Media Production

Tea(house) party

Jayden Fortner — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:16:22 +0000

Tea(house) party Jayden Fortner Thu, 06/04/2026 - 13:16 Hannah Stewart

Hundreds of pieces of what appears to be a deconstructed Tajik teahouse like the one in downtown Boulder were found in crates in a Maryland barn. Last summer, a team from CMDI traveled across the country to document the crates' contents. Photo by Eloisa Samper.

Being behind the camera has always been Eloisa Samper’s cup of tea.

As a child, she would simply “capture moments,” but by the time she was in high school, she was taking photos and videos for their sports teams, even making a documentary for one of them. So when it came time to choose a college major, media production at 91��ý’s College of Communication, Media, Design and Information was obvious.

But before she even attended her first class, she had an opportunity most first-year students could only dream of: With her camera, she helped a professor document and authenticate a rediscovered teahouse, packed in dozens of boxes, that had been sitting in a Maryland barn for more than 20 years.

“I would have never considered that this would be a possibility,” she said. “I felt like an archaeologist, almost—like I'm gonna be part of the next big thing.”

And that’s exactly Nate Jones’ hope.

Jones, a lecturer in the environmental design department at CMDI, said he wouldn’t call himself an expert of Tajik teahouses, but he “knows enough to be dangerous.”

As the assistant director of advising and professional development at CMDI, Jones facilitates opportunities for students to get hands-on experience during their undergraduate years. One way has been connecting architecture students with the Tajik artisans who periodically come to Colorado to perform maintenance on Boulder’s teahouse; since 2016, Jones has been on the board of Boulder-Dushanbe Sister Cities.

A tale of twin teahouses

There had long been whispers about a second teahouse made by the same craftsmen, but records of it had been lost to time—until a contractor was hired to clear out a barn in Maryland and he stumbled upon the disassembled pieces.

His research into what he had found led that contractor to a book, An Architecture of Dialogue: Learning from the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, about Boulder’s teahouse. He then reached out to Jones—who co-authored the book with Shawhin Roudbari, an associate professor of architecture, and Kate Sector Gregg (EnvDes’19)—to see if he could help.

Given his involvement on the Boulder board, Jones contacted a group of Tajik investors who had long expressed interest in creating a cultural center in Colorado. Perhaps, he thought, if the crates could be authenticated, the building could be brought here, studied and reassembled into such a community space.

He reconnected with Sector Gregg, who worked on a Dushanbe teahouse restoration as a student; she now works at a Texas-based architecture firm that does both new construction and historic preservation work. Jones also wanted student help in documenting the process, eventually choosing Samper.

Not all the pieces found in the crates were completely finished. "There were all these things that I think the artists had packed knowing they would want them for the future assembly," said Kate Sector Gregg (EnvDes'19). Photo by Eloisa Samper.

“When you bring together students and professionals, that’s where the magic happens,” Jones said.

The trio embarked on a three-day trip to Maryland. Photos, video footage and rudimentary 3D scans of various pieces in the crates were sent to the Tajik artisans behind Boulder’s teahouse.

“The artists looked at the pieces and they said, ‘We know that work. That was us. We never knew what happened to this,’” Jones said.

He hopes the crates will be sent to Boulder, so their contents can be more thoroughly documented. For example, using lidar would enable the team to create a 3D rendering of the building. Since no blueprints exist, Samper’s photos and initial scans will be key in understanding how the pieces fit together.

“Eloisa represents the first in a hopefully long line of students and other folks in the college participating in this project,” Jones said. “Hopefully we can get the thing here and get students and faculty from other departments involved, too.”

For now, the experience has confirmed for Samper that media production was the right move for her. She said she loved having the opportunity to not only work alongside faculty on a once-in-a-lifetime project, but to connect with the contractor who found the pieces.

“It definitely showed me how much I love documentary work, and it genuinely brought me so much joy,” she said. “I’m confident it’s something that will help me move on to bigger projects in the future.”

