Kennesaw State University School of Communication and Media
PIPELINE
issue 7 / summer 2019
Issue No. 7 SOCM connects
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Step into the Future
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Don’t Get Lost in the Cloud:
# Ac h i e v e W i t h A d o b e
It's "MENT " To Be! SOCM Launches Student-Focused Production Company
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Adobe Creative Cloud Brings Digital Innovation to All 1,700 SOCM Students
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Students Step Into the Future with Virtual and Augmented Reality at the SOCM Colloquium
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KSU Military & Veteran Services Offers Veterans and their Families Unique Services to Help them Succeed
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It’s "MENT" to Be! SOCM Launches First-Ever Student Production Company
FA C U LT Y
STUDENTS
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Let's (SOCM) Connect: A Welcome from School Director, Dr. Barbara Gainey
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A Tribute to Our Owl Educators who are Embarking on their Next Journey: Retirement
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in the Summer: Master of Arts 24 MAIGC in Integrated Global Communication Students Embark on International Adventures
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Up Close: One-on-One with KSU’s New President, Dr. Pamela Whitten
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Professor Payne Becomes Program Coordinator for SOCM's Popular Internship Program Farewell to Our Beloved Magazine Media Professor, Thomas Gray
CO M M U N I T Y
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From KSU to the Georgia Senate: How One KSU Alumna is Making the Most of Her Degree
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Ready, Set....Sweden! Alumnus Paul McNally Charts a New Course Overseas
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Take a Walk on Set: Georgia’s Booming Movie Industry Offers Unique Opportunities to Students
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Big Chances Lead to Big Rewards for Alumna Alexandria Ikomoni
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From the Peach State to Land of the Midnight Sun. Experience Alaska with Alumna Madeline McGee
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Ashley Bonds Writer
Lilli Jennison Sections Manager
Tomi Krepps Writer
James Smith Writer
Kirbe Bostick Features Manager
Kadejah Brathwaite Writer
2019 Pipeline Magazine Team Pipeline Magazine is written and designed by Kennesaw State University Communication students. The purpose of our magazine is to offer a high-quality, multi-platform publication that informs, educates and connects readers to communication-related topics in the classroom and beyond. We hope you enjoy reading our recent edition.
Michelle So Designer
Bridget Walker Writer
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Emilie Hanes Creative Director
Cassidy Jodesty Content Manager
Ashley Newton Writer
Thomas Gray & Sarah Johnson Professors
Access digital content by downloading the Blippar App on your smart phone or device. As you read through this issue of Pipeline Magazine, “scan and blipp� to unlock virtual content.
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Message From The Director
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Welcome to the School of Communication and Media (SOCM)! hether this is your first semester at Kennesaw State University or you are a senior anticipating graduation or a graduate student, we want to support you in your journey toward a college degree. As director of the School, I want you to know that our first priority is YOU.
In the coming months, we will be offering many opportunities for you to learn more about our School, courses and extracurricular activities that can help you build a strong portfolio demonstrating the knowledge, experiences, and skills that employers value in the digital workplace. We also want you to know how to move expeditiously toward that all-important commencement day. Watch for announcements, including through KSU email, that are tagged “SOCM Connect” to keep up with activities that support you and your path to graduation, a career and life-long learning. As Dr. Seuss has said:
“You’re off to great places Today is your day Your mountain is waiting Go, get on your way!”
We are glad you are taking this academic journey with us. Go Owls!
Dr. Barbara S. Gainey Director and Professor School of Communication and Media
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From KSU to the Georgia Senate: Photos Courtesy of Stacy Peery
How Stacy Peery Got the Most Out of Her Degree By: Ashley Bonds
The School of Communication and Media at Kennesaw State University presents a clear mission of preparing students to be effective, life-long communicators and achieve fulfilling careers in media, journalism, public relations, and organizational communication. A communication degree from KSU equips students with skills that can lead anywhere, from public relations executives at Coca-Cola to communication directors at Delta Airlines. For Stacy Peery, it led her to a successful career at the Georgia State Capitol. Peery takes on multiple roles, particularly during the legislative session. As director of Senate staffing, she is responsible for hiring, training, and managing all Senate Legislative Assistants throughout the year. She also interviews and hires Senate Aides and oversees the Legislative Intern Program, which starts with the recruiting process in August. “I travel to universities around the state speaking about the program. The interview process begins in October and concludes in December," said Peery. In addition to managing the interns, aides, and assistants, Peery also runs the Senate Reception Office and briefs honorees recognized by the Senate. “Throughout the session we honor people from all over the state for various things. When they are recognized, they come to my office for a brief and then I escort them into the chamber.” Honorees include Falcons and Braves players as well as local celebrities, high school sports teams, and people who have performed acts of bravery. Taking on the responsibility of many different roles within the Senate undoubtedly requires a combination of skills and a strong background in communication, both of which Ms. Peery solidified at KSU. She graduated in 1997 with a degree in Communication, concentrating in Organizational Communication, and a minor in English writing. When asked how her education helped get her to where she is today, she acknowledges how she uses the skills she learned every day. “During my time at KSU, I took classes in interviewing, public speaking, persuasion, and organizational communication,” said Perry. “In the simplest terms, those classes taught me how to organize my thoughts and come up with good answers.” A number of skills learned through the communication program
Georgia U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and Stacy Peery
also go a long way for those seeking a career in politics. Peery believes interpersonal, relational skills are critical, along with honesty. “You really need to understand the value of networking and making relationships,” she adds. As the director of the intern program, one thing Peery loves most about her career is watching the interns grow during the session and seeing what they go on to accomplish in the future. Peery herself interned as a speech writer for the governor at the time, Zell Miller. The Georgia Legislative Intern Program accepts around 30 students who get a firsthand experience in the lawmaking process. While her position within the Senate requires her to make numerous hiring decisions, it also leaves her with the responsibility of making tougher choices. “My least favorite thing is when I have to reprimand or fire someone,” said Peery. When asked about the most notable moments of her career, Peery recalls standing in the Senate Chamber
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The 2018 Georgia Senate Interns
STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY watching a Senator that had been in the aide program years before get sworn in as a new senator. She also noted how her job has allowed her to meet so many wonderful people from Georgia. Hank Aaron and Johnny Isakson (Georgia U.S. Senator) were two of the highlights. Because Peery plays a key role in overseeing all interns during their duration at the Senate, she certainly feels proud when they go on to accomplish great things. Some of the greatest moments she has experienced over the last 15 years in her career include watching the interns she chooses for the program flourish into leaders throughout the state. As Peery mentioned, forming and maintaining relationships is extremely valuable in any career, but especially when working in the field of communication. Keeping in touch with fellow alumni is beneficial when navigating the working world after leaving the University. “I have many KSU alumni
friends that I have worked with or have managed during the intern program,” Peery adds. She mentions one of her longtime friends, Amanda Seals, who she first met during her time at KSU as a writer for the Sentinel, while Amanda was the editor. “We actually interned together at the Capitol during Zell Miller’s administration. Amanda recruited me for this job and we have remained friends.” Stacy Peery clearly serves as a great example of how to succeed with a degree from the School of Communication and Media. By effectively utilizing the skills she learned from her time at KSU, Ms. Peery now prospers in a career spanning almost two decades at the Georgia Senate. In response to what advice she would give to SOCM students today, she replied with three simple things: "Study, ask questions, and work hard. Be known as the person that can be relied on.”
Beyond the Classroom:
at the University of Northern Iowa in policy debate and later served as the assistant coach for the team while she completed her master’s. In fall 2018, the team competed in its first tournaments since relaunching earlier that year. They By: Ashley Bonds won second and fourth place in one event and Whether you want to flex your language skills in the took home the French Club or venture on scavenger hunts with the second place team Geography Club, KSU’s seemingly endless list of sweepstakes award extracurriculars covers almost every interest under the in the limited entry sun. If public speaking sparks your curiosity, then the division. The recently resurrected Speech and Debate team might be University of North a perfect match. Georgia hosted a Kelsey Harr-Lagin, a KSU Communication professor, parliamentary debate served as an integral part of the longstanding tournament where two From left to right are debate team members competitive speech team at Southern Poly State different two-person Allison Yates, Nicholas Teston, and Analla Reid University after being hired in 2011. Named after a debate teams took professor and the founder of the SPSU speech team, the home both first and second place. Harr-Lagin recalls another Jack Haley Forensics Forum was put on hold for a short period event mentioning, “We just recently competed at the Georgia of time after various members transferred and graduated. Intercollegiate Speech Association Championship. One January 2018 marked the revival of team lead by Harrstudent won fourth place and the team overall won the fourth Lagin, who began working on the restart in 2017. New student place team sweepstakes award.” members expressed interest in competitive debate so the In terms of the future of the team, Harr-Lagin looks forward team was expanded to include both speech and debate to growing in size and being able to compete more frequently elements, along with a vote and in larger tournaments. The Jack Haley speech and debate to change the team allows students to apply skills learned in the classroom in official name to the Jack My primary motivation a unique way and gives them the opportunity to develop their Haley Speech and for restarting the team communication and critical thinking skills. The team welcomes Debate Team. was wanting to give KSU any interested undergraduate student as no experience is Harr-Lagin mentions how students some of the required. When asked about what would make someone a speech and debate opportunities I had as an great addition Harr-Lagin replies, “We look for team members fundamentally changed the undergraduate student. who are motivated and hardworking, as well as those who have course of her life and credits - Professor Harr-Lagin a great attitude and are looking for an exciting way to continue her own background in the their education outside the classroom.” Interested students activity for influencing her can visit the Jack Haley Speech and Debate Team Facebook decision to attend graduate school. “It helped me realize page or contact Ms. Harr-Lagin at kharrlag@kennesaw.edu. how much I loved being a part of a community of people who were excited about learning.” She spent four years competing
Jack Haley Speech and Debate Team
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Q&A:
THANK YOU, DR. AUST AND PROFESSOR WITT
A 24-year journey of educating at KSU has come to an end as Dr. Chuck Aust will be retiring this May. Since 1995, Dr. Aust has graced several campuses but especially KSU’s campus with his passion to impact his students’ lives by fostering their development and growth. He has seen KSU change significantly since he first started, and while he will miss the students and his colleagues, “It feels like time for new challenges,” he said.
civilization, the university. This is a thoroughfare where any and all questions and topics have a place to be posed, investigated, questioned. The civilized world depends on having at least one arena in which this can take place. I am amazed and grateful that I have been able to play a very small part for 30 years to help weave together this evolving universal intellectual tapestry.”
Q How do you want to be remembered here as you complete your journey as an educator?
