Executive Summary
The School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) fosters a robust relationship with professional organizations and industry companies. Faculty, staff, and administrators play active roles in various professional and community groups, while alumni mentors coach current students. An example initiative, Grads Are Back (GAB), brings alumni back to connect with students during Homecoming Week, featuring workshops, colloquiums, and a career fair. The SJGC’s Board of Visitors, consisting of accomplished journalists and industry leaders, supports the school’s mission to prepare students for media careers. Public engagement includes events and educational sessions for elementary and high school students.
Please respond to each of the following instructions:
- Describe the unit’s contact with alumni, professionals, and professional organizations to keep curriculum and instruction current and to promote the exchange of ideas. Contact may include alumni and professional involvement in advisory boards, curriculum development, guest speaking, placement, internships, and fundraising. Provide advisory board members’ names and contact information.
The 17-member SJGC Board of Visitors (BOV) is made up of journalists, communications executives, community leaders, and prominent alumni. The Board engages with the school and University in fundraising, student support, and curriculum development. They meet in person one or two times a year, typically during Homecoming Week, and hold virtual meetings throughout the year. At these meetings, the dean updates the board on the school’s progress and seeks feedback. When on campus, the board also engages the faculty, students, and staff. Throughout the year, alumni and industry professionals serve as guest speakers in classes, offering skills development and career advice.
Speakers and employers have included MSNBC Correspondent Trymaine Lee, New York Times Opinion Editor Katie Kingsbury, PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird, WFSU News Director Lynn Hatter, Senior VP of FleishmanHillard PR Agency Thomas Bennett, and representatives from Gray TV, TEGNA, McClatchy, Scripps, Disney, Hearst, Eli Lilly, JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and Procter & Gamble.
The unit plans to host a spring broadcast boot camp for students in 2025, featuring alumni who will provide hands-on training, resume and presentation critiques and one-on-one coaching.
SJGC Board of Visitors:
- Amir Windom, Executive Vice President of A&R + Creative Affairs, Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group
- Annetta Wilson, Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success Coaching
- Bill Whitaker, Correspondent, 60 Minutes, CBS News
- Carolyn Fennell, former Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Community Relations, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
- Denise Hendricks, Executive Producer, MSNBC
- Elise Durham, Assistant General Manager, Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Georgia Dawkins, Executive Producer, Georgia Dawkins Media, LLC
- Gregg Bishop, Executive Director, Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund
- Kim Godwin, former President, ABC News
- Marlon A. Walker, Managing Editor, Local, The Marshall Project
- Rod Carter, Weeknight Evening Anchor, CBS 17 News, Raleigh NC
- Tiffany Greene, Play-by-Play Commentator, College Sports, ESPN
- Vickie Gainer, City Manager, City of Lynn Haven, FL
- Will Ayers Jr., Marketing Communications Strategist, Aderant
- Yvette Miley, Executive Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NBCUniversal News Group
- Avido Khahaifa, former Publisher/Editor in Chief, Orlando Sentinel
- Brian Rice, Senior Vice President, Chief Design and Brand Experience Officer, 3M Company
Link for the SJGC Board of Visitors
During the Fall 2023 semester, the SJGC Office of Career Success (OCS) launched its alumni survey to collect geographical and employment information from SJGC graduates. OCS was able to collect a survey sample of 329 respondents. The main purpose of the survey was to engage our alumni and to see how they are doing in their industries.
According to the survey results, 49% of alumni respondents majored in broadcast journalism, 35% were public relations majors, 10% were graphic design majors, and 8% checked other. The alumni respondents are living and working in cities such as New York, NY, Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, Miami, FL, Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Tallahassee, FL, Seattle, WA, Chicago, IL, New Orleans, LA, and St. Maarten. Geographical trends observed that most respondents live on the East Coast of the United States, and they live as far north as New York and Rhode Island, and as far south as Miami and St. Maarten.
The alumni respondents are currently working at places like Sirius XM, Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), ESPN, Yahoo Finance, Moore Agency, CNN, NBCUniversal, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Disney, Bloomberg, TEGNA, Los Angeles Times, Meta, Microsoft, Carnival Cruise Line, Golin, Conde Nast, Google and more.
