EPICS Events
EPICS and our SoC partners offer in-person and virtual events throughout the academic year. Attend a workshop, masterclass, alumni/industry speaker or networking event, or alumni panel to refine your professional skills, acquire new knowledge and expertise, and explore career paths of interest. These events are tailored to boost your career development, help you learn about industries, and broaden your professional network.
Upcoming Events
You will find EPICS upcoming events for the School of Communication in the calendar feed. Employers and friends of Northwestern can view all events open to the public on the University’s main calendar, PlanIt Purple.
Workshops
A workshop is an organized event or series of sessions designed to help students with their career development. These workshops typically focus on various aspects of career planning and advancement including networking, internship/job search strategies, interviewing, career planning, and resume and cover letter writing.
Masterclasses
A masterclass is a session led by someone who has expert knowledge or skill in a particular area. Every masterclass has an aim or goal that students will learn or complete by the end of the session.
Industry Connect
The Northwestern community stretches far and wide. With EPICS’ Industry Connect evenings, students can see the direction their Northwestern degree can take them. Experienced alumni and professionals discuss their industry, career path, and offer advice to students in a speed networking format. Each Industry Connect event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with our Career Communities.
Life After NU
This panel series is for students to learn from young alumni about the transition from school to industry. The goal is for our current students to hear from young professionals about their immediate steps after Northwestern and recent steps in their career. Each Life After NU event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with our Career Communities.
Alumni/Industry Speaker Events
Speaker events are an opportunity to hear directly from an experienced and accomplished alum and/or industry professional and often include a Q&A. They provide an opportunity for students to hear from industry leaders who share about their insight and experience and offer valuable advice.
Program-Specific Events
EPICS partners with our graduate level programs in MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage, MS in Communication, and MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises to host events specifically for graduate students.
Upcoming Events
- May202026
SoC Honors Convocation
5:00 PM
30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Annual celebration of excellence for School of Communication students and faculty.
- May282026
Dialogue with the Dean: Stephanie Burns
6:00 PM
1949 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Dean E. Patrick Johnson will engage in dialgoue with Stephanie Burns.
Stephanie Burns (C91) leads global legal and public policy for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), which includes PlayStation 5, PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Studios, and PlayStation Network. Burns also leads SIE’s environmental, social, and governance function.
Prior to joining SIE, she spent more than 15 years at Amazon, where she most recently served as vice president and associate general counsel of the legal team supporting consumer devices and services, including Fire TV, Ring, Fire Tablet, Kindle, Astro, Project Kuiper, and Amazon Kids. During her time at Amazon, she also served as vice president and associate general counsel for Worldwide Operations. In that role, Burns led the legal support for customer fulfillment and logistics, drone delivery, robotics, Prime Now, and its product and social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.
She was also the general counsel of StubHub and led their legal and government relations teams. Burns currently serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including ChIPs (which supports the advancement of women in tech, law, and policy), the California Chamber of Commerce, the Law Advisory Board of Santa Clara University School of Law, and the Board of Advisors for Northwestern University's School of Communication.
A tech and IP lawyer by training, Burns earned her J.D. and is a graduate of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law. She also holds a B.S. degree from Northwestern University, where she majored in radio/television/film.
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- Jun052026
SoC I EPICS: New Play Festival - Dramatic Writing & Radical Resistance
3:00 PM
1920 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Join our discussion on dramatic writing and radical resistance with Heidi Schreck, Haruna Lee, & Ike Holter | moderated by Zayd Dohrn.
- Jun132026
SoC Undergraduate Convocation
9:00 AM
2705 Ashland Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208Undergraduate convocation for School of Communications. Tickets are required to attend and should be obtained from the students participating in the convocation.