COM Grad Ambassadors

Hometown: Guangzhou, China
Undergraduate degree: BA in Public Relations and Advertising
Favorite COM course so far: COM EM 700 Introduction to Emerging Media Studies
Past/Current Internship Experience: My professional journey has included various advertising agency experiences, including my most recent internship at the MSL Group. My responsibilities included composing media copies, devising publicity strategies, and crafting press releases for these brands. I also contributed valuable insights to their campaigns, provided on-site PR support, and facilitated communication with media professionals and key opinion leaders.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars/Fun Facts: I have a deep passion for musicals, with favorites including “Rent,” “The Lion King,” and “Le Rouge et le Noir.” Now, watching musicals is still the best way to cheer me up when I am overwhelmed with schoolwork. In addition to my musical interests, I love all sorts of video games, and my favorite game is “Detroit: Become Human.” Interestingly, this game ignited my curiosity about the psychological aspects that influence human behavior, ultimately leading me to explore the fascinating world of neuroscience (ps. Even though I’m not good at neuroscience, gaining some sense of it is still quite useful in the communication field).
Contact: IG: Katya_LJN

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA USA
Undergraduate degree: Media and Communications
Favorite COM course so far: Screenwriting I
Hobbies/Extracurriculars/Fun Facts: Interests:
American History
90’s hip hop
Comic books
Standup comedy

Extracurriculars:
Hiking
Reading
Fishing
Watching Movies

Advice for new students: Be open, be humble, and give it both barrels!
Contact: gsbanks@bu.edu 215-687-5864

Hometown: East Haven, Connecticut USA
Undergraduate degree: BA in Journalism and Political Science
Favorite COM course(s) so far: Writing Episodic Drama for Television with Professor Jackson
Internships: During my undergraduate career, I interned at two local newspapers where I wrote news and feature articles with a community focus.
Fun Facts/Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I am a huge dog person! My family has six dogs at home. I love reading, theatre and traveling. In Boston, I love checking out new restaurants and shops when I have free time.
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before! You may end up loving it.
Contact: igentile@bu.edu

Hometown: Ahmedabad, India
Undergraduate degree: B.A. LL.B. (J.D. equivalent)
Favorite COM course(s) so far: Writing for Media Professionals
Internships: During my undergrad, I was a legal intern for a litigation lawyer for 3 years. After graduating, I established my independent practice and practiced civil law for 2 years in India. While transitioning to the field of communication, I interned as a content writer for TimesAscent.com, a digital supplement of The Times of India. Post that, I worked as a content marketing executive at Petpooja, a restaurant POS software company.
Fun Facts/Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I love to read and sing and I am a big movie buff. A fun fact about me is that even though I am a BIG foodie, prior to moving to the US for grad school, I had never cooked a day in my life. But, I am now slowly developing a liking for trying out new recipes. I like long drives while listening to music and going on road trips.
Advice for new students: During your time in grad school, especially one as diverse and inclusive as BU, keep your options open to exploring something that you haven’t tried before in your academic or professional journey. You could end up discovering a completely new field and find yourself loving it!
Contact: shanaya@bu.edu

Hometown: Guangzhou, China
Undergraduate degree: BA in Applied Communication, Minor in Small Business Management
Favorite COM course so far: 700 Financial and Strategic Management for Communication Professionals
Past Internship Experience: Internal Communication Coordinator Intern • CityDash LLC, Communication Intern • Power to Pursue, Student Assistant • Miami University
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: Obsessed with building LEGOs, and I love to drive to clear my mind.
Advice for new students: New school new semester can be overwhelming. Don’t forget to take care of yourself in the meantime! Nothing comes before that.
Contact: E-mail: kikicao@bu.edu, 513-320-7281

Hometown: Delhi, India
Undergraduate degree: Communication and Graphic Design
Favorite COM course(s) so far: Advertising Strategy and Swimming!
Internships: I had the chance to intern with MullenLowe Lintas Delhi, an Ad agency post my undergrad. It was experience like no other. I joined the team as a design intern but got the chance to experience copywriting and account planning as well. I went on multiple client meetings and pitches too! The most I learned was from my colleagues around me. They were very helpful and encouraged me to explore, experiment, and share my ideas. I would love to actually work there someday.
Fun Facts/Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I love Formula 1 racing! One thing on the top of my bucket list is to go watch a F1 grand prix live. Apart from that, I love to cook, especially eat. I have also learned to sing Indian classical music and the piano for the majority of my life. I also pursue photography as a hobby sometimes. Having lived in six different cities in India, I am quite culturally adept and I make friends easily. I can speak three languages and am in the process of learning the fourth!
Advice for new students: Enjoy your time here as your time in Uni is irreplaceable! Organise your time through apps like Google calender. BU has a lot to offer apart from the classes you take. Make the best use of the career resources, alumni meets, guest lectures, and most important of all FitRec! Don’t forget to enjoy this beautiful city too!
Contact: apurvag@bu.edu

