Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 Creators
Senior Convergence Students
This website was created by students in Cabrini University's Senior Convergence capstone course in both the Fall 2018 & Spring 2019 semesters. They are eager to share their research and reporting so that others will join them in supporting the human dignity of all migrants around the globe.
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Over 4 years, these Cabrini COM students
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Have studied these # of weeks
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To produce this final capstoneProject Team
Ashleigh Carby
English & Communication Double Major
Ashleigh Carby will graduate in May 2019 from Cabrini University with a double major in English and Communication, as well as a certificate in Writing. At Cabrini, Ashleigh has served as an Assistant Editor for the student newspaper, The Loquitur, as well as an Editor and Photography Manager for Cabrini’s literary publication, Woodcrest Magazine. Outside the classroom, Ashleigh mentored at-risk, inner-city children with the Purple Feet Foundation and served as an advocate and lobbyist for migrant rights and foreign aid. While balancing work and her educational career, one of her greatest accomplishments is being on Dean’s List for three consecutive years. Dedication and passion have developed her wide variety of skill sets such as writing, photography, and editing. On this website, Ashleigh focused on migrants seeking asylum and ICE detention centers. She was drawn to this topic because being a first generation US birthright citizen with Jamaican heritage, her family endured the same reality that migrants face every day. To learn more about Ashleigh, visit her LinkedIn profile.
Cassius Christie
Communication Major
Cassius Christie is from South Orange, N.J., and will be graduating from Cabrini University in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Business Management. In his senior year, Cassius interned with a biotech company based in Philadelphia, Pa., where he learned marketing on various levels as well as the workings of a start-up company. At Cabrini, Cassius has also been a member of the Men’s Lacrosse team, where he served as a goalkeeper. For his efforts on and off the field, Cassius was named to the CSAC All-Academic Team in both his freshman and junior years, and Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore. Cassius’ skills vary on the task he is given because he feels that he is very versatile. After spending three years focusing on written journalism, he is now becoming more familiar with video production and multimedia story creation. His story package on this website focuses on the social isolation among immigrant/refugee children. He was drawn to this topic due to the use of sports to help these children feel more comfortable in a new environment. Since sports can be a safe-haven to all walks of life, Cassius feels a connection because of his sports background and because he has played many different sports with many different kinds of people. After graduation, Cassius plans to start his own podcast/talk show and be his own boss in various personal business ventures. To get in touch with Cassius, visit his LinkedIn profile.
Kaitlyn D'Ambrosio
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Kaitlyn D’Ambrosio is a senior digital Communication and social Media major graduating from Cabrini University in May 2019. While at Cabrini, Kaitlyn was a involved with Loquitur Media for two years as a staff writer and then Lifestyles Editor. She had a radio show on Cavalier Radio and served as Engagements Director for the station. During her senior year, Kaitlyn studied abroad at American University of Rome and lived in Rome, Italy for a semester while touring Europe. Last summer, she interned with Cabrini University’s Marketing Department and wrote blog posts for the institution’s website. Kaitlyn has proficient skills in writing and audio production, and also enjoys photography and video as a hobby. Kaitlyn’s topic for this website dove into the rate of college students who are unauthorized immigrants and the challenges they face when trying to receive higher education. See more of Kaitlyn’s work on her WordPress portfolio site and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Annette Godwin
Communication Major
Annette “Nettie” Godwin will graduate in May 2019 with a bachelor of arts in Digital Communication and Social Media from Cabrini University. Annette has been a (RA) resident assistant for three years where she was able to interact with different students and serve as a resource. She works on campus at Cabrini’s Student Life office where she helps to organize the campus food pantry. Annette was a staff writer for Cabrini’s Loquitur Media, and participated in the University’s Black Student Union. Annette’s goal is to get other voices heard in as many different ways as possible. She hopes to offer help and contribute to causes beyond herself. Annette will be interning with Boom 103.9 as a radio producer for On Air with Sir in the Spring of 2019. She will blog, writing scripts, and assist with the general production of the show.
