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JaRiah Morris G’23 rang in the new year like many others, seeking out new experiences while surrounded by friends and peers.

Joined by her nine fellow members of Interactive Media’s 2023 cohort, Morris and her classmates traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of their Interactive Project for the Public Good course. During their weeklong stay in Puerto Plata, the students worked closely with Dove Youth Development (DYD), a nonprofit organization that supports youth initiatives in the Caribbean country, to overhaul DYD’s online presence. The students conducted video interviews, captured photography, and built lasting memories with the initiative’s children. Following the students’ return to campus, the coursework continued and they created a robust website, .

Led by Associate Professor Nicole Triche, the graduate students utilized their developing interactive media skills they’ve obtained as part of the 10-month, accelerated master’s program. To celebrate the graduate students’ efforts, the School of Communications hosted a formal presentation of the students’ final project on Jan. 24 in Schar Hall’s Turner Theatre. To view the presentation, .

Heading into the study away course, one of graduate program’s signature experiences, Morris said she was told time and again that the opportunity would be memorable. And it didn’t disappoint, she explained.

“I want people to know that the Interactive Project for the Public Good is everything that it’s cracked up to be,” said Morris, who served as the project’s videographer. “It’s life-changing, challenging and rewarding.”

Prior to departing for the Dominican Republic, the students began work on the project midway through the fall semester. This preproduction included weekly Zoom meetings with DYD directors to identify needs, discuss goals, strategies, messaging and outline the project’s scope of work. It was during these virtual introductions that the students and DYD representatives developed a strong rapport.

“After arriving at the airport to welcoming, open arms, we got to work,” said Michaela Zeno G’23, who served as the project’s writer and information architect. “We gathered media content about DYD by conducting interviews, collecting footage, shooting b-roll and creating social media calendars to share the center’s mission. We worked closely with volunteers, students, stakeholders, employees and directors to build a website that best tells Dove’s story and the picturesque landscape lent itself to fabulous photo opportunities, cultural exploration, and a deeper understanding of the client and the families it serves.”

The students found the organization’s mission to strengthen and improve educational, cultural and vocational opportunities endearing. The nonprofit hosts classes focusing on English, job readiness, cosmetology, computer literacy, gardening and cooking, among other activities.

“The work they do and their reputation on the island is substantial,” Zeno said. “What they needed from us was a cohesive website to better convey their messages and needs.”

The amount of content the students collected while abroad was impressive. In a LinkedIn post following the presentation, photographer Abby Lachance G’23 shared . All told, she captured and organized more than 7,000 pictures. As part of the video team, Morris and her teammates interviewed 17 people, collected extensive b-roll, and put together six videos for the final product.

In the days following the presentation, Vicki Mowl, DYD’s director of operations, gushed over her organization’s new content and web presence. She commended the Interactive Media cohort’s professionalism, talent, and willingness to build relationships with the children and DYD staff members.

“We now have thousands of incredible photos, beautiful brochures and marketing materials, and the website … Wow, wow, wow,” Mowl said. “The students totally captured our concept, mission, needs and delivered an outstanding website. I look at it every day. I feel proud to show off our website. Their hard work is obvious, and Dove Youth Development is grateful for this.”

Mowl explained that the Interactive Media project far exceeded her expectations and that even early on, “I knew something special was on the horizon,” she said.

Reflecting on the project, Triche said the graduate students worked tirelessly in service to others. She added that she is thankful for the support she received from School of Communications colleagues Brandon Booker and Maggie Mullikin, who accompanied the students to the Dominican Republic.

“It was a real pleasure to work with this terrific group of students,” Triche said. “They worked very well together and helped each other to complete their project within the limited time frame of Winter Term. Watching our students interact with the children of Dove Youth Development was the highlight of this experience for me. Our students and their students danced, played, laughed, and sang together.”

For Mullikin, who made initial contact with DYD and handled the course’s logistics, it is rewarding to see the final product. Plus, she said she enjoys watching the students embark on their international experience – some of them traveling abroad for the first time.

“It may sound silly, but I just love every aspect of the project,” Mullikin said. “When I think about favorite part of this experience, it has to be watching the students grow throughout the process and seeing their faces as they experience elements of an entirely new culture.”

Zeno echoed Mullikin’s sentiments, noting, “This was one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever had and I’m grateful Dove allowed us to be a part of their mission.”

Interactive Project for the Public Good roles

Olivia Archer – Marketing Associate
Shaina Catchings – Web Developer
John Donohue – Marketing Associate
Abby Lachance – Photographer
JaRiah Morris – Videographer
Sequoia Nichols – Graphic Designer
Maya O’Neal – Videographer
Hana Sedivy – Social Media Manager
Courtney Simmons – UX/UI Designer
Michaela Zeno – Writer/Information Architect
Nicole Triche – Faculty Adviser
Brandon Booker – Multimedia Adviser
Maggie Mullikin – Staff Adviser

Kyra O’Connor ’23 contributed content and photography to this release