Newly Minted Double Duke Charts Her Path to Dream Job
With Master’s Now in Tow, Osei Wants ‘to Serve People Who Look Like Me’
By Khalil Garriott
Sheriden Osei’s dream job is entertainment lawyer. Now preparing to pursue a J.D. to deepen her understanding of law and its connection to communication and advocacy, she is taking the right steps to make that dream a reality.
Osei’s passion for storytelling, brand protection and media ethics fuels her budding interest in the evolving landscape of law, strategic communication and entertainment. On May 15, the Lorton, Va., resident earned her Master of Arts in Communication and Advocacy with a concentration in Strategic Communication from James Madison University.
“Never one to take myself too seriously, I balance ambition with authenticity, fostering meaningful connections, and uplifting those around me,” Osei said.
A first-generation Ghanaian-American who grew up in New Jersey, Osei moved to northern Virginia with her family in pursuit of greater opportunities. Her parents, both originally from Ghana, built a life in the U.S. and raised her and her two older siblings. They moved to Virginia — without her mother, because she died in 2011.
That’s why making her family proud is a motivating factor for Osei, who has excelled academically from an early age — but allows her outgoing nature to thrive outside of the classroom as well.
Her road to earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a focus on Public Relations from JMU in 2022, however, was a winding journey. She changed her major five times before landing in the School of Communication Studies. Originally set on computer science, she instead found her way toward communication — and hasn’t looked back.
“Throughout my academic career, I have explored the intersection of entertainment and public relations through research, theory analysis and real-world applications,” Osei said. “I have gained experience across agencies, nonprofits and the entertainment industry, sharpening my adaptability, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.”
One of those professional pursuits is what Osei calls her most memorable life moments to date: spending the summer of 2024 in New York City interning at Paramount Global.
Additionally, by serving as the graduate student representative on JMU’s SCOM Alumni Advisory Board and working as a graduate assistant in the Office of Advancement Gifts and Records, Osei has added non-classroom experience to her repertoire as she earns an advanced degree in her field.
With a 3.96 GPA in graduate school, Osei is achieving her goal of merging communication and advocacy in a way that best aligns with her passion for entertainment.
“I want to serve people who look like me, helping them navigate spaces where they might not have historically had representation or guidance,” she said.
Osei’s love story with JMU began a decade ago. The handful of major changes ultimately led her to the SCOM department, which gave her the space to explore her interests, grow her skills, and discover her passion.
“They gave me a chance — to be myself, to pursue what I love, and to apply what I’ve learned in meaningful ways,” she reflected.
That’s why she will support JMU in any ways she can after leaving campus in 2025.
“I will support marginalized communities, young girls and students who are still figuring out their path.
“I want to be the advocate I wish I had when I was first navigating my academic and professional journey,” she concluded.