Hometown: Gurgaon & India
Undergraduate degree: Bachelors in Mass Media (BMM)
Favorite COM course so far: Principles & Practice of Advertising
Past Internship Experience: My internship at Future Group during my undergrad helped me turn my career dreams into reality and made me feel like I fit right within the field of communications. After graduating, my initial professional experience was as a consultant in a marketing experiential and client-servicing agency. It was exciting to work on brand projects and bring creative ideas to life. Later on, I switched to broaden my knowledge to a new role that is as a Junior Writer and Social Media Manager at a digital influencer news desk, where I worked for over a year. However, my passion and curiosity to learn more about brands drove me to further explore the field. Well, at my last job, I got to work closely with brands as a Brand Strategist and overall it was a great experience.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: Dancing has been my passion since the age of 3, and it continues to be my rhythmic escape. Moreover, you will see me constantly grooving to music from around the globe. I’m an unapologetic movie buff and a traveler, I love to explore new cultures, flavors, and adventures like a local. I am a social butterfly, who loves networking and spreading love and joy. At present, I am part of the AdClub team and also am working at the Agganis Arena. Age-wise, I may be older than Google, but at 25, I’m ready to embrace the boundless opportunities ahead with zest and zeal!
Advice for new students: Be curious but when you’re feeling rushed, consciously slow down. You don’t have to feel like a hamster on a wheel all the time. Take a break, breathe go out, and explore the city of Boston!
Contact: IG: @shivangisethi4 | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivangi-sethi-441201148/

ShangYing Chen

Shivani Sunkara

Hometown: China
Undergraduate degree: Journalism & Media
Favorite COM course so far: Creative Development
Past Internship Experience: Plitzs Fashion Marketing PR coordinator; Pinkaholic Fashion Brand marketing intern and Instagram content creator.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I am a dancer and dance teacher in Boston, and I also write music.
Advice for new students: Make use of professor resources and Boston University Resources.
Contact: sychen2@bu.edu, 617-470-1526

Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Undergraduate degree: Chartered Accountant, UK Bachelors in Business Administration, India
Favorite COM course so far: Creative Development and BootCamp at FitRec
Past Internship Experience: I’ve had the privilege of working with Create Group in Dubai, recognized by Adweek as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Agencies. My passion for crafting compelling narratives has driven me to develop digital and social media strategies for culturally-rooted clients across the Middle East, including renowned brands such as Aldo, Birkenstock, Ernst and Young, Coca Cola Arena, Berklee College of Music, and Dubai’s Department of Culture and Tourism. During my career, I was honored as the winner of Campaign Magazine’s Faces to Watch in 2021, Digital category – Campaign’s pick of the industry’s leaders for the next generation. It’s a testament to my commitment to the industry, and I’m grateful to be recognized among a talented group of professionals.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I practically live at BU’s Fitrec. You could say it’s my second home in Boston, or maybe even my first. Those super comfy lounge chairs have seen more of me than any other place! But hey, it’s all about balance. While I mostly lounge, I occasionally attempt to lift my own body weight – gotta make it look like I didn’t just come for the comfy couches, right? When I’m not hanging out at Fitrec, I’m deeply passionate about DEI initiatives. I serve as a certified #IamRemarkable facilitator, thanks to Google. It’s all about empowering folks, particularly underrepresented groups, to stand up and shout, “I’m remarkable!” So, if you ever need a pep talk, you know who to call. But otherwise I’m just your average rom-com lover with a sit-com personality – because, let’s be honest, life can be pretty darn funny sometimes.
Advice for new students: Don’t be too hard on yourself; you’ve made it here. And remember the little things that can make a big difference: Sweat. Hydrate. Paint. Dance. Laugh. Sing. Listen. Watch. Meditate. Nourish. Observe. Ponder. Reflect. Respond. Create. Smile. Cry. Love. Share. Learn. Connect. Let go. Change. Embrace. Trust. Surrender. Grow.
Contact: shiv@bu.edu