Over the course of three days last summer, Nate Jones, Eloisa Samper and Kate Sector Gregg photographed and documented hundreds of pieces they believe belong to a lost Tajik teahouse. Eventually, Jones hopes the pieces can come to Colorado for more students and faculty throughout CMDI to get involved in the project. Photos courtesy of Eloisa Samper and Kate Sector Gregg.

Hannah Stewart graduated in 2019 with a degree in communication. She covers student news at the college.

Before even attending her first class in CMDI, first-year student Eloisa Samper was part of a small team sent to Maryland to authenticate a long-forgotten Tajik teahouse.

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2 minutes with: Brooklyn Sadler

Ellie Chase — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:00:02 +0000

2 minutes with: Brooklyn Sadler Ellie Chase Tue, 06/02/2026 - 15:00 Hannah Stewart

“Growing up as a twin, I was consistently referred to as a unit instead of an individual, and I became accustomed to it,” said Brooklyn Sadler, a third-year media production major. “And when I decided to take a series of self-portraits for a class project, I was originally going to use my twin sister.”

We sat down with Sadler to learn more about how a seemingly basic assignment turned into a deep dive into her own identity.

Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Sadler.

Responses edited for length and clarity.

You were going to use your sister for a self-portrait?
Yeah, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do at first, and when she fell through, I had to rethink my approach. My process is to see what feels right, and for these photos, I wanted to try something different, like with double exposure.

Interesting—double exposure almost leans into the idea of twins. Tell me how you found yourself through the process.
Well, I wanted to show how I’ve grown out of that, which you see through the symbolism of the flowers growing in my hair, and the butterfly. The central element to these photos is the long exposure transparent faces, which I used to illustrate the falsehood of that “unit” idea I held.

It also helps to have your own work—something you can call your own. So, becoming a filmmaker and a photographer has helped me realize that I am my own individual. And even though my sister has helped me with sound design for another project, she’s a psychology major, so that helps, too.

Is identity a major theme in your work?
This was actually the first time I explored it visually. Nature is where my biggest interest lies—I camp a lot—that’s where I base a lot of my work around.

When you’re not behind the camera or camping, what else do you do?
I’m a dog groomer! And I also recently toured the radio station with my class, so I’m thinking about getting involved in that.

Hannah Stewart graduated from CMDI in 2019 with a degree in communication. She covers student news for the college.

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CMDI brings the conversation on immigration to center stage

Joe Arney — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:33:18 +0000

CMDI brings the conversation on immigration to center stage Joe Arney Thu, 10/16/2025 - 14:33

Joe Arney

Courtesy Motus Theater

For the first two years of its existence, the CMDI Distinguished Speaker Series has invited nationally recognized guests to provide insights on relevant topics like how technology encodes inequality into its products and services, and how to remedy a deeply polarized society.

While the focus on impact and important topics is the same, this year, the college invited local voices to share the stage and lead a conversation on immigration.

Boulder-based Motus Theater, which creates original works to facilitate dialogue on important contemporary issues, will stage a performance that will be followed by a panel discussion featuring journalists from The Colorado Sun, 9News and Colorado Public Radio.

If you go

What: Reapproaching Media and Migration

When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, CASE Chancellor’s Hall, fourth floor.

Who: Motus Theater, which brings silenced histories and marginalized voices to the stage, will give a performance of UndocuAmerica, followed by a panel conversation featuring local journalists.

Why: The CMDI Distinguished Speaker Series showcases some of the most pressing challenges of our time and invites future journalists, communicators, designers and technologists to consider their responsibilities as citizens and storytellers.

The event is open to all members of the 91��ý community and the public.

Learn more

“What this series demonstrates is that CMDI is at the center of important conversations in our society,” said Nabil Echchaibi, associate dean of scholarly and creative work at CMDI and a professor of media studies. “We’re not just isolated in our own world. What we teach, what we do research on, what we explore creatively, it all has direct relevance to the world.”

Echchaibi encountered Motus as an advisor to one of the company’s performances, and invited the group to participate in a seminar class he taught a few years ago to help the students sharpen their media literacy skills.

