TABLE OF CONTENTS
How FAMU’s Faculty Stays Fresh
BY CHRISTARIA BARR
Professional development opportunities and workshops train faculty on the most updated information so they can continue to sharpen their skills. These trainings will ensure the most effective instruction for students. It all begins with a room full of professionals willing to learn new pedagogies and best practices to perfect their crafts to pass on to the next generation. Great teachers are both passionate and purposeful and because they recognize the most important factor of student success is the quality of instruction; great instructors pursue continual professional growth.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Employer’s training and development programs are an attempt to provide opportunities for employees to
become familiar with a variety of skills, information, attitude, and conduct.
With the ever-increasing demands of modern education, the education business must become more sophisticated, dynamic, and up to date. To bring the education industry to international standards, there is always a demand for skilled and experienced employees.
A large portion of instructors’ time is spent on student evaluations, curriculum preparation, and other paperwork, in addition to the hours spent presenting in the classroom.
Teachers can benefit from professional development workshops to improve their time management and organizational skills. As a result of these trainings,
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
teachers become more efficient and have more time to focus on pupils rather than paperwork. Professor Carlos, a professor of Photo Foundation at Florida A&M University expressed how he is always prepared and has his notebook with him every class to make sure he stays organized and on the right path. “Graphic design is my passion and many students who take my class are like a sponge ready to absorb all the skills being taught.” said Carlos.
“I
enjoy the enthusiasm of my students and their final portfolios
are the result of a semester’s worth of what they’ve learned in my course.”
Furthermore, Students expect their professors to be specialists in the subjects they teach. This means that he or she should be able to respond in detail to any question posed by a pupil. Educators might benefit from workshops that allow them to broaden their expertise in a variety of subject areas. The more professional development an educator receives, the more knowledge and insight into the industry he or she will obtain.
In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn. - Phil Collins
Great professors are dedicated to creating greater students. The commitment to see each student strive for success, establishes the foundation of the courses they teach. It is critical to recognize that teaching is a skill that evolves through time, as a good teacher, like a good student, continues to learn within the framework of information.
For example, to brighten the teaching-learning process, professors must master innovative pedagogy, interactive assessment approaches, and differentiation in the classroom. They must be aware of the diversity of learners in their classrooms and ways to address students’ unique needs.
Workshops and trainings are meant to provide instructors with the most current information and data on how to improve their classroom performance.
Through seminars, professionals are given the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues to share ideas
and design a framework to enhance student’s learning experiences. Some programs will teach educators helpful techniques for evaluating their class performance to determine a baseline to target any deficits develop solutions. Instructors will be more mindful of how to adjust their teaching methods to cater to the diverse learning styles within their classrooms.
Retention is the single most important thing for growth -Alex Schulz
EXPERIENCE
The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication is filled with future reporters and writers, so, professors must have the ability to identity the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s writing samples and speech performances.
Communicating effectively when reporting requires a good writing style and careful use of language. I’ve learned that it is important to use the correct format and tone to convey the intended message to the target audience. My courses were taught my knowledgeable professors, that in turn showed me how to strengthen my written communication skills to find the right tone for my readers.
From my freshman year taking Reporting & Writing 1 until now, I see a huge improvement in my writing.” Kimberly Barron said. “My professors definitely were a big help and contributed to my progress.”
THE CONCLUSION
Professional development provides ongoing opportunities for educators to continue to improve their knowledge and skills so they can help students achieve.
Effective teaching is the result of reflection, practice, and hard work. An educator can never know enough about how a student learns, what impedes the student’s learning, and how the teacher’s instruction canincrease overall student performance.
Professional development is a critical means for teachers to gain such knowledge to improve their instruction and to become better classroom leaders.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
Sacrificial Summers to Get Ahead
BY KAYLA BUTLER
When staying in Tallahassee during the summer, student life can seem pretty uneventful and opportunities can seem limited. Despite the slow nature of Tallahassee at
times, there are plenty of school and job related opportunities to take advantage of Students in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication at Flori-
da A&M University can benefit by implementing these tips and using the summer to move forward in their college progression.
Summer classes can be beneficial for students who want to keep themselves on track for graduation or get ahead. There are three terms in the summer; A, B, and C. According to FAMU’s academic calendar on famu.edu, regular registration will begin March 28 for each summer and close on May 8 for summers A and C. It will close on June 19 for summer B.
William Jiles, Journalism Division Director, offered some advice for students looking to take classes this summer. “Register early because in the summer time we basically offer a skeleton schedule. There are going to be a few courses, there aren’t going to be a lot of sections and they would typically fill up quickly.”
Many students also take advantage of summer internships because their schedule is more flexible and there is an abundance of openings. This is important because companies and organizations look at a prospective employee’s level of experience, and as a student a lot of that comes from internships. Even students that wish to be self-employed or do freelance work one day can benefit from the proficiency an internship can supply.
“Students should go by and visit the internship coordinator who is Professor Ranata Hughes. You want to do one for sure to make sure you satisfy your degree requirements and you should try to do at least one more because that would be very helpful,” said Jiles
“When prospective employers look at your resume and they see you’ve
done at least two or three internships, that’s gonna move your application to the top of the pile.”
Ranata Hughes can be reached at ranata.hughes@ famu.edu. Spring semester is the ideal time to send in applications due to companies typically accepting their summer interns by the end of the semester.
According to coordinator Denee Glenn, 264 students in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication enrolled in summer classes for 2021. That is over half the amount of current students enrolled in SJGC for spring 2022, which amounts to 459. As far as recent graduation numbers, 50 of 51 graduation applicants graduated fall semester 2021. For some students, summer semesters are utilized to graduate in a timely manner.
The Career and Professional Development Center has plenty of resources on their site such as HireARattler powered by Handshake, which helps students find jobs and explore different career opportunities. The site also holds information about the events held to develop skills or spread information regarding career opportunities. The Journalism and Graphic Communications tab on the site shows specific internships and jobs that lead to the applications with the click of a button. The vault guide to Newspaper and Magazine jobs is also provided on the CPD’s site and covers information on jobs like editors, reporters, graphic designers, and more. Resources like these are free, extremely detailed, and can help students that are seeking out information pertaining to their specific field. needs.
To make things even easier, the Career and Professional Development Center offers a career action plan that includes tips geared towards each academic classification. Following some of these tips can assist students in making the best out of their college years and set themselves up for success post-graduation. This information can be found on their website at cpdcenter. famu.edu.
Noella Williams, a senior broadcast journalism student, has plenty of experience working and taking classes over the summer.
At community college, Williams took one or two summer classes and worked at an ice cream parlor. While attending FAMU, she has been working at Trader Joe’s and continued to take one or two summer classes.
“I was able to finish classes and I didn’t have to do such a heavy workload in the fall or spring. It was kind of the only way to graduate on a timeline that I enjoy,” said Williams.
Although it is important to focus on goals, it is also a necessity to keep a congruent work-life balance. When considering summer activities, keep in mind to focus on setting a manageable lifestyle.
“If you’re someone who can manage your time well, go ahead and take some summer courses because it can shave off time that you have to be in class. Other than that, make sure you find time to actually enjoy your summer break because if not those three months are gonna go by very quickly,” said Williams.
With spring semester coming to a close in a few months, it’s important to begin contemplating summer plans. Rather than going back to a boring hometown, some rattlers rather stay in Tallahassee, but this time doesn’t have to be wasted. There are a great deal of suggestions to navigate summers as students matriculate, and all that is needed now is action. For those interested in keeping up or getting ahead, the sacrifice may be worth it.
It’s Time to Help Assist With Mental Health and Not Just Talk About It
BY NAYA CAMPBELL
INTRODUCTION
As the coronavirus disease numbers continued to rise over the past couple of years, the conversation of mental health increased as well. The topic rapidly spread across college campuses, due to schools closing during the peak of the pandemic limiting social interactions amongst students.
MENTAL BREAKDOWN
According to ABC News, in a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “63% of 18- to-24-year-olds reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, with 25% reporting increased substance use to deal with that stress and 25% saying they’d seriously considered suicide.” Mental health awareness is not a new discussion, but with the help of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, many students took quarantine as an opportunity to shed light on the issue. Lately, many trends have been targeted towards making light out of serious situations.
Mental Health in J-School At Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, many students were excited to return back to campus the fall 2021 semester. Some people expressed how they needed to get back to in-person classes because, they were losing motivation and becoming depressed in
isolation. On the other hand, some could counterargue that being back on campus, trying to adjust to the “new normal” is mentally draining. Regardless of the debate between in-person or virtual interactions, the decrease in mental capacity in young adults is a significant issue that can be agreed upon.