James Humes
Communication Major
James Humes is a senior at Cabrini University who expects to graduate May 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Art Degree in Communications. James transferred from Montgomery County Community College in Fall of 2017, and chose to pursue communications as his degree shortly after. At Cabrini, James did an internship with with the Valley Forge Military Academy where he developed social media posts to promote the school. For James’ senior project on this website, he chose to focus on undocumented children and the challenges they face while trying to receive a K-12 education. This issue was very important to James because both of his parents were teachers and instilled in him from a young age the importance of receiving an education. Communications has enabled James to learn video, photo, and audio editing software programs such as Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and Adobe Audition. James has also developed social media networking skills and the communications skills necessary for future careers. James would like to have a career in marketing and advertising, creating content for companies to help increase brand awareness. Connect with James on LinkedIn and visit his online portfolio on WordPress.
Daniel Jackson
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Daniel Jackson is a senior Communication major who will be graduating from Cabrini University in May 2019. For the past three years, Daniel has been a member of the COM Department’s Cavalier Media, where he has written for the award-winning newspaper, created picture/video packages, and hosted his own radio show. Daniel has also been involved in the university’s theatre program all four years. There he has taken part in the shows both onstage and on the crew. Daniel has also been an Orientation Leader at Cabrini for the past three years where he has helped first-year students in incoming classes settle into school and excel throughout the years. Daniel is proficient in both audio and video production. He chose his topic for this website to encourage people to educate themselves and form their own opinion on immigration. A lot of people’s opinions have been influenced by what they see and hear about global migration and immigration, but that is not always the most accurate info to obtain. He hopes that his storytelling will help lesson some of the biases and stereotypes that people have against immigrants. After graduation, Daniel will be working as a Communications Specialist at Caring Hearts Network LLC. He hopes to work in Film and Media down the road and eventually become a director. To learn more about Daniel, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn.
Ashley Lodise
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Ashley Lodise will graduate in May of 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Digital Communication and Social Media and a minor in Gender and Body Studies (GBS). During her time at Cabrini, she explored areas of social justice by creating videos and text pieces related to human trafficking, childhood obesity, and presentations on GBS topics. Through being the social media coordinator for the Body Image Coalition, Ashley increased traffic to the Body Image Coalition’s social media accounts by using her social media analytics skills in 2015. As a Maguire scholar, Ashley gives back to her community through volunteer work. Her favorite motto is one that Mr. Maguire says and that is, ‘Just show up every day,’ which has given her an entrepreneurial mindset. She has completed a minor in GBS, which broadened her horizons in ways she was never introduced to before in the fields of race, gender, ability and sexuality. Overall, her goal is to bring awareness and change in society through her knowledge of the field and counteracting the age of Photoshop and unrealistic body types. In hopes that future generations will be able to watch television, scroll on social media or see an advertisement and know that the model being used looks like a real person. She plans on working in the Beauty Communication industry in marketing, social media or advertising. For more information on Ashley, visit her LinkedIn profile.
Christine McCollum
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Chrissy McCollum will graduate from Cabrini University in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Communication and Social Media along with a double minor in Business Management and Human Resource Management. Chrissy grew up in Sicklerville, N.J., and attended Timber Creek High School before continuing her education at Cabrini. During her time at Cabrini, Chrissy was the News Editor for the school’s newspaper, The Loquitur, where she published more than 20 articles in various sections, mostly focused on social justice issues. In her junior year, Chrissy interned at Philly PR Girl as a public relations assistant where she learned how to work with clients, talk to press, send media alerts, press releases and pitches and plan events for clients. She currently interns at SAP America as a digital marketing communications intern where she works closely with the world-wide Digital Team to support SAP Digital Events and analyze event feedback by creating and tracking social media campaigns. In the Fall semester of her senior year, Chrissy was honored with Dean’s List status due to her academic achievements. Chrissy’s contribution to this website include the history of immigration policies in the United States with a focus on what social, political, economic and cultural factors go into shaping current policies. She chose to focus on the history of the issue to aid others in understanding the background of the topic and show how we got to our current position in the immigration process. Through her work in the Communication Department, Chrissy developed skills in Final Cut Pro X, the Adobe Suite and InDesign as well as achieved certifications in InBound Marketing and Google Analytics. After graduation, Chrissy hopes to continue exercising her skills and expanding her education in the field of media relations. To learn more about Chrissy, contact her on LinkedIn or her WordPress site.
