Through his pursuit of a dual degree in Chinese and Political Science, Tenzin Dawa Thargay has been exposed to many thought-provoking issues that have changed his views on the world and international relations. Tenzin discusses his background as a first-generation Tibetan-American and shares his thoughts on the humanistic and political aspect of his education and what he plans to do after graduation.

A global traveler and award-winning reporter, Peter Breslow '77 boasts decades of work for National Public Radio (NPR), the Washington, D.C.-based news syndicate that serves nearly 1,000 member stations across the country. He talks about his work in the field of journalism, his progression through the ladder of positions, and the skills UMass gave him to get there.

A double major in Dance and Kinesiology, Emma George ‘18 is focused on the human body: when it works the way it should, and when it doesn’t. Her passion for dance started when she was just four years old. Emma is currently working with one of her professors on a dance intervention for people with Huntington’s disease. She eventually hopes to work for Cirque du Soleil and intertwine work with travel. She also wants to become a physical therapist, helping dancers and other athletes heal and recover from injuries.

As an artist and member of intersecting communities, Taylor Lopatofsky has experimented with many mediums, ultimately landing on a digitally-based, interdisciplinary work. She discusses her current projects, faculty partnerships, and the crucial role art plays in the mind.

Julio Capó, Jr., assistant professor of history, was recently published in TIME magazine, having authored an editorial article about the historical geography, immigration, and queer movements of Miami; this city, which he approaches as the setting for the film Moonlight, is also the cultural centerpiece of much of his research. He discusses this research, its modern context, and his recent recognitions at UMass and abroad.

Marianna Ritchey, assistant professor of music history in the Department of Music & Dance, discovered a deep interest in music as an undergraduate at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. Ritchey currently focuses her research on young American composers in the contemporary capitalist landscape. With roots as an indie-rock musician, Ritchey approaches a diverse array of musical styles in her teaching and writing as culturally important and significant.