The theme of the 2023 annual media summit was “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood,” but behind the scenes of the event itself was a team of students who ensured the event ran smoothly.

Prior to the event, which happened Oct. 25 at Waterman Theatre, the panelists and summit organizers gathered at the Hearth Lounge in the Marano Campus Center for a dinner and group photos together. Here, panelists and invited alumni were able to meet the students who put the event together.

One such student was the event director, Katie Karlen, a junior public relations major who gave brief opening remarks at the summit. Karlen hoped students would meet the invitees and benefit from one-on-one conversations.

“A lot of these fields, ‘behind-the-scenes in Hollywood,’ are kinda hard to get into,” Karlen said. “All of these careers are like the unsung heroes. Think of it as like, ‘How do you become a producer? How do you become a screenwriter?’”

Karlen volunteered for last year’s summit as a liaison on behalf of WNYO-FM, the university’s student-run radio station, as well as head photographer. For this year’s summit, Karlen wanted to take on a greater leadership role. The summit’s faculty advisor, broadcasting professor David Crider, suggested she apply to be event director.

“I learned to expect the unexpected, especially when last-minute plans change,” Karlen said. “Being in the media summit taught me, ‘You know what, like, things are gonna happen. You just have to be calm, collected and figure out the best course of action and to trust your judgment.’”

The event did not go without problems. Some invitees, including a panelist, arrived later than expected. In fact, the summit committee invited their last invitee only two weeks prior to the event. Still, Crider was confident that the summit went smoothly.

Crider estimated about 25 students volunteered for the summit, an increase from last year. Students reached out to media professionals as potential panelists and “career connectors,” industry insiders who students could network with during class visits and after the event. Other responsibilities included videography, photography, graphic design and three representatives from student media organizations.

Olivia Braia, a junior art major, designed graphics for the summit. Her biggest challenge was conveying the summit’s message of educating about media jobs behind the scenes. 

“Students here might want to work in things like movies and film and the marketing behind that and not even know where to start,” Braia said. She believed the team accomplished that goal.

Bailey Thomas, a senior public relations major, was the student ambassador for panelist Aunrée Houston. Thomas was responsible for escorting Houston around campus. Thomas, a transfer student, learned about the summit the week of last year’s event and thought it would be interesting to volunteer for the next one. 

“I learned the importance of building connections with people who are willing to come help you,” Thomas said. 

Crider described the summit as a “student-focused and student-centered event.”

“The students do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to actually putting on what we do today,” Crider said. “I think the students, especially on our e-board [executive board] and our event directors, they’re the ones who should really get the kudos.”

Towards the start of the summit, panel moderator Megan Mazzoccone recognized the students’ role in writing the questions for the panelists to answer and discuss.

“I think the most exciting thing about the Media Summit or this environment is that the students really drive, not just the … planning of this event but also the questions and the content,” Mazzoccone said.

Planning for the event began in March. Funding for the event comes from a special foundation fund as well as a grant from Auxiliary Services.

The Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit was founded as the Media Summit in 2005 by then-professor and alum Lou Borelli. In 2007, at the suggestion of famed alum Al Roker, who became a co-sponsor of the event, the summit was renamed to honor Borelli and Roker’s former professor. 

Phot by: Evan Youngs