The Gratitude Project: Thank-You Messages

This will make you smile!

Read this thoughtful collection of thank-you messages from members of our Film & Media community.

Who would you like to thank?

 Click here to submit your message.

Expressing appreciation is one of the simplest and most overlooked professional skills. Join The Gratitude Project and help celebrate the people who make our Film & Media community stronger.

A special thank you to everyone who took the time to participate this past month. Your messages remind us that kindness, mentorship, and support often have a greater impact than we realize.

Your Name	Who would you like to recognize in the Film & Media Dept?	What did this person do that made a difference for you? (2 – 5 sentences):
Samantha Colon	Constanza Salazar	Hi Professor! I just wanted to say thank you for everything this semester. This class really expanded my interest in media studies, and most of the readings genuinely blew my mind. I really appreciate all the kindness, insight, and support you shared with us. I’m also going to find you on LinkedIn so we can stay in touch. Thank you again!
Desirée Honoré	Ricardo Miranda	Thank you for being both a dedicated teacher and a trusted advisor… from being one of my very first professors to becoming a true pillar in my journey toward success. Your continued presence and guidance have shaped my path in more ways than I can express.
Desirée Honoré	Brent Bailey	Thank you for showing me that creativity and fun have a real place in the tech world. You changed the way I approach my work, and that shift has been genuinely transformative.
Desirée Honoré	Brian Maston	Thank you Brian for bringing such warmth and kindness to what could have been a cold winter semester. Your spirit made the class feel welcoming and bright from start to finish.
Desirée Honoré	Lola Samigjonova	Lola, having you as a professor, not once, but twice, has been one of my greatest privileges. Thank you for continuously inspiring me to keep going and keep trying, even when the road feels long.
Desirée Honoré	Betty Yu	Betty, Thank you for being such a meaningful influence on my career, offering not just knowledge but genuine kindness and encouragement every step of the way. Your support in pushing me to further my education is something I will always carry with me.
Desirée Honoré	John Parker	Thank you John for your incredible patience and steady support throughout such an intensive course. Your kindness created exactly the kind of environment that makes it possible to grow, even under pressure.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Anonymous	Jane Stiles (Part-time Faculty)	You made me feel less scared of studying media and pursuing it as a career! It was inspiring to hear about what life would be like for a filmmaker and I wish both of us can keep doing what we are passionate about.
Anonymous	John Parker (Professor)	Their class was so much work, but it was worth it. In class we were able to learn a lot about the interfaces of Photoshop, Illustrator, XD and InDesign. The worksheets we would have to complete made us use all of the tools and I can still refer to them today to remember how to do something.All the homeworks and projects really deepened my ability to use the programs. I really value the way he teaches and I would like to thank him for that.
Anonymous	Professor Andrew Demirjian	Thank you for showing me that logic and creativity can intersect beautifully and giving me the freedom to explore that. It’s been a few years and I am reminded of your class the most when I am presented with similar moments in my work. Thank you.
Isabella Irizarry	Zoha Akhter (Lab Instructor)	She always made me feel welcomed in the class labs, even when I felt shy to share my work. I had been hesitant to actually make films on my own, as I feel better suited for media studies, so I was still somewhat familiar with filming and camerawork.Despite that, I never felt like I was too ashamed to share what I’d made, and even in very high-stress times, I was able to pull through well. I remember Zoha making postcards for all the students during finals, and I still keep that memory very dear to me.To Zoha, thank you for making the lab feel so inviting, and I hope things are going well for you.
Isabella Irizarry	Ryan Purcell (Professor)	He made the History of Radio Broadcasting class incredibly engaging, and I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a class quite like it. The hands-on experiences through taking trips, and Ryan’s genuine passion about radio, made this one of the most interesting classes I’ve had at Hunter so far.On top of that, he was incredibly understanding and patient. I thank him for teaching in such a sincere and fun way, and I hope he continues to teach classes in media studies at Hunter.
Ana Agudelo	David Alm – Professor	David Alm truly recognized my love and passion for journalism. He consistently encouraged me to pursue the stories I wanted to tell and gave me the freedom to express myself creatively.His Magazine Writing and Feature Writing classes were my two favorite courses in Hunter College’s Media Department. It’s bittersweet to know that I won’t have him as a professor again, but I am incredibly grateful for everything I learned from him.He is an outstanding professor, journalist, and person who sees potential in his students and challenges them to become stronger writers with every class.Thank you, David, for your guidance, encouragement, and belief in me. I will forever cherish your classes.
Samuel Clarke	Omar Hammad – Professor & Advisor,Ricardo Miranda – Professor & Advisor,Michael Gitlin – Professor,Constanza Salazar – Professor,Claudia Calhoun – Professor,Aparna Frank – Professor,Amelia Marzec – Professor,Alexandra Pucciarelli – Professor (TA)Celeste Newcomb – Professor (TA)Tiana Ruiz – Professor (TA)Nathan Taubkin – Professor (TA)David Pavlosky – Professor/Internship Director	I, Samuel Clarke, am grateful with the utmost respect to this amazing group of faculty, professors, advisors, teaching assistants, and staff alike for their steady dedication to my growth at Hunter College.Your combined expertise in film and media theory, digital media production practice, and academic advising provided me with both the critical tools and the creative inspiration needed to thrive in the future media industry for a new generation of creators, critics, and analyzers alike.Whether guiding me through complex media concepts, offering invaluable career advice, or supporting me through hands-on technical challenges, every single one of you made a profound impact on my educational journey as a Media Studies student.Your passion for the discipline and commitment to mentorship created an inclusive, collaborative community where I felt a true sense of belonging and support to become a developing media & film maker, designer, and scholar.Thank you all for your time, patience, and generosity, which have left a lasting impression on my academic, personal, and professional future.
Samantha Colon	Professor Jeanie Ahn	Hi Professor!! I just wanted to say thank you for all the support you’ve given me with CIE and in general. You’ve really helped me learn how to build my network and feel more comfortable engaging in professional spaces, and I truly appreciate it. I’m really looking forward to the next CIE event. Thank you again!
Samantha Colon	Tara Chiari	Hi Tara! I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate all the help you’ve given me with my resume and cover letter reviews. The CIE program has given me such important guidance, and it’s really helped me understand how to better tailor my skills and feel more confident in professional spaces. Thank you again for all your support. I hope to see you soon!
Sissel McCarthy	Tara and Jeanie	So grateful to you both for helping our students launch their careers!
Desirée Honoré	Tara Chiari	Tara, thank you for helping me find my path and sense of identity within the arts. Your guidance in navigating my career has been truly invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for the direction you’ve given me.
Desirée Honoré	Jeanie Ahn	Jeanie, Thank you for holding me accountable to my own success and pushing me to recognize capabilities I couldn’t yet see in myself. Your belief in me made all the difference.