By Keith Gerald Davis III
BULA Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Alumni & Staff Share Memories, Gratitude
Program continues to have large BU alumni support network
Boston University Los Angeles (BULA) started in 2002 – at the dawn of the digital age – an exciting time in the industry with the internet getting integrated into communication and entertainment.
Realizing what a terrific opportunity it would be to bring College of Communication (COM) students out to LA, then Dean of the College Brent Baker and other COM leaders got together with several BU alumni who had made LA their home and were working in the industry. Some of the first alumni to meet with COM leaders, help shape and launch this idea, and generously contribute funding for it were Marcia Lewis Smith (COM ’74), Television Producer and President of Lewis Smith Media; Bruce Feirstein (COM ‘75), Screenwriter, Journalist, and former BU Advisory Board member; Jay Roewe (COM ’79), HBO’s Senior Vice President for West Coast Production and BU Advisory Board member; and George Lilly (GRS’54, COM’56), Chairman Emeritus of SLJ Broadcast Group.
What started as short-term visits to Hollywood studios, one or two weeks long each spring, grew into a successful academic internship program that now contributes to – and benefits from – COM’s powerful alumni network of studio heads, TV executives, producers, and more. Bill Lawson, who was Chair of the Film & TV Department in COM at the time, recalls how valuable the studio visits were for students and how gracious the alumni were, giving tours, meeting students, and explaining the inner workings of studios.
From the beginning, the experience was designed to give students a launch pad for their careers in the entertainment capital. Larry Weinberg, Esq. (COM ’86), who still lectures for the program today, was involved in instruction from the beginning. He also stepped in to lead BULA when there was a gap before the late William “Bill” Linsman took the helm as Director in 2005. Bill had been teaching at the College of Communication when he was tapped to lead BULA, which he grew into a program that enrolls more than 100 students each year. Before joining BU, Linsman enjoyed a successful career directing TV commercials for well-known consumer brands
“The program showed students that they could go to LA – coming all the way from the east coast – and take advantage of the huge network of BU alumni who are ready to support them,” says Michael Ouellette (Wheelock ’08), former BULA Associate Director and current BU Assistant Director of Alumni Career Engagement. “That network of alumni has grown exponentially over the years. LA is a huge city but BULA feels really personal and connected.”
“Bill [Linsman] created this amazing platform for the school in the LA community and grew it,” says Lewis Smith.
Many students who went through the program talked about Linsman’s thoughtfulness and interest in helping them line up internship opportunities that would propel their careers.
“He was the face of the program and cared a lot for the students,” says Ouellette. “He was extremely dedicated, and I don’t know if the program would have become what it is today had it not been for Bill. He ushered many students into their careers.”
Just as the media and entertainment industries have evolved, so too have the BULA programs to remain relevant. Lewis Smith, who lectured for BULA for 20 years, noted the dramatic acceleration of viewers moving to streaming content rather than consuming network TV and how the entire business model has shifted in recent years. “This is TV today,” she says. “Students need to learn how to be critical viewers, how shows are developed, and how the business works so they can be prepared to enter the industry.”
Another way the program has evolved is related to the growing numbers of graduate students spending time in BULA. “It was primarily an undergraduate program, but some years ago – probably at least a decade ago – the graduate students in the MS TV program started coming out to LA,” says Paul Schneider, Chair of the Department of Film & Television. “Now, we have the MFA screenwriting students who come out and the MS Media Ventures students who come out to LA for two semesters. We have more of our graduate students going out there than staying here [in Boston] because it’s a value add for them. We’ve put a lot of thought into how to make that the best experience.”
Former BULA Internship student Jenn Carroll (COM ’10), Creative Executive at Vince Gilligan’s High Bridge Productions, recalls the value of her classes and, in particular, Lewis Smith’s class. “Marcia Lewis Smith’s class prepared me to be a citizen of the industry. What I mean by that is — she would send us packets of articles that were the big stories of the week in Hollywood. This prepped me to read the trades, and knowing what was going on in the business gave me something to talk about with the folks at my internships. I seemed so much smarter and more in tune with the industry than I had any right to — and the more I engaged with the people I was working with about the Hollywood news du jour, the more I learned.”
Students also gain insights into the business and where the industry is headed through guest lectures with experts and alumni who regularly participate in classroom discussions and events hosted by the program.
Today, BULA is led by Charisse McGhee-Lazarou, who worked at NBC from 1986 to 2003 and climbed the ranks to Vice President of Primetime Programs. Prior to joining BULA in 2018, she also taught and ran programs for California State University Northridge and High Point University.
