During spring 2024 semester, two CSUSB alumni, Amanda Fernandez ’16 and Aimee Alvarez ’11, partnered with the Department of Communication and Media on a new initiative, "Coyotes to Hollywood and Beyond." This initiative provides a major-media internship pipeline for students seeking internships in Hollywood, Burbank and Palm Springs.

Operating out of the communication and media office at CSUSB, the pipeline is open to students from any discipline. Applicants can apply online for internships with major news, television, motion picture, social media, music, and broadcast outlets.

Since the initiative's launch, Fernandez has successfully established partnerships with divisions of Industry Connexión, MVR Public Relations, Hustle Division, among other companies, with more partnerships to be announced soon. An advisory committee reviews applications and determines eligibility, while Fernandez and Alvarez, who met at CSUSB in 2015, assist in connecting approved applicants with media partners each semester.

Fernandez, currently the film music licensing coordinator for NBC Universal (Universal Pictures and affiliates, including Focus Features, Blumhouse, DreamWorks, and Illumination), has leveraged her extensive industry experience to benefit CSUSB students.

“CSUSB helped me find my first media internship at Rhino Records. That started my career. Within the first few years I knew I wanted to find a way to show other Coyotes how to do the same,” Fernandez shared.

Alvarez is a recording engineer and professional photographer, as well as a former communication specialist for the College of Arts & Letters/Coyote Radio & Advertising. Reflecting on the initiative’s impact, Alvarez said, “CSUSB students have frequently asked how people access these amazing industries in Los Angeles. That’s what inspired Amanda and me to create this unique path to Hollywood media internships.”

Matthew Poole, professor of art history & theory and interim chair of the Department of Communication and Media, praised the initiative and its creators. "(Communication and Media) has launched a wonderful new initiative that has been conceived of, developed, spearheaded by, and will involve two of our most excellent alumni, Amanda Fernandez and Aimee Alvarez, aided by the ever-brilliant and endlessly helpful and generous Lacey Kendall. I am immensely grateful to Amanda and Aimee for this extraordinary way of giving back to CSUSB and to the community,” Poole said.

For more information, visit the Coyotes to Hollywood website.