Five Syracuse University fellows join Project Mend to amplify CNY voices
Five student fellows from Syracuse University will spend two years working with Project Mend, a community writing initiative that brings CNY stories to the public. The project highlights the power of local voices and research in Syracuse and beyond.
Five new student fellows from Syracuse University have been selected to join Project Mend, an award-winning community writing initiative that works with people impacted by the criminal legal system to create writing, podcasts, films, and other public-facing media, according to Syracuse University News.
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The fellows will spend two years conducting research and assisting with media production, culminating in a public symposium in spring 2028. Project Mend is led by Patrick W. Berry, associate professor of writing and rhetoric in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the 2026-28 Lender Faculty Fellow at the Lender Center for Social Justice.
By The Numbers
- Five student fellows: Selected to join Project Mend for a two-year term, per Syracuse University News.
- 2022: The year Project Mend was founded by Patrick W. Berry, according to Syracuse University News.
- Spring 2028: Scheduled date for the public symposium where fellows will present their work, per Syracuse University News.
Project Mend: A Syracuse-grown initiative with CNY impact
Project Mend was founded in 2022 by Patrick W. Berry and has already received recognition from CNY Arts with the Syracuse Prize, as well as the Coalition for Community Writing Outstanding College-Community Partnership Award, according to Syracuse University News. The initiative is based in Syracuse and works closely with people affected by the criminal legal system, helping them share their stories through various media formats.
Berry and his team have made it a priority to connect the university’s resources with the broader Central New York community, including neighborhoods like Eastwood, Tipp Hill, and the North Side. By focusing on storytelling and research, Project Mend aims to give a platform to voices that are often overlooked in mainstream media.
The five fellows selected for this cycle bring a range of academic backgrounds and interests, from English and composition to policy studies and economics. Their work will focus on issues such as wrongful convictions, equitable public policy, and the impact of discrimination and oppression on education, according to Syracuse University News.
Meet the 2026-28 Project Mend fellows
The five fellows joining Project Mend are:
- Carissa Bayack: A first-year doctoral student in English whose research examines wrongful convictions and the narratives that shape the criminal legal system. She is a first-generation college student with plans for a career in academia or nonprofit work.
- Megan Ho ’28: A triple major in television, radio and film, law, society and policy, and policy studies. She is a Renée Crown University Honors Program scholar and a Maxwell Citizenship Scholar for Community Impact, with experience in legal advocacy and nonprofit fundraising.
- Chloe Mosquera ’30: A double major in policy studies and economics, and a Renée Crown scholar. Her interests include equitable public policy and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
- Shontoria “Tori” Pratt G’19: A doctoral student in the School of Education whose research focuses on how discrimination and oppression have affected Black and queer students in Chicago.
- Elise Wallace: A doctoral student in composition and cultural rhetoric who researches how language backgrounds and life experiences shape writing and speaking choices. She has a decade of experience teaching writing in classrooms and community settings.
Each fellow will contribute their unique perspective to Project Mend’s editorial and production teams, working directly with community members in Syracuse and across Central New York.
Why this matters for Central New York
Project Mend’s work is rooted in Syracuse but reaches across Central New York, connecting university research with real-world stories from people in towns like Liverpool, Camillus, and Pulaski, as referenced in LocalSYR. By focusing on issues that affect local families and individuals, the initiative helps shine a light on the challenges and strengths of CNY communities.
For residents of Syracuse and neighboring towns like DeWitt, Salina, and Geddes, the work of Project Mend offers a chance to see local experiences reflected in public media. The initiative’s focus on storytelling, research, and advocacy aligns with the values of many in the Syracuse City School District and the broader CNY education community. For more on local school news, visit our Syracuse schools page.
Project Mend’s public presentations and media projects are expected to bring new attention to issues like wrongful convictions, educational equity, and the impact of incarceration on families. These topics are especially relevant in Syracuse, where diverse neighborhoods and a strong tradition of civic engagement shape the city’s character.
Connecting campus and community
Patrick W. Berry’s leadership has helped Project Mend bridge the gap between Syracuse University and the wider community. By involving students in hands-on research and media production, the initiative gives future scholars and advocates a chance to make a real difference in Central New York.
The fellows’ work will be shared not only through academic channels but also in public forums, podcasts, and films that are accessible to Syracuse residents and those in surrounding towns. This approach helps ensure that the stories and research produced by Project Mend reach a broad audience, from Eastwood to Solvay and beyond.
For those interested in more community happenings and local events, check out our community events page for the latest updates.
Looking ahead: Spring 2028 symposium
The current cohort of fellows will present their research and media projects at a public symposium in spring 2028, according to Syracuse University News. This event will offer Syracuse residents and CNY neighbors a chance to engage with the work and learn more about the issues facing their communities.
With Project Mend’s ongoing commitment to storytelling, research, and advocacy, Central New York is a place where local voices matter and community-driven initiatives thrive.
Where to check for updates
For more information about Project Mend, the Lender Center for Social Justice, and upcoming events, visit the official Syracuse University News site. For community happenings and local school news, follow CNY Signal’s community events and Syracuse schools pages.
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Sources
- Syracuse University News, details on Project Mend fellows and initiative
- LocalSYR, reference to local communities and current events
