CCI Student Collective

Run by Chapman Students for the Chapman Community

Student Work Gallery

Love/Hate by Lily Currin ('21)

Chapman CCI Mini-Doc by Satvi Sunkara ('21), Ilana Gale ('20), and Charlene Pham ('22)

Power Playlist by Olivia Collins ('21)

she is found in the semantics by Kathryn Bernhadt ('21)

Complexities of Love By Ilana Gale ('20)

The Yeezy Empire by Benen Weir ('21)

This is a Peaceful Disagreement by Lily Currin ('21)

Student Spotlights

Marissa Thompson

Major: Business Admin

Minor: CCI

Marissa is currently working as a CCI research assistant with Dr. Jamie Larkin. Together they are tracking CCI over the United States.

Marissa says, “The project is in its early stages so my job consists of analyzing and summarizing existing CCI reports that cities, colleges, non-profits, etc. have drawn up. I’m focusing on CA right now and its been so interesting to compare how different cities approach leveraging their creative economy!"

Poppy Shaw

This semester Poppy created the fully-virtual Reset Film Festival. Check out our blog articles to learn more!

Poppy's favorite thing about the CCI program is “how you can create opportunities for yourself through independent studies and how willing the faculty are to support you and push you to create something to the best of your ability. I had this crazy little idea to create a film festival and they showed me that it was possible and provided me with all the tools to make it a reality.”

Lily Currin

Major: Communication Studies

Minor: CCI, graphic design, honors

Lily started a business over quarantine selling stickers she designs and has been donating the proceeds to causes that she's passionate about.

"Having CCI classes like organization management with Dr. Maracine have made me realize how much activism and art can intersect not only on a protest level, but also with reforming structures and organizations to allow for more creation from empowering everyone involved."

Dana Morgan

Major: Sociology

Minor: Leadership and CCI

Dana’s favorite CCI class is Media, Culture, and Emotion. “I really enjoyed learning about the significant impact that art and media can have in shaping our emotions. This class changed the relationship I have with media and I definitely recommend it!"

She loves CCI because it “helped me realize just how many directions my career could go. It’s taught me how much work goes into the art and culture that we consume every day."

Allie Chow

Major: Global Communication

Minor: CCI and Production Design

Allie has been working as a photographer for Picture People studios taking portraits of kids and families.

“I love that the CCI program lets you explore and learn about a range of contemporary topics. The professors also encourage you to pursue your interests. I’ve incorporated photography into my class projects and will also be taking a photography class for the minor next semester."

Benen Weir

Major: Strategic and Corporate Communication

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: Benen interns at Wear the Future, a PR agency for sustainable, ethical, and innovative fashion brands.

"The CCI program... offers the opportunity to not only study and understand what is going on right now, but practice and hone your creative skills in preparation for entering the professional world. Its classes are non-traditional and offer the perfect escape for the kid who never really felt like school was relevant to them."

Sylvie Messing

Major: Sociology

Minor: CCI

Sylvie has an internship at Little Empire Music where she’ll be assisting artist managers with their clients, develop digital marketing strategies, and assist in planning remote performances and live streams.

"The CCI professors really encourage you to hone in on what subject matter interests you and to take a deep dive into whatever that may be! The possibilities are endless with this mindset and promotes a lot of creative critical thinking."

Kathryn Bernhardt

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: Kathryn studied abroad in London (where she took CCI classes) and visited more than 15 countries during her time abroad.

Internship Experience: Kathryn is currently interning at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency where she fields query manuscripts and works on their social media accounts.

Daniel Godes

Major: Business Administration

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: He speaks 3 languages and is learning a 4th.

Dream Job: Danny hopes to own his own fashion label one day and is currently working on an independent study with Dr. Larkin to learn more about the industry and create one of his own designs. Read more about Danny and his work on the CCI club on our blog!

Marissa Thompson

Major: Business Admin

Minor: CCI

Marissa is currently working as a CCI research assistant with Dr. Jamie Larkin. Together they are tracking CCI over the United States.

Marissa says, “The project is in its early stages so my job consists of analyzing and summarizing existing CCI reports that cities, colleges, non-profits, etc. have drawn up. I’m focusing on CA right now and its been so interesting to compare how different cities approach leveraging their creative economy!"

Poppy Shaw

This semester Poppy created the fully-virtual Reset Film Festival. Check out our blog articles to learn more!

Poppy's favorite thing about the CCI program is “how you can create opportunities for yourself through independent studies and how willing the faculty are to support you and push you to create something to the best of your ability. I had this crazy little idea to create a film festival and they showed me that it was possible and provided me with all the tools to make it a reality.”

Lily Currin

Major: Communication Studies

Minor: CCI, graphic design, honors

Lily started a business over quarantine selling stickers she designs and has been donating the proceeds to causes that she's passionate about.

"Having CCI classes like organization management with Dr. Maracine have made me realize how much activism and art can intersect not only on a protest level, but also with reforming structures and organizations to allow for more creation from empowering everyone involved."

Dana Morgan

Major: Sociology

Minor: Leadership and CCI

Dana’s favorite CCI class is Media, Culture, and Emotion. “I really enjoyed learning about the significant impact that art and media can have in shaping our emotions. This class changed the relationship I have with media and I definitely recommend it!"

She loves CCI because it “helped me realize just how many directions my career could go. It’s taught me how much work goes into the art and culture that we consume every day."

Allie Chow

Major: Global Communication

Minor: CCI and Production Design

Allie has been working as a photographer for Picture People studios taking portraits of kids and families.

“I love that the CCI program lets you explore and learn about a range of contemporary topics. The professors also encourage you to pursue your interests. I’ve incorporated photography into my class projects and will also be taking a photography class for the minor next semester."

Benen Weir

Major: Strategic and Corporate Communication

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: Benen interns at Wear the Future, a PR agency for sustainable, ethical, and innovative fashion brands.

"The CCI program... offers the opportunity to not only study and understand what is going on right now, but practice and hone your creative skills in preparation for entering the professional world. Its classes are non-traditional and offer the perfect escape for the kid who never really felt like school was relevant to them."

Sylvie Messing

Major: Sociology

Minor: CCI

Sylvie has an internship at Little Empire Music where she’ll be assisting artist managers with their clients, develop digital marketing strategies, and assist in planning remote performances and live streams.

"The CCI professors really encourage you to hone in on what subject matter interests you and to take a deep dive into whatever that may be! The possibilities are endless with this mindset and promotes a lot of creative critical thinking."

Kathryn Bernhardt

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: Kathryn studied abroad in London (where she took CCI classes) and visited more than 15 countries during her time abroad.

Internship Experience: Kathryn is currently interning at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency where she fields query manuscripts and works on their social media accounts.

Daniel Godes

Major: Business Administration

Minor: CCI

Fun Fact: He speaks 3 languages and is learning a 4th.

Dream Job: Danny hopes to own his own fashion label one day and is currently working on an independent study with Dr. Larkin to learn more about the industry and create one of his own designs. Read more about Danny and his work on the CCI club on our blog!

Want to be Featured?

Do you have an art piece, essay, or presentation that you've created in a CCI class or that you think fits under the term CCI? We are currently accepting all forms of creative work to be featured on our student work page. Email with your work for the chance to be featured!

Don't have any work, but still want to be featured? We want to highlight CCI minors currently promoting, interning, or working in the creative and cultural industries. Email for the opportunity to be profiled in the Student Spotlights section.