SUNY New Paltz alumna Sophia Singer ’24 (Digital Media Production) has her foot in the door of the entertainment industry, and now she’s propping it open for future generations of New Paltz graduates.  

Singer was instrumental in arranging a set visit for 14 members of Hawk Studios, the campus TV station, to attend a taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Nov. 20.  

Singer, Hawk Studios' former vice president, currently works for the CBS Page Program in New York City, where she asked if the group could attend a show.  

"I thought it was going to be a big, far-fetched thing, but they said ‘Yeah, we can arrange that,’” said Singer.  

The group not only had the opportunity to see stars like Paul Mescal, Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett as guests on the show, but more importantly were able to see a taping in action as they consider what career path they want to go down. 

“Attending 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' with Hawk Studios was more than just a fun afternoon in the city, it was a great way for our students – whether digital media majors, members of an organization within the Center for Student Media, or just students who have an interest in television/late night – to experience it firsthand,” said Valerie Turco '05 (Communication Media) '10g (Humanistic-Multicultural Ed), director of student media.  

The continued connection with the Digital Media & Journalism Department isn’t a surprising one, especially since Singer attributes her early accomplishments to production experiences at her alma mater. 

"I really enjoyed my time at Hawk Studios,” said Singer. “I think if I wasn’t part of that club when I was in New Paltz, I wouldn’t be where I am today in regard to connections that I made and types of projects I got to work on. The club really feels like a mini production studio.” 

Singer’s quick post-graduation success is a clear product of her taking advantage of opportunities that came up while she was a New Paltz student. During her spring semester before graduating, Singer landed an internship at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. With just a cold application on the NBC job site, she knew she would have to nail her interview once she got it. She turned to the Career Resource Center to help make that happen, visiting them multiple times to perfect her interview skills.  

"They helped me practice how to present myself in a more professional way,” she said. 

Having moved onto a one-year program as a CBS page, Singer works in audience management for different shows in the network, with popular ones including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Drew Barrymore Show. 

“The experiences Sophia had in the classroom, when combined with her time at Hawk Studios, set her up for success in working with late night television with Fallon as an intern last spring, and now with Colbert post-graduation,” said Turco. 

And Singer plans to continue to share her experiences with other fellow Hawks in years to come. 

“I only graduated six months ago,” said Singer. “I have a long way to go. When I am further in my career, I want to contribute more back to the New Paltz community. I am happy I was able to do this, even if it was just bringing students to the show.”

To learn more about the Digital Media & Journalism Department, click here.