Meet a VC Intern: Gillian Gee

The internship I had over the summer surprised me with a Coraline poster as an end-of-internship gift!

Meet our 2025 UCLA Mellon MLIS Graduate Intern, Gillian Gee!

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, my name is Gillian! I am currently a second-year MLIS student at UCLA specializing in Archival Studies. I am from Sacramento, CA (though I was born in LA, so I have come full circle!), and am a proud Chinese and Filipino ancestor in training.

How did you hear about Visual Communications and what drew you to apply?

I learned about Visual Communications through Professor Michelle Caswell, and instantly knew I wanted to be a part of this community. Since both graduating from undergrad and moving to LA last year, I’ve been searching for a community space that aligns with my values and where I feel a sense of belonging. I was lucky and privileged to have had that space during my undergraduate career through my university’s AA/PI/SSWANA student development center, so finding VC, an organization also rooted in activism and in art, was truly a happy surprise. When I volunteered with VC last school year, I was able to find my great-grandmother’s house and my great-grandfather in the archive. Finding these photos makes me think that finding VC was fate, and that I had to do whatever I could to continue to be a part of it.

What do you hope to learn from this internship?

I, of course, hope to learn and practice some of the skills that go into archiving, and learning how an archive, especially a community archive is run. However, I also hope to learn from my community through storytelling, whether it comes in the form of film, art exhibits, oral history, photographs, or even just conversation with the people around me. If there are ways to become more connected with people, I am always all in.

MBTI: INFJ-T

Artist on Repeat: Laufey, Lawrence, and The Linda Lindas!

3 Favorite Films: Coraline, UP, Aftersun

Favorite Place in the World: My grandparents' houses in Eagle Rock and in Sacramento (2 places, but choosing one is obviously impossible). They always bring me comfort and are always full of love.

What do you like to do in your free time?: I love walking around bookstores and libraries, and try to visit a new one on the off chance that I do have a good amount of free time. I love to go to concerts and am a musical theater nerd, so you can always assume that I am singing a song in my head. I also enjoy reading, watching movies (and TV), and writing. And, I am a foodie, so I am always down to check out a new restaurant, cafe, coffee shop, or bakery. I also bake, but mainly when I am stressed out! During the school year is the best time to ask me for some sweet treats.

Hidden Talent: I can find a substitute for any baking ingredient (sometimes questionable), and most of the time the end product turns out okay!

Hot Take: Rainy, cloudy, and cold weather is the best weather.

Restaurant Recommendation: Mayura in Culver City has the best Indian food that I have ever eaten. The owner and everyone else are super sweet. I highly recommend the fish curry and the dosa!

Both of my grandmothers were able to attend my undergraduate graduation.

My brother and I at the last USC vs. UC Berkeley football game a couple years ago.

My dad and I at a Gorillaz concert in San Francisco.