Five seniors from the College of Visual and Performing Arts have been selected as 2012-2013 Imagining America Engagement Fellows, a yearlong program of Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life (IA). Providing a transition from undergraduate academic study to employment and graduate education, the program offers students assistance in finding a job and, thanks to the generous support of the SU deans, tuition to take graduate courses at SU. The Engagement Fellowship also creates myriad opportunities for professional development and networking through IA’s Publicly Active Graduate Education—Central New York Chapter.
Meeting together throughout the year, the Engagement Fellows expand their sense of the multitude of ways that various disciplines contribute to the public good, and develop cross-disciplinary partnerships along the way. Students are chosen for the program based on their academic record, faculty or professional recommendation, community engagement experience and desire to contribute to the vitality of central New York.
VPA's 2012-13 Imagining America Engagement Fellows
John Cardone, B.F.A in sculpture and creative writing who also completed the Renée Crown Honors Program, plans to work with Marion Wilson on the Mobile Literacy Arts Bus, as well as for Say Yes to Education.
Taylor Gibbs, B.F.A. in communications design, will work with SU ArtsEngage.
Marc Mason, B.S. in communication and rhetorical studies, international relations and Middle Eastern studies, is graduating with honors and hopes to continue with the Near East Foundation.
Holly Zahn, B.F.A in film, will work with SU ArtsEngage.
Jian Yin Zhong, B.F.A in interior design and psychology, aims to develop public art projects in the Near West Side and in association with Say Yes.