Before I started college teaching, I was a social worker for 3 years in child abuse casework. I’ve always wanted to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. I saw teaching as a way to do that, too. Students are why we are here, and students make it all worthwhile.
If/when people think of me, I would like them to think: “He made hearts beat a little lighter.” And that I was almost as good a drummer as Ringo Starr. [Dr. Aust was fascinated by drums when he was 12 years old and started banging away to Beatles songs—trying his best to imitate Ringo Starr. Eventually, he got really good at it and played professionally in a countrywestern band, a lounge band that toured Holiday Inns and played the percussion for a friend’s studio album. Today, he jams out in an oldies rock band and every Sunday at a church service.]
Q What have you learned during your time at KSU?
Q Since your career is coming to a close and you will
Q What has motivated you to teach for so many years?
Many things. I learn over and over again from students not to be misled by surface appearance. We can be so quick to assume things about people based on one or two things we observe about them. But we are all complex and special in our own way and I regularly remind myself to keep an open mind and look for the good in others.
Q What has impacted you the most throughout your career ? The countless edifying interactions I have had with colleagues and students and the writing I have gotten published. This job of being an educator is so precious. We have a chance to contribute to the growth and wellbeing of others who are trying to better their lives. As scholars, we are discovering and contributing knowledge and wisdom that helps civilization to advance. It is a very special and gratifying way to make a living. I’ll quote here from my most recent post-tenure review: “I continue to be deeply grateful to be a small part of something vital to the survival and progress of
successfully retire, what advice would you give to someone who is working on following their career goals? I tell my students that working on a degree is taking a healthy risk. Have the courage to take other healthy risks. Weigh the pros and cons, pray for guidance, talk to trusted others, and then decide. Like Mr. Rogers advocated, dare to be yourself and dare to love others just the way they are. From the author Leroy Brownlow: “the future belongs to those who can adjust.”
Q What are your plans after retirement? Peanut butter! I love peanut butter. I am going to splurge and start buying the Smucker’s brand instead of the Kroger generic! That’s my humorous attempt to say I am going to continue to enjoy the everyday joys of life and try not to take the ordinary things for granted because if we really stop and look at our day through the lens of gratitude, those ordinary things are actually extraordinary, if we take time to be thankful for them. Vision, hearing, being able to savor a good meal, having people in our lives who love us and whom we can love. The list is long of those seemingly ordinary, everyday things in life that are actually quite extraordinary.
DR. CHUCK AUST By: Kadejah Brathwaite
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LEONARD WITT By: Bridget Walker
Professor Leonard Witt arrived at KSU in 2002 and plans to retire this summer. Witt started the Center for Sustainable Journalism in 2009 with a grant from Ruth Ann Harnisch. The center is his proudest accomplishment. Harnisch came across a Witt blog about the importance of sharing information, and she wanted to see it grow into something bigger and better. Witt’s days at KSU consisted not only of mentoring students and advancing KSU’s reputation, but also securing over $6 million in grants. Pipeline talked to Witt about his career and his future plans.
Q What are your plans for retirement? First step is to our summer home in Sandwich, New Hampshire. It’s a quintessential 1828 New England farmhouse with a large cedar-shingled barn reachable by gravel roads and surrounded by large meadows cut into forests that go on forever. I could just sit on the side porch and watch the meadows’ ever-changing shades of green, or I could deny the concept of retirement and transition into a new life, which I aim to do.
Q What are some highlights of your time at KSU? I was so fortunate to be the first holder of the Robert D. Fowler Distinguished Chair in Communication in 2002. That gave me the autonomy and resources to help build a national reputation for KSU in journalism. I ran conferences informed by my PJNet.org blog. The most prescient conference was held in 2005; the title tells it all: ‘A Wake Up Call: Can Trust and Quality Save Journalism?’
Q What is your favorite story you worked on as a journalist? When I was editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Sunday Magazine I edited a story that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1989. Most fun was editing ‘Magic! 1987 Twins' Enchanted Season.’ As the Minnesota Twins were winning the World Series, I was putting together the Star Tribune’s book. It sold 100,000 copies. Since I conceived the idea and worked on my own time, I got a cut of the profits, which was nice, too. Two student projects here at KSU stand out. A group in my capstone class in 2013 put together an amazing story, photo and video package entitled ‘Battling Meth: A Mother’s Road to Recovery.’ It was one of only three finalists for the national university-level 2014 Online Journalism Awards contest. Then in 2015 I won a $35,000 journalism education innovation award from the Online News Association to tell real journalism stories using
avatars in virtual worlds. The most amazing group of students ever assembled found the story of Christopher Thomas, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a crime when he was 14 years old. It is the most unjust case I ever saw. The students read hundreds and hundreds of pages of documents, did interviews and then told the story nationally in print and also with avatars in the virtual worlds. You can see the whole project in a blog the students kept at our Juvenile Justice Information Exchange [JJIE.org]. Alas, Thomas is still in prison, which still bothers me.
Q How successful has the Center for Sustainable Journalism been?
Ruth Ann’s [Harnisch] five-year gift ended in 2014. We are still an $800,000 a year nonprofit business. Now under the care of our Business Manager Chelsey Odom, a KSU graduate, we have provided paid real world, experiential learning work for more than 80 KSU students over the years, with a nearly 100 percent graduation rate. We publish the JJIE.org, covering youth justice, and Youth Today, covering kids during their out-of-school time, think Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, etc. We have 750,000 visitors each year viewing 1.1 million pages. Via Tow Foundation funding, we have been running a New York City bureau at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York for seven years. Thanks to the fantastic journalism [John] Fleming and [Leslie] Lapides’ team produces, top media across the nation republish our stories and videos, including NPR, the Christian Science Monitor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Birmingham News, Baton Rouge Advocate, Santa Fe New Mexican and many others. Major foundations support us, including MacArthur, Conrad N. Hilton, Wallace, Tow, Park, Raikes, Kendeda Fund, Vital Projects, Annie E. Casey, Bowne, Scripps Howard and Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. It is hard to leave, but given my nanosecond in the universe, I have an appointment with destiny. The clock is ticking.
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ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD
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What Can You By Matt Mannheimer
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n an exciting partnership between Kennesaw State University and Adobe, all 1,700 students in the School of Communication and Media are able to receive a one-year, free license to Adobe Creative Cloud. The license includes access to 21 different applications like InDesign, Photoshop, Premier Rush, and XD. They are the industry standard for graphic design, video editing and more. SOCM students can now take their digital literacy skills further to become artistic innovators in the professional world. Students interested in downloading their free Adobe Creative Cloud license can visit the Adobe Creative Hub on the School of Communication and Media’s website.
SOCM’s PR Agency students (from left to right) Kaitlyn Kilpatrick, Phoebe Clark, and Lexi Parks share information about Adobe Creative Cloud at a tabling event in the Social Sciences Atrium.
The Adobe Creative Cloud pilot has been expanded to include all students in the School of Communication and Media this year. All students (lower-division, declared majors and graduate students) now have access to a one-year license of Adobe Creative Cloud at no cost. Available applications and services include Spark, InDesign, Photoshop, Premier, Audition, the Adobe Cloud, and other services that support portfolio development and team collaboration. Students can learn more about the Adobe Creative Cloud, access download instructions, and watch video tutorials on SOCM's Creative Hub website: https://chss.kennesaw.edu/socm/adobe.
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#AchieveWithAdobe? Devin Bryant, SOCM Student B.S. Public Relations, Spring 2019 “Adobe Creative Cloud has helped me with many different projects due to the wide variety of programs it offers. Whether I need to create a flyer or edit a few videos, software such as InDesign and Premiere Pro have allowed me to do so in an efficient manner. My work involves lots of photography and videography, so the programs I often use are Photoshop, Premiere Pro and After Effects. Whenever I need to complete a project for myself or a client, I know that I can rely on one of the programs offered in the Creative Cloud to get the job done. I recommend Adobe Creative Cloud because I believe that it can help anybody looking to take their projects and ideas to the next level. Anything that you could ever need is available whether it be audio editing, video editing, or website creation. I can’t think of another bundle that offers all the industry standard programs that Adobe Creative Cloud does.”
Hannah Anthony, 2018 SOCM Alumna PR Account Executive, Travelino Keller “While at KSU, I took an introductory design course where we learned how to use InDesign, Photoshop and a bit of Illustrator. Later, I was able to take this very course, Magazine Media, and utilized all the tools I learned in the design course to create a tangible product. My career path would be extremely different if I wasn’t taught how to use Adobe software.”
Becca Duvall, 2015 SOCM Alumna Senior Public Relations & Brand Marketing Specialist, LGE Community Credit Union “Adobe software is very important to my career, and I couldn’t do my job without it. In the communication and marketing business, you’re expected to be a Swiss Army knife. There are no roles anymore where you’re just a publicist or just a marketing specialist. You are truly everything and you’re expected to do everything. The good news is, the Adobe Creative Cloud is a one-stop shop with all the essential tools you need to be a competitive candidate in today’s market.”
Dr. Erin Ryan, SOCM Alumna and Professor of Communication “I’m one of those professors who had no knowledge of Adobe software before the Adobe initiative began in the School of Communication and Media, so I was really hesitant to start incorporating anything Adobe-related in my classes. But after experimenting with Adobe Spark on my own, I found it really user-friendly and easy to customize. I started giving my MENT 3100 students the option to do creative project-based Spark assignments instead of traditional exams, and I saw them really flourish! Students who were already familiar with Photoshop, InDesign, and Premiere Pro started turning in professional, creative projects and mentored their fellow students in the software as well. I just opened the Adobe door and they walked on through!”
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The Value of Communication
President Whitten’s Take on the Importance of the Field By Ashley Bonds
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Dr. Pamela Whitten brought her enthusiasm for higher education and learning to Kennesaw State University, beginning her tenure as president on June 12, 2018. Along with her experience in educational leadership, President Whitten also boasts an extensive educational background in the field of communication. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University, she delved into organizational communication eventually earning a master’s in the subject from the University of Kentucky.