“One of the things Motus excels at is reframing the conversation about these communities, around undocumented immigration,” Echchaibi, noting the company has been doing such productions since 2011.

UndocuAmerica, the project Motus will perform at CMDI, was created to counter the dehumanizing portrayal of immigrants through thoughtful engagement on the challenges facing the undocumented community, as well as the assets new arrivals bring to the United States. Motus works with leaders from the undocumented community to help them write powerful stories about their lives and experiences, then showcases them in moving monologues.

Echchaibi said he hopes the audience of communicators, storytellers and designers leaves with a better understanding of “our obligation as citizens, neighbors, journalists and educators to immigrant justice and honoring life for everyone.”

“I see CMDI as a convener of these conversations at a time when fewer people are having them,” he said. “We want to give a sense of perspective, some clarity about what we are all dealing with on a daily basis. Those conversations don’t only happen in the classroom—we are trying to foster a culture of meaningful and constructive discussion about issues of great public concern.”

Joe Arney covers research and general news for the college.

A performance by Motus Theater headlines this year’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

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Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Amanda J. McManus — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:44:19 +0000

Congratulations, Class of 2025! Amanda J. McManus Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:44

More than 900 graduates were celebrated at CMCI’s annual recognition ceremony this past May. Our newest class of Forever Buffs arrived amid pandemic and leave as outstanding scholars and accomplished leaders.

View the 2025 Graduation Celebration

William W. White honorees
Meet the most outstanding students from each CMCI major, as chosen by our faculty.

‘A rock star who is going places’
The top student in her class, Sarah Carleo, discovered her passion for public relations as a student. She’s now off to Next PR, where she previously was a standout summer intern.

Getting the message
Andrew Johnson made the most of a New York City internship with BBH USA. The top strategic communication major is thrilled to return in an account management role as he gets another bite at the Big Apple.

Bylines are fine, but…
Most college students would be thrilled at getting an Associated Press byline. So is Celia Frazier, but she measures her work in impact, not clips. She graduated as CMCI’s top journalism major.

Meet the environmental design Class of 2025
Get to know some oustanding seniors and watch the recognition ceremony.

Celebrating ENVD

Connections through design
For Serena Langdon-Dimidjian, a graduate with a dual degree in architecture and ethnic studies, design is about building community, asking deeper questions and making space for connection.

"Everything you’ve done up to this moment has prepared you to succeed in a world where you can feel the ground moving under your feet.

Lori Bergen, PhD
Founding Dean
CMCI

Our newest class of Forever Buffs arrived amid pandemic and leave as outstanding scholars and accomplished leaders.

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Class of 2024: William W. White Honorees

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2024 23:17:34 +0000

Class of 2024: William W. White Honorees Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/01/2024 - 17:17

William W. White Outstanding Seniors are chosen by department faculty to recognize academic merit, professional achievement and service to the college. The Outstanding Graduate award honors the CMCI student with the highest overall GPA in his or her graduating class.

White, a Boulder native, graduated from CU’s School of Journalism in 1933. He was a reporter in Boulder, Denver and New York before becoming the foreign editor of Time from the early 1940s through the mid-1950s, based in London, Brazil and Montreal. At the advice of his friend Edward R. Murrow, who told him “it doesn’t matter what you do, what matters is that you do it where you want to live,” White returned to Boulder, where he started the White and White public relations firm. White and his wife, Connie, established this endowment in 1998.

Meet our graduates and read their stories.

Andrew Schwartz: College of Media, Communication and Information

Andrew's advice to students is to try everything and talk to as many people as you can—especially outside your major. That way, you'll broaden your perspective.

When it comes to impact and being able to make something I’m proud of, a big part of that is being able to make technology for the people to use it, and make things that people enjoy using and improve their lives. Info places a big emphasis on that."

Lisa An: Department of Critical Media Practice

Lisa started her CU career as a computer science major before switching to media production. She said this was one of the best decisions she ever made because through the program, she discovered a passion for photography.

