From Classroom to Byline: Baruch’s Harman Writer-in-Residence Establishes Internship Pipeline with The New York Review of Books

From Classroom to Byline: Baruch's Harman Writer-in-Residence Establishes Internship Pipeline with The New York Review of Books

January 14, 2026

Baruch College is one of only two institutions nationwide offering a pathway for students to gain firsthand experience with one of the most premier literary intellectual magazine publications, The New York Review of Books (NYRB).

At the heart of the partnership is a six-month paid internship arranged through the Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program housed within the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. Each year, four undergraduates or recent alumni-particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented communities-are selected to work directly with editors and staff on research, fact-checking, and editorial development, giving them an inside look at how the NYRB shapes its essays, reviews, and cultural commentary.

'Connecting Emerging Writers with Literacy Practice'

"This internship pipeline provides our students with unparalleled exposure to the editorial rigor and intellectual engagement that defines The New York Review of Books," said Professor Esther Allen, director of the Harman program, which launched the internship in 2020. "This collaboration opens doors that have historically been difficult for many students to access, and it aligns with our mission to connect emerging writers with the highest levels of literary practice."

For many, the experience has served as a direct springboard into the publishing industry. Former interns are full-time employees at prominent publishing houses such as Farrar, Straus, Giroux, Penguin Random House, Cambridge University Press, and New Directions.

A Life Changing Experience

Velislava Kuzmenko ('27), a finance major with a minor in journalism, applied to the internship because of the NYRB's distinguished reputation and strong editorial tradition.

"I have strengthened my multitasking abilities, improved my interview techniques, and learned how to track book orders efficiently," said Kuzmenko, a refugee from Ukraine who recently moved to New York. "I also gained experience determining which titles should be elevated to editors and how to support a fast-paced editorial workflow."

Prior to enrolling at Baruch, Kuzmenko studied journalism at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and worked in media roles across Ukraine, Germany, and the U.S. Her experience includes reporting for Ukrainian and German publications, coordinating interviews, creating multimedia content, and contributing to nonprofit communications.

"My goal is to pursue a career in business journalism, combining my background in finance and reporting. This internship has given me practical editorial experience, sharpened my writing skills, and helped me better understand the work of professional journalists in New York."

Lesly Ramirez Melchor (BA '25) also described the internship as transformative, marking a shift from longtime reader of the publication to active contributor.

"I was drawn to The New York Review of Books because it treats literature and politics as inseparable, offering rigorous critique even when the truth is uncomfortable or politically fraught," said Melchor, who majored in political science and double-minored in English and Latino studies.

Melchor was surprised seeing how much "invisible labor" goes into publishing from reviewing copy and managing multiple inboxes to coordinating with publishers, authors, and editors.

"Being involved in press meetings and the editing process showed me how carefully each piece is shaped before it ever reaches readers," Melchor explained.

For both interns, the opportunity to interview prominent writers proved to be a life-changing part of the internship. Kuzmenko spoke with the acclaimed American poet, writer, editor, and critic Victoria Chang, who has won fellowships including a Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as other top awards and recognitions. Melchor talked with legal scholar and writer Duncan Hosie, who has contributed to The New York Times, Atlantic, and Wall Street Journal, among many other publications.

For Melchor, the impact of that experience extended well beyond the interview itself.

"I plan to attend law school and pursue immigration law while continuing to write about politics and the legal system," Melchor states. "Interviewing Duncan Hosie and working closely with editors helped me see how legal expertise and political writing can work together to challenge injustice."

About the Harman Program

The Sidney Harman Residency Program, endowed in Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, brings a distinguished writer to campus every semester. The Harman program has played hosts to poets, playwrights, journalists, non-fiction authors, and novelists who offer master classes in the workshop-style to select students, give campus-wide readings and serve as judges in student creative writing competitions.

Learn more about the program, past writers-in-residence, and upcoming events.

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