of the agencies, On the House. I hadn’t originally applied for a position that high because I didn’t think I was qualified, but the previous executive members encouraged me and saw potential in me. It was definitely challenging at first, and there was a lot to learn, but over time I grew into the role and ended up loving it. I stayed in that position throughout my sophomore year, and then in my junior year, I became president of Midnight Oil, an application-based agency with more experienced members. Through those roles, I discovered how much I enjoy working with people, mentoring others, and creating a supportive team environment. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as both a leader and a collaborator.

Do you have any advice for students trying to attain internships?

It helps to identify companies you’re interested in and keep an eye on their websites, because a lot of it comes down to timing. The more you apply, the better your chances. At the same time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when it feels like everyone around you is doing the same thing. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay if you don’t land an internship right away. There are so many valuable opportunities on campus that can help you build skills and experience in meaningful ways. Looking back, I wish I had been a little kinder to myself during that process. Not having an internship immediately isn’t a reflection of your potential, and it won’t make or break your future career. Keep going, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

What are your career plans after graduating from Illinois, and how has the College of Media helped prepare you for them?

After graduating, I’ll be starting a role in tech sales, which I’m really excited about because it combines both the technical and advertising sides of my major. The College of Media has been a strong support system throughout my time here. My advisor, Megan Tucker Zwilling, played a huge role in that. She was always encouraging and genuinely invested in what I was doing. At times when I took on too much, she helped me step back and find a better balance. Having that kind of support made a big difference. She was always there to answer my questions and help me think through decisions, and that guidance really helped me navigate my path and feel more confident moving forward.

What advice do you have for incoming CS + advertising students?

My biggest advice is to get involved in RSOs. RSOs give you the flexibility to explore different interests in a low-pressure environment, whether you stay for a semester or longer. They’re a great way to gain hands-on experience and figure out what you actually enjoy. For me, being involved in AAF helped me realize that I liked the technical side of my major, but didn’t necessarily want to work at a traditional ad agency. Through internships, I also learned that I didn’t want to focus solely on software engineering. Those experiences helped me narrow down what I was looking for and eventually led me to a role that combines both areas. This major gives you a lot of flexibility because the skills are transferable across different industries. Take advantage of that! Try new things, step outside your comfort zone, and stay open to different paths.

—Interview by Alexa Camacho Villicana, New Voices Intern

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Karys Boeriu

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Karys Boeriu is a Class of 2028 advertising major.

What made you choose the College of Media at Illinois?

Initially, I was drawn here because of the tight-knit community in the College of Media, but we’re part of such a huge university. There are so many people who you can meet and many opportunities that the college and the university offer. The College of Media is one of the smaller colleges, and as a result, you get to connect with the faculty and your peers. Just stepping into the College of Media, you immediately feel support, but not just academically. The support goes beyond academics—everyone genuinely wants to see you thrive as an individual. Also, the college is structured in a way to make students feel comfortable and heard, while offering a wide variety of different options and tailoring them towards each student individually.

What Media classes and professors have stuck out to you so far?

One class that comes to mind is ADV 290: Experiential Branding, taught by lecturer Penne Heede. In class, we did experiential branding work focusing on putting together creative trade shows and pop-up experiences. Heede’s class really helped bring in an industry perspective to what I knew about advertising. Also, Heede was extremely knowledgeable as she provided us all with good advice on how to get into the advertising industry.

Another class was ADV 222: Copywriting with senior lecturer Shahar Meron. He’s an exceptional lecturer, and he instilled in me the passion that I have for copywriting.

What different Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are you a part of on campus?

A huge one for me is the American Advertising Federation (AAF). I’ve loved AAF so far. I’ve been part of two agencies in AAF—NSAC (National Student Advertising Competition) and Midnight Oil, AAF’s full-service local client agency. Recently this year, I’ve joined the executive board as well, which I’ve been super grateful for and felt privileged to be a part of. AAF has been a really huge and important part of my life so far on campus. I’m also a student ambassador for the College of Media, which means I help with different admissions events around campus. Working for the College of Media has been really rewarding for me in the sense that I get to give back to the incoming College of Media family.