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Whitten finally landed at the University of Kansas where she obtained her doctorate in Communication Studies and turned her focus on the social science perspective of communication relating more to sociology and psychology. Whitten credits this same social science perspective on communication with helping her progress throughout her career. During her time at the University of Kansas, she chose to focus on “communication as a lens” and the impact it has on certain phenomena. Whitten mentions how this particular background aids in understanding various audiences as she ultimately sees communication as the center of everything. This in-depth insight into the concept made it easier for her to move into the field of communication most students recognize through programs offered in the School of Communication and Media at KSU. When asked what valuable skills a degree in communication provides to those entering the workforce, Dr. Whitten enthusiastically mentions
achievements in this area, Whitten’s impressions of the SOCM at KSU are highly regarded. She states that she is impressed with the various School events held throughout each semester and the efforts made to connect students with working professionals in the field of communication. “Students benefit from non-traditional ways of learning,” Whitten explains, as she goes on to also mention the importance of hands-on experience. “I like the emphasis the School places on encouraging students to participate in internships.” The SOCM here at KSU prides itself on preparing graduates to be effective, life-long communicators and adapts its curriculum to set students up to enter the highly competitive, everchanging communication professions. In terms of what she would like to see for the future, Whitten replies, “More formal partnerships with other areas of study on campus.” She believes the School can truly benefit from collaborating with other fields of study such as the WellStar College of Health and Human Services or any of the numerous engineering programs. how much of an advantage it provides. Whitten’s expertise makes her more “It gives you a leg-up because you walk than qualified to facilitate the growth into any job understanding you will be of the community here at KSU and more successful,” she replies. President guide students and faculty to a bright Whitten believes that having the privilege future as the leader of the university. of possessing a skillset in communication When asked what advice she would makes one valuable in any job field, from leave with students preparing to enter the world she replies, “Keep an open mind.” Whitten I like the emphasis the School mentions how the workforce is full places on encouraging students to of vast opportunities and there is never just one type of job. She participate in internships. tells students to “never say no to anything,” as this is often the best way to figure out what you truly want to accounting to healthcare. “So few people do. She ends by reiterating the idea of truly understand the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity communication,” Whitten comments. as students never know where they’ll She brings up the benefit of a end up in 10 years. background in communication through a scenario of project management. When you have solid grasp on how to best utilize these skills, you consequently understand how to create the best team, how each personality trait fits together, how to efficiently carry out each task, etc. She also adds that excellent writing skills are essential, along with being well-versed in public speaking. Due to her considerable background and
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THE BY: ASHLEY NEWTON
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Matt Mannheimer and Kaitlyn Kilpatrick discuss their campaign plans as well as next steps for implementation.
This spring the School of Communication and Media introduced The Agency (PR 4465) to its program. It is a class that is open to students that have a minimum of 90 credit hours and are declared public relations majors who have already completed PR 3375 and COM 3435. The class functions like a professional PR Agency where students work together to help the clients that they are assigned. This semester, the clients that the class is representing are the Bentley Rare Book Museum, the School of Communication and Media and the PR Agency. Each semester
the clients will differ from the previous session. Currently, students are working with organizations that are located on campus. Eventually, the goal is to work with outside organizations as well. At the beginning of the semester the class was separated into three groups of five with each group being assigned a client. Within each group, the students were assigned a role to carry out throughout the semester. The roles that were given were media relations, writer, client liaison, creative and research. “This class gives us real world experience,” said A’na Knoll, a current Agency student. The groups study their client, find a problem and figure a way to rectify it. From there they pitch their idea to the client, and implement it. Overall, these students are learning by practicing the skills they will use in their professional careers. Knoll’s group is responsible for representing The Agency. One of the plans they pitched was an idea for how to increase applicants for future semesters. The group worked on their plan for three weeks before pitching it to their professors. “It was cool to pitch the idea because it is what we will have to do one day,” said Knoll. “It felt good to finish the pitch.” After completing their pitch the group had to implement their ideas. The traditional campaign class has students focus on working throughout the semester on one pitch for a client. The Agency is different in that students spend time actually implementing their plan. After their idea has been pitched to their professors, they spend most of the semester working on putting their plans into action. The students also assess the plan after it has been implemented in order to measure its success and effectiveness.
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WHERE PR INNOVATION TAKES SHAPE The students in this class are not only receiving handson experience, but they are also getting the chance to learn from professionals. Throughout this semester they have heard from speakers from Golin PR, Trevelino/Keller, Jackson-Spalding, William Mills Agency and a representative from KSU on Google Analytics. These speakers have come into the class to share their career stories and answer students’ questions. The speakers have gone further than just speaking in the classroom though. They have also given the students an opportunity to network in case they need to make an important connection. “They’ve been helpful by giving us their information and business cards,” said Knoll. “We wanted to give PR seniors a real-world experience that allows them to not only create a public relations plan for a client, but to actually implement it for the client. The students have all done impressive jobs for their clients, and in doing so, have a noteworthy addition to their resumes when they hit the job market,” said Dr. Tom Vizcarrando, associate professor of Communication. The Agency is taught by Dr. Tom Vizcarrondo. For each semester, students must apply, and spaces are limited. The class meets one day a week for three hours, and it will be offered in future semesters. It gives students professional material that they can add to their portfolios as they enter the workforce. “It’s worth the experience,” said Emily Thurmond, a current Agency student. “You never feel alone because you have your group, and the professors are extremely helpful.”
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Dr. Vizcarrondo listens in as students present their campaign progress.
Kendra Marshall (left) and Paige Stafford (right) discuss the best ways to compile research on their client's target audience.
For more information about the PR Agency course, please visit https://chss.kennesaw.edu/socm/agency/
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School of Communication and Media Colloquium steps into the
Future By: Ashley Newton
Students were given a chance to try out virtual reality, which was the topic of Keynote speaker Cathy Hackl’s session.
The School of Communication and Media held it’s sixth Organizations such as Public Relations Student Society annual Communication Colloquium in of America, Society of Professional Journalists, and Lambda September 2018. The Colloquium was held Pi Eta were also present throughout the in the Social Sciences building and was event. They set up informational tables in a free event open to all Kennesaw State the atrium of the Social Sciences building. students. Along with these organizations there were Speakers from many different roles in also representatives on hand to help give the communication field came to KSU to students information about the School's hold breakout sessions throughout the internship program and provide advising evening. Speakers who attended were resources. from companies such as Golin PR, Georgia This Colloquium gave students a Public Broadcasting, Atlanta Journalchance to learn from professionals who are Constitution, Make-a-Wish, Home Depot, working in the fields that they aspire to one Cox Enterprises, and more. A few of day work, and to learn about the advances the speakers were even KSU graduates in communication. They were given the The Colloquium gave attendees a chance to themselves. They gave sessions on topics chance to download their Adobe in public relations, media and entertainment, connect with others in the communication field. subscriptions and gain experience in journalism, and internships/professional some of the programs. Students also had development. Along with these speakers, a few staff members the chance to speak with communication organizations and had presentations such as a video that Professor Bobby representatives who could help advise them on directions to Gutierrez put together that looks into the SOCM. It is a video take. Overall, the Colloquium gave students the chance to that shares what the program provides to its students. It also start taking steps into entering the professional communication shares a little about how those in the program feel about it. world. It was a time to network, to listen and learn, and to The keynote speaker for the evening was Cathy Hackl who grow as communication majors. is a partner at Mixed Reality Ventures and works as lead futurist at You Are Here Immersive Labs. Hackl has spoken globally on the topic of virtual reality and augmented reality, which is what she talked about during her session at the Colloquium. Students also had the chance to gain hands-on experience at this year's Colloquium. This past school year, a one-year subscription of Adobe’s Creative Cloud was offered to SOCM students at KSU for free. Students were encouraged to bring their laptops to the event as Professor Sarah Johnson and Adobe representatives were present to help them set up their memberships and download the program. Along with helping the students get set up, the Adobe representative also taught Scan here Students and faculty at a SOCM Connect event on workshops that focused on two different programs, Adobe for digital March 20 listen intently as a panel of comunication professionals discuss career opportunities. Behance and Adobe Portfolio. content
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KSU’s Military Outpost:
Recognizing the Nation’s Finest in Student-Veteran Assistance By: James Smith At the east end of the Campus Green, just below Kennesaw Hall, there is a tree, and beneath that tree there is a memorial for First Lieutenant Jonathan “JP” Walsh. Lt. Walsh was a paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, with the infamous 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Lt. Walsh was killed in Afghanistan, on April 22, 2012, when the vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised explosive device. [Reporter's note: I am a KSU student-veteran who also was assigned to 2-504 PIR, 1 BCT, 82nd ABN DIV. I did not know Lt. Walsh personally as we served in different companies,
but I was in Afghanistan on the same forward operating base, FOB Aryan, Ghazni Province, as Lt. Walsh, and I remember the day he was killed—James Smith]. Lt. Jonathan Walsh was a Kennesaw State Alumnus, and his picture hangs in the KSU Military and Veteran Services office, on the second floor of Willingham Hall. Kennesaw State University Military and Veteran Services is an official university organization that partners and works exclusively with university enrollment services to include admissions, registrar’s office, financial aid, and university housing. The center is dedicated to assisting veterans, service members, and dependents (spouses and children of service members) achieve their academic goals.
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Kennesaw State’s Military and Veteran Service office is second to none in comparison to other universities; the quality of service is especially superior. -Julian Saviano
Task, Condition & Standard
KSU MVS is staffed completely by members of the veteran community, including veteran work-study students who provide a support channel for other student vets through assistance with the school application process, navigation, and understanding of military-educational benefits. The organization provides students with academic advising as well as assistance with matters personally and professionally that sometimes extend beyond the classroom. There are approximately 1,100 student-veterans at KSU representing all five military branches, including the National Guard and Reserve components. KSU MVS is dedicated to supporting the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. According to the MVS website, one of the goals of the organization is to provide support “through information sharing, referral services, and outreach programs––KSU's Military and Veteran Services strive to provide a supportive and educational environment that fosters student success and achievement.”
