Students

Graduate student Lex Weaver, who studies journalism. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Women journalists are fighting to overcome the ‘macho dynamics’ of US newsrooms

In this time of enormous social change, women journalists are pushing for equity and inclusion for everyone in the industry, including nonbinary people. A resolution of those issues is by no means assured, says Meg Heckman, an assistant professor of journalism at Northeastern.

by Ian Thomsen March 24, 2021

Xinhui Liu, who studies computer science, attends the Eloquent Presenter course in Ryder Hall. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

On stage to on screen: Improv is still challenging these computer science majors

The pandemic forced Northeastern’s theater department to radically transform a mandatory public speaking and acting class for computer-science majors, but the spirit behind the highly collaborative class survives.

by Hillary Chabot March 18, 2021

Eyeing a career in the foreign service, forged at home and in class

Since high school, Stephanie Beja has known that she was interested in studying cultures around the world—and visiting as many as she could. Now, as the latest recipient of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship, the Northeastern graduate is forging a path toward international diplomacy.

by Jon Winkler - contributor March 12, 2021

Kiera Perryman. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

She wants to build a sense of campus community for Black women

Affinity groups such as Sisters in Solidarity provide Black women with a sense of belonging, says Kiera Perryman. The third-year design major joined the organization in her first year and welcomes the opportunity it provides for herself and others to see and be themselves.

by Peter Ramjug March 8, 2021

Graduate student PhiYen Nguyen. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Global experiences helped her become a better listener

Graduate student PhiYen Nguyen’s worldly travels have been shaped by an instinct to learn and listen to others who are different from her. Her research into teen pregnancies as a high school student led to an interest in the plight of refugee women re-settling in high-income countries.

by Peter Ramjug March 4, 2021

Brandon Mrnak, who studies pharmaceutical sciences, dispenses vaccines at a local Walgreens in Roxbury. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

This student is putting in overtime administering COVID-19 vaccines

Brandon Mrnak, a fourth-year pharmacology major, has been focused on a career in pharmacological research, but he’s lately he's also been devoting his time to administering COVID-19 vaccinations at a local Walgreens in an effort to fight the disease.

by Hillary Chabot February 23, 2021

Yuehao Gao, who studies computer science combined with music, plays the piano in Ryder Hall on Jan. 25, 2021. Photo Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Piano practice offers this international student a small slice of home

Yuehao Gao, an international student who hasn’t been home to see his family in Beijing in nearly two years, uses the practice pianos at Ryder Hall at least twice a week. The second-year computer science and music major says the practice helps him with school work and with feelings of isolation and homesickness.

by Hillary Chabot February 17, 2021

One less piece of plastic packaging in the world

This second-year entrepreneur’s plant-based snack company took the $2,500 top prize in last year’s Husky Startup Challenge. Her aim is to create healthy snacks while reducing single-use plastic pouches and wrappers. Like all young enterprises, hers needs capital. She has a plan for that too.

by Peter Ramjug February 11, 2021

The Khoury Office Hours app created by Sandbox, a student-led software developed group. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

This app helps students get more face time with professors

Transparency is the key to a new student-created office hours app that shows how many people are in line and provides estimated wait times. The app’s popularity has grown as students continue to navigate remote office hours.

by Hillary Chabot February 2, 2021

Matthew Williams, a part-time lecturer, teaches a basic clinical skills course inside the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. Photo Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

In-person classes restore a sense of normalcy for these Northeastern students

Northeastern’s rigorous COVID-19 testing combined with a newly-implemented vaccination plan has soothed health concerns for faculty and students, who say that in-person lessons boost learning and morale.

by Hillary Chabot January 27, 2021