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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Beyond NYU

Each week, WSN sits down with an NYU student, faculty member or alum who’s making change beyond the university.

A woman smiling against a black background with the words “N.Y.U. BEYOND” written to the left.

Beyond NYU: Opening doors to STEM for students of color nationwide

Inspired by her experiences as an NYU graduate student, Jaycee Holmes hopes to welcome more people of color and women into the computer science industry.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor December 5, 2024

When Tisch alum Jaycee Holmes was an undergraduate student at Spelman College — a historically Black, women’s university — the maker space lab for students consisted of one...

A close-up shot of a man wearing a blue-striped shirt and brown pants sitting in a floral-decorated staircase with big white words that say “BEYOND N.Y.U.”

Beyond NYU: From 8th-grade star to Broadway regular

Adi Roy scored his first professional role as an NYU sophomore. Now, he’s playing the iconic Disney prince that we all know and love.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 21, 2024

Former Tisch and Courant student Adi Roy first played Aladdin on stage in his middle school’s production of “Aladdin Jr.” At that time, he hadn’t even seen the popular...

A girl standing next to a lifesized cardboard cutout of herself, with the words “BEYOND N.Y.U.” written to her left.

Beyond NYU: Turning a creative outlet into a personal brand

Just like many of us, Stern junior Gracie Palumbo-Alkire used to wind down by watching TikTok videos before bed. Now, millions of people are tuning in to watch hers.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 14, 2024

In high school, Stern junior Gracie Palumbo-Alkire would go about her daily life of rigorous classes and sports practices, and get ready for bed — pausing her nightly routine...

A man standing in a suit holding a trophy, with “STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS” written on the wall behind him and “BEYOND NYU” written to the right.

Beyond NYU: Documenting human rights abuses on camera

NYU journalism alum Rishabh Jain hopes to make a difference through creating documentaries highlighting peoples’ stories.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 7, 2024

As NYU alum Rishabh Jain created his thesis documentary while studying graduate journalism in the News & Documentary program, he never could have predicted that it would win...

A man posing in front of a white backdrop with the words “Beyond N.Y.U.” illustrated next to him.

Beyond NYU: From high school debate to the Broadway stage

Nihar Duvvuri attended the Tisch School of the Arts for over a year before deciding to redirect and pursue acting full-time. Now, he’s performing in “Romeo and Juliet” on Broadway.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 24, 2024

Former NYU Tisch student Nihar Duvvuri did not have a theater program in his high school — his only acting at that time were 10-minute performances for the speech and debate...

A black and white image of a woman with the words “BEYOND N.Y.U.” illustrated next to her.

Beyond NYU: How a Tony Award-winning director took a passion for performance

Rachel Chavkin, director of the Broadway show “Hadestown,” jump-started her career with five of her Tisch classmates by her side.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 17, 2024

The most important course of Tisch alum Rachel Chavkin’s life took place from 7-10 p.m. every Sunday night. In that experimental theater class at NYU, titled “Creating Original...

A man wearing an all black outfit and a bright orange beanie watches a monitor. Behind him are crew members wearing black, one of whom is holding a camera.

Beyond NYU: From moviegoer to festival screener

ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby spoke with WSN about his journey as an Indigenous filmmaker, his creative influences and how his identity has been shaped by the cinematic art.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 10, 2024

Tisch Graduate Film alum ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby began his filmmaking journey in a high school class in Michigan. Now, McSauby’s films depicting modern Native stories — inspired...

A brunette girl wearing a white top smiling, standing against a green wall, with the words “BEYOND N.Y.U" illustrated next to her.

Beyond NYU: How a Gallatin alum built her brand up from flea markets to fashion shows

Dissatisfied with her experiences in the fashion industry, Leah Gans decided to change the trajectory of her career by creating a clothing label.
Aashna Miharia, News Editor September 30, 2024

Gallatin alum Leah Gans came to NYU with a passion for fashion, but left with a degree in the psychology field. Now, she’s hitting rewind and teaching herself how to channel...

A man with his arms crossed smiles at the camera. To his left, “BEYOND N.Y.U.” is written in bold white text.

Beyond NYU: Taking mind control past ‘science fiction’ and into the world

CAS alum Aryan Govil first developed a mind-controlled wheelchair as a junior at NYU. Now, he hopes to gain FDA approval and bring his revolutionary invention to aid people worldwide.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 19, 2024

CAS alum Aryan Govil came up with a life-changing idea while bored in a biochemistry class at NYU: a way to make mind control a reality. In the summer after his junior year, Govil...

A girl sitting at a piano looks back while playing. “BEYOND” is drawn behind her and “N.Y.U.” is illustrated over a T.V. in light purple.

Beyond NYU: Writing songs for TikTok and the stage

Steinhardt alum Grace Yurchuk uses her virality on social media to propel her music career forward. Now, she aspires to write for the Broadway stage.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 5, 2024

Growing up, Steinhardt alum Grace Yurchuk always wrote songs in her childhood bedroom — that is, until she produced and released her first single from her Third Avenue North...

A girl smiling for a photo on the sidewalk. “BEYOND N.Y.U.” is written in white font in the top left corner.

Beyond NYU: Maintaining memories through shared albums

How a Tandon student is helping college students keep connections from a night out.
Aashna Miharia, Deputy News Editor May 2, 2024

Tandon student Alexandra Debow always dreaded having to say goodbye to strangers after a night out. After many nights out and multiple missed connections, she decided to create...

The words “BEYOND NYU” next to a woman holding a book.

Beyond NYU: Writing to help women combat social media’s toxic impact

Kara Alaimo used her interest in gender studies to help create sustainability goals within the United Nations, write articles for CNN Opinion and publish books.
Aashna Miharia, Deputy News Editor April 18, 2024

CAS alum Kara Alaimo is encouraging women to overcome the problematic nature of social media through her new book, “Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and...