William Morgan
Communication Major
William Morgan is from Broomall, PA. and will be graduating from Cabrini University in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication. For the last four years, William has played on the Cabrini Men’s Lacrosse team, where he was named to the Colonial States Athletic Conference All-Academic team in the Spring of 2017. For the last few months, William has been interning on the Good Day Philadelphia show at Fox-29. There, he has learned the in’s and out’s of a television production in hopes to further his career as a news producer. William’s topic for this capstone project has been geared toward immigrant entrepreneurship. Due to the negative light that is casted on immigration in today’s society, immigrant success stories tend to get overlooked. Which is the reason why he wanted to highlight the good work that immigrants have been doing in our country for years now. For a deeper look into William’s work, visit his WordPress portfolio site and connect with him on LinkedIn.
DeVahnté Mosley
Communication Major
DeVahnté Mosley is from Sicklerville, N.J. and will be graduating from Cabrini University in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Mathematics. After spending his first two years of undergraduate studies at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., DeVahnté spent his final three years as a member of the Cabrini Men’s Basketball team. He received All CSAC Honorable Mention and was named to the City of Basketball Love DIII All Area Honorable Mention. Away from the court, DeVahnté is a classroom coach for the department’s Intro to Mass Communications course as well as the Sports Director for Cavalier Radio. He also has created his own sports talk show on the university’s radio station along with the help of his co-host. In the past few months, DeVahnté has been interning at 11:22 Multimedia Group where he has further developed his foundation in audio production and explored the different aspects to creating a podcast series. DeVahnté’s topic examined the history of U.S. government intervention in Mexico and Central America. At the height of the immigration debate, he wanted to research the relationship between the high volume of immigrants coming from these countries and the saga of interruption from these same countries at the hand of our government. After graduation, DeVahnté would like to continue building on his podcasting skills and pursue a career as an analyst in sports media. For more information on the work that DeVahnté has done, visit his WordPress site and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Avery Murphy
Communication Major
Avery Murphy will graduate in May 2019 with a bachelor of arts in Communication. Avery is a two-time recipient of “Player of the Year” on her Cabrini Women’s Lacrosse Team. She has achieved a GPA of 3.6, and gained the ability to balance strenuous school work while playing collegiate women’s lacrosse. After transferring from Ohio State, in her years at Cabrini she has achieved All-Academic ECAC President’s Team/All-Philadelphia Inquirer Academic team while competing in NCAA tournaments each season. After exposure to Cabrini's social justice-focused core courses, Avery volunteered in Summer 2016 and taught yoga to the orphan children at Amigos de Jesus. She expanded her youth coaching skills when she worked at Camp Laurel in Maine last summer, coaching lacrosse to all age groups. Avery was also creative taking Audio Production and Video Production Courses as she created captivating social justice stories that were real and authentic. Avery also created an IMC plan for Cabrini University for prospective students to help bring in more students into the Communications Major. Avery hopes to continue her love of helping those on the margins in society, as well as coaching and pursuing a career in sales. Connect with Avery on her Linkedin page.
Meghan Nilan
Communication Major
Meghan Nilan is a senior Communication major at Cabrini University, and she is expected to graduate in May 2019. In the Spring of 2019, Meghan will intern with Harmelin Media, assisting them with their media planning efforts. Meghan has experience in photography, videography, marketing, and event planning. Her story on this website is about the media’s coverage of immigration, how journalists report on specific stories, and also how it affects the national conversation. The goal of her story is to raise awareness of the stories being told about migrants, and to emphasize the importance of getting truthful information from valuable and credible sources. After graduation, Meghan hopes to get a job in marketing, where she can further her learning and ability to promote solutions that are important to her. To learn more about Meghan, visit her on LinkedIn and check out her website on WordPress.com.