“I think one of the hallmarks of the program is that it remains extremely relevant, where it can be a challenge for academia to keep up with an industry that reinvents itself so quickly,” says McGhee-Lazarou. “There’s always an innovation in the business and the art of TV and film. I never taught with textbooks because by the time it’s published, the industry has morphed and the text is out of date.”
McGhee-Lazarou says it takes increasing fearlessness and perseverance to break into TV and film and that BULA offers students a platform from which to launch their careers. She has made sure that new courses in special effects and virtual production have been added to help students stay relevant.
“We’re so fortunate to have dedicated alumni and teaching staff, who are all working TV and film professionals, willing to give time, and advice to our students year round,” she says. “My staff, Assistant Director of Student Services, Erika Ljungdahl, Program Managers, Carrie Topiel and Grace DeVuono, and Program Specialist, Marianne Van Winkle work hard to help our student get great internships, explore LA, and have a fun, if intense semester. I’m really excited to help our students stretch themselves and become established in the industry as well as help expand the program.”
Enjoy the memories and tributes shared from BULA alumni and staff as they reflect on BULA’s 20th Anniversary:
Jason Sarlanis (COM ’05)
President – Crime and Investigative Content, Linear and Streaming for Discovery
“It’s bizarrely appropriate that BULA is considered part of the “Study Abroad” program. While not foreign in the literal sense, one of the best attributes of the program is that it immerses its students in the unique culture of Hollywood. Students learn the language of the media industry and are put in an unparalleled position to build a network of contacts that will set them up for success.
I am grateful to BULA for the incredible connections I made. Some of the students in my year went on to become like a family to me as so many of us transitioned to working and living in LA full-time. One of my professors not only became a lifelong mentor but a true friend. This support system is something that I absolutely cherish, and I am so grateful to BULA for giving me the opportunity to make these connections that have changed my life forever.”
Bridget Kyle (COM ’09)
Writer and Producer for Universal Television
“BU in LA has always been described as LA with training wheels, and I can’t think of a better description. LA is a big city and it can feel overwhelming, but the BU in LA program gives you some guidance and a home base. It helped us picture what our futures could be.
My experience was invaluable. I ended up getting an internship at USA Network’s development department, and what I learned there was truly vital to my future as a writer. Because development is the first stage of how a show is born, I learned how writers pitch a show idea, how networks define their brands, and what the working relationships between the networks, studios, and creatives are like. This was all helpful when, several years later, I was the one who was pitching show ideas to networks and studios.”
Jenn Carroll (COM ’10)
Creative Executive at Vince Gilligan’s High Bridge Productions
“During my semester in LA, I got to know the city. I learned how to be a production assistant at my internships. I made connections that would lead to future jobs. By the time I was heading back to Boston to graduate in May, I had an apartment in North Hollywood lined up for June and a temp job for July. I couldn’t have secured either of those things if I hadn’t physically been in LA. And — even with productions shooting all over the country — most studios, agencies, writers’ room and editorial suites are still based out of Los Angeles, so the program is as valuable to students today as it was to me in 2010.”
Kayla Cohen (COM ’17)
E-commerce Manager / L’Oréal (NYX Professional Makeup)
“BULA changed my life! The program inspired me to go outside my comfort zone and challenge myself. I interned at M&C Saatchi LA and worked under a Digital Producer on TV/movie projects such as Twin Peaks and Beauty & Beast. Through the program I learned a lot about what I wanted in my career (digital route) and how to network and thrive in an unfamiliar environment. I made amazing memories and even was inspired to move to LA 2 years later!”
Dan Salgarolo (COM ’12)
Animation Writer
“Thirteen years ago, the late Bill Linsman, director of the BULA program, called me into his office for a chat. Bill was an affable, kind fellow with a twinkle in his eye and a Nokia brick cellphone he kept on a lanyard around his neck. He loved LA, he loved his students and the BU community, and it showed. During this meeting, I was talking about my interest in animation when all of a sudden I notice Bill wasn’t paying attention. He was dialing a number on that old Nokia brick. He raised the phone to his ear and a finger out to shush me (twinkle in his eye, I knew I wasn’t in trouble or anything). After a couple seconds someone picks up. “Oh, Jeff. Bill Linsman here! Listen, I’ve got a kid here interested in animation…”
Two years later, after I graduated and moved to LA, Jeff called me up and offered me a job as a PA on a new animated series. In the animation world I found a community that embraced me, and a fun, ever-changing career. There are many other reasons I am who/where I am today, but Bill and BULA are part of the bedrock.”