More specifically, the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Design, also known as “J-School,” has a stance on the serious decline in performance and dedication in students surrounding mental health.
An in-class discussion led to a venting moment for students who were struggling with depression and anxiety.
A broadcast journalism scholar who wishes to remain anonymous, elaborated on their experience battling with mental health.
“Some days I am just not fully there, and I have
so much on my plate that my life just feels on auto-pilot right now. Every time I try to focus on my mental state, I have an assignment coming up or deadline for something. It’s like professors do not understand that students have a life outside of school, and if they have not noticed yet, so many people’s lives are crumbling in the world right now with everything going on,” source said. Students also feel as though ways to get help are not promoted enough and the resources are not at their fingertips.
THE SEARCH FOR HELP
Many people do not seek professional counseling due to expenses. In fact, Mental Health America’s Chief Program Officer and Vice President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Theresa Nguyen said in 2018, “Most Americans lack access to adequate mental health treatment. 56% of American adults with mental illness did not receive care in the last year.”
The FAMU Office of Counseling Services located in the CASS building, is a confidential environment for all in need of help. According to the official website all services offered are free and students may have up to 12 counseling sessions per semester. The new and improved website is easy to navigate, which makes the process to getting an appointment set, even more obtainable. Walk-ins are also a way to quickly set up an appointment. Alicia Jackson, Certified QPR Instructor, has been a member of the FAMU counseling staff for six years.
“We have had quite an increase of students since the pandemic. We are hoping for all faculty, staff and students to promote us to other students. The more people know about us the better we are able to serve, and the more students will get the help they need,” Jackson said.
If students are in need of a counselor after office hours, they are directed to call the WellConnect number for free at (833) 848-1765. There are other outlets that are affordable and convenient as well. BetterHelp is one of the largest therapy platforms worldwide that provides people in need of help with access to licensed therapists. There are a multitude of resources available on and off campus for students seeking help. The problem has been identified, now it is time to put in the work to get J-School students back to full operation. Internal battles when left untreated can cause long-term damage.
FAMU’s Declassified ‘Freshman 15’ Survival Guide
BY KAYLA GRANT-DIXON
New year, new students! This upcoming fall semester, high school graduates will be entering a whole new world as college freshmen. As their minds race with excitement about their future, goals, and social life, life as a whole makes a dramatic shift. Unfortunately, it is very common for their health to be one of the last things on their mind during this drastic change. This lack of awareness is the exact reason that many fall victim to the “Freshman 15”. The average weight of a 17 year old for men and women ranges from about 120lbs to 140lbs. The name “freshman 15” comes from the average weight gain that is seen in most college students after their freshman year. Some recognizable officials provided insight on some tips to control weight gain in college.
During all the lifestyle changes freshmen undergo, it is difficult to focus on a consistent healthy lifestyle. Many students have meal plans during their early years of college and surrender their diets to the nutrition plans that have been developed for them. Tobbie Gilliam, residential dining director of Metz, provides some insight on how FAMUs dining attempts to keep the students well-fed, satisfied and healthy.
Photo courtesy of Penn State University
“Metz offers gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options every day. Although we can’t force meals on anyone, we try to offer the best, tasteful, and healthiest options for our students on this campus to feel fulfilled. Most of our staff are nutritionists, not trainers. We can’t maintain anyones weight, but we can provide the daily nutrition needed for students to have an energetic, successful school day. On our website, there are more nutritional resources for everyone to gain more insight on health and wellness information.”
Thanks to metz dining, the first step to avoiding the freshman 15 is done. Clearly if students want to be healthy, they can! Metz provides beneficial dietary information on their website and a variety of delicious, health conscious food options that cater to everyone’s preferences whether vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free. The next step is the hardest part: getting active. Demetrius Artis, CEO of Champions Lab Training LLC in Tallahassee is a graduate of FSU. He has personally had his own freshman 15 experience that has led him to help others with their own.
“I wish I had gained the freshman 15, it was more like a freshman 27. I remember looking at myself in the mirror like something’s gotta change. That’s what I always start with telling my clients: The first step is wanting better for yourself. Most of my clients come in January, because that’s usually when people try to start their lifestyle changes. I try to base my training sessions off what my clients want for themselves, but most of it usually varies through different cardio workouts. Cardio is the best way to burn fat, and many people get a trainer because they want to burn fat in areas a normal, moderate workout cannot reach.”
Tallahassee can proudly claim residency to many personal trainers and gyms near the college campus’. Even FAMU’s recreational center has a consistent amount of traffic. Resources like Demetrius preach that Students are encouraged to complete at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep muscles moving and maintain a healthy weight. The lifestyle switch from a senior in high school to a freshman in college not only has physical effects, but mental effects also.
Emannuel Manhiri, FSU professor and therapist, answered a few questions on the correlation between weight gain and mental health.
“Anxiety and depression are common within freshman college students when they are experiencing drastic
lifestyle changes. It is common for many to suffer from homesickness and sleep deprivation as well. These factors lead to weight gain anduncontrollable mood swings that lead to impulsive decisions. It’s not hard to fall in a downward spiral of unhealthy lifestyle choice if students neglect theirbasic needs while attempting to prioritize their classes.”
Despite the emotional trauma that students undergo, Social Science Quarterly states that freshmen gain 2-4lbs a year on average. With proper attention and care, the Freshman 15 could be avoided. Metz provide daily health conscious food choices that cater to everyone’s needs. Tallahassee is full of local gyms and trainers to keep the community in shape. FAMU recreation center is open daily to students so they can remain active during their scholarly career. Each college campus in Tallahassee also provides mental health resources for their students. Like Demetrius Artis said, the first step is wanting better for yourself.
This guide to avoiding the Freshman 15 is a resource, but it starts with you.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s Office of Counseling Services
The Ultimate Navigation to Grads are Back
BY JADA HILL
Homecoming is a week-long occasion which features multiple events throughout each day. Among the festivities is SJGC’s annual ‘Grads are Back’, but with all that’s going on, what is the best way to navigate the week?
Grads are back takes place during Homecoming week. It features week-long events that are hosted by or includes several J-School graduates who return to speak with, give advice to or just mingle with the currently enrolled J-School students. Of the events hosted students may encounter various panel discussions, workshops and colloquiums that revolve around all things that are journalism, public relations and graphic arts. Grads are back should be used as an opportunity to network with professionals who have been in the same seats as currents students and work in positions where they aspire to be.
Aside from the convocation, parade and game there are many things to expect during this week.Preparation should be somewhere in thought prior to jumping in. Each year it appears that Grads are back has more and more to offer. As mentioned before, students can expect to see a couple of panel discussions, workshops, a dining mixer, such as a barbecue, career fair and at least one colloquium. ‘
Please be advised that the events do not always run consecutively and may even run concurrently. At least a week prior to Grads are back, SJGC releases a detailed itinerary via the school’s email address. The itinerary is also posted to SJGC’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. One the itinerary is released it is in the student’s interest to look over it in advance and choose which events pique their interest the most.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
Homecoming can be overwhelming on its own, but how can students manage the events from homecoming as well as Grads are back without doing too much? Commit to the three P’s: Prioritize, prepare and plan.
Once the schedule of events is posted it is free game. Students should look through it and choose events that would serve them in the best way possible. Grads are back is for the students. It’s a moment for them to network and ask questions. It only makes sense to attend events that will serve as a service to them. Prioritize the events from most important or most interesting to least important or least interesting. “Looking back I realize now just how important it was to pick which events made the most sense to attend” says Kandice Andrews, a 2015 SJGC graduate. “Between PR and Journalism there were quite a xgo to all of them, but with limited time I just chose the PR discussions since that was my major.”
After prioritizing the events that makes the most since to them students should prepare. Prepare for everything. During this week, the campus is the busiest. Prepare to arrive early to find parking and seating. Prepare to be dressed professionally as there are events that may require it.
As this is now the COVID era, prepare to RSVP. Prepare, prepare, PREPARE. The last thing students want to do is be ill prepared as this can negatively affect the grads are back experience. Finally, plan. While this is homecoming week, some classes will resume like usual. Students should plan around their class schedule. Because the events take place during scheduled class time it is still the student’s responsibility to notify their professor in the event of an absence. While some professors use class time to attend grads are back events this is not true for all, students should plan to either attend class or plan to speak with their professors prior to.