What’s your favorite media related project you’ve worked on?

Being part of NSAC has brought so many fun projects. We get a brief every year from a Fortune 500 company, and what we’ll do is essentially devise an entire campaign and then compete regionally or nationally by presenting the campaign we made. One of the clients that we had last year was AT&T, and our whole campaign was about helping AT&T show Gen Z that they can discover life around them and see beyond the screen. We played into the idea of fostering better in-person connections with people. I think that’s a good example of why I got into advertising too, because I wanted to use the power of language and understanding people to do something greater than myself.

If you could talk to yourself as a freshman, what advice would you give?

I would say trust that you have made the right decision for yourself, and that every single thing that comes after will fall exactly into the places it’s supposed to. That’s how I’ve felt ever since I got here, that everything is clicking and falling into place. I think it really started with just saying yes to being admitted into the College of Media, and a ripple effect happened—everything just sort of turned out the way it was supposed to. I just genuinely think the College of Media is incredible, and I think my peers are a true testament to that. The fact that it’s a small community within a big university, which allows you to foster relationships with passionate, curious people, is a big part of the reason why.

—Interview by Izzy Phillips, New Voices Intern

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Nick Roacho

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Nick Roacho is a Class of 2027 media and cinema studies major.

Why did you choose to major in media and cinema studies (MACS)? How did you decide that the College of Media was the right fit for you?

In the College of Media, I chose to specialize more in film criticism because of the world-renowned film critic [and University of Illinois College of Media alum] Roger Ebert. Movies are something I’ve always loved since I was a kid, and it became almost like a hobby for me. The MACS program has given me the opportunity to bring those interests together, by combining the study of film theory with hands-on experience in video production.

Tell me about your time at Illini Film and Video (IFV)?

I joined IFV in my freshman year and later became an executive member. We meet weekly and either do a workshop or a small lecture on parts of the filmmaking process and host guest speakers from Champaign. We also host students who give presentations on their filmmaking experience. IFV even hosted a 48-hour film challenge in which members write and edit a film in two days, which is then presented during an award ceremony.

Currently, I am the president of IFV, and what has really helped me grow as a MACS student is knowing how to meet people. I wouldn’t be where I am without meeting different people in IFV and making connections aside from filmmaking. This RSO allows you to meet other people from the same field, whom you might even run into and work with in the future.

Are there any achievements you are most proud of from your time at the College of Media?

Last year in Fall 2025, as part of MACS 260: Film Production, I co-directed a short film with friends titled Milk Run, which was selected and screened at the Illinois Student Film Festival to a live audience. Experiencing viewers’ reaction in real time, specifically, during the moments we had written jokes, was an incredibly rewarding experience. It has by far been one of the most memorable experiences here at Illinois, but also a great learning experience by creating a short film.

What are you involved in that has helped you build different skills?

I am the operations director for WPGU, the alternative student radio station. I have been able to work on delegating and setting priorities for the station while working with others to create the best radio station in town. This hands-on experience has allowed me to build my leadership skills both in my personal and professional life as it relates to the film projects I am working on.

I am also the president of Illini Watchers, where we watch and review films every week. Since I want to focus on film criticism, it was a welcoming experience to help run these discussions and be able to criticize or praise scenes with constructive criticism when it felt vulnerable.

What advice would you give to other incoming students majoring in media and cinema studies?

I would say to meet other people and take advantage of the time away from home. Something I appreciate about the College of Media is that it’s small. You have to get out of your shell and just speak to others because you never know where it’s going to end up.

—Interview by Paulina Alvarez, New Voices Intern

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Francisco Albarran

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Francisco Albarran is a Class of 2026 media and cinema studies major.

Why did you choose to major in media and cinema studies (MACS), and how did you decide that it was the right fit for you?

During the lockdown in 2020, I really got into watching movies and TV shows. I fell in love with the concept of putting my ideas onto the big screen, but I was also really inspired by [University of Illinois College of Media alum] Roger Ebert and his history with film reviews. When I started school here at Illinois, I knew it was the right fit since the college really felt like a village with everyone in MACS helping and learning alongside each other.