Hannah Petosa (COM ’20)
Showrunner’s Assistant
“My best memory from BULA was the opportunity to work as a Production Intern at The Ellen DeGeneres Show and take courses that shaped my understanding of the entertainment industry. BU LA helped to shape my career path by teaching me the business of Hollywood and allowing me to find an internship to learn what production is genuinely like. I made long-lasting, memorable connections at The Ellen Show that enabled me to continue my career in entertainment after graduating from Boston University in May 2020. While interning at Ellen, I learned the ins and outs of talk-show production, working with high-profile talent, and understanding upper-level executives. These tools carried into my professional career, as I started as a Production Assistant in scripted television after I graduated college. I am forever grateful to BULA for the experience of a lifetime and for helping me understand the importance of networking with like-minded peers and higher-ups in entertainment. I thoroughly enjoyed the immersive culture of living and working in Los Angeles. It was terrific working at my dream job as well.”
Arestia Rosenberg (COM ’07)
Consultant
“BULA was my most valuable semester at BU. In one semester, I not only felt prepared to enter the film and television industry, but it gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams with gusto. A big part of that was the late great Prof. Bill Linsman who not only built this incredible program but cared about every single one of us. Bill became my friend (and neighbor! My first place in LA was right down the street from him), and I miss him so very much. My first job was also thanks to my internship during that semester – a studio executive I had met on my internship hired me to be his assistant. I don’t think I would have felt as ready, confident, or prepared after graduation had it not been for BULA.”
Adam Wescott (COM ’06)
Chief Content Officer
“BULA was a profound and lasting experience. I was able to experience life in Los Angeles and work in the entertainment industry firsthand. I made lifelong friendships and business relationships. Most recently, I worked with my fellow BULA classmate Rebecca Stone to produce a low-budget feature film. I also recently sold a film adaptation of WattPad’s #2 best-selling book title, QB Bad Boy and Me, based on a relationship formed during my internship at FOX Broadcasting Company. Lastly, I’ve had the honor and opportunity to hire many BULA interns over the years and there is a consistency and quality in the work and knowledge they bring to the table each semester. Thank you Boston University and the team behind BULA for allowing me to participate in the early years of the programs existence!”
Emily Raymond (COM ’19)
Administrative Assistant at NBCUniversal
“BULA was the perfect capstone for my grad program! I was specifically looking for a program that was television-focused that would get my foot in the door in the industry, and that is exactly what happened. My internship was with Current Programming at ABC Network (my direct internship supervisor was a fellow BU alum) and I even stayed on with the department an extra 5 months after the BU program ended. Covid put a brief pause on my LA plans, but I moved back in May 2022 and have been working with NBCUniversal ever since.
One of my favorite parts of the program was hearing from recent grads about their post-BULA career journeys – it opened my eyes to just how many paths people can take to make it in this industry. I look back on the program so fondly!”
Aidan Trevisan (Lafayette College ’19)
Associate Producer at CBS News Streaming
“I can’t say enough about the BULA program. At first, I was afraid to join the program as I did not go to Boston University, but I am so glad I did. I met lifelong friends (from schools other than BU, too!), pushed myself to my full potential, and learned so much about the entertainment industry. Studying “abroad” in LA confirmed my passion for television. Interning from 9-5 and then having class from 6-9 was no joke, but I wouldn’t have changed a single aspect of my experience. This semester was truly one of the highlights of my college experience and I will forever be grateful!”
Chad Boldini (COM ’08)
Senior VFX Production Coordinator at Industrial Light & Magic
“BULA was very valuable in shaping my career path. As a Massachusetts native, I had never been to LA before, and I knew I wanted to move out west to pursue a career in Film/TV. By doing my final semester of BU in the program, it allowed me to experience LA “on training wheels”. I got to know my way around the city, gained real-world entertainment industry experience at my internships, and received valuable insight through classes, guest speakers, and tours. And because I was already here in the city, it made transitioning to permanently working and living in LA after graduation much easier. I was also doing it with many of my fellow BULA friends, which was great and made things much less scary. Without BULA, it would have been much more difficult and intimidating to make the move to LA and to find my footing in the industry. It gave me the perfect safety net and jumping off point to pursue my Hollywood dreams, which I’m still lucky enough to be doing in LA today, 15 years later!”