After prioritizing and preparing students should map out create their own schedule of events specific to just them. They should have a visual of their prioritized plan. This should help guide them and keep them on track.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
Having a visualized plan can help successfully navigate throughout the week without getting deterred or off schedule.
Grads are Back is looked at to be a professional event that allows for fun while mixing and mingling. Students are strongly encouraged to show up and take part. Grads are back is headlined by homecoming week so it easy to feel the burn out effects of it, but should they choose to adopt the three P’s: Prioritize, Prepare, and Plan it helps to successfully nagivate through the week.
Internships: How Much Is Too Much?
BY ABRAIYA RUFFIN
For any student in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, the importance of experience, exposure, and extraordinary writing is emphasized immensely- one aspect of that being internships.
Internships offer so many opportunities to upcoming media professionals, such as, networking, hands on training, & direct experience in a newsroom. But exactly how many internships are needed to graduate & where on earth can students get one?
According to Florida A&M University’s undergraduate journalism catalog, at least one internship is required to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Although only one internship is required to graduate, it is important to strive to intern for more than one news outlet throughout one’s undergraduate career. A student can never have “too much experience” or “too many internships“, the more the better.
When looking for internships, students should start by researching communication internships that relate to their field as well as reaching out to school resources such as counselors, advisors, and professors.
According to an article on hirescholars.com, the journalism internship experience will have students writing, photo-taking, fact-checking, copy editing, and more. Internships will offer journalists an opportunity to operate in a real newsroom, perform live stand-ups, and write articles or scripts that can be used for publication.
MEET MEGAN MELLADO
Megan Mellado, 26, is a University of Florida alumna. Mellado graduated with a degree in Telecommunications, News in 2016 and now works for Wesh2 News in Orlando, Florida. “I think the biggest thing that I got out of my internship was relationships,” Mellado said Mellado interned with Wesh2 News during her college career, and after developing a great professional connection she began working for the company after graduation. “They did make sure that I learned about every single moving piece in the newsroom,” she said. Mellado was able to shadow different positions at Wesh, from the editors to the producers, and even the reporters.
Photo Courtesy of WESH-Orlando
WHERE TO LOOK?
FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication offers an endless amount of resources for internships. Students can go online to sjgc.famu.edu to browse their regularly updated list of internships and even job opportunities from both local and national organizations.
Students can also find flyers & informational announcements posted throughout the SJGC building that provide more on seasonal internship offers.
Students can also reach out to their professors for help.
FAMU’s Internship Expert
Meet Professor Ranata Hughes, Internship Coordinator for Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.
Professor Hughes serves as the go to person for all SJGC internship related questions, opportunities, resources, or applications.
“I recommend each student try to complete up to three internships before graduating. Experiencing two or three great internships makes a student more competitive when applying for employment,” Hughes said.
Professor Hughes would like for students to gain as much knowledge and as many connections as possible before they leave FAMU’s campus. This can make for a smooth transition from college life to the career field.
PROFESSOR HUGHES IS HERE TO HELP
“I assist FAMU SJGC students with resume building, cover letter writing, portfolio organization, job and internship searches, interview preparation, overall professional development and more,” Hughes said.
FAMU SJGC students can find Professor Hughes on the 4th floor of the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication in suite 4038, from Monday through Friday.
According to an article on theinterngroup.com, the journalism world is a competitive, fast-moving industry, always looking for the best and most qualified candidates. One way that upcoming media professionals can set themselves apart from other applicants is with the amount of experience they have.
Internships give direct access to experience, teaching students how to tell a story in a clear and captivating way, while preparing them for the technical parts of journalism as well. Knowing how to edit, photograph, and produce visuals are essential skills to have. The opportunity to shadow experts, learn the basics, and then practice is crucial for survival in the news industry.
Internships build the foundation of a journalist’s resume. Education and experience go hand in hand when it comes to the qualifications employers look for. Students will build long-lasting professional relationships with companies during their internship, which can land them a job after graduation.
Only one internship is required for an SJGC major to graduate at FAMU. However, having more than one can make a huge difference in finding a job after college. SJGC students that are looking for an internship or are having trouble finding some on their own can use FAMU’s resources at their disposal to widen their options and learn more about seasonal internship offers. While one is required, more is the mission.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
At HBCUs Students Go Greek Or Go Home!
BY MARISSA WELLS
Imagine it’s Set Friday. Students can be seen dressed in their flyest outfits all heading to the site of loud music and clothing vendors. DJ Loosekid starts playing C-Murder’s “Down for My N’s” and the students start to part like the red sea. Almost as if they magically appeared, all the Greek organizations start strolling to the music. Each fraternity and sorority have a unique stroll that they execute so perfectly it appears to be effortless.
Florida A&M University’s active NPHC community is omnipresent yet still a taboo topic to discuss openly. Many students come to FAMU with no knowledge about how to join, when is the best time to do it or what they should know before they do.
FAMU students are eligible to pursue membership in a Greek organization once they have the minimum credit hours required. However, this may vary as each organization has baseline requirements as far as GPA, community service hours and campus involvement.
Former Vice President of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chanelle Brown says there is no specific time to pursue membership.
“One of the benefits for students who join organizations early on is that they get to enjoy their Greek undergraduate experience life longer,” Brown said. “However, sometimes there can be benefits to waiting to apply for membership. It gives you more time to strengthen your application.”
Most Greek organizations receive hundreds of applications when they are accepting new members.When completing an application students should consider the competitiveness of applying and find a way to stand out from other applicants.
Many students apply to be members of Greek fraternities or sororities with tangible goals they can help the organization fulfill. To make their application stand out more, students should highlight what they can contribute to the organization. If they are a strong event planner or a public relations specialist, they should find a way to insert that into the application.
Greek life contributor Eddie Francis wrote in an article on HBCULifestyle that students can find information about their prospective fraternity or sorority on the organization’s official website. Students should also research the latest news and social media posts about the organization they are interested in.
“The best advice I can give is doing your research to see which values of the organization align with your values,” Brown said. “That’s the best way [students can find] the one that’s for them.”
Being Greek is more than what can be seen on Set Fridays. College experiences, the media portrayal and the opinions of family members can lead students to develop misconceptions about Greek life and culture.
FAMU Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator
Edward Kincheon Jr., says students typically have a preconceived notion about what Greek fraternities and sororities are.
“A lot of our students think that Greek life is going to be like what they see in movies or on tv and they set their expectations accordingly,” Kincheon said. “They set their expectations to that perception they have.”
As students begin to research any Greek organization, they should keep an open mind. What they learn about the organization may not match their original perception, but it might still align with their personality. However, if it doesn’t, find another organization that does. Finding an organization that fits students’ personalities is key, but Kincheon warned against “changing your personality to fit the organization.”
Typically, there are financial obligations associated with joining a Greek fraternity or sorority. According to Oswego State College of New York, students can expect to pay for initiation costs and yearly membership dues for the local and national chapters. Altogether the cost of going Greek can total more than $2,000 depending on the organization students choose. In addition to these costs, students can expect to pay more if they buy any Greek paraphernalia.
One of the advantages of Black Greek life, in particular, is that it is a lifelong commitment. If the financial obligation of the undergraduate chapter is too much, the current GPA isn’t eligible or the academic major is too time-consuming, students can consider joining a Greek organization’s graduate chapter. Joining grad chapter organizations means the opportunity to go Greek doesn’t just end on FAMU’s campus.
Lauren Clark, current member of the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. shares some benefits of graduate chapter organizations.
“I think the difference for me personally because I joined the organization through an undergraduate chapter is that you’re in the chapter a shorter period,” Clark said. “Whereas when you join an alumni chapter you’re there for a longer time.”
NPHC Greek organizations have grad chapters, and the best part is membership in an undergraduate chapter is not a requirement to join.
All grad chapter members have at least a baccalaure-
ate degree requirement and most of them are established in their career which means their chapters focus more on business, professionalism and mentorship.
Although there are a plethora of advantages to students joining Greek organizations, there are still great experiences to be had outside of Greek fraternity and sorority life. There are so many other organizations on campus that students can join where they can find a friends, networking opportunities and an experience that cultivates their time in college.
Florida A&M University Students Prepare for Life After College
BY BRECHE DAVALT
After four plus years of higher education many students are faced with anxiety about finding the perfect career. After getting a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree, job offers may or may not be lined up for students.
Scholars at Florida A&M University are trying to navigate through the last years of their collegiate careers and obtain the perfect occupation.
Students in the school of journalism and graphic communication have many opportunities to boost their resumes in their undergraduate studies.