Brittney Palmer
Communication Major
Brittney Palmer will be graduating from Cabrini University in December 2018 with a degree in Communication. During her time at Cabrini, Brittney discovered her love for communications through her position as Lead News Anchor and Head Scriptwriter for Cabrini’s video news program, Loqation. She has experience telling stories through different media channels. While at Cabrini Brittney also grew her leadership skills and developed a great working relationship with Residence Life through being a Resident Assistant at the university. Brittney enjoyed her time as an RA and grew greatly from it. This showed when she was awarded the honor of “Emerging Leader of The Year” through the department. Brittney currently lives in Philadelphia and is a proud child of two lovely Jamaican immigrant parents. They have always been her biggest motivations in trying to fight for immigrant and migrant rights as well as telling their stories. Brittney hopes to pursue her career goals of being in social media marketing. She has big dreams of owning her own social media marketing company or small businesses someday with all of the knowledge and skills the Communication Department at Cabrini has taught her. Find out more about Brittney by following her on Twitter or Linkedin.
Jimmy Quinlan
Communication Major
Jimmy Quinlan will graduate from Cabrini University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication in May 2019. Growing up in West Chester and graduating Bishop Shanahan in Downingtown, Jimmy studied at a few colleges and universities before finding the right spot at Cabrini University. Here he has taken courses in Communication that interested him and allowed him to grow his skills in video production, advertising, marketing, and multimedia story creation. The topic Jimmy focused on for this project is the visa process. He learned the process is slow and complex and in need of reform so that immigrants from other countries can lawfully make their way to America with their families in search of a better life. He chose this topic because he believes that if you fix the visa process and give immigrants a better opportunity to enter legally, it decreases the need for immigrants to come here illegally. It would also increase America’s economy and save the lives of immigrants who are dying trying to cross the border in dangerous conditions. After college Jimmy hopes to begin a career in advertising and possibly even relocate to North Carolina or Tennessee where he enjoys the atmosphere the most. Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn.
Brian Rohanna
Communication Major
Brian Rohanna will graduate from Cabrini University in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Brian grew up in Boothwyn, Pa., and attended Chichester High School before continuing his education at Cabrini. During his time at Cabrini, Brian had the privilege to be the first vice President of the Cabrini Food Recovery Network. Brian works at Thomas P. Nerney Pavilion at Cabrini University. Last semester he received Dean’s List, and he also received the Victoria Calabro Zavasnik Scholarship to help him to complete his bachelor’s degree in the 2018-19 academic year. He also receives the Otto Haas Charitable Trust in the spring semester. Brian was able to bring his story ideas to life by taking the Multimedia Story Creation course at Cabrini and learning video, audio and photography techniques. He is experienced at editing video using Final Cut Pro. The goal of his story on this website is to raise awareness of the public health implications associated with immigration policies affecting foreign-born healthcare professionals in the U.S. He chose this topic because he wanted to show how the U.S. medical system has the potential to be hampered by restrictionist immigration policies. After college, Brian hopes to continue growing his skills and expanding his education in the field of sports marketing, possibly working for the Philadelphia 76ers in their marketing department. To learn more about Brian, contact him on LinkedIn and check out his WordPress portfolio website.
Nina Schirmer
Communication Major
Nina Schirmer will be graduating from Cabrini University in May of 2019 with a degree in Communication. Throughout her time at Cabrini, Nina was able to learn how to grow small businesses through social media marketing campaigns and by creating content for their social media ads. She is a professional vocalist and has been able to grow and develop her own band, create a brand for it, perform in well known venues in Philadelphia, and gather a social media following. She has also written for The Prelude Press, a music publication based out of Denver, Colo., and interviewed various well known artists for them. Nina has interned for a political campaign where she helped to create promotional videos, take and edit photos, and even translate posts into Spanish. Nina has a strong background in Spanish because her mother was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States when she was three-years-old. Nina has also interned with The Brookwood Cafe, a small business in Hamilton, N.J., where she helped to create visual content and helped to boost their sales through social media marketing. Nina loves creating content, writing and being as creative as possible to help grow businesses and their online followings. Throughout this project, Nina was able to use her skills in Final Cut Pro X and in videography to help share the stories of why Guatemalans are coming to the United States. She chose this topic because of the various friendships she has developed within the Guatemalan community through her time working in the restaurant industry. She wanted to share Augustine Chavez’s story and how hard of a worker he is for his family. Reach out to Nina on LinkedIn and view her works on her WordPress page.
