Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

D Y S O N Y E A R I N R E V I E W • 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 20 Georges Yogolelo Mbuyu '23 Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Georges Yogolelo Mbuyu came to New York City to work toward degrees in both political science and English literature and language at Pace. Mbuyu, a member of Pace Music Group, the University's music club, and an active representative of the Alpha Kappa Sigma fraternity, first discovered his passion for writing through a high school English teacher. "[He] taught me that writing was an indispensable tool," Mbuyu said. Today, as a fellow, he is honing his craft with new stories and friends, and through his writing he hopes to take the audience on a journey to discover real meaning. "It's seeing the uniqueness of all our lives that excites me and makes me want to share that [enthusiasm] with everyone I can through stories," Mbuyu said. Janvi Patel '21 Janvi Patel is fascinated with hearing and recording people's stories. Double majoring in American studies and art, she came to Pace to be in New York City, and she's already had plenty of life experience as a world traveler, international volunteer, and adventurer—she overcame a fear of heights and water by cliff jumping with a friend. With her writing, unapolo - getically wordy and descrip- tive, Patel likes to take readers on their own journey. "I like creating experiences for others through my stories that make them question their morality, existence, and society," she said. As a kid growing up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, she was mesmerized and delighted by stories and books she discovered at the library. At Pace, she's actively involved in several student organizations, including Blend 41, Aphros Literary Magazine, Pace Music Group, the LGBTQA Center, Setter Stage, and Pace Film Club. Patel has big plans for the future, which include working in government and conservation, writing books, volunteering, and designing a school featuring mindful, meaningful curricula that are free and acces - sible for students. Benjamin Daniel Ravelo '21 Working toward degrees in computer science and English, Benjamin Daniel Ravelo has loved stories since childhood. Born and raised in New Jersey, he describes his storytelling style as an exploration of strange, fantastical environments and universal truths, infusing poetic language and a bit of fun. "I love to cast my net into various genres, often science fiction, and try to fish out a truth to convey to the reader," Ravelo said. "The higher the concept and the more relevant the theme, the better." He credits his experience with undiagnosed anxiety during his middle school years with helping to make him who he is today, and looking ahead as a fellow, he hopes to grow as a writer and gain opportunities to make further connections, especially in the world of comics and graphic novels. He has already taken a significant first step, having cowritten a mini-comic that has received positive audience response. Justin Winley '21 Film and screen studies major Justin Winley is a transfer student from Harlem who describes himself as the kind of kid who read the dictionary for fun and often played around on his dad's old typewriter. His parents encouraged him to read from an early age, and as a writer, his favorite subject is the human connection. "I explore the way people change over time, through relationships, trauma and everything else that can happen to us over the course of our lives," Winley said. "This is what ties my poetry to my prose, my screenplay to my songwriting." At Pace, he serves as vice president of Pace University Martial Arts, a student organization he co-founded, and he is a member of both the Black Student Union and the Caribbean and African Student Association. As a fellow, Winley is developing relationships with local working writers. He looks forward to further collaborations, and his ultimate goal is to work in the film industry as a "one-man pitch machine," developing screen- plays for film and television with opportunities for him to perform.

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