Media Explorer With Focus: Q+A with Osei Owusu-Afriyie Jr. '24

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Osei Owusu-Afriyie Jr.

Class of 2024

BS in Digital Journalism

How did you become interested in pursuing a BS in Digital Journalism?

I love photography so much. When I was in high school, I would always take the train up and down Manhattan, skating with my friends across the boroughs into Queens and Brooklyn. I would bring my Nikon camera with me and take candid photos of us doing tricks in the alleys in Chinatown and on full-day adventures in Bushwick and Jackson Heights. I love exploring new places and meeting new people, so pursuing a degree in digital journalism to share my work with the world felt natural.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose to attend Pace because I wanted to experience college on a campus with open spaces, nature, and a vibrant community. I think it’s cool to have two campuses, one in New York City and one in Pleasantville, which allows me the opportunity to instantly jump into the bustling city life, while also retreating into a calm, serene Empire State of mind. The social atmosphere is inviting, the academics are rigorous, and the people are engaging. In addition, I am the second generation in my family to attend Pace. When I found out my dad went to Pace, I was ecstatic to continue the legacy of being a Setter. He didn’t attend the Pleasantville campus, so I would be trailblazing the way to greatness in Westchester County. In the last four years, it has been a blessing to continue my education at Pace with friends and family supporting me. Go Setters!

What have your experiences been like with the Media, Communications, and Visual Arts Department? What faculty have been instrumental in your journey?

I love the Media, Communications, and Visual Arts Department. I’ve never met such fun, hardworking people anywhere than right here in Pleasantville. When it comes to making movies and writing stories, the students and faculty come together like one big family to make it happen. Throughout my journey here at Pace, I’ve gotten to know so many experienced and talented faculty such as professors Kate Fink and Paul Ziek.

I chose to attend Pace because I wanted to experience college on a campus with open spaces, nature, and a vibrant community. I’ve never met such fun, hardworking people anywhere than right here in Pleasantville.

What activities and organizations have you been involved with as a student?

This year, I joined The Pace Chronicle and I love writing for our student newspaper. I never really joined clubs during my time at Pace until my last year, but I feel that the Chronicle is one of the most inclusive groups on campus. Everyone gets to pitch a story, pursue a lead, and have fun. I think that the supportive and friendly atmosphere of the MCVA Department is something that nourishes the tired soul of a Setter in their senior year quite well. Currently, I am working as a podcasting intern on the What’s Pleasant? podcast, a faculty-led, student-run podcast focusing on campus events and student life in Pleasantville.

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

Recently, I’ve started my own digital publication called Fountain, a satirical magazine about skateboarders and their unorthodox lifestyles in New York City. I would like to work alongside Pace alumni at News 12 after I graduate. My goal is to enroll in Pace’s online MA in Communications and Digital Media and eventually focus on Fountain full-time.

What advice would you like to give to our current students?

Explore everything you want to do and immerse yourself in campus life. Four years go by incredibly fast, so enjoy your time here and make the most of it. Also, remember that college isn’t the only time in your life when you’ll have the most fun. If you’re doing it right, life will continuously get better. Take time to relax, do your homework, and make new friends.