Cynthia Leung's path to Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) began with an interest in language and the power of storytelling.
At CUNY Brooklyn College, Leung studied how language shapes power, identity and selfhood. She initially imagined that interest leading to law school, but her experience at the Vera Institute of Justice introduced her to another possibility: using media and storytelling to influence how people understand social issues.
Now a student in the M.S. in Strategic Communication and a recipient of the Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship, Leung is exploring how narrative change strategies can be incorporated into commercially successful media. She hopes to eventually build a production company centered on that work.
In the following Q&A, Leung reflects on her path from CUNY to Columbia, the role the fellowship has played in her graduate experience and the kind of storyteller she hopes to become.
Could you tell us about your background and your path from CUNY to Columbia SPS?
CUNY Brooklyn College really cultivated my love for learning. I learned from great instructors who reignited my love for the written word. In my classes, I studied how language shapes power and selfhood, analyzing the political rhetoric of the "Oresteia" and exploring how Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's "Dictee" ties language to identity.
I initially thought my reverence for language would aid in my path to law school, but life had different plans for me. I wanted to fully express my passion for storytelling in film, television and other forms of media.
My experience at the Vera Institute of Justice taught me how narrative change through the media could be just as impactful as practicing law in the broader landscape of social change.
What drew you to the Strategic Communication program?
I was drawn to the Strategic Communication program because of its mission to develop tomorrow's leaders in media. The faculty are all incredibly accomplished, and I knew that their mentorship and instruction would empower me to excel in any space I enter.
What has receiving the Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship meant to you, and how has it shaped your experience at Columbia?
Receiving the fellowship in recognition of my achievements and vision for impact was incredibly validating.
In my application, I wrote about my hopes to leverage my education to create a narrative-change-driven production company. Receiving this fellowship meant that the school believed in me, which empowered me even more to pursue this dream.
Receiving full-tuition support while being able to take advantage of Columbia's resources also allows me to focus on building that dream without worrying about debt.
The fellowship has also given me a community I would not otherwise have had. Our cohort is incredibly tight-knit. We prefer to spend our free time on campus with each other.
Graduate school can sometimes feel alienating because you may not have the same community you had as an undergraduate, and you are also given less support in shaping your career. The support and network offered by this fellowship provide a lot of structure.
Are there any courses, faculty members, projects, or SPS experiences that have been especially meaningful to you?
Ethical Decision Making for Communicators has been an incredibly memorable class for me.
In an age of efficiency, reflective thinking is rarely practiced. Because I want to pursue a career in media and entertainment, having a strong command of ethics is critical to rebuilding trust with the public.
What areas of communication are you most interested in exploring, and how do they connect to your professional goals?
I am most interested in exploring how to embed narrative change strategies into commercially successful media.
My studies invite me to think more deeply about how messages land with larger audiences. As a storyteller, it is easy to become consumed with the messages and stories you want to tell, but it is difficult to anticipate how your words will land with the viewer.
The Strategic Communication program invites students to step outside of themselves and really leverage communication as an emotional tool for connecting with those around them.
By embodying this idea, I plan to produce media that moves people, changes their beliefs and ultimately influences their actions.
What advice would you give to other CUNY students or recent graduates who are considering applying to Columbia SPS?
Really reflect on what drives you to wake up every morning.
Is there a clear throughline that drives your passions and actions? How have your story and your experiences led you to where you are now? What about your unique experiences and voice equips you with the tools to bring something different to the world? If you could change something about the world around you, what would it be, and how would you make it happen?
I hate asking rhetorical questions, but these were the ones I asked myself when crafting my narrative.
About the Strategic Communication Program
Columbia University's M.S. in Strategic Communication program empowers current and aspiring leaders to shape the future through strategic communication. It is designed to respond to the urgent need for global perspectives, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making at all levels of organization. The interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes audience-centered strategy and digital competency. Distinguished scholar-practitioner faculty bring real-world experience into the classroom and provide a learning experience that is immediately relevant in the workplace.
The program is available full-time on campus or part-time online with residencies. The part-time format is ideal for experienced full-time professionals based in or outside the New York metropolitan area. Learn more about the program here.
About the CUNY Fellowship
Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) launched a fellowship program, the Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship, in the 2024–25 school year. Building on the success of the Columbia HBCU Fellowship, this program at SPS aims to provide high-achieving recent CUNY graduates access to Columbia’s vast academic, professional, and community resources. Learn more here.
