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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

Amelia Hernandez Gioia

Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor

Amelia is a first-year studying economics, markets and politics at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. A cinephile at heart, she is always active on her favorite social media platform, Letterboxd. She can usually be found sipping a mocha at Cafe 181, or on Instagram @amelia.h.gioia.

All content by Amelia Hernandez Gioia
(Isabel Albors for WSN)

Wagner’s urban policy program keeps top spot in US News ranking

Other public service schools nationwide applauded the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service for its master’s degree program in urban planning.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor May 7, 2025

NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service ranked No.1 in urban policy in the U.S. News and World Report’s analysis of 268 graduate schools nationwide — marking...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Professors move classes off campus as hundreds protest Trump crackdown on higher ed

Students and faculty escalated the calls for NYU to bolster its resources for international students, including additional legal consultants and immigration-related training for Campus Safety officers.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor April 18, 2025

Around 300 students, faculty and community advocates marched from Washington Square Park to Foley Square on Thursday afternoon in protest of the Trump administration’s student...

(Courtesy of Beau Flynn)

Beyond NYU: From studying at Stern to producing ‘Moana’

Beau Flynn, who graduated from the university in 1993, spoke to WSN about how he found his passion for creativity and worked with industry icons to create dozens of movies.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor April 17, 2025

When NYU alum Beau Flynn was growing up in Miami, he dreamed of working on Wall Street and couldn’t believe his luck when he got there at 18 years old. However, after studying...

NYU’s rendering for the renovated Grand Staircase at the Kimmel Center for University Life. (Courtesy of Joseph Tirella)

NYU to add ‘seating pods’ to Kimmel stairs, redesign lobby

The university has teased plans for its Grand Staircase at the Kimmel Center for University Life since it was initially closed in October 2023 due to “protest activity.”
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor April 16, 2025

For 17 months, the Kimmel Center for University Life’s Grand Staircase — once a hub for student protests — has been walled off, accompanied by rumors of an ongoing renovation....

(Amelia Hernandez Gioia for WSN)

Students petition for clearer protections against ICE

Around 20 students gathered outside Bobst Library to hand off a letter demanding that NYU address the Trump administration’s crackdown on noncitizen students and faculty.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor April 4, 2025

A group of students handed NYU administrators a petition calling on the university to expand protections against immigration authorities on Wednesday morning. The petition states...

Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally in Washington Square Park, Monday, March 31, 2025, in New York. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)

Hundreds march across campus for trans rights

On International Transgender Day of Visibility, advocates took to the streets to protest the Trump administration’s orders against trans rights.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor April 1, 2025

Hundreds marched from Union Square to Washington Square Park on Monday to advocate for transgender rights and accessibility to gender-affirming care in honor of International Transgender...

(Courtesy of Elliot Greenfield)

Beyond NYU: Shaping the image of a top luxury brand

Gallatin alum Elliot Greenfield discussed his journey from a Steinhardt first-year to a leading marketing role at Swarovski, one of the largest jewelry brands worldwide.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 20, 2025

Gallatin alum Elliot Greenfield always had a passion for fashion retail, but didn’t realize that he wanted to academically pursue the field until he started going to NYU. After...

(Maryam Lootah for WSN)

Tensions soar as College Dems and Reps tackle Trump policies on the debate stage

The biannual debate is a decadeslong tradition between the NYU College Democrats and College Republicans, with this semester’s event focusing on policing, tariffs and aid to Ukraine.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 18, 2025

Crime, trade and the Trump administration — today’s top issues took center stage at this semester’s debate between the NYU College Republicans and College Democrats on Thursday....