Situation, Mission, Execution:
Julian Saviano, a senior Media and Entertainment Studies major and United States Air Force veteran, praises MVS for the impact and service during his admission process and tenure at KSU. During Saviano’s application process, he experienced a hiccup, the admission deadline had passed
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For more information about services offered, visit mvs.kennesaw.edu. and he felt a brick wall had been hit. Saviano visited KSU MVS and shared his dilemma with Richard Sisk, assistant director and advisor with MVS. One phone call and 15 minutes later, Saviano’s application status went from pending to fully accepted. Saviano, only needing to submit proper tuition classification paperwork, attributes his acceptance to KSU to the staff and work-study students who helped him negotiate that obstacle. “Kennesaw State’s Military and Veteran Service office is second to none in comparison to other universities; the quality of service is especially superior,” Saviano says. Saviano was also able to earn internship credit with KSU MVS and has since become a Veteran Affairs work-study student, providing additional income for the student-veteran. He was also the recipient of the Mattox Award for Excellence and Leadership, a diversity award offered by the KSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on the award and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Awards and Support. Along with helping student-veterans navigate the sometimes blurry lines of enrolling, registering, and understanding their VA Educational Benefits, MVS connects
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STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY them with the right internal and external resources allowing veteran scholarships at KSU. The center also participates student-veterans to stay focused on school. in other community events to further help raise scholarship A campus partnership deserving of mention is the money to support students who have exhausted their VA Veteran Outdoor Adventures program, a relatively new educational benefits. product of a joint venture between MVS and Nature Bound. The KSU veteran resource center was stood up in 2010 The university’s outdoor recreation program provides with the help of Frank Wills, the first and current director of outdoor activities and education through the Department MVS and a United States Marine veteran. The center was of Sports and Recreation exclusively to modeled after a ‘first-of-itsstudent-veterans. kind, nationally-recognized’ MVS sought to increase student campus-affiliated engagement on campus among the organization for studentIt’s underrated––a lot student-veteran population. The goal veterans at Mississippi State of military affiliated was to collaborate with another campus University. Over the course students don’t use organization, and a partnership with of a few years, Wills and Nature Bound presented the perfect a group of proactive VA this place to the full opportunity for student-veterans to work-study students helped advantage; it just come together and engage in outdoor develop KSU MVS into what recently started to catch activities while getting involved on it is today, becoming the the attention of military campus. first of its kind in the state of affiliated students. Through implementation and Georgia. expansion of pilot programs like VOA, “The leadership for - Jaylan Smith MVS strives to promote communitythe program evolved from based military and veteran affiliated the current generation of organizations, and further develop student-veterans who in-turn partnerships that will aid studentdeveloped and implemented veterans academically and professionally. the support mechanisms for current student-veterans,” says There is also a MVS office on the Marietta Campus in the Director Wills. Joe Mack Wilson Student Center that is also staffed by KSU is the first university in the state of Georgia to house members of the veteran community for students who are and implement the services of a Vet Success on Campus unable to visit main campus. That location recently Counselor. The VSOC counselor is located in the MVS underwent center and works diligently to assist student-veterans and renovations to enhance the student-veterans experience, dependents utilizing VA benefits to resolve any related providing assistance that mirrors MVS on the campus issues, allowing beneficiaries to stay focused on academics. in Kennesaw. The counselor is a direct line and representative of Veteran KSU senior, Jaylan Smith, utilizes VA educational benefits Affairs, who can also provide vocational testing, referrals to afforded to him by his father, a United States Army veteran. other VA resources, and provide further career and academic By definition, Smith is an Army dependent and is taking advising where applicable. The scope and responsibility of advantage of the amenities offered at MVS. the vet success counselor is not limited to KSU only––the “It’s underrated––a lot of military affiliated students counselor’s area of operation extends beyond the KSU don’t use this place to the full advantage; it just recently campus to student-veterans who attend other universities in started to catch the attention of military affiliated students,” the Atlanta community. Smith says, who prefers the MVS office to the Sturgis KSU was the first public university in the state of Library. “It’s quiet, safe, less crowded, and students have Georgia to be recognized as a Purple Heart University. The the ability to print.” designation signifies the university’s recognition and honor Smith has recently joined the staff as a work-study of veterans who were wounded in combat while serving their student and carries out responsibilities as a peer mentor country and are now pursuing higher education. KSU is also with MVS. He appreciates that there is always someone to recognized by many other military-affiliated publications and talk to in the center dedicated to veterans and dependents. revered as a ‘top military friendly school’. KSU is setting the national standard for universities and student-veteran related services. There is even talk of app Sustainment, Command & Control: development in the future to facilitate and streamline KSU MVS upholds an active presence in the Kennesaw individual experiences and needs of student-veterans with com-munity, maintaining strategic partnerships with offMVS. It’s an evolving process and Director Wills hopes to campus organizations and connecting student vets with see sustainable growth for MVS as well as accurate and veteran service organizations like Disabled American quantifiable graduation rates for student-veterans Veterans. MVS participates in the City of Kennesaw Grand and beneficiaries. Prix by assisting with the Hero 5K, which helps raise money for the city’s Veterans Day Luncheon every November. The Hero 5K has historically made contributions that go towards
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MENT to Be”
“It’s By: Tomi Krepps
It’s daunting. The feeling of walking onto a set, not knowing what to expect. Every set is different with different obstacles. Sports photographer Cory Hancock, a recent SOCM graduate, embarks on a new path, filming and editing a news story. “I’ve never really done anything like that before,” Hancock said. “I didn’t know what to set-up, lighting, what scenes may look like.” Atlanta’s film industry thrives. Since the early 2000’s, Atlanta transformed itself into a cinematic and television reservoir. The Atlanta Business Chronicle notes Georgia generated $9.5 billion in economic impact during 2017. To keep up with Atlanta’s momentum, Kennesaw State University changed its curriculum to prepare students for the film and production industry with cutting-edge production classes and a student-based, hands-on production team. Dr. Erin Ryan and Professor Bobby Gutierrez coordinate the first production team on KSU’s main campus, moMENTum productions. Ryan and Gutierrez offer students the ability to experience being on a production set, visualize what preproduction is like and create portfolioready material. Students join together, with intense drive, to learn and harness skills to prepare them for a film industry career with limitless possibilities.“Let’s make something; Let’s do something,” Ryan said. Ryan studied communication theory and the effects of different media outlets on individuals.
Currently, she is learning the mechanics of photography to advance her vast understanding of the production process. Gutierrez, a recent addition to KSU faculty, brings a heightened sense of production mechanics with decades of experience. With advisement from these knowledgeable professors, students will create innovative, unique, and eyecatching work in class and in moMENTum productions. Students of any major are welcome to join this extra-curricular learning experience. Hosted by the School of Communication and Media, moMENTum productions welcomes all students and MENTors—those wanting to share their
Shan Williams poses as Victoria James and Professor Bobby Gutierrez film a piece in SOCM's studio. Williams is an Indie film director and owner of NU Hollywood Productions.
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experience and knowledge in the production career field—to participate. “We’re making it happen and it is mind blowing,” Ryan said. Ryan is excited as the semester’s energy picks up and students become more involved with the Media and Entertainment major and moMENTum productions. Recently a major standing on its own, MENT branches out and reaches more students every semester. Student interest grows with the thrill of Atlanta’s production industry and opportunity for production experience. Students create hard media content to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. They showcase to
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the industry what they have to offer and what Kennesaw State University can bring to the industry. During the moMENTum productions interest meeting earlier this semester Ryan was astonished that there was standing room only due to all the students wanting to be a part of this experience. “It’s an exciting time,” Ryan said. “It’s a busy time but an exciting time.” As moMENTum productions picks up, more and more members of the community are noticing the change
and want to be a part of it. Swirl Films graciously extends studio space and expertise to KSU and internships to students. This Paulding Countybased studio hosts a screen writing competition to students interested in production. A scenario is assigned to each student to write a unique scene. The winning student has the honor of role-playing director and producing that winning scene. Actors and set mechanics are handled by the studio, and the winning student needs only
to direct. This allows the student to experience the pressure of directing and producing as well as the thrill of success and the problems that may arise in the field. New to the editing and filming scene, Hancock nervously filmed his subjects and their stories. Hancock was unsure of production savvy technique
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5. 1: MoMENTum student Katie Nix listens for audio levels before filming interviews at the KSU Marietta job fair; 2: Zack Towner, MoMENTum student, prepares to film an interview at Phoenix Senior Living in Milton; 3: Kelli McCarthy, MoMENTum student, edits footage in the Digital Media Lab's Post Production Studio; 4: MoMENTum students Wesley Lopez and Zack Towner shoot a promotional film at Phoenix Senior Living in Milton; 5: Professor Gutierrez and MoMENTum student Daniel Singer change lenses before filming b-roll at the KSU Marietta job fair.
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and how Adobe Creative Cloud can be incorporated to bring his vision to life; he visualized the end result and focused on that. “I found a rhythm and stuck with that,” Hancock said. “It got easier, and I felt more comfortable.” With all of the hype and excitement of Atlanta’s media production industry, eager students grow in number, craving skills necessary to make it in the industry. Ryan predicts enrollment numbers will continue to grow, in part due to MENT. KSU did not begin as a film and television production school, but it is quickly being recognized as one. The TV and film production opportunities that eager graduates find are right in their local neighborhoods. It is no longer necessary to travel to New York or Los Angeles for production jobs when Atlanta expands
every year. According to mafilm.com, Atlanta is the top place to live as a moviemaker. Los Angeles follows at number three. New York trails behind at number five. With MENT experience, graduates are fully trained in the newest programs and techniques that every studio company is looking for. They learn documentary filmmaking, video and audio production, film and video structure, and the fundamentals of film, television, audio, video, and entertainment necessary to produce in this growing technological enterprise. moMENTum productions provides students an experience in the career field; allowing them to grow and harness their strengths and improve any weaknesses they uncover. “Students prove their worth,” Ryan said. “Portfolios speak for themselves.”
At the end of Hancock’s experience, he learned the ways of editing and filming etiquette. Already an accomplished photographer with a keen eye, adding this impressive skill to his resume filled him with satisfaction. “There are times where I walk away after a shoot and I feel that I didn’t shoot enough, but with this project I had no doubts,” Hancock said. As long as Atlanta’s film industry prospers, KSU will continue to produce students with career-ready experience and the portfolios to showcase their production skills. For more information on how to participate in moMENTum, please visit the SOCM office on the 5th floor of the Social Sciences building on the Kennesaw campus.
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1: MoMENTum students along with Professor Gutierrez filming on-site at the KSU Marietta job fair; 2: MENT student Raymone Jennings performing camera and mic checks before journalism students use the production studio; 3: Dr. Ryan and Professor Gutierrez take a break from production to have a little fun on set.
