Refocusing the Spotlight on Humanism: A Hopkins Student's Mission

Published July 15, 2025

For Nicole Aguilar, a film and television industry veteran, returning to school wasn’t just about earning another credential—it was about redefining her purpose.

After more than a decade working on high-profile projects such as Django Unchained, Big Little Lies, and Black Christmas, Aguilar became disillusioned with the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment world. Her roles ranged from associate producer for a marketing company who worked on the trailers and ad campaigns to digital intermediate producer and post-production workflow supervisor.

“Working on high-profile projects might seem like the dream, but behind the scenes, I saw an industry plagued by toxic work culture, inhumane expectations, and a lack of genuine humanism,” said Aguilar, 38, who lives in Los Angeles and is pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree online through Johns Hopkins University’s Advanced Academic Programs division. “I recalled a grueling 40-hour shift where my only rest was a brief nap under my desk.”

That “dark night of the soul” pushed her to reconsider what a fulfilling life could look like. It led her to Hopkins, where she’s now using her academic journey to fuel personal transformation and, ultimately, change the industry she once thought she had to abandon.

Aguilar chose Hopkins for its strong research reputation and the flexibility to tailor courses to her unique interdisciplinary interests, especially the intersections of philosophy, psychology, and capitalism.

“Truthfully, choosing just one field never felt natural to the way my mind works—this degree felt like fate,” she said.

Though her coursework is online, Aguilar says the impact has been deeply personal and transformative. She’s now focused on the psychological effects of capitalism and how business practices, particularly in film and television, can shift toward more human-centered models.

“Education became one of the most transformative experiences of my life,” she said. “Returning to school later in my journey—armed with professional experience and a clear sense of purpose—has made all the difference.”

Aguilar’s long-term goal is to merge her passions for entertainment and education. She hopes to create content that brings high-level scholarship to the mainstream while also fostering a work culture where compassion is a daily practice, not a buzzword.

“My biggest priority is to center humanism in all aspects of business,” she said. “I want to become a better leader in my industry and create an environment where people feel valued as humans, not just as cogs in a machine.”

With graduation set for December 2025, Aguilar is already preparing to put her education to work, reimagining the industry she knows so well, this time with purpose, empathy, and change at the forefront.