Brianna Borghi (George Washington University ’19)
On-Air News Reporter, WCVB-TV (Boston)
“BULA kick-started my career in journalism by helping me land my first news internship at Dateline NBC, working on the Universal lot. That internship led me to my next news internship, and so on, until I was ultimately accepted into NBC’s prestigious Page Program upon graduating college. I then went on to work as a PA at the TODAY Show in NYC before transitioning into local news. I am now living out my dream as an on-air reporter in Boston (my home market) and wouldn’t be here without that first Dateline internship thanks to BU LA.
Not to mention…all of the amazing memories during my BULA semester. I made two lifelong friends through BULA and will never forget all of our adventurers exploring LA, Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu; taking surfing lessons; hiking to the Hollywood sign; going to Universal Studios and Disney Land; doing a Hollywood bus tour; getting into The Price is Right; trying tons of different restaurants; and so much more. I wish I could do BULA all over again!”
Richard Hinds (COM ’07)
Realtor
“I specifically applied to BU because of the existence of the BULA program. It really helped me understand the ins and outs of Los Angeles in my senior year, and helped me springboard into living there after graduation. I made many great friends and contacts during my time in the program, and was able to spend close to 10 years in the entertainment industry as a result of my internship semester.”
Clare Le (CAS ’03)
Marketing & Events Specialist
“It’s not often you interview hours after applying. That Tuesday in 2011 I couldn’t believe “BULA” was ringing my cell already. “Hi, this is Clare. Yes, I can meet Mr. Linsman at 3,” I confirmed.
Bill was warm and personable, authentic and curious. He laughed when I said my superpower is hoovering info and then blasting it to the right people. Under Bill Linsman’s wing, I set out to fill Michael Ouellette’s cavernous shoes as Program Manager, brokering 1,500 internship placements.
In those five years, I witnessed the myriad ways Bill advocated for students and staff, keeping us secure from earthquakes and fires, green juice and faux pas. He had an uncanny ability to remember everyone’s name and could ask “How are you?” in a dozen languages.
And Bill kept us relevant. He’d arrive before dawn to dutifully read the trades so we didn’t have to. One day he scooped me with “Gangham Style” AND the backstory that PSY had lived in Warren Towers. Bill scored tours so often it’s like he had a key to the city. When Bryan Cranston agreed to talk to our students the week of Breaking Bad’s series finale, Bill gently pushed him to, please, autograph a poster too?
No one could tell a great story like Bill. I’m so glad he’s part of mine.”
Whitney Sherman (SED ’08)
Scholar-Practitioner in Global Education
“BULA jumpstarted my career in global and higher education. After graduating from SED in 2008, I was hired as the Program Coordinator (and head Resident Assistant), helping to facilitate high impact learning experiences for many incredibly talented students. Every day at the office was different — whether I was preparing for our amazing site visits (attending on location film shoots, getting a backstage tour at the CBS lot or Paramount, attending table-reads or tapings, etc.) or coordinating the guest lectures for celebrities and other esteemed entertainment professionals. My time at BU LA was pivotal for both my career and my personal life — I even ended up marrying a BU LA alum (Wesley Sherman COM ’08) years later!
Lastly, BULA would not be BULA without Bill Linsman. I’ve yet to meet another educator who is as invested, advocative, and interested in supporting student success as he was. We miss you, Bill.”
Sarah Carvalho (COM ’09)
Freelance Content Writer
“BU in LA gave me invaluable career guidance and experience, but most importantly it gave me invaluable friendships. Friendships that have lasted throughout moves, career shifts, and life changes. I will always be grateful for BU in LA for the people who made it special!”
Grace deVuono (COM ’08)
Writer/BULA Program Manager
“BULA is like college concentrated. I bonded so tightly with my LA classmates (I even ended up marrying one of them!). They became my first and best career network. I came out to LA to be a writer, but it was during the writers’ strike of ’08, so I couldn’t get any internships in scripted. But the internships I had were incredible. I got to learn all the ins and outs of working in a Hollywood office. I learned how to cover a desk, which got me my first job. BULA made me feel ready and excited to move to LA. It was a huge leap of faith, but I didn’t feel scared or unprepared. The program helped me figure out what I wanted out of my first few years after college, and how to go after those goals.”
Wenyu Zeng (COM ’19)
Senior Marketing Specialist – ODK Media, Inc.
“I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the life-changing experience I had in the BULA program. As a student at Boston University, I had always been passionate about the entertainment industry but lacked the guidance and connections to get started. Fortunately, BULA not only brought me from Boston to LA but also provided me with a launch pad for my career. I started with Hylink Digital, and with the support of Michael Ouellette, I had the opportunity to work as a Social Media Assistant for the BULA program. Through these two roles, I was able to meet many amazing alumni and industry professionals, gaining invaluable insights and experiences.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in BULA and for the unwavering support of its powerful alumni network. Without it, I would not be where I am today. Thank you for your commitment to shaping the future of the entertainment industry and investing in the next generation of leaders.”
