Kylee C. Pastore
We in the Division of Humanities and the Arts are excited to launch our new Humanities Internships (HI) initiative, designed to connect students within the division to valuable professional learning experiences across New York City. This initiative aims to support students in exploring career paths within the humanities and arts while fostering strong partnerships with community organizations.
To lead this initiative, CCNY has appointed Marisa Hollywood as the new Director of Academic Internships. Hollywood, a historian, museum professional, and author, brings a wealth of experience. She has held leadership positions at institutions like the Kupferberg Holocaust Center on the campus of Queensborough Community College CUNY, and the Queens Historical Society - based in the historic house museum and NYC Landmark the Kingsland Homestead. Her commitment to education includes lecturing at CUNY and serving on advisory councils for various museums.
In this role, Hollywood will work collaboratively across the division to support students, faculty, and advisors in developing and implementing a system to connect students with meaningful internship experiences. She will also cultivate relationships with community organizations, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, and public sector sites to create mutually beneficial internships for CCNY students. In addition, there will be research opportunities for faculty through the new “Humanities Experiential Learning Partnership Seminars" (HELPS) program which allows full-time faculty in the division to develop unique learning experiences for a small cohort of students in partnership with a museum, archive, or other nonprofit.
Connecting Students with Opportunities
Hollywood is eager to collaborate with academic departments and faculty. She plans to leverage her extensive network in the museum and nonprofit world. She'll also work with faculty to explore new partnerships—ensuring that internships align with students' coursework and career goals.
Hollywood recognizes the importance of preparing students for their internships. She views internships as the crucial first step in a student's career journey, and she's committed to matching students with the most exciting and relevant positions. She'll also provide support throughout the application process, including help with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation. Once students are placed, she'll conduct regular check-ins to ensure they're thriving and making connections between their internship experiences and their studies. Hollywood will also work to make sure that students have the financial support they need in order to participate in internships, helping students to receive stipends for placements that are unpaid.
A Vision for the Future
Hollywood's vision for the HI initiative extends beyond simply placing students in internships. She sees it as an opportunity to empower students to understand the real-world impact of their humanities and arts education and to recognize the valuable skills they're developing. She's passionate about helping students become future leaders and change-makers, contributing to their communities and the world at large.
Under Marisa Hollywood's leadership, the Humanities Internships Initiative is poised to make a significant impact on H&A students by providing them with transformative experiences that bridge the gap between academia and the professional world.
Interested in finding out more about internship opportunities for H&A students or the HELPS program for faculty? Email Marisa at
mhollywood@ccny.cuny.edu
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mhollywood@ccny.cuny.edu
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