What if you could spend one weekend for a total of 15 hours to get direction for the rest of your life? Oh, and you could get academic credit, too?
The newly launched Tulane School of Liberal Arts Fast 15 program offers credit, networking, and real-world exposure. The two courses, “Inside the Beltway” and “Making the Star,” were designed as a career-jumpstart, offering 1-credit in 15 hours over the span of a weekend. Though each course is taught by a School of Liberal Arts professor, guest lecturers from each industry are invited to provide an inside look into the field and help students build connections with working professionals.
For students in the Political Science department and its various pathways, Washington, D.C., can seem like an unattainable "white whale." Seniors Emmy Hernandez (SLA ’26) and Lindsey Tanenholz (SSE ’26) are constantly on the hunt for new and uncommon opportunities and methodologies for understanding the political scope. Looking at “Inside the Beltway” on paper, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for them to gain insight into possible next steps — even if it meant missing Kenny Chesney at Book Fest.
Led by Political Science Professor Philip de Mahy and undergraduate Lily Koziol (SLA ’26), the course featured guest lecturers Darcy Schleifstein (SLA ’24), staff assistant for Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19); Rebecca Walldorff, chief of staff for Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06); Matt Fisher (SLA ’23), deputy chief of staff for Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) (SLA ’08); Tim Miller, political commentator and host of The Bulwark, Daniel Petri of the Catholic University of America’s Internship for Credit program; Henry Mali (SLA ’26), a fellow senior at Tulane, majoring in Political Science & International Relations; and Natalie Jennings, veteran journalist and co-founder at Down from DC.
“Beyond just the more mechanical interview tips and cover letter writing advice that we envisioned going into this program, the weekend offered an unexpected but much-appreciated opportunity for questions, genuine self-reflection, and introspection,” Emmy and Lindsey noted.
While one group looked toward Washington, another explored the business of music and branding. Donor funding allowed not only Tulane students to join this class, but also community members from around New Orleans and the region.
Musical entrepreneur, local singer, and owner of the boutique music marketing firm Hemenway Relations, Marigny Hemenway returned to the classroom to refresh and expand her industry knowledge with “Making the Star.”
“I discovered 'Making the Star' through social media, and knowing Tulane’s strong reputation in both business and the arts, I immediately felt it was the right fit for me,” Marigny explained. “The course, structured as an intensive weekend class, worked perfectly with my schedule as both an artist and a business owner.”
Senior Advisor to the Dean and Communication Professor Vicky Mayer and Academy Award-winning producer Robert Fyvolent (A&S ’84) led the course, with guest speakers from United Talent Agency, Universal Music Group, and Top Dawg Entertainment.
During the class, students were assigned an artist case study. Marigny’s group worked with Mo Sabri, a country singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, seeking a complete rebrand of his artistic identity. His background — being of Pakistani origin and Muslim faith — added a unique and meaningful dimension to the project. Her group’s challenge was to position him as an emerging country artist while honoring his story. With guidance from the instructors and guest speakers, Marigny and her peers felt supported throughout the process and approached the project with a fresh and thoughtful perspective.
“Taking this course has significantly expanded my understanding of branding and business strategy within the music industry,” she concluded. “I am confident that the knowledge I gained will benefit not only my career as a singer but also my work as a business owner.”
In just one weekend, Fast 15 doesn’t answer every question — but it gives students something just as valuable: direction.
"Fast 15: Making A Star" course presentation.
About the contributors:
Emmy Hernandez (SLA ’26) is a senior undergraduate in the School of Liberal Arts, majoring in International Relations and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American Studies. She currently works as a Service Learning Assistant for the Tulane Center of Public Service and studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain, in the spring of her junior year. Emmy hails from the Midwest with ties to St. Louis, MO, Northern Wisconsin, and the greater Chicagoland.
Lindsey Tanenholz (SSE ’26) is a senior undergraduate in the School of Science and Engineering, majoring in Psychology with second and third majors in Political Science and Homeland Security. She serves as the Vice President of Tulane OSS Organizational Support System and volunteers as a researcher with the non-profit Ballotpedia. Lindsey studied abroad with the Tulane Summer in Rome program and is originally from Bethesda, Maryland.
Marigny Hemenway is a singer based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and owner of the boutique music marketing firm, Hemenway Relations. Her firm represents a range of clients — from three-time Grammy Award-winning producer Mark Howard to major festivals such as Wednesdays at the Square, recognized by USA Today as one of the Best Outdoor Concert Series in the United States. Additionally, she has worked with artists such as Snarky Puppy and CeeLo Green, and international clients including the French Ministry of Arts and Culture and Sounds Australia.