"I learned that keeping your work to yourself because of the fear of not being good enough does no good. If you share your work and receive feedback, you are able to improve your craft and obtain opportunities you otherwise never would have been able to.

Elijah Boykoff: Department of Information Science

Going into college, Elijah's goals for himself were to learn as much as he could and make it to the finish line. He says he's made good on those goals, and this award is an exciting bonus.

Your professors are people just like you. Get to know them—if you are able to resonate with your professors on a deeper level, you will be much more enriched by the knowledge they have to share."

Bianca Perez: Departments of Communication, Media Studies

Bianca is the first CMCI graduate to win outstanding student honors from two different majors. She's now off to a prestigious Ph.D. program.

"What I have is like a wish coming true. You can work very hard and that can still not be enough, and I’ve seen that happen to people around me my whole life.

Sujei Perla Martinez: Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design

For Sujei, a first-generation college student, graduating means she's carving a new path for her family.

My community helped foster a place for self-discovery and encouraged me to be unapologetically myself while helping me grow within my values and beliefs."

Nic Tamayo: Department of Journalism

Nic's CMCI experience in three words: fulfilling, inspired, treasured.

"I will take with me the connections I’ve been able to make with people from so many corners of life. They’ve taught me lessons that I may never have learned without their friendship and mentorship.

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Outstanding senior: Lisa An

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2024 22:39:07 +0000

Outstanding senior: Lisa An Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/01/2024 - 16:39

Iris Serrano

Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm’18)

“Unpredictable” is how Lisa An describes her college experience.

“I learned that keeping your work to yourself because of the fear of not being good enough does no good. If you share your work and receive feedback, you are able to improve your craft and obtain opportunities you otherwise never would have been able to.”
Lisa An

She felt pressured to pursue a computer science major, in preparation for a technical career path, but realized it wasn’t her calling. Eventually, she came across media production and enjoyed the creative freedom that came with it.

“It ended up being one of the best decisions I made,” An said. “I often struggle to find the right words to describe what I'm feeling. With photography, I’m able to create something where the emotion I pour into the piece can speak for itself.”

She carried her curiosity and love for creativity and completed a second major in Art Practices with minors in Art History and Sociology. Now she’s graduating as the William W. White Outstanding Senior for the Department of Critical Media Practices. The White awards are chosen by CMCI faculty and honor students for their academic accomplishments, professional achievements and service to the college.

The award didn’t come without hard work and effort. An has completed countless projects for her media production classes, but the one that stood out most was a book she made compiling her photography and design work. It was, she said, “rewarding to see my creation come to life physically, as well as being a part of the entire process of creating something.”

She has also completed an internship at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, which she said gave her a clearer picture of what to expect in the field after graduation.

Her path may not have been linear, but she said that journey helped her surround herself with friends who guided her on the way.
“One thing I’ll miss is the sense of community and support I received from my professors and peers. I could feel that they all genuinely cared for my success and pushed me to produce work that I could be proud of,” An said.

Iris Serrano is studying strategic communication and journalism at CMDI. She covers student news and events for the college.

Photographer Kimberly Coffin graduated from CMDI in 2018 with degrees in Media Production and Strategic Communication.

The outstanding senior in the Department of Critical Media Practices, Lisa said her winding path helped her meet mentors and friends that set her up to succeed.

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Student Work Gallery: Spring 2024

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:26:40 +0000

Student Work Gallery: Spring 2024 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/27/2024 - 14:26

CMCI students from all departments develop their portfolios through classes, competitions, internships and more.

Here we have collected a variety of student work that highlights their personal and professional passions explored during their academic careers at 91��ý.

View the work

Students across CMCI find ways to bring together their personal interests and academic pursuits. Since the college’s founding, we have showcased this diverse collection of student work.

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Student Work Gallery: Fall 2023

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 20:22:36 +0000

Student Work Gallery: Fall 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/01/2023 - 14:22

What's the catch?

There’s no getting back the one that got away, but a prototype app designed by a group of recent graduates could help anglers identify the fish they do catch.