Journalism students look to professors like Kenneth Jones, SJGC journalism program coordinator and curriculum chair, who have a pretty good idea of what it takes to be successful in the media industry.
“Students that have had hands-on experience, mentorship and the advising that I have done, helps when looking for jobs,” Jones said. “Also, knowing vital information about the current industry.”
Jones constantly announces internship openings that students can apply for via canvas announcements and email. The University of the People also reminds those looking for jobs to remember to clean up social media accounts to look polished and professional.
Journalism students are required to have 10 published articles, two internships and other student media experience to pass their capstone. The preparation ultimately creates more well-rounded and competitive students entering the workforce.
Former journalism student, Ariyon Dailey, took advantage of her time in SJGC and graduated with her bachelors degree. She is working as an audience journalist for the Dallas Morning News. She is responsible for mass communication and digitally utilizing platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit and other social sites.
Dailey was a TV News 20 anchor, homecoming special reporter, vice president of the FAMU Chapter of National Association of Black Journalists, editor-inchief of the Famuan and more. She also worked as an intern with three different companies throughout her time as an SJGC student.
With these internships and other student media experience, she was able to gain skills and build her portfolio which helped her when applying for different companies.
“Throughout your entire collegiate career you should be setting yourself up for greatness,” Dailey said.
Dailey wants journalism students to start buckling down and focusing on finding opportunities at the beginning of their last semester.
Being patient, staying prepared and keeping up a “hustle mentality” will help students when applying for positions.
“I applied for about 30 jobs, but only heard back from about 15 of them.” Dailey said. “My job gave me a test to see if I was best fit for the job.”
Students can’t be “afraid of rejection” and have to keep applying to the thousands of job listings that there are out there. Preparation during undergrad will set students up for the success needed post grad.
Aside from SJGC, there are also tons of resources on campus to help students get ready for the job hunt.
The FAMU Career and Professional Development Center offers resources like HireARattler which helps students create a profile matching them up with businesses in their career fields. The career center also offers mock interviews, resume/cover letter workshops, one on one advisement and successful alumni connections.
Kalea Jackson, educational coordinator for University Housing, supervises the Rattler Rise program. Rattler Rise works closely with the Academic Success and Career Centers to help students with their professional development needs.
“We help students develop their resumes, conduct mock interviews and everything they need to at least land an internship which we hope will lead them to a great job once they graduate,” Jackson said.
Jackson also suggests that students don’t get “bogged down” trying to find perfect jobs that cater specifically to their career field.Taking the initiative to use sites like Handshake helps professionals network with more than 500,000 employers according to the Handshake blog.
“Instead I tried to use my talents, and also learn more skills that can help me get to where I want to be in the future,” Jackson said.
The Indeed editorial team thinks securing great jobs is easy with some of these great tips: joining groups that are in the same industry as you to stay in the loop of new opportunities, take words from the job description you are applying for and use them in your resume, in your interview, show your personality and answer questions by using relevant examples to give context in each situation and also being confident to re-apply for positions that you have in the past. Post-graduate preparation can be scary for most students, but gaining experience and planning ahead can ultimately set young professionals up to be great candidates for any profession they are interested in.
Enter Campus with the Freshman Title But With A Senior Mindset: The Ultimate Tips for Freshmen from Seniors
BY DESTINY GAINES
Enter campus with the freshman title but a with senior mindset: The ultimate tips for freshmen from seniors.
Just four years ago, seniors entered campus as freshmen. As they moved into their dorms and said goodbye to their parents, the journey that is called adulthood began. Even though spring semester just started, seniors are using this time to wrap up classes, book photoshoots, and apply for jobs.
When the day is over, seniors will reflect on their lives and how they have grown to form connections through their major, clubs and organizations. The countdown to reality begins now and there is no going back to change any decisions. It is important that seniors keep their head up and move forward with their lives and continue to enjoy their collegiate lives as they finish this final chapter of school.
Christian Miley, a graduating accounting scholar
from Tampa, Florida and Carla Allen, a graduating cardiopulmonary science scholar from Tampa, Florida discussed their overall experiences in their majors.
“When you think about it, not all of first year J-School students are going to come with full knowledge of their major, and working virtually blocks them from having knowledge of futuristic opportunities....... If I was a freshman at a time like this, I would remind myself to step outside my comfort zone and experiment until I find my passion of work in journalism.”
Senior students, Carla Allen and Christian Miley, talked about their way of forming connections while on campus. Allen said that she entered college with minimum social skills, and this only kept her from seeking opportunities she was interested in.
“When I came onto campus, I had the plans to only hang out with my roommate and focus on school,” Allen said. “While on campus and focusing on school, I would watch people join clubs and organizations and would slightly question myself to why I’m not making the same moves as everyone else but then realized that the only way to evolve my college experience is to step outside of the normal.”
Miley said that he has always been a social person but having confidence in himself was something that he constantly would lose.
“It’s like I knew who to reach out to in regard to taking interest into things that I wanted, but having the actual conversation was something that my conscience would always prevent me from doing,” Miley said.
“Eventually, after receiving advice from friends I decided that it was a now or never and decided to speak up for myself.... I learned that if it was not for me speaking on behalf of myself, confidently might I add, I would not be in all of the organizations that I am proud to be in.”
Christian Miley and Carla Allen were asked if there was is something that they would tell their freshmen selves and to explain. Miley said that he would tell his freshmen self that he is living his ancestor’s wildest dreams.
Photo Courtesy of Siipkan
“Coming from a family that encouraged a college education, I knew that going to college was something, but going to an HBCU was something that would make them proud....... So, all those times where I would question my reasoning to being in college, I remember that my ancestors fought for their rights and to keep the same energy when it comes to my education.”
Senior scholar, Carla Allen, said that she would tell her younger self to live by Beyonce’s song, Formation. “You know you that chick when you cause all this conversation, always stay gracious best revenge is your paper.”
“While in college, I realized that I was growing physically and mentally and that threw a lot of people that are not in my life anymore off,” Allen said, “I learned that there are going to be people who are going to pray on your downfall, so instead of worrying about the things that they said get in my head I am going to continue working hard to get towards that degree and my future high salary.”
The freshmen college experience should not be taken for granted as it only lasts for two semesters. Freshman should remember to cherish each moment that they gain in college but also understand that there will be days where moments of doubt will arise. It is important that they avoid throwing away their shot at something that they are passionate about because of things that support fear.
The most necessary advice for freshmen is to keep pushing themselves for anything.
Are Official Dean’s Excuses Played Out?
BY KYLA HUBBARD
Attendance has always been an extremely stressed factor in school. Growing up, perfect attendance was applauded and awarded with recognition.
Amongst college students, attendance is slowly being deemed as an unnecessary factor to show genuine success and growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has only further solidified this point as students grapple with the inconsistency of virtual learning and the overall effects of the virus on their lives.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Center, “postsecondary enrollment is now running 2.6 percent below last year’s level, for a total 5.8 percent drop since 2019.” This data shows how less students are continuing their education due to coronavirus protocols, familial responsibilities, work demands, or other difficult challenges.
Students may make the decision to go a different route in life or to ultimately pursue a degree despite the things they are going through. These past two years have proved themselves as more difficult than any for everyone across the globe, especially young adults in school and starting their careers.
With school going fully back in-person this semester, students are trying to juggle their mental and physical health as well as their education. It’s a challenge to navigate finding who you are as a person while also preparing yourself for the future during a global pandemic.
This coming of age experience can lead to some falling behind or missing classes which could negatively affect them in the long-term when it comes to graduating and securing a job.
The School of Graphic Design and Communication at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University outlines consistent attendance as a key component in graduating and getting a job. According to FAMU’s attendance policy, students may have three unexcused absences before being dropped a whole letter grade. Students can submit official excused absences for school sponsored events, personal illness, or any other extenuating circumstances with dean’s approval within two weeks of the absence.
This pre-pandemic policy has made it extremely hard for some students to get the support they need while facing adversity and being in school.
Felicia Leamard, a second-year student at FAMU, requested an official dean’s excuse after contracting COVID-19 at the beginning of the semester.
“I didn’t have wi-fi at the on campus housing and without the official excuse from my dean my teachers were not being very accommodating,” said Leamard.
Leamard was unable to connect to the internet or attend class the first week of school while in quarantine, but she appreciated having access to get leeway for her assignments. Other students don’t get to experience these same accommodations.
Kyra Rolle, a SJGC student, believes that she would have benefited from having an official dean’s excuse when she had coronavirus last semester.