Jinny Lang (COM ’10)
Digital Sales Planner, NBCUniversal
“BULA gave me the confidence (and roommates!) I needed to move to LA after graduation. I got to experience a trial run of working in the industry and living in LA. I made great friends, fostered connections, and proved to myself that this was something I could really do.”
An Erasmus+ Collaboration with Ca’ Foscari University of Venice & Studying Climate Change Adaptation
Fruitful International Exchange Leads to More Students & Scholars Exchanged Over Next Three Years
CAS Professor Ian Sue Wing of the Department of Earth & Environment leads an Erasmus+ collaboration with Ca' Foscari University of Venice (UNIVE), with the fruits of this collaboration affording the exchange of several students and scholars. A European Union program designed to support education and training in Europe, Erasmus+ has given millions of people the opportunity to study, train, or work across Europe and beyond.
For Boston University and UNIVE, the collaboration has meant Sue Wing and Professor Enrica De Cian of UNIVE have been able to work together – with De Cian visiting BU and Sue Wing visiting UNIVE – to study climate change adaptation, including the barriers and trade-offs. An Erasmus grant provided resources for their research, and as part of that work, De Cian came to BU last spring for an in-person research seminar where she presented results from a European Research Council-funded research project: ENERGYA. The project examined a leading example of a potentially dangerous form of climate change adaptation: the adoption and utilization of air-conditioning.
A professor in the Department of Economics at UNIVE, De Cian’s thoughtful presentation focused on three papers that covered developing and developed countries as it relates to their usage of air conditioning. While at BU, she also gave a guest lecture to the Dept. of Earth & Environment’s introductory statistics and data analysis course, delivering insights from her research on how to apply statistical tools to analyze climate change impacts.
The Intersection of Climate Change, Economics, & Social Sciences
Sue Wing and De Cian have published papers together on “Global Energy Consumption in a Warming Climate” as well as “Amplification of Future Energy Demand Growth due to Climate Change.” They also recently worked with a UNIVE PhD candidate and researcher for the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, Francesco Pietro Colelli. Colelli visited BU this fall as part of his Erasmus mobility program and worked with Sue Wing on research that’s at the intersection of economics, social science, and climate science.
Specifically, Sue Wing and Colelli are studying ways to improve our understanding of adapting to climate change and how greater energy consumption (for cooling) will contribute to a cycle of global warming. “What consequences will this additional energy usage have on societies and on mitigation?” asks Colelli.
Additionally, they have been analyzing high frequency data, like electricity consumption data, and peak electricity load in India and Europe. The aim is to understand how extreme weather events and the use of air conditioning in the future will pose challenges to the power system.
“Let’s say it’s like a stress test for future electric grids,” explains Colelli.
Communicating the Urgency & Necessary Change
While Colelli and Sue Wing (and other researchers studying climate change) try to impart the urgency of the situation, Colelli also notes the complexities involved in getting governments to create and enact effective policy.
“There is a gap between understanding what we do and then understanding the impact on policymaking or society right now,” says Colelli. “It’s related to the fact that we often do projections of the future impact – to even the year 2050… the next 20 to 30 years can seem like a lot of time and way off their radar.”
He explains that when he talks about how the climate will be permanently altered in 20 to 30 years because of global warming, the challenge is getting people to act now to prevent future damage.
Colelli is grateful for Sue Wing’s dedication to helping PhDs and postdocs. “It is something that I feel is very important for early career researchers…I felt valued as a colleague, as a peer, even if we are not peers in terms of academic years and experiences.”
Their continued collaboration is already bearing fruit, with the publication of their jointly authored article: “Air-conditioning adoption and electricity demand highlight climate change mitigation-adaptation tradeoffs.”
Want to learn more about Erasmus+ and how Global Programs can help you with international mobility activities?
UNIVE was recently awarded the next phase of the Erasmus project, which will allow for the short-term exchange of faculty and graduate students over the next three years. If you are a faculty member or PhD student interested in this project, please contact Professor Ian Sue Wing at isw@bu.edu or Lauren Thorman, Associate Director for Global Partnerships and Support, at lthorman@bu.edu for more information about how to apply for the opportunity to spend research time at UNIVE.