Anthony Spitery
Communication Major
Anthony Spitery will graduate in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Cabrini University. During his time at Cabrini, Anthony was a Staff Writer for the school newspaper, The Loquitur, and was also a writer of reviews for the English Department’s Woodcrest Magazine. Anthony hosts a weekly two-hour radio show called The Stone as an on-air talent DJ for WYBF-FM Cavalier Radio. He has held two positions in the station’s executive staff in the radio program, serving as Production Director and Music Director. Anthony has developed many skills in audio production, writing, editing, social media, digital multimedia storytelling, photography, and video production. In this project, Anthony was drawn to highlighting DACA’s current state because he feels it is so important to know what current changes are developing under the policies of the Trump administration, and show how that is affecting the lives of immigrants. Anthony is interested in a career using his talents in media production and radio broadcasting. His internship at WKXW 101.5 has furthered his experience in social media, public speaking, and promotions. To find out more about Anthony, check out his LinkedIn page.
Antonio Stedeford
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Antonio Stedeford will graduate from Cabrini University in December of 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Antonio attended Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., prior to continuing his education at Cabrini University. Antonio is also a contracted U.S. Army ROTC Cadet who is working toward commissioning and becoming a future United States Army Officer. Antonio’s goal in taking this capstone course, Senior Convergence, is to bring immigration-related topics and issues to the attention of viewers. Antonio has also taken many courses at Cabrini with the end goal of developing communication skills that he can apply in his future career. Antonio has worked through many projects within the major, amassing skills in editing and writing, as well as video storytelling skills using Final Cut Pro. The goal of Antonio’s project on this website is to raise awareness and educate people on the process of asylum, and bring attention to the many people who sit in limbo, awaiting their cases to be heard. After graduation, Antonio intends to continue his future as a U.S. Army Officer, and to work and learn from other inspiring leaders to accomplish anything and succeed for the organization as a whole. He would also like to gain the overall ability to foster excellence in individuals and motivate the people around him in order to achieve their fullest potential, and learn the many skills that can be transitioned to the civilian sector. For more information on Antonio, visit his LinkedIn profile or his WordPress portfolio site.
Xavier Taylor
Communication & Black Studies Major
Xavier Taylor will graduate in May 2019 from Cabrini University with a double major in Communication and Black Studies. At Cabrini, Xavier as been a member of Cavalier Radio, hosting a weekly, two-hour talk show. Xavier has expert skills in photography and has served as Classroom Coach for the COM Department’s photography courses. He is proficient in using Photoshop, Final Cut Pro adobe premiere and Adobe Audition to tell digital stories. For this website, Xavier focused on education as a disruptor to intolerance and xenophobia, especially as it pertains to the public’s understanding of immigration. He chose this topic because public perception is the beginning of all conversations and controversies. After graduation, Xavier hopes to work in a multimedia firm and possibly a director and or photographer for a news outlet like VICE or SOURCE magazine . See examples of Xavier’s work by visiting his Website. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Rebecca Tompkins
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Rebecca Tompkins, also known as Becca, is a senior Digital Communications and Social Media major graduating in May 2019 from Cabrini University. For the past three years at Cabrini, Becca has been on Cavalier Radio as a staff member, and then as an Assistant Operations Manager in her junior year. Becca is also a member of the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ), the honor society for students in the Communication Department. Becca has also served as a staff writer for the school’s award-winning newspaper the Loquitur. Over the past three years Becca has been using her knowledge and skills of Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere, as well as Adobe Audition, to make digital stories. This past fall Becca traveled abroad to study at the American University of Rome in Rome Italy. She enjoyed immersing herself into Italian life and culture. She got to also travel throughout Europe learning about Germany’s history as well. Becca is currently interning at Slice Communications learning the in’s and out’s of a communications agency. She is putting her skills in video editing, writing, and graphic design together to create new content for Slice’s clients. She is also currently writing, directing, producing and editing a short film. When Becca is not in school she is working hard as a Customer Sales Associate at Floor and Decor. Visit Becca’s WordPress website to see some of her work and her film. Also, connect with Becca on LinkedIn.