Sheel Achnani

Hometown: Surat, India
Undergraduate degree: Cinema and Media Arts
Favorite COM course so far: Fundamentals of Interactive Media and Media Money Trail
Past Internship Experience: Undergrad: The Jewish Film Festival, Toronto
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I love dancing and going to stand-up comedies and theatre plays. Fun Facts: I am an impromptu traveler and likes to know about different culture and cuisine and you can often find me travelling with a book in my hand.
Advice for new students: Take one day at a time.
Contact: achnanis@bu.edu

Hometown: Taiwan
Undergraduate degree: Diplomacy
Favorite COM course so far: Creating New Ideas
Past Internship Experience: Communications Officer of Greenpeace East Asia Taipei, Account Coordinator of The Hoffman Agency, Program Manager of CSR Action, Public Relations intern in Cheetah Mobile
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I’m a storyteller who really enjoys outdoor activities, adventure, camping and movies. Also, I was a basketball player when I was young!
Advice for new students: Be courageous while it’s early!
Contact: eliza531@bu.edu/ Instagram: papazou_0531

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Undergraduate degree: BS in Film & Television
Favorite COM course(s) so far: TV Genre & Fandom
Internships: Previously, I worked as a production assistant for David Treatman Creative, and I also worked as a communications intern at Self Help Africa during my study abroad program in Dublin, Ireland.
Fun Facts/Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I’m involved on campus with WTBU, Boston University’s student-run radio station! My interests include musical theater, reading, sports, cooking/baking, and traveling. I’m also a huge Formula 1 Racing fan!!
Advice for new students: Graduate school is a busy time, but make sure to take time for yourself and explore the city of Boston! My favorite area in Boston is Coolidge Corner!
Contact: abonner7@bu.edu

Hometown: Guangdong, China
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Favorite COM course so far: Writing for Media Professionals, Marketing Communication
Past/Current Internship Experience: I completed an internship at the Nestle R&D Center, where I worked for the consumer insights team. I explored and assessed different consumer and market trends to develop new product ideas. Because of this internship, I found my passion for marketing.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I love listening to music so I create videos about music playlists sharing in my spare time. And I also record daily vlogs. Learning about filming, editing, and running my social media accounts is fun.
Advice for new students: Reach out to professors when you have questions because they’re all super nice and are here to help!
Contact: kinsyao@bu.edu

Patrick Zhang

Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan
Undergraduate degree: Translation & Interpretation
Favorite COM course so far: Media Theory CM 710
Past/Current Internship Experience: I had professional work experience as an event & PR manager for more than 5 years before coming to BU. During my career, I acted as a project manager as well and organized international and local grant projects. At BU, I am currently doing a Teaching Assistantship for a Public Relations class too.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars/Fun Facts: I love traveling and seeing new people, and new cultures. Furthermore, I have a great interest in just walking on random streets and experiencing the city’s architecture or nature. Additionally, reading books and socializing with friends are included in my interest areas too.
Advice for new students: Boston University is a great place to take you to new horizons. Especially, if you are an international student, the university has a very welcoming environment. Just take a challenge and get out of your comfort zone to bring appreciation and success to your life.
Contact: aibrhm@bu.edu

Hometown: Tianjin, China
Undergraduate degree: Public Relations & Advertising
Favorite COM course so far: Tough choice!
Past/Current Internship Experience: I have worked as a PR intern in multinational corporations and global agencies, serving brands in the beauty, F&B, and automobile industries.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars/Fun Facts: I have a great time wandering the world of cinema and the streets.
Advice for new students: Read more.
Contact: mohanz@bu.edu

Hometown: Shenzhen, China
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Favorite COM course so far: JO710 Digital Toolkit
Past/Current Internship Experience: During my undergraduate study, I had two on-campus jobs. The first one was working on college sports streaming with other Communication students in press boxes. The other one was to manage social media accounts for our school creamery.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: I am the only kid in my family. So I am very curious about how people get along with their siblings for a long time.

Contact: stelc@bu.edu; IG: @stella_919
Advice for new students: It’s fine to be nervous at the beginning of the first semester. Things will get better and you will be more confident as you go.