“I wasn’t allowed to get a dean’s note, because we were completely online,” said Rolle. “I failed a class and I could’ve saved that grade with an excuse.”
Although she had COVID-19, Rolle was not seen as eligible for an excused absence since she could technically still log onto her computer. Rolle had challenges with this as she was battling the virus and experiencing symptoms.
Students recognize a constant trend of professors refusing to accommodate them without official excuses. This likely stems from abuse of the policy in the past by former students.
While students struggle with the official excuse policy process but understand its effectiveness nonetheless, administration stands by the rules and policies put forth on the campus.
The new SJGC dean, Mira Lowe, has been in her position since October 22, 2021 where she’s received 23 student requests for official excuses which were mostly due to illness.
Although she couldn’t provide any concrete information on if there’s been a notable rise in the use of official excuses since the pandemic, she assures that this policy is for the benefit of students.
“The Dean’s excuse was created to support students through legitimate life events that could have academic consequences,” said Lowe. “I have faith that our students will not take advantage of a policy that is intended to positively support them during unique circumstances and in their academic progression.”
Although the process of getting an official excuse may be daunting, it is a solid way to ensure that you can stay on top of your work despite other challenges.
SJGC has started processing excuse requests electronically instead of having students bring paper forms to the dean’s office. Students can visit the FAMU SJGC resources page to find the official excuse form, which they must complete and email to Office Manager, Tiffanie Burt, at tiffanie.burt@ famu.edu.
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
Working Smarter Not Harder
BY TIANIE HOWARD
Many undergraduate students come into college thinking that they only have to focus on their studies, but in reality they have to focus on so many other factors of life while balancing school. Between financesm work, hobbies, extracurricular activites, diet, health, relationships and family, some students have a lot on their plates outside of academenics.
These days college students have even more to worry about fue to them being the first generation of students in decades to attend school during a global pandemic. A lot of students are experiencing burnout and are extremely overwhelmed with school.
Everyone’s college experience is different, and everyone does not have
the same resources. Many college students end up getting a job to support themselves through school.
According to Mental Health America National approximately half of full-time college students have jobs outside of school and 80 percent of part-time college students have jobs outside of school as well.
BALANCING SCHOOL
The academic workload of a fulltime undergraduate student with a minimum of 12-credit hours can amount to quizzes, tests, in-class assignments, writing papers, writing articles, gathering research information and hours of studying. Students still have to find time to fulfill their academic responsibilities.
A lot of professors have high expectations for their students, and every class is not going to be easy. Academic courses are to prepare students for what they may experience in the real world. Sometimes life happens, but that doesn’t mean that work gets easier or stops.
Joining on-campus organizations and participating in school activities is also a part of school life. Yes, college is about getting the grade, but it is also about students enjoying some of the “best years” of their lives.
Joining an on-campus organization is how many students network, give back to the community and gain experience. Organizations require time and focus, this adds to the amount of time students sacrifice to reach their goals before graduating.
BALANCING LIFE
Focusing on school alone is not
Source: https://news.osu.edu/70-percent-of-collegestudents-stressed-about-finances/
Photo Courtesy of Kids Help Line
the reality for most students. Some students have to deal with working full time to pay for school, others pick up side hustles to support themselves financially.
Iyanna Peoples, a fulltime Florida A&M University Public Relations student and business owner, says that some of the challenges she faces with balancing her school life and her personal life are getting stressed and feeling like she’s not taking advantage of opportunities due to her busy schedule.
“Prioritizing and compartmentalizing, once you have those things together you’ll be fine.”
BALANCING BOTH
“Balancing J-school and life outside of academics can be very challenging because I’m really active on campus,” Peoples said. “I don’t even know how many organizations I’m in, and I plan on joining two more this semester. Also having a business and being a full-time student can be difficult.”
According to Peoples, she balances all the components of her life by being organized. Peoples’ said that in order to balance her life she uses the Reminders app on her phone, she gets a good amount of rest, she works out and maintains a healthy diet, and she practices self-care whenever she gets the chance.
“I try to keep myself happy whether that’s reading a book or buying my favorite food.”
It takes a lot of trial and error to find a healthy balance between school and life. Many students wait until it’s too late to get some help. However, there are resources put in place so students don’t have to find the balance by themselves.
Amanda Williams, an academic coach at FAMU, believes that every student can achieve a healthy balance if they compartmentalize the different areas of their lives to achieve a goal.
Academic coaches are resources that the university provides to help students excel throughout their college careers. It’s an academic coach’s job to help students balance their personal lives if it’s getting in the way of their studies.
“If you learn to shut your mind down to distractions, it will allow you to be more productive,” Williams said. “You just have to be
able to block out certain things so that you can focus on what is your priority. Sometimes you have to simplify your life, and remove things that do not fit. The biggest part is discipline and you have to discipline yourself.”
All students can achieve balance within their school and personal lives, it just takes the right resources and the right motivation.
Academic Coaches at FAMU...Huh?
BY JALA JOHNSON
Who are the students to blame when assignments are not turned in on time? Academic coaches are waiting?
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC COACH?
Academic coaches are mentors for students who are entering and currently enrolled students at Florida A&M University.
Academic coaches hold students accountable to their “target goals” they have set at the beginning of each semester.
As well as, familiarize students with academic support services, iden-
tify roadblocks that are stopping students from succeeding, guide students on how to balance a social life and college life and improve time management skills.
These academic coaches are a select group of individuals whose degrees range from clinical mental health, sports management, public administration, entertainment business, social work, counselor education, psychology, political science and pharmaceutical sciences.
Photo Courtesy of Google Doc
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES
According to The FAMUAN in 2019, A FAMU alum, Nia Henderson, spoke with Youdline Joseph, wished that academic coaches were around when she was attending school.
“To them, it seems exhausting because we’re pulling at them in so many different directions but as a FAMU, we didn’t have these opportunities. I definitely wish that I had the opportunity to have all these resources,”
Chan-Erica Feacher, a FAMU alum and academic coach in 2019, stated on The FAMUAN
“It’s all about maintaining the academic and social life balance and that’s what we’re here to help students do,” She further explained that students should take advantage of these opportunities, such as academic counseling.
HOW DO STUDENTS FIND THEIR PERFECT ACADEMIC COACH?
Kenya Floyd, an academic coach here at FAMU. Spoke on how students are assigned to their academic coach.
“ A form will have a few questions to help us decide which coach would be the best fit for you. The good thing about the coaches is that we come from all different backgrounds and hold different degrees, making it much easier when pairing a student up with a coach,” said Floyd.
“ Students are also welcomed to go online to the academic coach page on the FAMU site, read up on each coach, and request a specific coach,”
Floyd continued stating that the academic coaching team also has the tool to recruit students for each other.
“We are more than happy to help, and we recruit for each other. Our goal is to make sure the student is happy and comfortable with his or her coach,”
METHODS USED TO HELP STUDENTS BALANCE SOCIAL AND COLLEGE LIFE
Floyd gave methods to help students find their strengths and weaknesses when balancing social and college.
“ I like to remind students to play to their strengths, find opportunities when they can, know their weaknesses, remember if it is a threat, proceed with caution.” Floyd continued “I remind them that life is full of decisions and some of their biggest problems are separating personal and social life from each other.”
Floyd also mentioned that students should set boundaries with friends.
“Practice self-care methods, learn to tell people no and do fun things for yourself. Remember to set boundaries with friends for your social life,” said Floyd
IS
ACADEMIC COACHING ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE?
According to the Undergraduate StudentSuccess Center, “The academic coach works to empower the student towards positive behavior change and improved academic performance,”
Justin Matthews, a sophomore psychology student here at FAMU, on the effectiveness of the academic coaching has had throughout his time here at FAMU. He said that creating biweekly set goals kept him on top of his assignments. His biology and college algebra classes were very tough for him.
“My biology and college algebra classes were the hardest for me. So, having someone that kept me motivated and a reliable person that I could talk to was very nice.”
Floyd stated that academic coaches are beneficial and effective for FAMU and should be taken advantage of.
“Academic coaches help identify barriers, help improve time management, create goals, become more independent, learn how to resolve conflicts and help find resources and many more. I think all students should take advantage of academic coaching.”
ARE YOU GETTING AN ACADEMIC COACH?
From a student to a former and current academic coach, this campus amenity is beneficial for students’ education and social life. Academic coaching not only brings success and progress to the students but to the coaches as well.
