���ҹ�����

Two-day event highlights strategies to combat human trafficking and support survivors

���ҹ�����’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Center For Wellbeing hosted its second annual Counter-Human Trafficking Conference, bringing together experts, advocates, and students to address the widespread issue of human trafficking.

The two-day event focused on crimes targeting women, children, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing prevention, policy, and technology-driven solutions. Attendees participated in discussions on training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, victim support, legislative advocacy, and education.

“Human trafficking and violence affect every community, including college campuses,” said ���ҹ����� President Marvin Krislov. “At ���ҹ�����, we are committed to supporting survivors and educating our community on how to recognize and respond to these crimes. This conference reflects the engagement of every school, faculty, student, and staff member at ���ҹ�����.”

As part of the event, ���ҹ����� announced that it is the first institution in New York State to officially partner with the , a national public awareness initiative designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry professionals on identifying and responding to potential human trafficking cases.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• David Weiss, chief of the Human Trafficking Unit,
• Kevin Metcalf, director of the Human Trafficking Response Unit,
• Jessica Lamb, survivor, leader and founder,
• Francine Bono-Neri, co-founder and president,
• Tina Wallace, detective inspector, , United Kingdom
• Anthony Kava, detective,
• Susie Vybiral, founder and CEO, Room Redux

Darren Hayes, conference moderator and associate professor of cybersecurity at ���ҹ�����, highlighted the role of technology in combatting trafficking.

“An estimated 400,000 children go missing in the U.S. every year, and some experts believe the actual number is even higher,” said Hayes. “Technology plays a critical role in finding missing children, from geolocation data to digital evidence found in online images. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in these efforts.”

Panelists also discussed how traffickers often exploit existing relationships to target victims.

“It’s important to understand how the traffickers exploit people,” Weiss said. “Sex trafficking tends to happen with people who know each other. It can start with a simple conversation with the trafficker asking the victim ‘do you need something to eat or a place to stay’ and that grooming process can happen over time. The practitioners need to recognize the situation now to offer assistance and to provide the tools so minors and other potential victims can recognize a situation as well to help keep themselves safe.”

A group of ���ҹ����� professors also offered their take on how to combat human trafficking on the How ���ҹ����� is Making a Difference Panel.

“One of the most important things is to raise awareness so people are able to identify the signs and know where there are resources for help,” said Cindy Kanusher, executive director of the ���ҹ����� Women’s Justice Center.

“Education about the prevalence and realities of trafficking and violence against women is an imperative aspect of prevention, as is working collaboratively across disciplines to provide holistic, survivor centered and trauma informed responses and help. And finally, we must always start by listening and believing survivors so they know they will be supported.”

Kanusher was joined on the panel by fellow ���ҹ����� professors Christen Cooper from the College of Health Professions, Cathryn Lavery, chair of the Criminal Justice Institute and Amelia Wilson, director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub Law School.

���ҹ����� students also took an active role in the discussions, with many emphasizing how the conference deepened their understanding of human trafficking issues.

“This is a good way of connecting with people in the industry, as I am looking to have a career in federal law enforcement” said Caroline Coscia, junior criminal justice major at ���ҹ�����’s NYC campus. “I always like to expand in my understanding more on human trafficking and violence against women. We don’t talk about these subjects enough. Conferences like these help students expand their knowledge.”

About ���ҹ�����

Since 1906, ���ҹ����� has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, ���ҹ����� offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at ���ҹ����� is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

We’re reaching the halfway point in the semester—a moment to take stock of our progress and set our sights on what’s ahead. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to refocus, push forward, and make the most of the opportunities before us. This month’s ���ҹ����� Now highlights the drive, creativity, and ambition of our community—stories of collaboration, innovation, and students stepping up to seize new possibilities. Across our campuses, there’s a shared energy as new projects take shape, partnerships grow, and goals come into focus.

The second half of the semester is an opportunity to build on what we’ve accomplished so far. Whether you’re preparing for finals, pursuing new internships, or engaging in research, this is the time to lean in. ���ҹ����� is a place where determination and effort open doors, and every step you take now—big or small—sets the foundation for what comes next.

Let’s keep moving forward together, supporting one another and striving for excellence. The finish line is in sight, and I have no doubt that the ���ҹ����� community will cross it with strength and resilience.

PS: Keep an eye out for an exciting Commencement speaker announcement coming soon.

From a small farm town in Michigan to the high-energy world of live television, Will Schmid ’25 has always thrived when the stakes are high. Now in his final year as an Arts and Entertainment Management major at ���ҹ�����, Will has landed the opportunity of a lifetime—an internship at Saturday Night Live during its historic 50th season. But landing his dream gig didn’t happen overnight. After four years of applying to the SNL internship, Will finally got the call. What followed was a rigorous interview process and, as he puts it, a little bit of luck—“like winning the $1 billion lottery.” From networking with industry professionals to gaining hands-on experience through internships, Will has made the most of his time in New York City. His journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and the power of showing up.

