Creating Opportunities

By Diana DeLuca ’23, April 21, 2022

Graduate students assist with the running of FLEFF.

Photos of Rachel Rosenberg ’21 MBA ’22 and Paris Buckner MBA ’22

Rachel Rosenberg ’21 MBA ’22 and Paris Buckner MBA ’22 served as outreach and engagement associates for the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF).

(Photos submitted)

Putting on an event as large as the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF) requires a lot of people. For the festival’s 25th anniversary, a collaboration with the Park Center for Independent Media and two students in the college’s entertainment and media management MBA program provided necessary assistance.

Patty Zimmermann, festival co-director and Charles A. Dana professor of screen studies, media arts, sciences and studies, approached Johnine McCarthy, the interim director of the MBA program and an assistant professor of marketing, about a collaboration. They decided to develop the new positions for graduate students to help them build their professional credentials.

Rachel Rosenberg ’21 MBA ’22 and Paris Buckner MBA ’22 were selected to be the first ever outreach and engagement associates for the festival.

For Rosenberg, who had heard about FLEFF since her time as an undergraduate, the timing was perfect.

“The program prepared me to be on my toes, ready for anything and to wear a bunch of different hats. Whether it’s being the one to ask the questions for feedback, working directly under the producer, or simply greeting people at the door, I’m ready to do a little bit of everything.”

Paris Buckner MBA ’22

“I thought it was a great opportunity to finally get involved after all this time,” she said.

Buckner was drawn to the idea of being a part of a community and bringing people together for good causes.

“I loved the fact that it celebrated both local work and work outside of the U.S,” she said.

Due to the largely remote nature of this year’s festival, most of the work the students did was online. Rosenberg worked as an editorial assistant for the 25 for 25 project, where individuals are asked share how the festival has impacted them.

Both students also engaged with festival attendees, monitored zoom events, and managed social media accounts, in addition to producing blog posts highlighting upcoming events.

“We realized that we need to have people who have public relations and community animation skills because we are online,” Zimmermann said. “Zoom increases accessibility, and engagement teams are needed in order for that to succeed.”

“[The students] expanded our world. Their contributions have been massive and important. They’ve helped change FLEFF for the better.”

Patty Zimmermann, co-director of FLEFF

Buckner credits the MBA program with giving her the experience needed to excel in the position.

“The program prepared me to be on my toes, ready for anything and to wear a bunch of different hats,” she said. “Whether it’s being the one to ask the questions for feedback, working directly under the producer, or simply greeting people at the door, I’m ready to do a little bit of everything.”

Rosenberg enjoyed the opportunity to experience something fun and new and hopes to take advantage of similar opportunities in the future.

“I’ve never done something like this before,” she said. “It’s been exciting learning about FLEFF and working with the team. They’re great mentors and helped me a lot coming into this. They’re supportive and open to my ideas which creates a great working environment.”

Zimmermann says Rosenberg and Buckner contributed greatly to the success of the festival’s marketing and engagement.

“They expanded our world,” Zimmermann said. “Their contributions have been massive and important. They’ve helped change FLEFF for the better.”