“Working with students and helping them succeed is the joy I get from academic coaching. I love to see my students return after a semester; they will call or email me asking when will we meet? That alone brings joy, knowing that they want to continue.” said Floyd
When Coming into The New Year
BY COKO ROBINSON
WHEN COMING INTO THE NEW YEAR STUDENTS CAN TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO CONNECT AND GAIN SKILLS THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS. MANY ORGANIZATIONS PUSH THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE GAIN OF BLACK STUDENTS.
Clubs, and organizations are essential to the college experience. It can be utilized as an, advantage to meet new people, network to gain opportunities, and make lifelong memories.
On the Highest of seven hills, Florida A&M University is here to provide each and every student, with the proper resources and tools to get them ready for a world of endless job opportunities.
WHERE TO START
The first place to start is by doing research on what the school has to offer. Istrike is an amazing website, created and meant just for the purpose of finding organizations and clubs to join around the campus.
Throughout the website things like categorizing and narrowing down the search can be done by simply imputing in certain characteristic being looked for. Events, updates, and news will also be posted on the Itrike website. To make life a little bit easier, let’s look at a few organizations that students love to join around campus.
NABJ
NABJ is the National Association of Black Journalist. The organization was founded in the year 1975 in Washington D.C. by 44 black and well-educated journalists.
According to the NABJ website their mission is to “Strengthening ties among Black journalists, student journalists, journalism educators and media professionals”.
Being a member of NABJ provides a world of opportunities, that can help with future journalist. Such opportunities include scholarships, which is a great way to fund education, which is a great investment for the future.
They also have internships which are requirement that need to be meet being a part of FAMU’s School of Journalism.
February 26, 2022 NABJ will be hosting a interactive one-day job fair and conferences for HBCU students, and alumni. Be sure to sign up for more information here.
THE DIVINE NINE
The divine nine!! What better way for incoming students to get accommodated and welcomed.
Greek life becomes a way that unifies individuals. Joining a fraternity or sorority means meeting a sister, or brother for life, from various backgrounds, and demographics. It means branching out reaching a level of dedication within, while trying to succeed at multiple tasks.
One may ask themselves, what is the meaning and why should I join? And the answer to that is too learn skills. Such skills include, leadership, unity, time management, purpose, loyalty, and so much more.
Think about all the people in the world who are associated with being part of the divine nine. This opens up a world of networking. People associated with the same Frat or sorority typically take the time to help a brother or sister out, just because of that one similarity.
Johnathan Spicer FAMU alumnus from Miami Florida said, “I joined Kappa alpha psi because growing up he was around a lot of family members who were apart of Kappa alpha psi”.
“I saw how great fathers and mentors they were to me, and the people around them,” Spicer said. “I also did my research, and I liked what the fraternity stood for and their motive for achievement in every field of human endeavor, and that’s what I live by. I strive for excellence and achieve-
ment in everything I do rather it was school, sports, or work, or just life”.
The university of Connecticut expressed that joining a fraternity or sorority “exposes students to a large network of collegiate members and alumni that can help undergraduates’ transition successfully into college life and help them find opportunities that will enhance their development.”
SGA
Student Government Association is another big but successful organization held on FAMU’s campus.
This organization is what gives students a voice. It provides away for opinions to be expressed about the University and what changes can be made to improve each students’ experiences.
FINALLY!!
Each organization presented stands for something different but shares the same goal of bringing our community together to push out some of the most intelligent individuals, with different career goals and or life goals.
Take the time to research each organization when looking for one. Think about the different benefits, the purpose for the organization, their mission, and what connection can be made in the real world after becoming a member of that organization. This will only help with making such a sizeable decision.
A LIST OF THINGS ORG’S
SGA can help with getting a productive career after college. Peers will learn how to govern a group of people, being that they are the official voice to advocate for the student body while promoting student involvement. It presents students with real world experiences that can be used to further any knowledge.
MJ, a FAMU grad is a part of Omega Psi Phi but he said that “Just because he’s apart of that organization it didn’t stop him from being active in the student government association”.
“SGA taught me about prioritizing and even meetings on the more corporate side of things,” said MJ. “with SGA I participated in the health drive, volunteered, and helped with the children in the middle and high schools which I actually enjoyed”.
SGA isn’t just for a certain group of individuals it’s all inclusive, and everyone’s voice matters.
How To Pitch To The Famuan: The Transition
BY: KYRA ROLLE
The school newspaper just got a little more serious. While in highschool, the school newspaper may have been a club to join for an extracurricular credit.
However, here at the illustrious Florida A & M University the newspaper is essential to student culture. There are several student publications that students could pitch to, including the FAMUAN. In order to get an article published by the award winning student publication,follow this guide.
WHAT IS THE FAMUAN
According to the FAMUAN’s website,”The Famuan has been the voice of the students of Florida A & M University since 1919. It is published jointly by the student body of Florida A&M Universityand the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.”
The Famuan has obtained several awards and has published thousands of articles.Student publications are extremely important. According to Print in the mix,”College students read their campus newspaper. 76% of all students have read their school’s student newspaper in the past 30 days.
THE PITCH
Before students do anything else, they should introduce themselves. Students find it easier to start with the FAMU greeting. It is universal to so many things.
The first step after that is to formulate an idea, students love a juicy article and the editor is more likely to pick up an article if it has “sauce”.
An eye catching headline is one of the most important parts because it will be the one thing that will get people to continue reading. According to Kyla Hub-
bard, the lifestyle editor for the Famuan, standing out is important. “I look for pitches that are unique stories from new angles. Sometimes the same type of stories are written every semester which can get repetitive.” Says Hubbard so keep that in mind.
DON’T BE SCARED, ITS JUST A PITCH
While pitching to any publication seems like it could be difficult, pitching to FAMUAN is quite simple. There is no specific format students absolutely have to follow to pitch and that’s the best part about it. A pitch must include a few simple things such as a compelling headline, strong lead, Who, What, When, Where, who can be interviewed and how they’d strengthen the validity of the article. All of which will be added to a checklist below to ensure that students don’t miss anything and that the editors will jump at the chance to publish an article According to the FAMUAN’s Instagram page, a pitch should be at least 400 words as well as three sources. Properly citing is very important. Speaking of the Editor, it is important to know exactly where the pitch should be sent.
Different from other publications, the FAMUAN accepts submissions any time via email which will be mentioned below, be remember to stay patient because According to the Famuan, “it may take 1-3 school days
Artwork created by Kyra Rolle
to respond to your pitch and assign you to the right editor”. “Even if you don’t have it all together, still pitch your idea! If it’s really good, whoever the editor is at that time may be willing to reach out and help you figure out your angle, says Iyanna Peoples, a third year public relations student who is also a staff writer for the publication with 10 published articles meaning students shouldn’t be discouraged if a student doesn’t know where to begin with a story or where to go next, there is always someone in the FAMULY that is willing to help along the way. The advisor of the Famuan is Professor
Blackburn who is known for keeping the publication alive over the past few years, he is also a Journalism professor here at Florida A&M and his students have nothing but great things to say about his work ethic so don’t be afraid to reach out ALMOST THERE!
When a student has done everything to make the pitch worth picking up, they should be sure to include information at the bottom so that it is easy to commu-
nicate, and the student will be ready for the final step which is to email it to pitchfamuan@gmail.com from here, Kayla McKinney who is over the pitch line will then reach out to the student if the pitch has potential and then the writer will be sent to the respective editor depending on what section the article would fall under, then BOOM article published and the writer is finally a published writer and one article closer to completing the requirements for capstone.
WANT TO JOIN THE TEAM?
If being on the FAMUAN’s staff is something that interests students, they can become apart of team by applying at the beginning of the semester when applications come out. But, if students just want to get involved, they should feel free to submit pitches to the
Kayla Mckinney who is over the pitch line so their work can get recognized and published.
HOW TO BE HIRED WITH JOURNEY!
It is also easy to get hired and work with the amazing
publication as easy as it is to pitch. Even though it may seem like an imitating job, Journey offers so many opportunities for FAMU students to gain valuable experience for future careers in journalism.
“Even though I came on campus not knowing anyone, I would just show up to journey and talk to people to see how I can get involved,” said Akilah Winters.
When applying to jobs, all that is wanted is a resume, reference, and work samples, and Journey asks for these exact requirements. For work samples, be sure to include stories, social media posts, graphic designs, photos, and multimedia projects.
Also, if there are no previous work samples, apply and get hired to start a journey to grow and become involved.
Third-year public relations student, Iyanna Peoples, thought she would not get hired. “I know I needed the experience, so I applied and got hired, and working for Journey has given me the opportunity to put what I have been learning in my classes to work,” said Peoples.