In this Q+A, he shares what it’s like working at SNL, the mentors who shaped his path, and his advice for fellow ���ҹ����� students looking to break into the entertainment industry.

Image

How did you land this internship at NBCUniversal? What was the application and interview process like?
I’ve been applying to the SNL internship application for four years. This was the first time I was asked to interview. The first interview was a prerecorded video and the next two were with people from the show. The best answer I can give to how I got this job is luck. I know there were plenty of other candidates with the same, if not better, resume than mine. Getting the job offer was like winning the $1 billion lottery.

Have any faculty mentors or ���ҹ����� experiences helped shape your career aspirations?
Lubin Professor Chris Ramos has been more than an aid during my time at ���ҹ�����. A number of experiences on my resume come directly from people and jobs he connected me with. He was more than willing to help me from the beginning. The first time I went and knocked on his office door he looked over my resume, talked to me about my goals, and gave his advice.

However, by far the most valuable thing he offers is his email blasts. Whenever someone reaches out to Professor Ramos about hiring, alumni or otherwise, he will send that message out to anyone on his emailing list. This is great for two things: first, you see and can apply to jobs you wouldn’t normally find, and second, you instantly have a connection to the hiring manager from Ramos. As a ���ҹ����� student, especially an Arts and Entertainment Management major, the best thing you can do is introduce yourself to Professor Ramos.

SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary. What has it been like working on such a historic season?
I’ve felt nothing but lucky and in shock. Every single person I have met and interacted with at the show is so incredibly talented. SNL has been what it’s been for 50 years because of the people. Just getting to watch them work is educational.

Who has been your favorite SNL host so far this season?
Nate Bargatze. I’ve been a Nate Bargatze fan for years now. I’m happy that he’s starting to get the recognition he deserves. He has a great dry sense of humor and plays a fantastic straight man that works great both on SNL and in his stand up.

Beyond SNL, you’ve had a range of entertainment industry experiences. How do you see this internship shaping your future career path?
SNL has always been the goal. I even said in my interview that SNL has always been at the end of the 30-year plan. It’s even the reason I came to school in NYC (SNL only has internships during the school year). I hope that my internship isn’t the end with the show, however, I’ve gotten to do more than I ever thought I would. It may be a cliché but 10-year-old me wouldn’t believe what I’ve gotten to do. Not just with SNL, but with most of my experiences in college.

You also spent time at the Cannes Film Festival through The American Pavilion. How did that experience shape your perspective on the global entertainment industry?
What really shaped my perspective was my internship with the International Emmy Awards in the screening department. There are so many high-quality shows and movies being made around the world that we will never know about. I always thought of America as the center of movies and TV. Now I think you could name plenty of places around the world where entertainment is just as impactful. I think the industry is both a lot smaller and a lot bigger than I know.

"College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. "

What was the biggest adjustment when coming to New York City for college and work?
The biggest adjustment was the environment. I grew up in a small farm town in Michigan called Armada. Exact opposite of Manhattan. Growing up we were a 25-minute drive from the grocery store, now I’m a short walk away. Falling asleep at night I used to hear crickets through the window, now I hear FDNY Engine 55 every time it pulls out of the firehouse. Even though they are such opposing forces, I have such a great love for both. College in New York City brings opportunities and life that I never thought I would have. But my time in Armada is something I’m very nostalgic for and shaped me into what I am today. And no matter where I live or how bad our sports teams get, I will always be a Detroit fan.

How has being in NYC influenced your career and learning experiences?
The best thing this city can offer you is opportunities. All the jobs I’ve had in this city I couldn’t have had anywhere else. Some may argue this, but I believe it. No matter what you want to do in life, there is a place for it. For me, that was New York City. My two careers I want are SNL or being a firefighter for the FDNY. This year alone I’ve interned for SNL and taken the hiring exam for the FDNY.

What advice would you give other ���ҹ����� students looking to break into the entertainment industry?
My dad would always say “The world is never going to come knock on your door.” So, why wait for it? Go out there and get it. Apply to the job you want every semester, even if they never reply. Take every opportunity you can get, even if it’s just a job for a day. My one day of work at the International Emmy Awards gala turned into a semester long internship. One day of work at an IATSE Local One house turned into three months of work over the summer. No matter what the job is, I always work to be the best I can at it. I’m not saying I try to be the best one there, but I always made sure I was the best I could be.

Chris Previlon, pursuing a BBA in Business Management at the Lubin School of Business, arrived in New York with a clear goal: to grow his business and embrace the city’s energy.

“I chose ���ҹ����� because of the city life and my love for business and theater,” Chris explains. “I wanted to learn to grow my business and become my own boss, while also training, working, performing, and being in the city.”

Chris' entrepreneurial spirit sparked early, inspired by his mother’s event planning business, where he often lent a hand. As he got older, he noticed how much money went into one specific element of party décor: balloons. He had a thought. If balloon designs were in such demand, why not turn that demand into something lucrative?