Seneca White
Communication Major
Seneca White will graduate in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Communication from Cabrini University. During her time at Cabrini, Seneca was part of the school’s print and online newspaper, The Loquitur, where she was a staff writer. Also Seneca was a videographer for Cabrini’s radio station WYBF-FM where she displayed her talents of capturing footage of the radio show which just amplified the show even more. Seneca was also Cabrini’s Poetry Club social media coordinator, where she managed their social media accounts and produced advertising for them. Over the course of Seneca’s college career she gained experience in editing photos and videos on software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Apple’s Final Cut Pro. Besides her technical skills, Seneca has the leadership skills to plan and implement a company's social media strategy, as well as market that company to its target audience. On this website, Seneca was drawn to report on the physical effects of migrant children getting separated from their families because she felt this topic was under-reported. After graduation, Seneca plans to work in public relations, hoping to one day become a publicist in the entertainment industry. Learn more about Seneca by connecting with her on LinkedIn.
Aariana Wilson
Digital Communication & Social Media Major
Aariana will graduate in May of 2019 with a bachelor of arts in Digital Communications and Social Media. She was raised in Upper Darby and values her interfaith family and diverse upbringing. She transferred into Cabrini University because of their commitment to a social justice mission. Aariana has personally participated in this through lobbying in D.C. to increase the foreign aid budget. She has also traveled to Guatemala and engaged in mission work with the Friends of San Lucas Mission to assist rural farmers and workers to build up their communities.
Aariana has been a part of Cabrini’s Loquitur Media as a staff writer and Cabrini’s LOQation as a video producer. She has produced many news stories for the Loquitur, writing articles for print and online. She has also created video stories and edited them using Apple’s Final Cut Pro software.
Aariana has a Sudanese step-father who was forced out of his country because of a major war going on at the time. Due to this hardship she became very interested in why people leave their countries, and what happens when they come to the United States. Aariana has created a multimedia story for this website called Leaving Home to Find Peace. She hopes her research will help audiences understand the reasons why some individuals flee their countries in search of safety and opportunity.
Aariana has aspirations of working to make a change in the world through working with a company that values sustainability and human rights. She loves using her creativity and artistic eye to make the world more beautiful. As an artist, she has also lead the university's Craft Something Extraordinary club as Vice President. Here she has developed her skills in event planning and creative leadership. She hopes to use these skills along with her skills in video editing, digital marketing, brand building, and social media management to aid businesses in marketing, advertising, or public relations campaigns. Aariana loves exploring the digital media world and can be contacted through most platforms. To learn more, reach out to her through Twitter or LinkedIn.
Xavier Young
Communication Major
Xavier Young will graduate in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Cabrini University. During his time at Cabrini, Xavier was a member of the Men’s Soccer Team who won the first game in the NCAA tournament game in school history and also won a conference championship. Xavier was able to bring his story ideas to life by taking the Multimedia Story Creation course at Cabrini and learning video and audio techniques. He is experienced at editing video using Final Cut Pro. Besides being focused on the classroom and soccer field, Xavier also has an entrepreneurial spirit. He built his own clothing brand based on his love for fashion. Building this brand meant Xavier needed to create the logo and also edit the promotional video for the brand. The clothing brand is named “VMC” (Vast Merchandise Collective). On this website, Xavier focused on the plight of asylum seekers who come to the United States. He was drawn to this topic because of the events that have occurred and wants a better understanding of the current policies. Learn more about Xavier by connecting with him on Instagram.