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Alumnus Paul McNally’s
Amazing Year Paul McNally knows that learning truly extends beyond the classroom. Upon his graduation last year, McNally and his wife wanted to travel. They looked into a program called WorkAway that allowed them to volunteer around the world working in a variety of positions. They volunteered on farms and at culture festivals as pet sitters and gardeners. Under the program participants pay for their travel, and the work places cover expenses and lodging. McNally said they usually worked about four hours a day five days a week. The rest of the time was spent exploring the countries they visited. Over four months they worked and stayed in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Wales, and London. “We met so many amazing people and experienced the cultures in ways in which simply vacationing cannot offer. We stayed with
families and learned what we had in common and what was different. It was the best experience of our lives,” added McNally. Upon returning home, McNally's good fortune continued. He was able to land a job as an account manager at Arc 3 Communications in Marietta, a firm that specializes in content marketing, digital analytics, web design/maintenance, and advocacy. While he had previously interned at the firm, he said his previous internship at Arc 3, his coursework at KSU, and taking advantage of the many resources available at school all contributed to his being able to find a job so quickly after returning to the states. His advice to current KSU undergraduates: “Hard work and dedication pay off; and networking is very important. Form strong relationships with fellow students and professors, and seek advice and leads wherever you can. If it happened for me, it can happen for you as well.” Photos Courtesy of Paul McNally
McNally spends his day off with friends in Sweden.
how Graduation, a European Experience, and a Great Job created one unforgettable year for a socm alum
Farm in Sweden where Paul and his wife Trish McNally worked
Trish McNally working in a tomato greenhouse in Sweden
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MAIGC MAIGC In the Summer BY ASHLEY BONDS
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), Italy
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his upcoming summer, eight students will experience the college course of a lifetime: two weeks studying in two different cities in Italy. Pioneered through the Integrated Global Communication graduate program, this unique study abroad excursion will immerse students in the world of branding and advertising from the Italian perspective. Flashback to June 2018, Dr. Josh Azriel, the associate director of Graduate Studies, traveled to Cattolica University to visit one of their classes and get a feel for the curriculum. “I went to class for three days, sat in on the lectures, took lots of notes, and met some of the guest lecturers,” Dr. Azriel recalled, ultimately deciding Cattolica would be the right fit. These MAIGC graduate students will be the first group to bring their studies to life in two notable Italian cities. They’ll spend the first week in Milan taking an intensive, ten-day English-language course in advertising and branding, along with completing a project for a professional client. “It’s as intense as a Maymester here,” Azriel claims, likening it to the popular courses offered at KSU. The course also boasts guest lecturers including the head of an advertising agency and the client assigned to students. The following week, the students will travel by train to KSU’s campus in Montepulciano to learn about branding in the wine industry by participating in a second professional project for the Noble Wine Consortium based in the city. “Montepulciano is a tourist destination in Tuscany, so when you walk around the town, you see wine, wine, wine, everywhere you go.” Dr. Azriel mentions his excitement as leader of the graduate program,“The trip I did last year is bearing fruit and fingers crossed, if it goes well, we can do this every summer.” Aside from providing impressive resume builders, this study abroad program is a substantial part of obtaining a master’s degree from the School of Communication and Media. “Every student in the program is required to do some kind of study abroad in the summer,” Dr. Azriel explains. “So, the takeaway is helping them get their degree, and this is a special way to do it.” This one-of-a-kind study abroad trip serves as just one of the benefits of the SOCM graduate program. As one of the few global communication graduate programs in the U.S., the MAIGC is a 30-hour, four semester graduate program offering innovative curriculum that emphasizes “study-observe-do.” When asked what would make a student a great candidate for the program, Dr. Azriel responds, “Curiosity about global communication, and someone who is going to take this degree and apply it to their future career goals.” A sense of adventure
Study tour trips take MAIGC students to various locations around the globe. From left to right, students visit South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Ireland
MAIGC students reporting live on a study tour trip to Tokyo, Japan and an openness to venturing abroad also fall under the list of desirable qualities, along with a love of reading and writing due to the rigorous nature of the courses. Azriel goes on to suggest putting off the program if you haven’t yet accumulated any life experience. He notes that it may put a student at a disadvantage going straight from high school, to an undergrad program, to pursing a master’s degree, without taking any time off to work full-time, travel or volunteer. “A good student in the program will have a sense of what they want to do.” Thinking towards the future of the MAIGC program, Dr. Azriel wants to offer courses in strategic communication and social media strategy. He also has high hopes for the partnership with Cattolica University as he feels that’s what the big missing component has been, having a true study abroad location. Azriel looks forward to developing an internship in Costa Rica centered around marketing and public relations with Britt, a popular coffee company in Latin America. “Because the program is global communication, having an internship in the marketing side that covers Latin America would be a big deal,” added Azriel. He ends with offering advice to any students considering applying to the graduate program. “Getting a master’s degree is not the same as getting a bachelor’s degree. You have to be a serious student. We want the best and we want you to treat it as if it’s a job.”
Boaen operating slate for a music video.
The GEORGIA GEORGIA
FILM ACADEMY ACADEMY FILM Katie Boaen felt horrified when she signed up for Introduction to On-Set Film Production in spring 2017, the first of three classes she would end up taking through the Georgia Film Academy. “I was so nervous that I almost dropped the course,” Boaen said. “I didn’t think I was cut out for it.” Boaen imagined the course as being intimidating, and she worried that the instructors would be too intense to handle. “It was all so dumb looking back on it now,” Boaen said. “I had nothing to worry about in the long run. I would have missed out big time if I ended up chickening out.” She later took Set Construction & Scenic Painting in spring 2018 and landed an internship in summer 2018. “It was such a dream come true,” Boaen said. “I felt like I was in Disney World or something the first week of going to Pinewood. It’s such a neat campus with so many productions that come through. I believe they were shooting Avengers: Infinity Wars when I first started. You would see all of the trucks and carts going back and forth and members of the crew eating at the cafeteria. It definitely inspired me to work hard.” Boaen applied for five different internships and accepted the very first one that called her back, which was an internship with the art department on season 10 of The Walking Dead. She spent most of her time preparing the set for shooting. She worked directly with the production designer, art director, set decorator, prop master, and so
by: bridget walker
many more. “It was awesome,” Boaen said. “I was given so much creative freedom for a wimpy little intern.” GFA allows students to take courses at an actual set, such as Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville. GFA partners with state run schools, including KSU, Georgia State University and Clayton State University, among others. Completing 18 credit hours through GFA yields a certification. Production Accounting, Introduction to Special Makeup Effects, and Lighting & Electric make up some of the courses offered by GFA. Industry professionals teach the courses. GFA provides the option to take an internship to fulfill the last six credit hours of the program, which is the ultimate goal for most GFA students. “It used to be whoever wanted to sign up for the internship could do it,” Professor Erin Ryan said. “Now it’s competitive. The professors who teach your other courses in GFA kind of vote on whether you are a student who can rise to
“ It’s a dog eat dog type of industry.”
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the challenge of being an intern on set of one of these big blockbuster movies that they’re working on.” Ryan serves as a liaison between KSU and GFA. At first, GFA courses were offered through the Theatre & Performance Studies program at KSU, but now the courses are provided through the School of Communication and Media. “Initially they thought it was going to be a lot of theatre performance studies students that wanted to be in GFA,” Ryan said. “Turned out it was really more School of Communication and Media students.” Additionally, English majors and Integrative Studies majors took GFA courses. “Those three groups tended to be sending the most students to GFA, so it didn’t make a lot of sense for TPS to still be administrator of the program.” The switch to the School of Communication and Media took place in December 2018. “Now that Atlanta is being called ‘Hollywood of the South’ there’s a real need for a workforce here that can transition right in, get on a film set, and know what to do," Ryan said. "It’s been really valuable in that way.” In a video on GFA’s website, Johlyn Dale, producer of The Walking Dead said, “When you come from a classroom and you walk on the set of The Walking Dead, it’s kind of a shock. Georgia Film Academy gives them that, so that when they get here, they’re not like a deer in the headlights.” In the same video, Jeff Stepakoff, executive director said, “We’re committed first and foremost to jobs for Georgians. We work directly with professional productions, and we will place you [students] into a covered craft where you’re going to get real hands-on experience.” A life-long love for entertainment motivated Boaen, but GFA equipped her with the knowledge and skills to actually pursue a career. “GFA teaches you how to be confident in this field. It’s a dog-eat-dog type of industry, and this program helps to sharpen your skills and to assist with finding your niche,” added Boaen. She found her niche, and when her internship with The Walking Dead concluded, she was hired as a full-time art department production assistant. Boaen loves the job she has now and has had no problem finding work since graduating from KSU in May 2018. “I have never in my life thought that I would have such a sweet gig like this one,” Boaen said. “I work 12 hour days, and I am so pumped to get out of bed each morning, and you know me, that is outrageously out of character.”
gfa in action
Wrap Day of The Walking Dead Season 9.
On the set of an Atlanta rap music video.
Boaen at the Wrap Party for TWD Season 9.
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Alexandria Ikomoni
Home Away From Home
Photos Courtesy of Alexandria Ikomoni
By: Kadejah Brathwaite
“I’m not stopping until I get my award—until I get my Emmy.” Those are the words from Alexandria Ikomoni, a Kennesaw State University graduate. Since her time at KSU, Ikomoni knew she wanted to accomplish a lot in her life. She knew that she would do whatever it took, within reason, to propel herself into her career. Ikomoni graduated in 2016 with a degree in Communication, a concentration in Media Studies and a minor in Accounting, and now she is a Morning Anchor for CBS 4 and Fox 18, a duopoly in Rock Island, Illinois. While in school, Ikomoni became heavily involved with clubs and organizations to get into the field of journalism. “I love television and I honestly enjoy educating the public, being in the community, and telling stories that need to be told in the community,” Ikomoni said. “So, journalism of course was a great route to take to be able to do those things.” Ikomoni was a television director with KSU’s Owl Radio videos for two years. In this program she produced sports and hard news shows and had entertainment shows with a good variety to keep things fun and interesting. Always eager to grow in her leadership skills, Ikomoni began working on special events and moved her way up to vice president of administration for Kennesaw Activities Board. She did not stop there. She was involved in four honors societies and was the vice president of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society. “It was great to have a lot of things on my resume, just to help me stand out to employers,” Ikomoni explained. “Having that experience and background helps you grow in the newsroom as well.” The roles she engaged in at KSU helped her learn how to be in an environment where she was surrounded by many different people with various backgrounds, beliefs, perspectives, and personalities. Working in an environment with people who had opposing opinions was extremely important to her because she understood the need to be professional at all times, Ikomoni noted.