All of these requirements will help when asking what can be contributed to Journey and how the magazine can become better, with the previous hard and soft skills that have been presented.
Artwork and list curated by Kyra Rolle
Photo courtesy of the FAMUAN website
The magazine offers jobs for all areas of Journalism; whether that be writing Journalism, public relations, graphics, there is something that will help you become involved in J-school.
Jobs like running the social media page, being a photographer, planning events, writing stories for every issue, or even becoming a director to help keep things in order. Journey magazine is an organization that is here to help J-School students who want to get a future career in Journalism, and it all starts with becoming involved. Even though applications closed on January 19, 2022, keep looking for future updates on Journey’s social media platforms and website.
Dare to get involved with Journey Magazine, Here’s how!
BY SASHA WILLIAMS
Getting published and being involved on campus is vital to Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication students. A
goal for a J-school student at FAMU should be to get published and involved with Journey Magazine.
Here is the only way to pitch and get published and become a part of the publications staff.
WHAT IS JOURNEY MAGAZINE?
Journey Magazine is the FAMU award-winning campus magazine produced by Journey’s student-run organization. Beginning in 1984, Journey has delivered content created by FAMU students through writing, graphic design, photography, multimedia projects, and more.
Starting as a printed publication, Journey has created plenty of issues that have spread across FAMUs campus. Now that social media and other online outlets are being used, Journey is published online on Jmagonline.com.Although students miss the printed issue, it gives students more opportunities to publish their story ideas. If getting published and becoming a part of the Journey staff is a goal, make sure to check out the website and Instagram at Journeymag for hiring and pitch line updates.
HOW TO PITCH!
When wanting to pitch a story to Journey, all that is needed is a well-detailed email to the pitch line. It is
Photo courtesy of the FAMUAN website
essential to include as many details as possible without sending too much.
The email should include a name, credentials, subject line, compelling lead paragraph, and other information that will be important for the story. To email the pitchine; journeypitchline@gmail.com
For example, photos, sidebar quotes, or even pull quotes that the story may need. Even though pitching sounds easy, it is still important to write and ask for help if needed.
“I first pitched to Journey my sophomore year on campus,” said Akilah Winters, a graduating broadcast journalism student and previous writing staff of Journey. “and I pushed myself and sent an email to the pitch line and described my angle of the story as best as I can.”
Journey also makes posts on Instagram when the pitch line is open, so it is essential to stay updated on social media for any critical updates. Also, this Friday, January 21, 2022, the publications will be having a meeting in SJGC Convergence for stories that will be available for the next issue.
If pitching, writing, and becoming published with Journey is a goal, it is encouraged for all future writers to attend this meeting.
“I have written so many stories for Journey, and being able to write for them made me want to write more,” said Winters.
Keeping As and Planning
Vacay’s 101
Upon graduating from high school, life presents two paths for newly graduates: pursue a college education or jump right into the workforce for a dreadful 9 to 5.
If this article is being read, it’s safe to assume the reader has decided to go the college route and what a great decision indeed. College is an amazing brief pause to
the reality that awaits.
From an active campus life, creating new relationships and memories, and honing the skills needed to be successful, attending a university will always be one for the books. But partying and social interactions are not all there is to college; there are academics, campus involvement and career preparation.
To be successful in college, the key is balance. Students must maintain a school-life balance in order to be able to work hard and play hard. It is very easy to get sidetracked when living in a new and vibrant lifestyle; but, it is feasible to keep steady throughout.
Tracy Nozé, a graduating public relations scholar, says to place the most emphasis on planning ahead of time. “Buy a planner because it will literally save you a thousand headaches,” Nozé said. “In college, so much happens on a daily basis. If you try to keep every little thing stored in your brain, you will drive yourself crazy and possibly drop out. Writing out your class schedule, daily to-do lists and visually seeing your free time helps keep you at ease. So invest in that calendar board and planner to keep you from going nuts.”
Nozé reveals that her secret to living the best college life is to work smart, plan ahead and save money.
“With this pandemic society we live in, get an athome job at your convenience,” Nozé said. “Campus
Photo
involvement can be pretty pricey depending on what you want to do, such as join multiple organizations, enter pageants or even attend as many Homecoming events as possible; you’ll need money honey. So be specific in what you put your money and time towards and think about how it will benefit you.
Then when you’ve chosen all that you’d like to accomplish that semester and you know how much funds will be needed, look at your free time and plan some trips and activities. You are not only here to work, but to play too.”
Often, the idea of play is forgotten due to the notion of adulthood being ‘all gas, no brakes’ with a spoonful of stress However, without necessary breaks and selfish days for self-care, a student’s mental health can quickly go down the drain.
According to TheBalanceCareers, “it is a known fact that a high incidence of illnesses occur in college during periods when students are under additional pressure.” So allotting time for mental health days is
essential to being an overall successful student. Eljin Rhymes, a third-year bioengineering major, believes an active lifestyle plus academic focus makes for a happy student.
“The first thing you need to do is avoid that ‘freshman 15’,” Rhymes said. “I make sure to plan my workouts for the week and strive to achieve at least 3 days of fitness. We all know working out makes you more energetic, which you’ll need when experiencing new weird schedules.”
According to John Hopkins University, “practicing healthy habits such as eating healthfully, increasing Vitamin D intake and regularly exercising will play a significant role in a student’s academic, professional and personal success.”
Rhymes is an avid traveler and makes sure to accomplish his life goals aside from school on a consistent basis.
“You have to finesse life to live the way you want,” Rhymes said. “For example, if you know you’d like to
Photo courtesy of nappy on Unsplash
travel at least one time during the year but you can’t fund yourself at the moment, study abroad using your aid or get a paid internship in another location. You can enjoy a new city while gaining quality experience that goes towards your career, so it’s a win-win.”
While highlighting the secrets to finessing vacations, jobs and better health during the school year is relevant, the most important thing to finesse is campus resources. Although tutors andacademic advisors are always available, a freshman’s best friend will be the Academic Coaches. The Academic Coaching staff consists of 10 trained coaches that specialize in different fields for a broad range of assistance.
Dr. Jamie Davis, director of Academic Coaching, says probing a student’s mind delivers the best results in matching with a coach.
“It just depends on what their needs are,” Davis said. “They tell us their areas of concern, such as time management, study habits or social skills. Based on that, we pick a coach that specializes in what they’re looking for.” Since Academic Coaching began in 2018, there has been an 83% success rate in students who utilize the resource.
The name ‘academic coach’ can be misleading, as some may assume they’re about to go through a college boot camp. But the coaches are more than just their titles; they are truly a role model and a friend.
Karen Mitchell is an academic coach who appreciates being able to fulfill her students’ needs above and beyond the title.
“As coaches, what we do is not just about workshops and academics,” Mitchell said. “It’s about the wholebeing of the student.”
McKenzie Reese, a third-year cardiopulmonary science scholar, has been a recurring student using the academic coaching resource since her freshman year. She has been working with Dr. Davis since their first session.
“I’ve matured a lot through academic coaching,” Reese said. “I’ve learned how to grow as a student. I was able to use the skill set to learn how to build resumes, join organizations and maintain high
positions within them.
Since her first year, Reese has become a member of Black Women in Medicine, Kappa Psi Psi, Inc., a peer mentor and Ms. Presidential Ambassador.
Reese advises incoming students to reach out for help rather than attempt to do it all alone.
“Find a guidance counselor,” Reese said. “A lot of people come from high school trying to figure it all out by themselves. Find someone that you’ll really bond with and be there through your academic career. If I didn’t have academic coaching, I don’t know where I would be right now.”
College is a whirlwind of opportunities for personal and professional growth. It would be unwise of the reader to allow such an experience to slip through their fingers. Like Nozé and Rhymes advise, take advantage of all the resources the campus has to offer, such as the paid internships, campus planners, workstudy jobs and even the recreation center. Utilize the Academic Coaching services to plan out the perfect semester then plan out the memories to be made as well.
Photo courtesy of Julia M Cameron on Unsplash
Freshmen are Freshly Involved on Campus
BY JADA HENDERSON
As time inches closer for “FAMU26” to make their appearance on the highest of seven hills, the question that may run through their minds when they touch down on campus for the first time—where to begin? After registering for their basic core classes, the number one starting point is to attend those courses. —Well, duh!
Then, what is the next move during the first year of undergrad? The advice that has often been conveyed during the transition from high school into undergrad for first-year students is that campus involvement is the golden rule to a great undergrad experience.
What does that mean? Be involved in something, specifically a club or an organization to get started!
