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@renee_stevens

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Designer. Educator. Author. Mother. Van-lifer.

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Chair of Visual Communications at SU Newhouse School, and my friend, Renée Stevens took me to lunch. Feeling blessed…

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Mastered. 🧡

🤍Bachelor’s degree = completed
🧡Master’s degree = completed
📙Doctoral degree = pending

In my experience, if we’re lucky enough to take a chance on the unknown, that path is often shaped by challenges, unexpected twists, humble discovery and beautiful people.

Being a part of @newhousesu has changed my life, and I am made better in every moment by the people, experiences and legacies of this incredible community. Having started in the summer “boot camp” just four months after my father’s passing in 2024, I didn’t know what to expect.

Grief is hard.
Graduate school is also hard.
Leaning in is harder.
Leaning in is important.

To recount the list of those who made this possible from the very first knowledge of Newhouse to this milestone step would exceed the limits here, but I wouldn’t be where I am without the world-class faculty, staff and students of @newhouse_vis , @newhousepr_ , @newhousemasters , @newhouseimpact and so many more within — and beyond — these walls.

For my family, friends, fellow MPD cohort, former and current colleagues, and community who provided unending support, authentic belief and love: I am forever grateful.

My thanks to each of you for one of the greatest privileges and pleasures of my life. Thank you for everything.

Stepping into the Mass Communications doctoral program with Newhouse is exciting, new and daunting. Someone very special to me on this journey once told me, “We can do the hard things.”

One step at a time.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. We got this. With gratitude and humility, always. 🧡🍊🙏

(P.S. To all of the mothers in this entire group: wishing you the best Mother’s Day, and thank you for everything you are and have been.) 💙😊

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Gratitude, kindness and humility. 🧡

I am extraordinarily privileged and honored to share that, yesterday, I successfully defended my Multimedia, Photography and Design master’s project at @newhousesu : “Bridge Concussion: Leveraging AI through Design and Health Communications.”

This was the final step toward graduation on a journey that began with the first enquiry back in late 2022. Since that time, my life was transformed by so many people.

First, I owe an immense thanks to my master’s committee — @profkenharper @renee_stevens and Amanda Cabral. Their unwavering support, kindness and insights through the development of the project made it a success, and I would not be who I am today without them.

Second, my thanks extends to the mentors, researchers and storytellers that inspired this project from day one — @ginaluttrell , Jason Davis, Robert Stern, @nmryerson , @knorthrop1 , my fellow MPD and VIS cohort, and so many others. You continue to be my inspiration.

Lastly, the ultimate thanks extends to my parents, family, loved ones and community that wrapped around me during the best and worst of times, including yesterday. There are too many to tag, but please know you are here in my heart. It has been the greatest privilege and pleasure of my lifetime to know each of you, and I am forever grateful and humbled by your impact. Thank you.

Onward to the doctoral program. 🙏💙🧡🍊

Link to Bridge Concussion: bridgeconcussion.org

Description of the project: What would you do to help the ones you love? Rooted in experiences with his late father, Chris Fiegel’s Bridge Concussion is the prototype for an AI-assisted information and resource dashboard designed to help users more easily navigate the complex landscape of concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) awareness, education, and support.

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Last week, five of our outstanding Newhouse faculty were honored at the One University Awards, a daylong celebration of excellence by members of the Syracuse University community in academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service.

Congratulations to Renée Stevens, an associate professor and chair of the visual communications department at the Newhouse School, who was named a 2026-29 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence, one of Syracuse University’s most prestigious faculty honors.

I also want to extend my congratulations to Gregory Heisler and Soo Yeon Hong for winning the Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Continuing Excellence, Jason Webb for receiving the Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Early Performance and Hua Jiang for receiving the Enduring Values Award.

I’m grateful to have such gifted and dedicated educators like Renée, Greg, Soo Yeon, Jason and Hua on the faculty. Their efforts to create a welcoming environment and enriching student experience are truly worthy of recognition.

First two photos by Bruce Strong

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When we say we have award-winning faculty, we mean it.

This past Friday, four Visual Communications faculty were recognized for teaching excellence across the country.

At the One University Awards, VIS represented 3 of the 5 Newhouse faculty honored by the Chancellor and Provost:
2026–29 Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence: Renée Stevens
Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Continuing Excellence: Greg Heisler
Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Early Career Achievement: Jason Webb

At the same time, in Las Vegas at BEA:
Broadcast Education Association Innovation in Teaching Award: Milton Santiago

How did they celebrate?
By getting right back to work—prepping for the final week of the semester.