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STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY After completing her two-year contract with Fox 31, Ikomoni kept reaching for the stars. She had her goals in mind and knew that she wanted to be a morning anchor. “I realized that a morning show gives me more opportunity to have more fun and to talk about lighthearted stories and trending topics that were more entertaining,” Ikomoni stated. She began her search and found an open position. She moved from Hot-lanta to chilly Rock Island in the Quad Cities of Illinois as a Morning Anchor for CBS 4 and Fox 18. The Quad Cities consists of five neighboring cities: Davenport, Iowa; Bettendorf, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; Rock Island, Illinois and East Moline, Illinois. At first, she was hesitant because she did not want to move away from home, but she took a leap of faith and has had a great experience so far. Ikomoni mentioned that the adjustment has been tough. Her body had to get used to going to bed before the sun set and waking up before the sun rose, so that she could get to work before 3:30 a.m. “It’s normal to be in single digit degree weather.” Ikomoni exclaimed that the weather is “absolutely crazy” in Illinois. Aside from new sleep schedules and bundling up with layer upon layer, she is glad that she found a position that fits her personality. While most would assume that being an anchor is the easy part, Ikomoni stated that there is a lot more that an anchor does that people do not realize. She reads through several scripts and has to make sure everything is correct I was able to really understand and true, because it’s her face that how a newsroom works, how to put is attached to the information. stories together, keep up with the “You have to make sure your eyes are moving correctly and that environment and how to your eyebrows are not frowning,” conduct interviews. Ikomoni explained. “You are talking for four hours, and you have to stay on your toes so that you do not mess up.” It is a struggle for her sometimes to remember to be aware of the position of her brows and her eyes, but amidst these challenges, Ikomoni makes sure that she is setting an example and being a part of the community, she said. From the familiarity of Atlanta to the uncertainty of the Quad Cities, the adventurous journey gave Ikomoni a wish. She wished that she would have Ikomoni on set of WHBF News understood that it is okay to be afraid. in Quad Cities “Just because you have to leave home and start your life and do what you have to do to meet your goal, it’s okay if you’re not 100 percent in with it,” Ikomoni encouraged. She said that it’s to be patted down, but some students with mental the life lessons that you have to experience and learn. health disorders and physical disabilities were touched inappropriately. There was some tampering of evidence and the sheriff was arrested multiple times, and each time Ikomoni was assigned to report on this case. He had more than 100 charges and counts against him. “It kept spiraling out of control,” Ikomoni went on. “When the case was over, I was happy, and it was a great learning experience. It was something that I will never, ever forget in my life.” Ikomoni brought her learned professionalism with her all the way to her first internship at the Atlanta JournalConstitution and later, with WXIA news station for 11 Alive News in Atlanta. “Interning at a news station was major,” Ikomoni exclaimed. “I was able to really understand how a newsroom works, construct stories, keep up with the environment, and conduct interviews.” During her time with internships, she was able to grasp knowledge that impacted her success today. Seeing all of the technicalities and parts of the newsroom enabled her to learn the behind-the-scenes details of what it takes to be a reporter and an anchor. In 2016, prior to her graduation, Ikomoni received her first official job as a multi-media journalist for Fox 31 WFXL-TV in Albany, Georgia. She was a one-man-band because she had to record, report, and edit by herself. She reported a wide variety of topics including school shootings, stabbings, and explosions. Ikomoni recalled her first case that she reported from start to finish took over a year to complete. In April 2017, there was a high school that was about 30 minutes away from Albany, and the sheriff ordered for a drug search to be made at the school. He ordered every child at the high school
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From the
Peach State
to the land of the
Midnight Sun By: Kadejah Brathwaite
The day was planned, and finally it was time for her to go and explore this exciting, new place. It was different from anywhere she had ever been before or anything that she had ever seen. She and her sister, an Alaska resident, were on the road cruising through Alaska— the rumble of their car was a distant sound in their ears. Everything was going smoothly, until it wasn’t. Blue lights flashed in front of them and they stopped. Police were conducting a manhunt and they could not continue on their journey. The only road that was connecting them from where they were to where they wanted to be was roadblocked because the state troopers were looking for a dangerous man. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” said Madeline McGee, a 2018 SOCM graduate. “I feel like that is the only kind of thing that happens in Alaska because it’s certainly not something that has ever happened anywhere that I have ever lived.” In that very moment, McGee was compelled and knew that this was a rich landscape for journalism and that she had a lot of stories she wanted to uncover. Today, McGee is a breaking news reporter for the Anchorage Daily News in Anchorage, Alaska. While she is still a very fresh Alaska resident, she works very hard and gives much gratitude to experiences she gained while attending Kennesaw State University. McGee graduated in May 2018 with a degree in Communication and a concentration in Media Studies. Ironically, she did not want to study journalism because she thought she could gain more production experience with Media Studies. However, journalism turned out to be exactly the field that she is in today. For four semesters, McGee spent a lot of her time as a news writer, then later a news editor for the Sentinel, KSU’s newspaper. “The Sentinel is the reason that I’m in journalism because it really gave me a look at what news reporting looks like on a daily basis and how it is to a community,” McGee stated. Other newspapers in Cobb County like the Marietta Daily Journal and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to an extent, are not really newspapers that specifically cover KSU thoroughly and specifically, McGee added. She understood the importance of having a much more local newspaper that enables students to be aware of what’s going on in their own campus community. From then on, she was hooked on storytelling. Her next step was a foot-in-the-door at the AJC. McGee took a class (JOUR 3395-Journalism Study Tour) that gave her the opportunity to travel to different news outlets in Atlanta, and the AJC was one of them. She had the pleasure of talking to several journalists, and she fell in love with it so much that she wanted to be in that newsroom. McGee received an internship as a crime reporter, which is very similar to what she does in Alaska. “As a breaking news reporter, you cover the general chaos and mayhem: the shootings, the court systems, the fatal car crashes—all of the terrible tragedies that are important to know about but do unfortunately happen,” McGee said. News reporting can seem repetitive at times, and McGee explained that it can be easy to forget that the stories journalists write are about real people’s lives. She learned to have compassion for the
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STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY people she interviewed because at times she spoke to people on the worst days of their lives when someone they loved had been involved in a tragedy or terrible accident. In addition, McGee learned how to write in magazine style in KSU’s Pipeline Magazine class. She got to exercise her creative writing skills because the stories she wrote did not have a breaking, urgent angle to them. Later, she had the opportunity to submit stories to a journalism writing competition and won 1st place in the Award for Excellence in Collegiate Reporting. One of the benefits for winning this award was that she was able to work in Washington, D.C. at an internship program with the Institute on Political Journalism. McGee worked under the wing of a New York Times investigative reporter, Ian Urbina, as a research assistant. McGee stated she loved every minute of it. Since Urbina mainly worked from home, she got to work at the National Press Club. “That was awesome because I got to be side by side with all of these national reporters from various publications who were all working on stories of national importance,” McGee exclaimed. “I would hear conversations around me that other reporters were having, and they would say things like, ‘Oh hello, congressman!’. That was a really surreal experience.” After she finished her program with Urbina, McGee began job hunting, specifically in Alaska. But, why Alaska? McGee knew that after her bizarre encounter with a manhunt while she was on the road with her sister, that Alaska had a lot to offer and even more to discover. What she enjoys most at Anchorage Daily News is that she has no idea what is going to be on her desk when she walks into her office every day. “I walk in to the office knowing that I am going to walk out of there having learned something that I didn’t know about that morning,” McGee noted. She writes about a wide variety of topics like cyber security,
Madeline McGee at Cook Inlet in Anchorage, Alaska.
wild life, whale entanglement, and school threats. McGee wrote about her first time experiencing an earthquake in Alaska and received a lot of validating comments and feedback that welcomed her to the town. “It solidified me,” McGee admitted. “I thought, ‘Okay. I don’t know a lot about this place, but I feel like I belong here, and the community seems to think so as well.’” The transition to living in Alaska was not the easiest. McGee had the privilege of living with her parents until she graduated, so she had to gain an understanding of “grownup” responsibilities like paying rent and car insurance. But in relation to journalism, she wishes that someone would have told her that it is important to be gentle to herself. “You are going to make mistakes and get things wrong, in news especially,” McGee said. “It is moving faster than it ever has before and standards of accuracy haven’t changed, so there’s this balance between speed and thoughtfulness that is very difficult to find. That makes mistakes kind of inevitable.” She confessed that she gives herself grace and acknowledges the fact that she is still young and learning. Right now, the same person who got stopped at a roadblock on a random highway is happy and living out her dream. While it may seem like newsrooms are shrinking all around, there will always be a member of a community who needs to be informed about their community, she reassured. To upcoming graduates, “Even if it is hard to find a job, and it likely will be, there is always work out there to do,” McGee said.
“I walk in to the office knowing that I am going to walk out of there having learned something that I didn’t know about that morning.”
Madeline McGee at her college graduation in May 2018
Photos Courtesy of Madeline McGee
STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY
Dr. Charles M. "Buddy" Mayo
Leaving a Teaching Legacy studies for the digital and social media certificate program, a position he held until fall 2016. In addition to holding numerous positions within the School of Communication and Media, Mayo also helped organize the National Advisory Board. “KSU’s proximity to Atlanta allowed us to build an advisory board filled with outstanding professionals in public relations, print and broadcast journalism, entertainment, and organizational communication," he said. Mayo stayed involved with the organization until 2016.
By: Ashley Bonds
both returning to graduate school to earn doctorates together, and because we were doing this with two small children, almost everyone said we were nuts, and some predicted failure in our marriage, our quests, or both.” Mayo turned in his completed dissertation to the graduate school at University of Alabama on Nov. 1, 1993, his 40th birthday. “Donna and I are still happily married, and our two children have become very successful in their own right.” His extensive experience working in education and in the field makes Dr. Mayo an undeniably helpful source for anyone looking to forge a path in the world of communication. He leaves this advice for students; work hard, polish your skills, and focus on kindness.
“Being respected for your work ethic, writing skills and the kind way you treat people will place you in a league of your own.”
Many professors strive to leave a lasting impression in the academic world. After over a decade working with Kennesaw State University, Dr. Charles M. (Buddy) Mayo has done just that. Dr. Mayo, professor and associate director in the School of Communication and Media, brought years of academic experience to KSU in 2006. He was asked to be an integral part of designing the new graduate program for what was then the Communication Department, eventually becoming the director during its launch in 2012. He later became the director of graduate
His career in public relations and advertising spans over 10 years with companies like Forrest General Hospital, where he worked as the director of communication, and Hinds Community College, where he held the title of director of public relations. When asked about the most memorable moments throughout his career, Mayo mentions completing his Ph.D. as a particularly special one. “Because my wife, Donna, and I were
Buddy Mayo with his wife, Donna Mayo
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Moving up in this industry relies heavily on your ability to write well so be sure to read constantly. “Read to develop your own style and to enrich your life,” Mayo believes. As far as being nice, his advice is to stand out from the “maddening crowd” by remaining thoughtful. “…Being respected for your work ethic, writing skills, and the kind way you treat people will place you in a league of your own.”
Since retiring in December 2018, Mayo has enjoyed spending more time with family and spending less time on work. The former professor also appreciates getting closer to his “two beautiful grandchildren,” and he also looks forward to celebrating his youngest son’s upcoming marriage in the fall.