Other trends/key findings revealed that most alumni respondents worked their first job out of college for no more than three years and then moved on.
- List examples of professional and public service activities undertaken by members of the faculty during the review period. Limit to five examples per faculty member. The unit has the option of providing a complete list in a separate digital file. Do not include service to the unit or institution; this information should be presented in Standard 1. (separate file)
Douglas Blackburn
- Member, National Association of Black Journalists
- Member, Society of Professional Journalists
- Member, National Association for Media Literacy Education
Clarence Fowler
- Member, National Association of Black Journalists
- Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Bettye Grable
- Judge for Tallahassee Short Films competition, 2018-2020
- Historical research paper Judge for Annual Florida Statewide History Day, 2021-2024
- Book Reviewer for the University of Florida Press, 2022
Hsuan Huang
- Editorial Board member, Media Informatics, and Editorial Board of Lifestyle and Behavior (specialty section of Frontiers in Digital Health), Review Editor, 2022-present
- Journal Reviewer, Asian Journal of Communication, Health Communication, Journal of American College Health, Cyberpsychology, International Journal of Communication, Chinese Journal of Communication, Social Media and Society, Social Media & Society, 2019-present
- Reviewer for International Communication Association, Health Communication, and Information System divisions, 2019-present
- ICA Webinar Organizer and Moderator, Early Career Scholar Conversation Series. Two webinars per year. Sponsored by the Health Communication Division, International Communication Association, 2021-2023
- Campaign Manager for Tallahassee area nonprofits and small businesses campaigns (Florida Guardian ad Litem, Sickle Cell Tallahassee, Florida Donate Life, Obsessions Gift Shop, Indaba Theatre, and Franklin Academy), 2020-2024
Leah Hunter
- Society of Professional Journalists National Task Force on Student Chapter Formation, 2021
- Reviewer, The Howard Journal of Communications, 2024
- Reviewer, National Communication Association Critical and Cultural Studies Division
- Member, Broadcast Educators Association
- Member, National Communication Association
William Jiles
- Board Member, John G. Riley Center & Museum, Tallahassee
Kenneth Jones
- Co-Coordinator: Nims Middle School – Film & Journalism Tour-FAMU/FSU, 2022
- Media / Public Relations: FAMU High DRS Foundation Inc., 2013-present
- Community Outreach Mentorship: Special Reader/National Literacy Week – Conley Elementary School, 2024 and Buddy/Pal – Night to Shine Prom (special needs) -Tim Tebow Foundation, 2024, and Reading Pal-Mentor: United Way/Bond & Pine View Elementary School, 2018-2023
- Newsletter Assistant: Callen Neighborhood HOA, 2020-present
- PR Volunteer: Project Moses (Beds for Newborns), 2006-present
Mira Lowe
- Board of Directors, Student Press Law Center, 2024-2027
- Mentor, AEJMC/ASJMC Institute for Diverse Leadership (IDL), 2024-2025
- Judge, 71st Scripps Howard Awards, 2024
- Member, NABJ Academic Task Force, 2023-present
- Board trustee, First Amendment Foundation, 2020-2022
Felicia McGhee
- Board Member of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC 2024-present), representing the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC)
- Executive board of ASJMC, representing small programs, 2021-2024
- Reviewer for ASJMC’S Institute of Diverse Leadership, 2021-present
- Reviewer for International Communication Association conference, 2024
- Institute of Diverse Leadership Fellow, 2019-2020
- Reviewer for Minorities and Communication Division of Association of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2018-2021
Arionne Nettles
- Advisory Board Member, HBCU Radio Preservation Project, 2024-present
- Member, African American and Civil Rights Caucus, The Library of Congress Radio Preservation Task Force, 2023-present
- Judge, Best of Gannett 2021 Competition, 2021
- Judge, Third Coast International Audio Festival/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition, 2021
- Member, National Association of Black Journalists
Maureen Tartaglione
- Member, Florida Internet and Telecommunications Association
- Member, Women in Cable Television
- Member, Florida Public Relations Association
Deborah Thigpen
- Member, Public Relations Society of America
Venise Toussaint
- Board Member and Volunteer, Big Ben Habitat for Humanity
- Volunteer tutor, Leon County Library English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, volunteer tutor
- Volunteer, Loreen Matthews Foundation
- Member, National Association of Black Journalists
Valerie White
- Board Member, Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2022-present
- Chair Black College Communication Association, 2003-present
- Assistant Secretary, Congress of Christian Education, 2016-present
Jeffrey Wilkinson
- Vice Chair International Division, Broadcast Education Association (BEA), responsible for evaluating panel proposals, 2023-2024
- Chair, International Division Paper Competition, BEA, organized and assigned reviewers and announced winners, 2021-2023
- Member, BEA Presidential Research Grant Taskforce, assisted with fundraising efforts, 2020-2023 to allow BEA to award annual research grants. Successfully reached goal of raising $200,000.
