STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Long before she became Miss Hibernia 2025 or prepared to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University, Staten Island native Maeve Sheehan was shuttling between two worlds — her home on Staten Island and summers spent with family in Ireland.
That transatlantic upbringing ultimately led the Staten Island Technical High School graduate to Columbia University’s Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin, where she combined her Irish roots, love of storytelling and growing passion for theater into an academic journey spanning two countries.
Now, after studying on two continents through the Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University, Sheehan is preparing to graduate from Columbia University’s School of General Studies this week with a degree in film and media studies.
Sheehan’s connection to Ireland began practically at birth. Her mother is from Dublin, and she said she was traveling overseas before her first birthday.
Every summer, her family spent weeks staying with relatives in the suburbs of North Dublin, while other trips included visits to family in County Mayo along Ireland’s west coast.
Back home on Staten Island, Irish culture remained central to family life. Sheehan began Irish dancing at age 8 and joined her family’s bagpipe band at age 10.
Much of her childhood revolved around St. Patrick’s Day parades, rehearsals and Irish cultural organizations throughout New York City.
“Ireland has always been a constant presence in my life,” she said.
Former Miss Hibernia Maeve Sheehan is graduating Columbia University this month. (Courtesy of April Renae)(Courtesy of April Renae)
Her early creative work reflected that identity, including a short film, “Staten Ireland,” about Irish cultural organizations on Staten Island.
That dual identity eventually drew her to Columbia’s Dual BA Program, which she said felt “fateful” in the way it combined both sides of her background.
After two years at Trinity College Dublin, Sheehan transferred to Columbia, where she became active in student life at the School of General Studies.
She served as vice president of communications for the General Studies Student Council, a role she initially hesitated to pursue before ultimately applying when the position reopened.
In that role, Sheehan helped communicate student initiatives including the MetroCard Program, internship stipends, research grants and alumni mentorship opportunities. She said the experience gave her a stronger connection to the student body.
“It’s been really rewarding to help share resources that actually make a difference in students’ lives,” she said.
Academically, Sheehan focused on screenwriting and film, taking classes, including a Screenwriting Lab with Adjunct Assistant Professor Katla Sólnes and a Senior Seminar in Screenwriting with Professor Loren-Paul Caplin.
One project developed into a short film after classmates encouraged her to expand it through Barnumbia, a student film collective.
Former Miss Hibernia Maeve Sheehan is graduating Columbia University this month. (Courtesy of April Renae)(Courtesy of April Renae)
She said the experience reinforced her commitment to storytelling.
“The process of building your own story is something I don’t want to let go of,” she said.
Her creative interests also expanded into theater and performance at Columbia, including student directing and sketch comedy work she said she would not have pursued earlier in her academic career.
“Once I got here, I realized I didn’t have to stay in one lane,” she said.
While majoring in film and media studies, Sheehan said she unexpectedly fell in love with theater during her four years in the Dual Degree program, particularly the relationship between theater and digital media in attracting audiences to productions.
A summer internship with The Broadway League helped solidify her career goals and convinced her she wanted to work in the theater industry professionally.
This summer, she will intern with Concord Theatricals as a brand marketing intern before pursuing full-time opportunities with theatrical marketing agencies or theater companies in New York City.
“Truly, I want to be part of the reason the magic of theater happens,” she said.
Alongside her theater ambitions, Sheehan said she plans to continue writing and hopes one day to potentially turn it into a career of its own.
As she prepares to graduate and take part in Columbia’s School of General Studies Class Day ceremony on Monday, Sheehan said her time at Columbia taught her the value of openness and trying new experiences.
“You really don’t know where you’ll end up if you’re willing to try things,” she said.