Buddy Mayo with his two grandchildren, Emerson (left) and Reed (right)
A Lot of Different Things at A Lot of Different Places By James Smith
at numerous colleges and universities throughout the Midwest and Northeast. She taught English as a Foreign Language in college in Taiwan, as well as Speech and English and coached debate at high schools in the U.S. and Taiwan. In addition, she was a lecturer in Management Communication at Harvard
Womack expressed excitement about the rapid growth of KSU, but hopes the university maintains the authentic and original characteristics it had when she first arrived. She hopes that the Organizational and Professional Communication major, currently the smallest major within the School of Communication and Media, will continue to grow.
The School of Communication and Media will soon say goodbye to a very interesting and influential scholar and professor, Dr. Deanna Womack. She arrived at KSU in 2002 where she served as chair Womack added that “My favorite story is from the Chinese philosopher Chuangfor what was then after having done a lot of tsu, who relates an anecdote about a vivid dream he had. the Department of different things at a lot of Communication. different places, she plans He dreamt he was a butterfly flying over flowers. The She stepped on reading all the books dream seemed so real that, when he awoke, he wasn’t sure down after three she hasn’t had time to read whether he was Chuang-tsu dreaming he was a butterfly— years and began and quilting, among other teaching a number things she likes to do. or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang-tsu! This story of courses including speaks to the power of ideas to create reality.” Communication Dr. Womack has certainly Theory, Conflict led an interesting life and Management, has enriched the lives of Interpersonal, and her students through the Organizational Communication fulltime. Business School. years. Her words of wisdom will have Professor Womack completed her a lasting resonance with her students: Womack has had a long and successful undergraduate work at the University of “Take advantage of the opportunities career that included co-authoring Houston, and earned her master's degree here, but be realistic. The university wants an upper-level undergraduate and doctorate at the University of Kansas to give you an education, you are here communication theory textbook in in Communication Studies. [Interestingly, for an education and you should take its fourth edition titled, “Building KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten earned advantage of that.” Womack will retire Communication Theory,” and taught her Ph.D. from the same department.] Aug. 1, 2019.
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Professional Journalists Give the
By: Bridget Walker Sabrina Kerns, a senior at Kennesaw State University, cannot quite pinpoint an exact moment that made her want to pursue journalism, but she knows that she has a passion for speaking up for people whose voices aren’t being heard. The first time she was ever able to do that happened in high school after the advisor for the chess club announced he would have to disband the club due to an insufficient number of interested students. “This teacher was devastated,” said Kerns. “His favorite part of being at the school was being with these kids and being able to interact with them outside of teaching. So I wrote a story about this teacher and the dying chess club for the school’s newspaper.” That story caught the attention of so many students that the disbandment of the chess club only lasted a week. “That teacher thanked me almost every day for the rest of that semester,” Kerns said. Kerns is now the president of KSU’s
Society of Professional Journalists and has realized that every journalist's story is different. “Each one is important,” Kerns said. “And it is important that they are heard, especially by students who are looking to be the journalists of tomorrow.” KSU students got the opportunity to do just that on Feb. 5 when KSU’s SPJ along with The Atlanta Press Club hosted an event called “Get the Scoop” for the second year in a row, which featured a panel of four working reporters. Among the panelists was one KSU alum, Thomas Hartwell, who worked at that time as a reporter for the Cherokee Tribune and Ledger News. He now is a reporter for the Marietta Daily Journal. Rikki Klaus, Jewel Wicker and Emma Hurt were also featured. Klaus is a reporter for WSB-TV. Wicker is a freelance entertainment reporter as well as a board member of the Atlanta Press Club, and Hurt is a WABE-NPR reporter. Each panelist shared their stories of working in the field. “Journalism is like being paid to be an informed citizen,” Hurt said. Klaus opened up about the emotional side of being a journalist. She talked about how hectic it can be covering breaking news, especially when you have to show up at the scene of a tragedy. “You see the flashing blue lights, and that’s how you know you’re at the right place,” Klaus said.
Scoop!
As a TV reporter, Klaus often finds herself in front of a camera only moments after witnessing scenes that seem to be right out of a crime show. For example, she has covered a mass shooting. She has also heard the scream of heartbreak that comes from a mother identifying her son’s body. Students attending the event got to see what it is like being an entertainment freelancer because Wicker was in the midst of covering a breaking news story about 21 Savage’s detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She had to be in constant contact with editors but shared exactly what was happening and what updates she was getting. Hartwell spoke on the importance of journalists being open to criticism from editors. “You have to know that they’re not telling you you’re a horrible journalist. They’re telling you how you can be better,” Hartwell said. The other panelists chimed in with agreement. “I know when people are taking five different classes, working during the week and trying to schedule interviews and write and stay on top everything, it can be hard to remember why you wanted to do all of this in the first place,” Kerns said. “I think having that opportunity to talk to journalists who are out in the field reporting and who love what they do can help give students a reminder of that.” Cade Lanktree, vice president of KSU’s SPJ chapter, said, “I think one of the best ways to grow as a new or veteran journalist is to talk to other journalists and hear their stories and experiences. I believe those who attended this panel will gain some invaluable tips and tricks from people working in the field.”
NCUR CONFERENCE
Each year, thousands of undergraduate researchers from all over the U.S. participate in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. NCUR, the largest conference dedicated to undergraduate research in the world, features scholarly and creative works from some of the nation’s best and brightest. In April 2018, KSU welcomed more than 4,500 conference attendees—the first time that this event has been held in the state of Georgia and the largest event in NCUR’s 33-year history. / Photos Courtesy of KSU.
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STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY By: Kadejah Brathwaite
Professor Stella Payne to Head Internship Function
Photos Courtesy of Stella Payne
In the jumpstart of her endeavors, Payne was a television reporter and worked in radio during her college years. Eventually, after about seven years Payne felt called to do more. “I wanted to make a transition from being a reporter to teaching,” Payne said. So, she went back to school to earn her master’s degree and began teaching journalism. Stella Payne reporting with WHTM in Pennsylvania. Soon thereafter, Professor Payne spoke on a panel at Harrison High School to the students about that you really want to do,” Payne journalism and her experiences. This said. “There is nothing worse than left her on the edge of her seat; she doing an internship just to be doing it pring is a season of fresh beginnings. hoped to get the students where for the sake of doing it.” Flowers of all colors start blooming The School of and the sound of birds chirping can Communication and Media be heard everywhere. The breeze swaps its has a variety of majors chill factor for a warming one that makes and degree programs, any day seem much better. “When it comes including Organizational to Spring, I love the fact that everything is and Professional so new,” said Professor Stella Payne. Payne Communication, Media reminisced on one of her favorite seasons and Entertainment, of the year as she spoke of a new journey Public Relations, and she is taking in her career. Journalism and Emerging Professor Payne is excited to become Media. Students have the head of the internship function for the opportunity to learn the School of Communication and Media they dreamed to be in their careers. from award-winning professors who in May of this year, succeeding Professor The opportunity to assist with the have worked in multi-media platforms Thomas Gray who is retiring after 10 years internship needs in the SOCM throughout their lives. Kennesaw State in the role. With over 20 years of journalism here at Kennesaw State University University’s internship website contains experience, Payne has worked all across was presented to her and she was lists of work study opportunities and the U.S. from Mississippi to Dallas to nothing more advisors who are eager to get their Pennsylvania. Payne has left her footprints than “ecstatic.” students to the next level. These everywhere and yearns to share her passion Ironically, Professor Payne has outlets expose students to the art and with her students. never had an internship. When science of communication, preparing she was in school, them for their future careers. "To the opportunities to anyone who does not know where to practice journalism at a start, they should begin by focusing TV network or a radio on their passions," Payne said. Much station were much like spring and the newness that easier to obtain than it brings, internships are a way for they are today. The undergraduates and graduates to market is extremely explore all that the real world has to competitive, so Payne offer and all that they have to offer encourages students to the real world. to become more involved in school to Visit https://careers.kennesaw.edu/ get the best hands-on students/internships.php for details about experience. “Make sure internships or contact Professor Stella you focus on something Payne directly at spayne66@kennesaw.edu Stella Payne reporting with WDAM in Mississippi.
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Bobby Gutierrez: KSU’s Own Creative Cloud
By Tomi Krepps
The thrill of stepping onto a plane with no destination. Securely fastening all the necessary safety measures. Palms sweat with nervous excitement. Breathing slows and quickens with every breath. Knees knock with anticipation. Meters climb up into the atmosphere. Clouds surround the plane, and then the doors open. Gusts of wind greet the anxious passengers as the instructor rallies them to the edge of their seats. One by one passengers dive into the open air. According to skydivetecumseh.com, the fear of the unknown is the main reason people feel nervous. The experience is unlike any other; especially if it’s a new experience. The rush of blindly jumping into something can create an astonishing sense of empowerment and accomplishment. “I’m scared of heights and speed so I do whatever I can to go high and fast because I’m scared of it,” Bobby Gutierrez said. “Skydiving… it makes me quiver. But I gotta do it.” Professor Gutierrez uses his fears as a philosophy in life and work. The thrill of not knowing what is to come and the adrenaline rush of facing fears pushes him to strive and accomplish greatness. That uncomfortable feeling, uneasiness, and perserverence shapes us. These powerful mindsets exist in careers around the globe, specifically in audio and video production. An editor and producer create an expressive piece of art that communicates with viewing audiences, whether they are music videos, commercials or film. They awaken feelings in its audience and communicate the artist’s emotions on a visual medium. “When you sit in the seat to edit, the tension is unbelievable,” Gutierrez said. “My heart was beating out of my shirt. It took 15 hours to make the music video, but I did it.” Professor Bobby Gutierrez brings a big presence and a variety of production experience to KSU’s new standalone major, Media and Entertainment. For roughly 23 years, Gutierrez worked in Los Angeles as a music video editor, corporate commercial editor and movie trailer editor. His experience stretches from Beck, to Michael Jackson, to Universal Pictures, and so on. Michael Jackson’s smash hit “Dirty Diana,” from the BAD album, was crafted and created by a phenomenal team of producers and editors including Bobby Gutierrez. He considers this experience memorable. Jackson’s aura surrounded and lit up the set on Long Beach, California.
