After finishing her undergraduate work in anthropology and photography at Ithaca College, Press joined RPI in 1999 for her MFA. She describes her goals in work as trying to find "ways to empower and lend voices to people and view points that would not be normally heard in the mainstream media." One piece with this message dealt with the Puerto Rican Island of Vieques and the conflict between the natives and the U.S. Navy. "I went there to represent Americans, and to hear what the people had to say," said Press. The 10 minute video was a message showing that "the media made it seem as if the people there hated Americans. These people were not against America; they wanted their island back."

Professor Branda Miller, who has worked with Press in projects involving both academic and community development, said that "her commitment to the community is exemplary."

In Troy, Press is very involved with the ARK, an after school program for at-risk students to promote the arts. "My video work with the youth gives me more perspective and insight into my own work," said Press.

While in the Dominican Republic, Press’s work will be a continuation of her efforts with the ARK. "It is about creating connections between the youth here and the youth there through video and the technology on the internet," said Press. The children in the small farming town of El-Limon in the Dominican Republic will use technology that was granted to them from Cornell and other organizations.

Press will be there as a facilitator and coordinator between the two groups. She will also teach the students of El-Limon to use the technologically advanced video and audio equipment that they have and document the effects of technology on the community.

"I will be there to initiate a dialogue between the children in Troy and the children in El-Limon that I hope will continue after I leave," said Press. The video pieces done by the children will be uploaded to the website http://video-connections.net/ where it is accessible to both parties.