(Samson Tu for WSN)

‘Better than most’: NYU receives B grade on antisemitism report

The Anti-Defamation League commended the university for “the actions and policies implemented” by NYU leadership “to combat antisemitism” and mitigate pro-Palestinian protest.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 13, 2025

NYU received a B grade in a recent report compiled by the Anti-Defamation League rating responses to antisemitism on 135 college campuses — labeling the university as “better...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Hundreds protest ICE detainment of Mahmoud Khalil in Washington Square Park

The group rallied in Garibaldi Plaza before marching to city hall, where at least 20 protesters were arrested condemning the arrest of a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist.
Alex Woodworth and Amelia Hernandez Gioia March 12, 2025

Hundreds of protesters from Students for Justice in Palestine chapters across New York City joined NYU students in Washington Square Park on Tuesday to condemn the Saturday detainment...

(Courtesy of Philip Pantitanonta)

City Council candidates take on student questions at NYU Dems forum

Four Democrats running to represent lower Manhattan discussed affordable housing, NYU’s tax breaks and congestion pricing at a panel hosted by the NYU College Democrats.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 11, 2025

Four Democratic candidates running to represent Greenwich Village, Gramercy and the East Village campaigned for the student vote at a forum hosted by the NYU College Democrats...

(AnMei Deck for WSN)

Researchers protest Trump cuts to funding in Washington Square Park

Hundreds gathered in the park to advocate for scientific advancement and condemn the Trump administration’s attack on federal research funding.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 10, 2025

Hundreds joined researchers, professors and other community members in Washington Square Park to protest President Donald Trump’s recent cuts to scientific research funding on...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Hundreds protest Trump pause on aid to Ukraine in Astor Place

The demonstrators marched through downtown Manhattan to condemn President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 6, 2025

Hundreds of protesters marched through lower Manhattan on Tuesday to criticize President Donald Trump’s decision to halt U.S. military aid to Ukraine amid its war with Russia.  The...

(Courtesy of Chris Maguire)

Beyond NYU: A Gallatin alum’s journey to crafting Etsy

After Chris Maguire found his passion for interdisciplinary work at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, he collaborated with two other NYU alumni to create one of the best-known online stores for niche gifts and crafts.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 6, 2025

NYU alum Chris Maguire wanted to study video games in college. However, in the early 2000s, he struggled to find colleges that offered video game design as a major, so he was thrilled...

(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)

NYU bars 20-plus law students from Bobst after pro-Palestinian sit-in

Participants in the demonstration said they were unable to access other campus buildings after holding an eight-hour sit-in outside President Linda Mills’ office on the library’s top floor.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor March 5, 2025

NYU has barred nearly 30 law students from entering most university buildings after staging an eight-hour sit-in outside President Linda Mills’ office on Tuesday. The group had...

(Matt Petres for WSN)

Students protest CIA presence at internship fair

NYU’s Students for a Democratic Society cited the agency’s military operations in foreign countries, saying it contradicted the university’s code of ethics.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor February 12, 2025

Dozens of students have signed a petition calling on NYU to uninvite representatives from the CIA to its Wednesday spring internship fair, saying the agency’s work is not aligned...

(Courtesy of Television Academy)

Beyond NYU: Shaping films and shows frame by frame

From NYU Tisch classes to Hollywood’s “Ted Lasso,” alum A.J. Catoline shared his experiences in the world of film editing.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor February 6, 2025

Tisch alum A.J. Catoline always had an interest in film and writing, but he discovered that his true passion was for editing in an NYU filmmaking course. Now, he’s an Emmy-winning...

People rally in front of NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New York. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)

Over 1,000 call on NYU Langone to continue providing gender-affirming care for children

After the medical center reportedly denied treatment to at least two patients, New York Attorney General Letitia James threatened to sue it for violating anti-discrimination laws.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor February 5, 2025

More than 1,000 students, staff and transgender rights activists gathered outside NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital on Monday evening to protest the medical center’s decision...

(Courtesy of Madi Kaplan)

Beyond NYU: Mixing acting with activism

Madi Kaplan, a first-year at NYU, decided to combine her passions for performance and nonprofit work into both a Gallatin concentration and a theater organization.
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor January 30, 2025

Gallatin first-year Madi Kaplan has always loved performing on stage, but she wanted to have a larger role behind the scenes. In high school, she decided to create a space where...