Gutierrez notes that Jackson’s voice was very soft as he kept to a small circle of people while filming. “What I’ve seen, what I’ve done; I just want to keep sharing it,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez opens his mind and experience to Kennesaw State and its community. He teaches documentary filmmaking, digital media production, and film and video structure and process. Gutierrez assists professors by demonstrating camera etiquette to other classes. “We’re lucky to have him,” said Dr. Josh Azriel, associate director or SOCM graduate studies and professor of Communication. “I asked him to do some one-on-one tutoring with my students and he did it no questions asked.” Gutierrez also expands his knowledge into the community. He collaborates with Dr. Erin Ryan, forming a student-based production company. Gutierrez works on promotional films for campus departments and communication partners such as area businesses, non-profit agencies, and school districts. “[Our] name has definitely gotten out there,” Gutierrez said. “We’re getting so many calls to produce. I see it being a huge thing to put us on the map.” Flying through the air, not yet pulling the parachute cord is a rush. Taking in the surroundings, incredible views that exceed the daily life, and seeing the land beneath from new angles opens one’s mind. Editing a music video or movie trailer has similar clarity. In a jumble of clips, piecing them together can feel like falling through the air. “It’s not just the mechanics of editing; it’s creativity, it’s storytelling,” Gutierrez said. Filmmakers create and alter reality. They tell stories, much like a columnist, but with an added dramatic flair for stories and a conflict to engage the viewer peak their interest. People relate to stories, especially when a human persona is present. Gutierrez notes that curiosity drives his being, more specifically human behavior. He is that fast car going 80 mph down the freeway, but if a historic sign passes, he backs up and pulls over to investigate. Knowledge is power. “I’m always looking for ways to be inspired by things,” Professor Gutierrez said. His passion and livewire energy will help push KSU to new heights. When the final edits come together and feet plant themselves on the ground, eyes open to greet an unshakable feeling of euphoria. The completed video is a flowing masterpiece. Creating something from concept to delivery is a life-altering experience, much like skydiving. At first, the end result—landing—may not be clear; but the journey is understood. Upon landing, as tiring as it may be, the adrenaline rush whispers, let’s do it again.
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SOCM UPDATES F A C U L T Y AWA R D S
By: Tomi Krepps
Dr. May Gao
N E W FAC U LT Y
David Cassillo Asst. Professor of Journalism
MADHURI AND JAGDISH N. SHETH FACULTY AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
ProfessorSarah Johnson
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
Amy Cox
Lecturer of Communication
Professor Nicole Connelly
Amanda Weed
OUTSTANDING PART-TIME TEACHING AWARD
Asst. Professor of Communication
OUT OF THE CLASSROOM WITH:
NEW PUBLICATION: PAPARAZZI
Dr. Joshua Azriel By: James Smith
Dr. Josh Azriel, director of the Master of Arts in Integrated Global Communication (MAIGC), a graduate program in the School of Communication and Media, is co-authoring a chapter in a book titled “Designing, Teaching, Leading and Theorizing Out of the Box Student Travel,” with SOCM colleague, Jeannine Jones. The chapter, “Graduate Program Summer Abroad: Enhancing the Educational Experience,” is an intrinsic look into the MAIGC study abroad program, including history
and lessons learned while operating a graduate-level study abroad curriculum. The content is all about “The good, the bad, and the ugly of study abroad,” said Professor Azriel. He wants to highlight positive experiences as a result of study abroad trips; for example, a former student was offered a job, on the spot, at a prestigious British PR firm while interning in London. “I’m very proud of my students, for achieving their goals in life… and that’s what our program is about, helping students achieve career goals,” Dr. Azriel affirmed. Coinciding with teaching undergraduate courses and heading the graduate program, Professor Azriel is also nearing completion of his first book. The publication, about paparazzi, will examine media law from a First Amendment and Freedom of the Press point of view. California law that protects celebrity privacy and defends against harassment may pose a threat to the occupation. He will be traveling to California in July 2019, to embed and survey paparazzi to gain first-hand exposure for his book. Dr. Azriel wants to understand how members of paparazzi feel about this law and determine the impact on the profession. The book will be published in 2020.
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He’s Not Done Yet! anchor newscasts. It took a significant amount of persuasion and a meeting with the station manager but Gray was eventually allowed to try out for the job. He did a flawless news report and was hired two weeks later. He was later told he didn’t have the experience of some of the other candidates, but his “passion for the position” is what got him the job.
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It was a great start to Gray’s career. Over time he did a number of reports on the ABC radio network from Indianapolis and even a few tragic stories live on the ABC World News Radio Network.
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Security wasn’t as tight then so he was allowed to enter the radio station’s front office. He explained to the receptionist that he was there to talk about finding a job. The receptionist was very kind and told him to take a seat. Nothing happened for nearly four hours while he sat there studying for final exams. Finally he was able to meet with the program director who told him he was too inexperienced for a role there, as it was the number one radio station in Indianapolis. In what was later described as a spoof, the program director referred him to the news director since there was an opening for a roaming news reporter to co-
This important first step ultimately led to bigger career steps at WISH-TV, a CBS affiliate in Indianapolis where
As for the future, Gray said he is looking forward to doing what he wants, when he wants without following the dictates of a schedule. He and his wife of 44 years, Peggy, plan to do some traveling and spending time with their two granddaughters and grandson, all under the age of 5. Professor Gray said, “I don’t plan to retire. I am merely taking a break in the action.”
I don’t plan to retire. I am merely taking a break in the action.
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was anxious, but I had no choice but to start with a bang,” Professor Thomas Gray said of his career journey that began nearly five decades ago. He remembers the nearly hour-long bus ride from Indiana University to downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Having worked at the I.U. campus public broadcast station and a local radio station in northcentral Indiana while in high school, radio seemed to be his chosen field. He didn’t have an appointment at what was then WIRE Radio, the ABC affiliate in Indianapolis. The station was situated on the top floor of the Indianapolis Star and News newspaper building downtown. As there was no internet available at that time to conveniently do research, Gray selected WIRE because it was located near the bus station.
past ten years Gray has managed the SOCM ininternship program. “I have really enjoyed that role,” Gray said. “Hearing from some of my previous students who say I helped them along the way has brought me my greatest satisfaction.”
he worked as a reporter, anchorman, producer, and assignment editor over the years. Before landing at Kennesaw State, Gray’s career journey made stops at The Coca-Cola Company and The Home Depot. “They were great places to be,” Gray said. He held communication management positions at both locations and his Coke responsibilities allowed him to travel to many countries in Europe and Latin America. Gray arrived at Kennesaw State in 2004 and began teaching in what was then called the Communication Department. Over the years he has taught over a dozen different courses, spending most of his assignments dealing with classes in journalism and public relations. For the
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Professor Gray doing a Teleconference 1977
Professor Gray doing a live television interview on WISH-TV Indianapolis
STUDENTS | FACULTY | COMMUNITY
COX MEDIA GROUP OFFERED “A DAY IN THE LIFE” By: Ashley Newton On Oct. 15, 2018, six Kennesaw State University students had the opportunity to attend “A Day in the Life.” Held by Cox Media Group at WSB-TV in Atlanta. Students interested in careers in digital media, journalism or marketing could get a glimpse into the professional communication world for a day. Participants were given the chance to learn from media personalities, network, and get hands-on experience with an assignment. “It was a fantastic experience,” said Blake Eason, a KSU senior who attended the event. The day began with check-in at 8:30 a.m., followed by speeches and breakout sessions. Eason said they started with an inspirational speech from Fred Blankenship, WSB-TV News Anchor, who talked about his journey and how he got to where he is today. After Blankenship’s introduction, the group attended two breakout sessions. The first breakout session was about the sales side of communication. A panel of professionals spoke about marketing. They explained how it worked and took the time to tell their career stories. After the sales session was over the students attended their second breakout session. This session gave them the chance to hear from mostly newspaper reporters and radio broadcasters about the
production part of communication. At the end of each session the panel took time to answer questions. At lunch students were assigned to different tables so that they had the chance to speak with participants from other colleges. It gave them the opportunity to meet new people, and to network. Along with getting to speak to other students, the members of the breakout session panels also stayed to talk. This gave them a chance to have a more one-on-one experience with the professionals, a time for more questions, and time to hear more about their career stories. Eason says they talked to one panel member during lunch who told them about how they moved from California to Georgia to work for Cox Enterprises. Once lunch was over students were given a marketing assignment. Their subject was the Super Bowl in Atlanta, which at the time was quickly approaching. The participants were told to figure out what would be the best way to market the event. After they completed their assignment they held a business meeting with one of the communication professionals to present their plan and they all came together to share their ideas. This assignment gave students like Eason, who is interested in broadcasting, a chance to try something new. “It was cool to see how it works,” Eason said.
Homecoming: A Time of Connection and Recognition By: Ashley Newton The College of Humanities and Social Sciences Homecoming Celebration program for the 2018-2019 school year was held in Oct. 11, 2018. The event brings alumni, students, and professors together to celebrate the year's accomplishments before the Homecoming football game. This year's Homecoming program included a faculty presentation by Professional Writing Professor Anthony Grooms. He read from his recent novel, The Vain Conversation. Following his presentation there was an award ceremony that recognized both students and alumni. This year the School of Communication and Media recognized eight alumni and students for their accomplishments.
Congratulations Award Winners: Toni Baraka, Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication, Spring 2019 Katie Boaen, Bachelor of Science in Media and Entertainment, Spring 2018 Cory Hancock, Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Emerging Media, Fall 2018 Tyler Hartsook, Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Spring 2012
Christina Massad, Bachelor of Science in Media and Entertainment, Fall 2018 Jessie Reed, Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication, Spring 2016 Rachel Smedley, Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Fall 2018 Natalie Zamsky, Master of Arts in Integrated Global Communication, Fall 2018
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WELCOME DR. SEAN LONG New Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Kennesaw State University President Pamela Whitten and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy Schwaig have named Shawn Long as dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, effective July 15. Long currently serves as senior associate dean for academic budget and personnel for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he also served as associate dean of academic affairs and as chair of the Department of Communication Studies. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the College, he has played an integral role in facility improvements. “We are delighted to have someone with Dr. Long’s pedigree and experience join us in helping make Kennesaw State and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences a premier destination for students,” Whitten said. “He is a proven leader who truly cares for the success of his students and faculty, and I have no doubt that he will serve the college and our university well.”
An accomplished author, Long has penned numerous peer-reviewed articles and has published three books: Communication, Relationships, and Practices in Virtual Work; Virtual Work and Human Interaction Research; and Contexts of the Dark Side of Communication. His research interests include organizational communication, virtual work, virtual teams, and health communication. In his academic career, he has received more than $1.3 million in project funding as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator. “Dr. Long brings with him not only an impressive portfolio of academic and professional experiences, but also an intense dedication to advancing the humanities and social sciences in the lives of our students and in the broader community,” Schwaig said. Long received his doctorate in communication from the University of Kentucky and his master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Tennessee State University.