91��Ƶ

Amoreena Crispino ’19 is a communication studies major on the NYC Campus who has seriously honed her media know-how: she’s a Resident Assistant (RA), a campus tour guide, the co-executive editor for The 91��Ƶ Press, social chair for Kappa Delta, and she even finds time to perform standup with the 91��Ƶ Sketch Comedy Group. Crispino also interned for Nickelodeon recently, and this fall? She’ll be working with the production team on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Of all her positions, though, Crispino told us that being chosen as an RA for the 182 Broadway dorms last year was a truly transformative experience. “It proved to be a lot of hard work, but so worth it in the end,” she said. “I had the most incredible staff working with me and I learned a lot about myself along the way. I know more people on campus than I did before (which I did not think was possible) and have so many connections for the future!” You might see her hanging around 33 Beekman, her next spot as an RA, sometime this year.

But what brought her to 91��Ƶ in the first place?

Crispino narrowed her college search to two major cities: Boston and New York. “After going on a tour and learning more about 91��Ƶ, I fell in love with it,” she explained, describing how living in Maria’s Tower in her first year only solidified that decision thanks to all the lasting friendships she made. And when it came time to pick a major, Crispino simply combined her three main interests: writing, creating, and media.

“Initially, I looked into journalism programs as I was entering college,” she said, before settling on something broader. She decided to take on a marketing minor after interning at Nickelodeon last year, though—a dream job for any ’90s fan, but for Crispino? It was incredibly special. “I expressed to my supervisor my love of SpongeBob SquarePants multiple times,” she admitted, which landed her a spot on the brainstorm team for an upcoming project to celebrate SpongeBob’s 20th anniversary. “I was asked to make a powerpoint presentation of just SpongeBob memes, aka the best day of my life. We came up with some ideas and I felt super important, having been asked [for] my opinions.”

That decision to minor in marketing helped to expose her to media history, not just modern media, and ultimately led Crispino to her favorite class to date. It was on a whim that she signed up for it, since she needed something to fill an AOK requirement. Taught by Professor Jason Whitesel, PhD, Crispino was at first apprehensive about taking it. The course? Gay Male Experiences. “It ended up being my favorite class! I learned so much, and being able to empathize and understand the LGBTQA+ community a little better, and it has given me so much joy and respect for others.”

This fall semester, she’ll be working for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Her interview tips? “Bring a few copies of your resume because you never know how many people might be interviewing you, and just be yourself! Employers don’t want to hire people who seem like the perfect candidate—they want people who are willing to learn and can grow from the experience.”