Talk about your internship at Flyover Film Studios.

During one of my MACS classes, we took a field trip to Flyover with senior lecturer Victor Font, where we toured the studio and learned about the internship, which was available in the fall semester. I got to meet the founders Sarah Sharp and Rob Stern, who talked about Flyover and the internship program they offered. I was one of the first recipients of the internship, which was really exciting.

That summer and fall, I worked on films like Chili Finger, Moses the Black, and even The Bear. I typically worked in construction for the movie sets, as a driver for cast members, or as a production assistant. Each day on set felt like a different adventure. It was an amazing experience to have celebrities give words of encouragement and advice on filmmaking. While working on these sets, I got to meet a lot of the cast members, including Bryan Cranston, Wiz Khalifa, and Deontay Wilder.

Are there any other opportunities at the College of Media that helped you grow in media and cinema studies?

Currently, I am in the process of starring, writing, and directing a Mexican immigrant boxing film titled Where You Land. This film was a huge step out of my comfort zone, and I was incredibly nervous to start, but I hope I can send my message to other young Mexican immigrants. It’s a great opportunity to be able to work on something I’m passionate about, and get to do things I’ve never done before, like acting.

What course within the College of Media would you recommend to other students?

I would highly recommend both MACS 480: Advanced Filmmaking and MACS 481: Advanced Filmmaking Studio. Since the College of Media is small, I had a community of film students who were just as passionate as me. At first, I didn’t get involved, but getting to know other students in these courses helped me learn from so many new people.

What advice would you give to incoming students majoring in MACS?

If I could go back to my freshman year, I would tell myself to start putting out work early, such as submitting projects to film festivals. It’s such a great benefit to do as a freshman compared to doing it later. Some other things I would encourage incoming students to do is to get out of their comfort zone and believe in themselves because there is no such thing as failing, only experiencing and learning for later on. As a student in class, or in a film studio, you will learn something new every day—from something or someone you would never expect to learn from—which is the beauty of the filmmaking process.

—Interview by Paulina Alvarez, New Voices Intern

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Ryan Hanson

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Ryan Hanson is a Class of 2026 advertising major.

Why did you decide to major in advertising?

I was already interested in advertising due to a research paper I did during my senior year of high school, where I had the opportunity to interview OKRP (now BarkleyOKRP), the agency behind the 2022 Burger King Whopper campaign. I spoke to the account director and the two creatives behind the ad, and after meeting with OKRP, I was able to see and learn about the creative process. I saw how free they were to be creative and realized I wanted that experience in my future career.

Tell me about your time at The Daily Illini as a creative developer.

I started working at The Daily Illini in February 2024 and worked on video production during my first year. The Daily Illini gave me another outlet to hone my skills in video editing and content planning. I then moved on to socials management, which involved sending out newsletters and posting on different platforms. During my time at The Daily Illini, I was able to interview Michael DeCoste, known on campus for his karaoke performances. For assignments, we’re usually in groups of two to three, but in this case, I was working by myself—filming on a tripod using my phone, coming up with questions, editing, and putting it all together with graphics and B-roll. This experience taught me that you have to be flexible when you are working on a story.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate student within the College of Media majoring in advertising?

Students should think about what they’re interested in within media and try everything. There are so many classes in the College of Media and with advertising. Advertising is a larger field than you realize, and there are a lot of opportunities. I had no idea there was a social media certificate. I recommend trying to get certificates. They offer so many in the College of Media. See College of Media certificates.

What are your future career goals, and how is your experience at the College of Media helping you with your goals?

I am interested in working on a creative team at an agency. I want to focus more on the digital side, whether that be social media or digital advertising, as I feel that is where advertising is shifting towards. The College of Media has prepared me for how technology is evolving and how advertising is evolving with it. In ADV 360: Innovations in Advertising, we talked a lot about AI along with search engine optimization. I’d say a lot of professors are making a point of AI right now and how best to use it for the creative process, such as storyboarding, drafting, and generating some ideas.

—Interview by Larimar Rivera, New Voices Intern

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