I chose ���ҹ����� because of the city life and my love for business and theater.

Chris began practicing balloon artistry and was soon supplying intricate balloon sculptures for family events. As his talents grew, he booked balloon jobs with his high school and other local businesses, including Anthropologie and Walmart. That’s when his business really began to blow up—pun intended.

Image

Since then, Chris’ business has flourished. He’s crafted everything from intricate balloon designs—including a balloon dress—to projects for high-profile clients like NFL players and popular YouTubers like The Beam Squad.

Leaving his hometown of Miami, Florida, for college in the Big Apple also meant leaving behind his roster of clients. It was a risk, but Chris was determined to succeed, navigating the challenges of starting fresh in a new market while keeping up with his studies. When he arrived at ���ҹ�����, he reached out to the Center for Student Engagement to introduce himself and his business. The next day he had an email: could he do an event next week?

I wanted to learn to grow my business and become my own boss, while also training, working, performing, and being in the city.

Chris didn’t have any equipment, materials, or a car, but he agreed and decided to make it work. He met with new vendors in a new state, purchased supplies and hauled them to campus on the subway, and on the day of the event scrambled to set everything up before his first class of the morning.

His hard work paid off.

“Everybody loved it when they were passing by,” he explains. “And then, literally while I was finishing setting up, I was told they needed me for an event in two days.’” And so ironically, his investment in ���ҹ����� to level up his skills led to ���ҹ����� investing in him as a new vendor.

Chris’ hopes that his time at ���ҹ����� will help him take his business to new heights—yes, another pun. “I just want to keep growing,” he explains. “I’ve already learned so already about marketing and business 101,” he says.

"The campus is beautiful. I like the urban city, modern feel."

His favorite part of being at ���ҹ�����? “The city, honestly. The New York life,” he says. “Yeah, the train can get very tiring every day for an hour… but the campus is beautiful. I like the urban city, modern feel.”

Chris didn’t settle. He had a successful business and a thriving network, but he came to ���ҹ����� so he could go even further with his career, proving that when it comes to his ambition, the sky’s the limit.

This article was outlined with the assistance of a custom GPT model using OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The author wrote, edited, and takes responsibility for the final text.

"Busy is good,” says Sunny Shenkman ’25, a Communications and Media Studies major and double minor in graphic design and art. “You’re locked in, and schoolwork becomes easier when you have so much stuff to do.”

And Sunny certainly has a lot to do.

Sunny is the president and editor-in-chief of ���ҹ�����’s imprint fashion publication , as well as the leader of Fusion’s graphic design committee. They’re the director of the , a where students can buy and sell handmade items. They also work as a programming assistant for ���ҹ�����’s LGBTQA+ Center and as a journalism intern for Brown Eyez Co. They’re also working on illustrations for a children’s book series! And that’s just outside of the classroom.

I feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything.

Sunny’s set to graduate this spring and during their time at ���ҹ����� they’ve learned how to find the balance in the busy. “There are things I just won’t compromise,” they explain. “I have a really big social life and that’s really important to me. But so is getting nine hours of sleep.” They also insist upon prioritizing their health. “You hate that people say it over and over but it’s right: take your vitamins!”

When it comes to the work you want to do, Sunny says it’s about knowing what to sacrifice, and what to hold dear. “I like keeping some things sacred,” Sunny explains. “It's just a negotiation. What is the most important and what can I delegate? Learning how to give up stuff a little bit has been really big for me.”

Sometimes, ���ҹ����� feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs.

These skills are important for Sunny, especially as they approach graduation and prepare to enter the creative industry, a field that demands adaptability. “What does being a creative even mean?” Sunny says. “I feel like sometimes in New York, you have to do everything. You have to be a photographer and a designer, a leader, an organizer. All these things. And you have to be good at every single one.”

Sunny’s also learned you can’t just stop at trying to learn everything, you also have to show it off. “Sometimes, ���ҹ����� feels impossible because it seems like everyone has these amazing jobs,” says Sunny. They share how intimidating it can be to see peers sharing their successes and how they’ve learned to tackle that by sharing their own. “Don’t be afraid to be a LinkedIn warrior. One day, I had this switch where I started posting everything I do on LinkedIn because I kept seeing all these amazing things people were doing and wanted to show what I was doing too.”

I like keeping some things sacred. It's just a negotiation.

Finally, Sunny has learned to embrace support. “I really respect ���ҹ�����’s administration.” Sunny explains how ���ҹ����� staff—with special shout outs to Todd Smith-Bergollo, senior associate dean for students and Janice Hilbrink, director of endowed scholarships—have shaped their journey in meaningful ways and helped them get to where they are today. “They’ve really come through for me and I won’t forget that moving forward.”

Sunny has made the most of their time at ���ҹ�����—and they’re just getting started. They’ve learned to balance their schedule and embrace their successes. As they prepare to graduate, their experiences at ���ҹ����� have set them up to take on whatever comes next.

But first? Maybe a well-earned nap.