The transition into undergrad may seem unchallenging and straightforward, but according to College Atlas, it is known that 30% of first-year college students drop out after their first year of college.
That settles it... it cannot be that simple. What is the reward of being involved?
THE BENEFITS
A widely known theory that could be a reward is that undergrad is where most students encounter their lifelong friends, and it makes it easier to transition with the help of friends. These clubs and organizations can surely bring individuals who share similarities and differences and create lifelong friendships after undergrad.
Best Accredited colleges declare, “By joining a club,
you may be able to find people who share similar interests. Usually, college campuses offer a variety of clubs like those that are associated with academic majors, public interests, politics, music, or careers. There are also fraternities and sororities at different colleges. Clubs provide an opportunity to meet people outside of the classroom and the opportunity for you to get involved with something that you are passionate about. Being involved in extracurricular activities may also alleviate some of your stress.”
State University of New York Alumnus, Orlando Hill discusses the several clubs and organizations that he participated in and the lifelong connections he gained from being involved on campus. He often acknowledged the aid of being involved in those organizations.
“I was involved in National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, ETA Sigma Delta National Honor Society, and The Special Events and Catering Club. These clubs were good because I met several individuals of diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to black, white, Hispanic, and Asian. We got to teach each other cultures, and it was a beautiful and an eye-opening experience.”
He continued, “Being involved in an organization definitely boosted my undergrad experience for me. I went to undergrad with a plan, and I stuck with that plan thoroughly. The organization I joined was just the icing on top of the cake for the experience, and where we can always connect if we need Each other.”
Often, campus involvement can affect after graduation preparation, especially employment. Students who find themselves highly involved on campus are more likely to be considered for employment based on their hyperactive resumes and connections that they have made.
The Ohio State University Student Life Center research indicates, “Highly-involved students were two times more likely to be considered for the job by employers than the uninvolved students.”
OSU also reveals, “Highly-involved students were rated as 18 percent more career-ready than uninvolved students.”
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Alumnus Steph Lamar talked about the benefit of being given opportunities after being involved on campus through multiple organizations during his undergrad experience.
“For sure, I can say that I have met a few lifelong friends throughout my undergrad tenure.
He continued, “If it had not been for me being a part of anything on campus, who knows what type of trouble I would have gotten myself into. On top of that, being a part of these organizations gave me opportunities that I would not have had if I were not involved in them.”
FAMU sponsors a program Living Learning Community Program (LLC) that specializes in mentoring first-year students. This LLC program lessens the hurdle of stress when freshmen first transition into college. LLC focuses on freshmen involvement through classes, study groups, cultural, and social events resulting in high GPAs, faculty-student engagements, retention rates, and graduation rate.
School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) Liaison, Denee Glenn, discusses the benefits of First-year students joining the LLC program.
“The LLC experience significantly benefits first-year students because it provides the comfort of having help with the transition from high school. Other benefits are higher college/school engagement, higher GPAs, and higher college satisfaction rates.”
She continued, “Rooming with a fellow major can ignite an abundance of quality time because participants live together, study together, attend LLC sessions together, and work together in student media organizations.”
INVOLVEMENT IS KEY
Lifelong friends, creating memories and paving a way for opportunities for life after graduation are all positive college experiences that can mitigate those struggles through campus involvement.
FUNDING THAT BUILDS FOUNDATION
BY KALEI NASH
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University utilizes its financial resources to pour back into the school of journalism
THE FUNDING PROCESS
What makes the value of a community so important are the members that live within it, and in this case, thecommunity that is being discussed is none other than Tallahassee’s very own Florida A&M University School ofJournalism and Graphic Communication. Providing the best academic experience for students based onopportunity and the financial funding of its department.
According to SJGC Media,The School of Journalism was established back in the 1930’s as the “graphic artsprogram” located in the old technical institute. It was not until 1974 that professors Dana Preu, Annette Thorpe,Bernice Reeves, and Thelma Gorham expanded the program, creating the school’s first journalism degreecurriculum. This was a big game change for the university and within only a four-year period, they were able tocreate a radio station that would air in 1977 and successfully send off their first graduating
class into theworking world in 1988. Placing the program on a local map, these accomplishments compelled people to takeinitiative, making its development more of a priority. Different foundations began to donate money to helpprovide the fundamentals that were needed to eventually create the four-floor glass building that students seeand know today.
Receiving the second $1 million endowed chair, followed by the opening of The Knight Scholarship House whichprovided financial support to high achieving graphic journalism students was just the beginning. The John S. andJames L. Knight Foundation also gave a generous donation of $500,000 for faculty development endowment.
The FAMU Board of Trustees later changed the name of the program to the School of Journalism and GraphicCommunication, but the program was not yet unified due to its previous housed locations. Placing thejournalism program
Photo Courtesy of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
in Tucker Hall and the graphic communications program in Tech Building B. Even despitetheir long separation, both programs continued to grow due to financial progression. Then, a change that wouldrecreate the steppingstones for future students to come was officially brought to FAMU’s campus. The creationof the $25 million state-of-the-art facility which provided not only a combined classroom setting for all studentspursuing communications, but it gave them an opportunity to enhance their learning by gifting them with handson material and spaces such as studios, sound booths, offices for faculty and more.
William Jiles, the Division Director for the School of Journalism explains how important this transition was for
theprogram as he has been able to experience both buildings firsthand.
“The difference is like night and day,” Jiles said. “We were severely limited in Tucker Hall. This building hasenabled us to do a lot more things, to expand the program, to offer students better hands-on learning, not tomention two television stations, a radio station.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Since the relocation of both programs, funding hasbeen received through various sources anddistributed where officials feel it is needed most. Thisincludes human resources such as faculty, andadministrative staff, salaries, the advancements oftechnological equipment and reconstruction. DeanMira Lowe explains her role in the TallahasseeDemocrat and how she uses her position to keep J-school engaged and connected throughout thecommunity; creating partnerships with people suchas alumni and private sectors. Some of the fundingsources that have also been utilized are through thecampus fees, the FAMU foundation, and theuniversity itself, pouring back into its academicprograms.
Students on the other hand, feel asthough funding resources can be applied a lot morewithin their classroom courses.
Brandi Roman, a second-year Public Relationsstudent and member of the Public Relation StudentSociety Association, finds it difficult to receive the “fulllearning experience,” due to the lack of resourcesthat have not been provided for her courses.
“A lot of students in who are in photography classesare required to use their cellphones rather thanbeing provided cameras,” Roman said. “As a studentin J-school when I’m told that I have these resourcesthat are not being shown, it just gives me doubtwhether or not they truly care about my success.”
Pam Rentz, a third-year Broadcast Journalism studentand head online editor of the FAMUAN agrees thatalthough the school has come a long way, there is stillroom for improvement.
“It would be beneficial if we could create an updatednewsroom for the FAMUAN,” Rentz said. “Evendespite COVID, allowing the FAMUAN to be morepresent, would allow more students to want to getinvolved.”
All in all, as the program continues to advance, so will its students and their academic success.
The Institute for Colored Youth was the 1st
ARE HBCUs ON THE DECLINE?
BY JEREMIAH MCCOLLUM
Historical Black Colleges and Universities at one time were the only option for African Americans to recieve higher education. Now in 2022, there are many other avenues African Americas can take to continue their higher learning.
This poses the question: Is HBCU enrollement on the decline or are they heree to stay?
IN THE BEGINNING
Since the conception of the first HBCU IN 1837, 107 colleges and universities have opened their doors as of 2022. These instritutions range from the medwest state of Arkansas to the east coast state of Delaware totaling 20 states. Across these unique colleges and universities, the combined enrollment is estimated at 220,000 students according to the National Center for Education Statistics,
What does that mean? Be involved in something, specifically a club or an organization to get started!
The transition into undergrad may seem unchallenging and straightforward, but according to College Atlas, it is known that 30% of first-year college students drop out after their first year of college.
That settles it... it cannot be that simple. What is the reward of being involved?
BY THE NUMBERS
As reported by nces.ed.gov, between the years 1976 and 2010 the overall enrollment of Black instituations increased 47%. After climbing from 223,000 full-time students enrolled to 327,00 within this time frame, HBCU’s saw a dramtic spike. The 2010s saw a 12% decline in enrollment during this era.
Additionally, the NCES estimateds taht there are 14.8 million students that are enrolled full-time in the US. HBCU students make up a minuscule 1.5% of the college student population as of 2019.
Where did all the students go?
What does that mean? Be involved in something, specifically a club or an organization to get started!
