Leanne Przybylowski: Building Community, One Connection at a Time

MS Communication for Development & Social Change

Leanne came to Philadelphia in 2021 to pursue a Master’s of Science in Communication for Development and Social Change at Temple University’s Lew Klein College of Media and Communication. Completing the 12-month accelerated program and earning her degree in 2022, Leanne has since joined the non-profit, Philly Community Wireless, as their first community outreach coordinator, where she collaborates with underserved communities to expand free internet infrastructure. Her work is informed by her graduate studies, emphasizing community-centered development, data-informed decision-making, and valuing community voices in social change initiatives.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What led you to Temple University for graduate school?

I'm a Canadian and I went to school in Halifax, graduating with my BA in 2016 from Dalhousie University, where I was a double major in International Development Studies and Sociology & Social Anthropology. I had a lot of different ideas about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it; I was a photographer, and thought I wanted to go into entrepreneurship to some extent, but I disliked how dependent on social media that field was. I've always been interested in community development and communications, social influence, how we make decisions based on the information we receive— all of those things are in my realm of interest. And I was looking around, just thinking, what do I want to do next? Then I found this program— one of the only Communication for Development and Social Change programs in the U.S., and it felt like the right fit.

Could you tell us a little more about what studying Communication for Development and Social Change entails?

Community development takes various forms, but generally, it’s about addressing key issues that impact communities—things like health, conflict, and economic challenges. Communication is a big part of this, as it helps raise awareness, identify issues, and collaboratively find solutions. Sometimes it’s top-down, such as a campaign to increase birth control awareness, while other times, it’s more collaborative, spirited by community members in shaping the medium and the message. We studied everything from traditional public information campaigns to alternative approaches, like using dance for community engagement.

How has your graduate experience informed your current work?

Currently, I work as a community outreach manager for Philly Community Wireless, a nonprofit offering free internet infrastructure in underserved areas. My graduate program helped me appreciate the importance of data collection and community feedback, especially in measuring the success of an initiative. I conducted research on voting patterns within the Latino community during my studies, which emphasized the importance of delivering quantitative data with qualitative insights. That experience has directly influenced my approach to working with community partners and stakeholders today; in grant writing, for example, funders often want data-driven results, but I strive to report those metrics without reducing community members to numbers, valuing their experiences and contributions.

What sort of impact do you hope to have in your field and beyond?

In terms of impact, what I appreciated the most about my graduate studies was just the opportunity to think more about what it means to have community members participate in their own, quote unquote, “development.” This is a question I ask every day as a community outreach manager, and I stepped into the role with a sense of wanting to co-create this organization and this infrastructure in collaboration with the communities we’re serving.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering graduate school?

I’d say, make sure you know why you’re there. Grad school can be intense, but having a clear reason for doing it will make the journey easier, and much more valuable. And build connections with your professors and peers—they’ll offer you support, opportunities, and lasting connections long after you’ve graduated.