IEW Brought the BU Community Together With Wide Range of Events Offered
Each year, International Education Week (IEW) celebrates BU’s global engagement, and this year’s IEW had more than 30 events on offer for students, faculty, and staff across campus – including globally at several of BU’s Study Abroad locations. From international film screenings to research seminars to cultural events, there was a wide range of both academic-related and community building events on tap.
Global Programs applauds the BU community’s commitment to creating opportunities for exchanging ideas, building community, sparking curiosity on global issues, and broadening worldviews.
A Noteworthy Multidisciplinary Panel Discussion
Global Programs and the Center on Forced Displacement welcomed more than 150 faculty, staff, and students – in-person and virtually – to an IEW panel discussion on “The Growing Crisis of Forced Displacement.” Globally, in 2022 more than 100 million people were estimated to be forcibly displaced, according to UNHCR.
A multidisciplinary panel of BU experts discussed the drivers of forced displacement, international human rights law, and the unimaginable trauma that many displaced people experience. They also explored why humanizing forced displacement is critical and how art activism can play a role, as well as what STEM innovation and research can contribute in the face of humanitarian crises, whether acute or prolonged.
Each faculty member shared their expertise as it intersects with the issue of forced displacement. Leonella Castellano Thiébaud, Director of BU Geneva Programs, moderated the discussion. Earlier in her career, Leonella spent six years at the UNHCR, where her role involved legal and operational responsibilities in various duty stations such as in Russia, Central Asia, and the MENA region.
View the full recording of the panel event here.
Faculty Presentations
“The solution to this humanitarian crisis is complex, but the basis must be grounded in protecting and restoring human dignity – the premise that every human being has intrinsic and equal worth and value, no matter what borders they cross.”
- Sondra Crosby, MD, Associate Professor of Health Law, Ethics & Human Rights at the School of Public Health
“There is no concept under international human rights law of an illegal migrant or an illegal person. Human Rights law rests on the core notion that no human being can be illegal anywhere in the world.
- Susan Akram, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of BU Law’s International Human Rights Clinic
“We [the U.S.] have a variety of interests that get in the way of human rights protections…We need to do a much better job of thinking about what is forcing people to leave and to begin to take action that is preventative.”
- Tim Longman, Professor of Political Science and International Relations; Director of the BU Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs
“We’re seeing increasing issues around data access and privacy. The most recent case, but not the only one, was in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh where the data of the vulnerable communities was first captured without consent and then shared with the Myanmar government, the vary government that is involved in persecuting these people.”
- Muhammad Zaman, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Founding Co-director, Center on Forced Displacement, Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering and International Health
“Another wonderful activist performance art piece is Teeter-Totter Wall by architects Ronald Rael, Virginia San Fratello, and the Mexican Art Collective Colectivo Chopeke. They installed 3 bright pink teeter-totters at part of the border wall separating Mexico & New Mexico. For about 40 minutes children from both countries got to share a moment of play at this site of violence.”
- Carrie Preston, Director of Kilachand Honors College, Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, and Founding Co-director of the BU Center on Forced Displacement
Photo courtesy of Carrie Preston
Some Cultural Events and 6 Different Languages Represented
The Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP) hosted several different cultural and community building events during IEW, which brought together not only CELOP students but also students across BU.
The event “International Tongue Twisters” featured CELOP students and staff trying to say popular tongue twisters in their native language. Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and English could be heard throughout the CELOP lobby during this fun challenge.
CELOP also hosted an international fashion show or traditional dress showcase with eight countries represented, including five Saudi Arabian students with variations on their thobe, keffiyeh, and farwa bisht. Each participant explained what they wore and where it comes from.
CELOP students also volunteered at the nonprofit Community Servings during IEW and boxed more than 4,400 meals for Boston area families who are helped by the nonprofit.
Meet Global Programs’ New Leaders Focused on Partnerships and Health, Safety, and Security
Lisa Stinnett Turker and Kevin Kugel fill key positions
Lisa Stinnett Turker and Kevin Kugel have recently joined the ranks of the Global Programs Global Partnerships & Support team. Delighted about their appointments to Managing Director of Partnerships and Support and Associate Director of Health, Safety and Security, respectively, we sat down with Lisa and Kevin to learn more about their career paths and what their roles entail for Global Programs and the University.
- You both have interesting backgrounds. Can you talk about your path to becoming Managing Director of Partnerships & Support, Lisa? And Kevin, your path to becoming Associate Director of Health, Safety and Security?