- Member, BEA Presidential Creative Work Grant Taskforce, 2023-present. Fundraising efforts to allow BEA to award annual grants for creative work applicants.
- Editorial Board member and reviewer, Journal of Radio and Audio Media, 2019-present
- Summarize the professional and public service activities undertaken by the unit. Include short courses, continuing education, institutes, press meetings; judging of contests; sponsorship of speakers addressing communication issues of public consequence and concern; and similar activities.
The public relations and journalism faculty at FAMU have shown a strong commitment to professional and public service through various activities. Dr. Bettye Grable has served as a judge for the Tallahassee Short Films competition and the Annual Florida Statewide History Day, and as a book reviewer for the University of Florida Press. Dr. Hsuan Huang has contributed as an editorial board member and journal reviewer for multiple publications, organized webinars, and managed campaigns for local nonprofits and small businesses. Dr. Leah Hunter has been involved with the Society of Professional Journalists, reviewed several academic journals, and participated in various professional associations. Division Director William Jiles serves on the board of the John G. Riley Center & Museum. Prof. Kenneth Jones has coordinated educational tours, managed media relations, engaged in community outreach, and volunteered for numerous organizations. Dean Mira Lowe has held leadership roles on several boards, mentored diverse leaders, and judged prestigious awards. Dr. Felicia McGhee has been active on the boards of ACEJMC and ASJMC, reviewed for leadership institutes, and participated in diversity initiatives. Prof. Venise Toussaint has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and local libraries. Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson has taken on leadership roles within the Broadcast Education Association and contributed to academic journals and grant task forces.
These activities highlight the faculty’s dedication to advancing their fields, supporting their communities, and fostering educational excellence.
Following are other examples of professional and public service activities undertaken by the unit:
Professional and Public Service
- Grads Are Back: This annual homecoming program welcomes alumni from across the nation back to SJGC to share their expertise with students from all disciplines. The event includes keynote speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities for students to engage with professionals.
- Civil Discourse Program: “Inclusion Begins with the Letter ‘I,’” on what is the future and merits of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media/newsrooms. The discussion included various perspectives from industry professionals, alumni, faculty, students, and community members.
- J-School Journals: This bi-annual event showcases the documentaries produced by students in the Documentary & Film course during the fall and spring semesters. The screening is open to the public.
- WANM 90.5 and TV 20 Outreach: Both media stations serve FAMU and the broader Tallahassee community via engagement activities at university events like Harambee Festival, Spring Preview, Be Out Day, Set Friday, athletic games, convocations, and commencements.
Partnerships and Training
- NBCU Academy: Through this partnership, SJGC provides free training to students and faculty for developing new skills and knowledge in journalism, media, and tech.
- ESPN Digital Mentorship and Speaker Series: The Speaker Series and Mentorship program are professional development opportunities for students to learn about broadcast design, animation, and digital content creation.
- The Center for Journalism & Democracy (CJD) Investigative Journalism Consortium: The collective of 10 HBCU journalism programs is working to expand investigative journalism opportunities for students with the development and implementation of an intramural investigative journalism course.
