Meet Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Wilma Agustianto
Media information and communication studies major Wilma Agustianto will deliver the student remarks during the CLA Undergraduate Commencement on Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m.
A native of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, she is involved in research at the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, focusing on news consumption, media and political communication. She is also active in student leadership as a community advisor, marketing team member for Student Unions & Activities and Boynton Health, and a former member of the University Libraries Student Advisory Board.
What brought you to the University of Minnesota and how did you end up choosing your major(s) and minor(s)?
When people ask why I chose to come to the University of Minnesota from Bali, I often describe it as God’s plan. During my senior year of high school, I was deciding between moving to New Zealand or Minnesota, two places on opposite sides of the world. Receiving the Global Excellence Scholarship as an international student led me to Minnesota, and I soon discovered the depth of its strength in the field I wanted to go for, political communication.
It wasn’t until I arrived that I fully understood the University’s legacy. The communication studies department is one of the first in the nation to focus on rhetoric, the Hubbard School is among the best in the country, and the field of political communication here has produced influential scholars over the years.
Ultimately, choosing to double major in media and information and communication studies, with a minor in political science, became the perfect path for my goal of becoming a researcher.
What is your favorite class that you took in CLA? Is there a professor that you particularly enjoyed working with?
One of my most impactful experiences in CLA was Directed Study. This course offers the flexibility to conduct independent research with a faculty mentor while earning academic credit and honors experience completion. It is especially valuable for students considering doing a thesis or applying for graduate school, as it builds confidence in designing and executing original research. I completed Directed Study twice across two majors, working with Professor Ronald Greene and Dr. Benjamin Toff on different research projects. These experiences not only strengthened my research skills but also built mentorship relationships that have become foundational to my academic trajectory. Through this work, I was able to present at conferences and pursue publication opportunities.
What have you learned about yourself during your time in CLA?
During my time in CLA, I learned to both trust and question my own frame of reference. The knowledge gained in or beyond the classroom becomes more meaningful placed in conversation with lived experiences of my own and others. While this process can be uncomfortable, it strengthens critical thinking and reveals new ways to challenge existing and dominant narratives. I’ve learned that my cultural background, perspectives, and experiences are not limitations, but strengths that shape the questions I ask and the work I pursue.
What's next for you? What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I will pursue a master’s degree in theory and research at the Hussman School of Journalism. I will also be working as a research assistant for the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media. I look forward to continuing the research I began at the University of Minnesota and expanding my work on media, politics, and information environments.