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🎬 🎤 👧 Link to the presentation: https://youtu.be/UXTsDrC9vEQ

Last month, I had the opportunity to premiere my documentary film, The Cycle Breaker, at the Graduate Dean Award Ceremony, where I also shared my journey as a visual storyteller.

Seeing my former boss, friends, Newhouse professors, classmates, colleagues and boss from my current work, and Syracuse friends all arrive—one by one, in person or online—left me speechless but grateful at heart.

It was surreal to see people from different parts of my life come together in one place and get to know each other.

Most importantly, the subject of my documentary, David Moore @the_labb_ceo , showed up with his son and brother to enjoy the joy that is the fruit of dedication he planted many years ago. That is exactly what I wanted for that day: to let everyone celebrate a valuable community member and be inspired by David’s story of breaking generational cycles and curses.

I believe that seeing everyone moved by David’s story, his son will surely remember the premiere day.

After David shared the feedback from his friends who watched the documentary, it strengthened my faith that the power of filmmaking is a witness.

I believe documentaries like this can truly change lives. If David can do this, the people who watch his documentary may believe they can too.

It was my honor to use my creative talent to document how David became a cycle breaker in his family and community. His resilience also motivated me to finish producing the film despite the many obstacles that arose during the process.

I want to give a huge shout-out to S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications. @newhousesu

I used to bury myself under shame and guilt for not making great film work, and I often doubted whether I could be responsible for my subjects or the stories that needed to be told. Was I capable? Was I really enough to be responsible and credible?
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In February 12 to 15 I got the honor to get invited to be one of the motion coaches for the @pixelsandprint at the @syracuseu

It turns out one of the animator coaches couldn’t make it and my friend @ajrigau talk really good about me.

Those days were incredible, we got the opportunity to design for @inmyfatherskitchen The students were divided in 5 teams, and we all work for the same purpose. My motion team was incredible, in 48 hours we got to create a 1 minute animated story about this organization journey and there logos.

Thanks to @renee_stevens @claudiastrong my incredible partner coach @noahhammerman and all the motion students for welcoming me with open arms and make me feel like family. I hope to be back next year!

MOTIOOOOONNNN!

PS: thanks to this, I got back the spark to be with students once again.

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“You are not invisible.” That quote from John Tumino became the driving force behind this year’s Pixels & Print—a 48-hour rebrand sprint for In My Father’s Kitchen.

Huge thanks to Jannie Huang and Renée Stevens from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University for the invitation. We had the privilege of coaching 13 incredibly talented students on the print team, guiding them through a real-world design experience. All in the blowing snow globe and frigid temps of Syracuse, NY!

The workshop was truly meaningful on every level—partnering with an organization doing powerful work, giving students a chance to design under real pressure, and building something that can help save lives.

If you’re able, please consider supporting In My Father’s Kitchen. They provide street outreach in Syracuse—food, essentials, and pathways to housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Every donated dollar helps.

A big heartfelt thank you to everyone who made it happen!

And hats off to the amazingly talented Print team!
Ross Katcher, Angie Houissa, Julia Cuomo, Abigail Aggarwala, Ailani Wong, Jamarri Clark, Marlee Morgan, Marina Lee, Chrissy James, Emma Seaton, Lucy Fries, Brynne Baird

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Made a return back to @newhousesu as a motion design coach for @pixelsandprint 2026 - incredibly grateful for the opportunity to mentor such extremely talented students from my alma mater 🍊🧡 #DesignForGood #sweaters

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We braved the elements for a few minutes to snap the official workshop team photo. Presenting the Pixels & Print 2026 Humans!

Photo by Alexa Hernandez (Newhouse Military Program)

#DesignForGood #DesignersRock

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One thing that I am and will always be grateful for is getting amazing faculty members in my program. They play the roles of a teacher, a parent and a friend at the same time. Thanks for being there at the convocation ceremony! Even after the graduation walk at the podium, all the faculty members of our entire school (Newhouse) were lined up on the field for almost an hour just to cheer and greet the students!

The culture / practice of giving this much amount of respect to students from faculty members was, is and always will be one of the biggest culture shock I've ever gotten after coming to the US.

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fam🤟🏽@newhouse_vis

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