COAI (for Colorado A.I.; pronounced “koi”) Fish, designed by Kendall Fronabarger, Ken Vue and Emerson Swan (all InfoSci’23), is especially aimed at those new to the sport who are curious about the fish they’re catching in Colorado’s waters. The app uses a modified machine learning tool that matches photos uploaded by users to a registry of Colorado species built by the students.

Art as activism

CMCI students are encouraged to use their creativity in building projects that allow them to interpret or reflect upon the challenges facing society. Mixed-media work in the last year has focused on topics such as the climate crisis, the plight of refugees and the struggle for gender equality.

Jamie Chihuan (StratComm’23),
“Soon we will all have nowhere to go”

Citlally Ruedas, strategic communication,
“Homero Gomez”

Isabella Pao, strategic communication,
“I am a woman, I exist”

Pablo Aziz, critical media practices,
“Women demand peace and justice”

Sharing student perspectives

Students across CMCI find ways to bring together their personal interests and academic pursuits. Since the college’s founding, we have regularly showcased this diverse collection of student work.

See more student projects or submit your work for gallery consideration →

McKenzie Jenkins (StratComm’22), Josh Harman (StratComm’23)

Katya Bollong (StratComm’23)

Hailey Schalk, communication

Olivia Lieberman (CritMedia’23)

Sophie Gould, TEDxCU executive board (Comm’23)

Noya Kinsland, critical media practices

Kelsie Kerr (MediaSt, Film’23)

Kara Wagenknecht (Jour’23)

Students across CMCI find ways to bring together their personal interests and academic pursuits. Since the college’s founding, we have showcased this diverse collection of student work.

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CMCI goes to Washington

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:21:11 +0000

CMCI goes to Washington Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/22/2023 - 13:21

Hannah Stewart

It’s an early Wednesday morning in July, yet it seems most of Washington, D.C., has already been up for hours.

Riders swarm the Metro on their way to work. Above ground, everyone from power brokers to power couples crowd local coffee shops while runners squeeze in a jog.

Amid the bustle, four students from 91��ý are headed to their internships, where they are responsible for public relations at The Hill, covering news in real time and managing sound at a multimedia festival.

“This is such a great program because you get professional experience,” said Reede Ottenstein (CritMedia’23). “You’ll feel so much better when you graduate, and you’ll have a better idea of what you want to do.”

Through the support of CMCI in D.C.—a semester-long study abroad-style program in Washington—Ottenstein landed an internship with Capital Fringe. This multiday, multimedia festival was particularly enticing since she focused on sound design as a CMCI student. She even had the chance to work with the audio engineers for the performances.

“In my classes, I was learning sound and audio,” Ottenstein said. “Now that I’ve interned with this festival, I will get to take what I learned and put it in a real-world context.”

Students in this program earn both class and internship credit during a semester or summer session in Washington. In addition to learning from guest speakers—many of whom are program alumni and media professionals—students have the chance to explore the city, both on assignment and for personal enrichment. Along the way, they discover new passions and opportunities for growth while forming close bonds as peers.

“Washington, D.C., is an incredible place to spend a semester,” said Lori Bergen, CMCI founding dean. “The communications, media and information landscape is a laboratory for new ideas about how to inform, influence and inspire people.”

CMCI students on their D.C. experiences

"The Hill has been very eye-opening and has shown me what the real world of PR looks like. Connecting with people is something that really holds true to me.

Michael Bass
Intern, The Hill

“You get to experience a new American city and learn from great professors.

Jenna Gainsboro
Intern, D.C. Witness

CMCI’s partner in delivering the program, the Washington Media Institute, encourages students to develop new skills through practical learning in the field.

For instance, media studies junior Jenna Gainsboro tried her hand at court reporting. An illness in Gainsboro’s youth led to seemingly endless days reading and watching television, inspiring her to pursue a career  in media. She spent a previous semester writing for a fashion magazine, but with this new opportunity, she wanted something different.

“They pitched me this internship with D.C. Witness in a social justice kind of way,” Gainsboro said. “I appreciate how individualized it is. They really work with you to find  an internship that will give you the experience you need.”