Lisa:
I’ve always been interested in other cultures and how people interact across borders. I was fortunate to study in Copenhagen when I was an undergraduate student and that experience reinforced my desire to learn more about the world outside the U.S. While completing my Master’s degree in International Relations, I ran an afterschool program for young students, which I really enjoyed. After graduating, I knew I wanted to continue working with students but I also wanted the chance to live abroad again. An opportunity arose in Kazakhstan and I took a position teaching and managing graduate English programs at KIMEP University in Almaty. I also worked for the U.S. Mission to Almaty on projects with USAID/CAR and volunteered at the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia.
I moved to Turkey in 2010 as a lecturer and international advisor at Istanbul Arel University in Turkey. In addition to teaching and working with Erasmus Plus students, I assisted with the implementation of the Bologna Process requirements, which aimed to reform higher education in Turkey in line with the European Higher Education Area standards. I became a mom in Istanbul and it will always be a special place for me!
In 2016, I returned to the U.S. and joined the University of Arizona first as Associate Director for Study Abroad where I focused on operations and student engagement and later as Director of Arizona Abroad Locations where I built and managed a network of dedicated study abroad sites in collaboration with partner institutions. Building on my study abroad experience, I became the Assistant Dean of International Education in 2020 managing UA’s micro campus dual degree partnerships, global online pathway programs, and noncredit programs offered abroad. All of my roles in higher education have focused on creating and implementing strategies and programs that make higher education accessible to students around the globe and promote cross cultural cooperation.
Kevin:
My path to Global Programs was a little atypical, I think. I went to college at the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an Army Officer upon graduation. I spent just over 22 years as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense officer and lived all over the country, including some time overseas. My last role in the Army prior to retiring was as the Professor and Chair of Military Science for the Providence College Army ROTC program. It was during those four years that my appreciation for and love of college/university campuses as learning communities fully developed.
I decided to use the skills and knowledge I had developed to continue my public service after retiring from the military. I spent a little over three years as the Director of the Emergency Management Agency for Providence, RI. At PEMA I was able to re-invigorate their disaster response volunteer program, led the effort to update several major emergency management plans, and developed and implemented an active shooter/threat response training program for all city employees.
I left Providence just before the outbreak of Covid-19 to join CVS Health where I ran their corporate Emergency Operations Center for several years. The EOC was responsible for all non-IT incident management company wide. Part of my responsibility there included managing the Covid-19 Command Center which coordinated the response to any Covid-19 positive employee for all 10,000+ retail and corporate locations nationwide.
After experiencing the corporate sector, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to return to a university setting and put my experience back to work supporting students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to being a contributing member of the Global Programs team and the Terrier community.
- What does your role entail for BU Global Programs? How can people across BU expect to work with you, and when should folks reach out?
Lisa:
My role in Global Programs is focused on working collaboratively across campus and internationally to build relationships in support of the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan. As part of the Global Partnerships team, I will help to create and operationalize initiatives designed to facilitate, highlight, and expand BU’s global footprint. Faculty or staff interested or already engaged in any type of global activity should reach out. We’d love to help where possible and spread the word!
Kevin:
As the Associate Director of Health, Safety and Security I am responsible for coordinating Global Programs’ international health and safety strategy. My responsibilities include the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, procedures, and activities associated with travel preparedness and incident response for the BU community on any University-sponsored or sanctioned global activity. Additionally, I chair BU’s Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee and Global Program’s Safety Management Team.
I serve as a resource for all University students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding health, safety, and security abroad. I am always available to assist any member of the BU community to ensure their University-sponsored or sanctioned global activity is as safe as can be, but the earlier I get involved the easier it is take the appropriate pre-departure steps to identify and mitigate any possible risk to health, safety, or security.
Inside One of BU’s Newest Study Abroad Programs in Cape Town, South Africa
Student’s time in South Africa reaffirmed his interest in African politics, expanded his perspective
Recently, Aidan Flanigan (CAS ’23) was one of the first BU students to take part in BU’s new Cape Town, South Africa study abroad program. More
Spotlight on International Students Who Served on ‘Talk About’ Event Panel with Innovate@BU
Last month Global Programs partnered with Innovate@BU to host a Talk About event on teamwork skills. Talk About is a series of events for international students led by Global Programs and features topics chosen by international students. This Talk About event focused on teamwork, communication, and resources offered by Innovate@BU for students who have an entrepreneurial mindset.
Four international students served as panelists during the talk: Qi Xia, COM '23 (MA, Emerging Media Studies); Diego Segura, QST '24 (MBA; MS, Digital Technology); Doga Sevgi, CAS '25 (BA, Psychology); and Wenxuan Li, CAS '25 (BA, Political Science). Kamelia Turcotte, Global Programs’ Assistant Director of International Student Initiatives, and Nana Younge, Innovate@BU Program Manager also spoke during the event, with Turcotte moderating the students’ panel discussion.
