The 20 students in this year's Master of Arts in Interactive Media program will learn how to use the latest coding, graphic design and production techniques during the 10-month, full-time program.
The School of Communications welcomed 20 graduate students to campus on July 27 as part of the Interactive Media’s class of 2021. During the 10-month, full-time program, the students will learn how to think strategically across media platforms, utilizing the latest coding, graphic design and production techniques.
During his welcome, new program director Derek Lackaff called on the 2021 cohort to embrace the program’s rigorous and personalized educational experience, charging them to be prepared and flexible, to work smart, and to trust the process.
Dion Cummings was one of the 17 students to arrive on campus this week – with three others joining the cohort via livestream. The Elon native graduated from North Carolina State University, but enrolled in the iMedia program in hopes of creating his own production studio.
“What excites me the most about the iMedia program is that it has a more practical approach to things,” Cummings said. “It’s not as theoretical and you get more hands-on experience with not only the equipment but with clients and different people outside of the cohort, which is essential for anyone trying to transition these skills into the real world.”
Alynda Pratt, a graduate of North Carolina Central University with a degree in mass communications, aspires to be a small business owner – an endeavor that began when she was an undergraduate.
“I’m most excited for the coding and technical side of things,” Pratt said. “I want to pursue entrepreneurship. When I was an undergraduate, I started my own small business making hair and skin products, so I’m hoping that the iMedia program helps me to build some skills so I can expand my own business.”
This is the 12th class in the program’s history and includes graduates from Campbell University, Elon University, Flagler College, Guilford College, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Seven iMedia students earned undergraduate degrees from Elon: Meg Boericke, Jeffrey Cullen-Dean, T’keya Davy, Yasmeen Grandison, Olivia James, Ben Johnson and Ben Winslow.
iMedia Class of 2021
Abby Bekele
Meg Boericke
Michael Boyd
Meagan Chalmers
Chandler Colclough
Jeffrey Cullen-Dean
Dion Cummings
T’keya Davy
Carol Ann Friday
Yasmeen Grandison
Matthew Harrell
Madeleine Horrell
Olivia James
Ben Johnson
Natalie Oldani
Alynda Pratt
Jasmine Simmons
Angel Walker
Trevis Watts
Ben Winslow