“The fact that internships are hand-selected for our students gives them an advantage in getting settled in this exciting city and building professional and personal relationships that will last a lifetime.
—Dean Lori Bergen

That feature helps the program stand out among other experiential-learning opportunities.

As part of the application process, staff from WMI interview students to assess their career goals, then identify ideal internships for each student. WMI staff also use their Washington networks to bring in guest lecturers and instructors for classes.

“I know that every time I come to class, we’re going to be doing something that might be challenging in the moment, but is still helpful and a good experience for my growth,” said senior Tessa Stigler, a journalism student who interned at Voice of America.

After graduation, she hopes to be a multimedia journalist. Although she’s had an “overwhelmingly positive experience” in her classes in Boulder, she said this program has helped her see new aspects of the media.

“It’s interesting to see how different everybody’s internships are, and the different skills they’re focusing on,” Stigler said. “CMCI in D.C. encourages you to get career minded, feel set up to graduate and know that you can get something afterward.”

Hannah Stewart graduated from CMDI in 2019 with a degree in communication. She covers student news for the college.

CMCI in D.C. is open to all CMCI majors and minors.

This unique, immersive experience allows students to develop skills directly related to their career aspirations, and includes a customized internship tailored to each participant’s career aspirations. Students may apply to be part of the program in any semester.

Learn more and apply

CMCI in D.C. is helping students discover new passions and grow—personally and professionally—as they prepare for careers in media.

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Identity Through Art

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 06:22:33 +0000

Identity Through Art Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/26/2022 - 00:22

Hannah Stewart

Art by Jamie Chihuan

As a child, Jamie Chihuan would go to his grandmother’s house and see paintings of brightly colored desert landscapes and other Incan art. Years later, a high school art class helped him realize he wanted to create paintings of his own.

“The projects we did helped me focus my creativity,” he said. “I thought, ‘What if I become an artist or graphic designer?’”

Chihuan now explores his interest in visual arts by incorporating it into his collegiate studies and internships. Eventually, he hopes to use these experiences to build a creative agency.

Since coming to 91��ý, Chihuan has created a niche for himself as a strategic communication major minoring in media production. As a multimedia artist, he enjoys finding ways to incorporate his art—largely inspired by his Latino identity and other personal experiences—into professional settings.

“When I first started, I found it very hard as a 19-year-old Mexican kid. People never took me seriously,” he said.

Chihuan explores everything from painting to videography, and his surrealist paintings attract the most attention. In spring 2022, his artwork was displayed at the Museum of Boulder’s Voces Vivas exhibit, which showcases the stories of early Boulder County Latino families.

“Jamie’s painting is intriguing,” community curator Linda Arroyo-Holstrom said. “I embrace the idea that we all have sacred knowledge within us. The painting is like an embrace to our reciprocal relationship with nature and ‘homelands.’”

As a student, Chihuan’s love of art has blossomed into a love of visual communication. Following his passion, Chihuan searched for internship opportunities focused on visual production.

“I really wanted to get into somewhere where I could start doing content creation,” he said.

In March, he began a six-month internship with cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks. He received daily assignments to interview colleagues and create videos for internal teams like sales and marketing. One video he loved creating was a multimedia documentary incorporating animation, footage and archival material.

“I am able to take the documentary practices I have learned at CU and apply them to my process at Palo Alto Networks,” Chihuan said.

Chihuan also applies his training in graphic design and media production to his own passion projects. He sells his art online through a website he calls A Deal in Hell, its name inspired by Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. He plans to grow this company into a creative agency capable of producing a variety of work.

As a Latino in the art and media world, Chihuan has experienced and overcome doubts, but through his work as a content creator, he has found new ways to apply his artistic skills. As he heads toward graduation and his own career, he hopes to inspire others to pursue their own creative passions.

Hannah Stewart graduated from CMDI in 2019 with a degree in communication. She covers student news for the college.

Strategic communication major Jamie Chihuan loves visual communication. Through his art and internship with Palo Alto Networks, he explores these skills while balancing an art career and blossoming business venture.

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