Each student brought valuable perspectives to the discussion and shared insights about how they have approached working in teams, especially as it relates to navigating cultural differences.
“One thing that surprised me here in Boston is how formal things can be,” said Diego Segura. “This is my first time studying in the U.S., and the academic environment is quite different from what I was used to in Latin America, but I find it exciting and inspiring to be exposed to new ideas and perspectives.”
Psychology student Doga Sevgi explained how she has found the group dynamics to be different in her major, compared to business school students. “In Questrom, you sign a team contract and if someone does not hold up their end of the contract you can bring it up to the professor,” said Sevgi. “In psychology, I sometimes didn’t even meet my team members until the day of our presentation. That taught me how important communication is with your team and how everyone should know what they are supposed to do.”
On the topic of communication, Wenxuan Li said some of her groups found it difficult to find times that worked for everyone to meet in-person. Because of this they turned to Zoom meetings, and it helped solve a lot of scheduling issues. Segura added that in his experience, “communication is key, and everyone on the team has a gift and a role to play, no matter how small the contribution.”
Segura has much experience working in teams as a serial entrepreneur. He has launched and managed several businesses in his native Guadalajara, Mexico. “My proudest moment was in 2019 when I was named Entrepreneur of the Year with my startup Blanquident,” he said. “As co-founder and product marketing manager, I invented the first-ever activated charcoal dental whitener in Latin America.”
Today, Segura is working on a new business idea and has leveraged Innovate@BU to help build it. His startup, named Segura, is a platform that aims to help low-income people in Latin America create a business, offering users business plan templates.
“At Segura, we believe that entrepreneurship is a path to economic and social empowerment, and we want to make this path accessible to everyone,” he said. “By providing a low-cost, user-friendly platform, we hope to remove the barriers that prevent many people from realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.”
Nana Younge, Program Manager at Innovate@BU
Recent Emerging Media Studies graduate Qi Xia is also working on a startup. Her business provides platforms and software to help secondhand clothing stores grow their online presence and sell more of their clothing online. While a graduate student at the College of Communication, Xia leveraged many of the BUildLab’s resources as she worked on building her business.
“BUildLab is the place where I learned entrepreneurship and the fundamentals of business, she says. “I attended almost every workshop they offered in 2021 and applied and attended the summer accelerator in 2022. The summer accelerator is the place where I saw my idea gradually grow into a minimally viable product.”
As a recent graduate, Xia is working on her business full-time now and hopes to continue to find success with it.
During the Talk About event, Nana Younge shared information about Innovate@BU and the BUildLab’s many resources for students.
Making Noteworthy Contributions at CERN Physics Research Lab
Undergrad Caspian Chaharom has exceptional study abroad experience in Geneva
For Physics major Caspian Chaharom (CAS ’23), the experience of interning at CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), an international physics research center, has been filled with invaluable opportunities. Among them: Working alongside the world’s leading physicists. More
Boston University Named a “Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution” for Second Year in a Row
Boston University is proud to be named one of the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2021-2022 Fulbright U.S. Students. Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. 2020-2021 was the first time BU achieved ‘Top Producing Institution’ status.
For 2021-2022, out of 66 BU students who submitted Fulbright applications, 11 received Fulbright awards. “While everyone wondered how a global pandemic would impact an international program like Fulbright, the 2021-22 Fulbright application cycle turned out to be the largest and most competitive in Fulbright history. Applicant volume grew by 11.9% nationally. At BU, we saw a 20% increase in the number of applicants from the year prior. It seems that at BU and nationally, the pandemic only increased students’ desire to engage with the world,” said Jeffrey Berg, BU Director of National & International Scholarships.
Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs commented, “We are extremely proud to see increasing numbers of BU students applying for and being accepted to the prestigious Fulbright Program. It is a testament not only to our students, but also to our faculty who teach and inspire them to engage more deeply around the world.”
On the Journey to Med School, a Stop in Madrid for an Exciting Semester
How a Bio Major Met her Academic and Personal Goals in the Madrid Science Program
Isabella Pompa (CAS ‘22) knows the power of saying “yes” to not just easy, straightforward opportunities, but also to things that challenge her. More
A Path to Public Service Paved by Academic Experiences in D.C.
Augustine Jimenez stands out as an award-winning student, study abroad participant, and budding public servant
Augustine Jimenez (CAS ’20) has always been interested in law, government, and politics. More
Global Feature
Global Feature
Global Feature