- AdPR Academy: In partnership with the University of Georgia, PR students receive 30+ hours of training and development from public relations executives and professionals.
- HBCU Digital Media Collaborative: Working with students and faculty, the Collaborative is helping The FAMUAN revamp its technological infrastructure and implement an industry-leading content management system (CMS) to provide publishing solutions. Students and faculty receive training on how to enhance their CMS skills and optimize user and product experiences.
- Adobe Training: As a Creative Campus partner, the school offers numerous training opportunities to students, faculty, and staff, including the earning of digital badges in Adobe’s Creative Skills Series.
Speakers (Sample)
- Trymaine Lee, Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning journalist and correspondent for MSNBC and the host of the “Into America” podcast
- Kathleen Kingsbury, The New York Times, Editorial Page
- Noella Williams, Apartment Therapy Media, Assistant Editor
- Tia Mitchell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Correspondent
- Damon Arnold, WALB-TV, Anchor and Host of “The Breakdown”
- Rich Hirsch, McClatchy, Senior Editor for Talent Development
- Caryn Baird, PolitiFact Researcher
- Lynn Hatter, WFSU News/Florida Public Radio, News Director
- Thomas Bennett, Senior VP of FleishmanHillard PR and Marketing Agency
- Tommie Lee Washington, Senior Animator, ESPN Creative Studio
- Stacie R. Collins Jackson, Founder and CEO of The Collins Jackson Agency
- Heidi Otway, President, Salter Mitchell PR
- Kathy Times, President, Yellow Brick Media Concepts
- Cheryl Smith, Publisher, I Messenger Media LLC
- Xavier Higgs, Publisher and Editor, First Source Magazine
- Gayle Andrews, President, Andrew Plus
- Rana Cash, Executive Editor, Charlotte Observer
- Tia Mitchell, White House Correspondent, C-Span Host, AJC
- Ameer Brown, Co-Founder/President, Breakr
- Aaron Paxton Arnold, Writer/Producer for Television and Film
- Kareem White, Sr. Talent Producer, ESPN
- Kanya Stewart, Communications Director, National Association of Black Journalists
- Rashan Ali Smith, TV/Radio Personality, Author
- Annetta Wilson, Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success Coaching
- Denise Hendricks, Executive Producer, MSNBC
- Tiffany Greene, Play-by-Play Commentator, College Sports, ESPN
- Omar Kelly, Sports Reporter, South Florida Sun Sentinel
- Brian Rice, SVP, Global Chief Brand and Design Officer, 3M
Contests Judged
- Tallahassee Short Films Competition
- Florida Statewide History Day Competition
- Scripps Howard Awards Competition
- Best of Gannett 2021 Competition
- Third Coast International Audio Festival/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition
- Collier Prize for State Government Accountability/University of Florida
- ‘Describe the unit’s methods for communicating with alumni, such as newsletters or other publications. Provide the web link(s) for communication during the previous academic year or provide print copies in the workroom.
The unit updates alumni and supporters through its SJGC Latest in the News webpage, newsletter, and social media platforms (X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn). Alumni can also stay connected and informed by visiting the school’s website (https://sjgc.famu.edu/), which offers information about majors, minors, curriculum, faculty, advisement, scholarships, and more. Those interested in student work can check out The FAMUAN, Journey Magazine, and WANM-FM websites. Local alumni are able to watch broadcast students’ live newscasts on FAMU TV 20 or stream them online.
SJGC Newsletter July 1, 2024
SJGC Newsletter July 15, 2024
SJGC Newsletter February, 2023
SJGC Newsletter October, 2023
SJGC Alumni Survey 2023
SJGC Newsletter December, 2022
SJGC Latest in the News
SJGC Events
SJGC LinkedIn
SJGC Facebook
SJGC Instagram
SJGC X/Twitter
- Describe the unit’s support of scholastic (high school) journalism and communications, including workshops, visiting lectures, critiques of student work, etc.
The unit has a long history of introducing the communication profession to middle school and high school students.
In partnership with the FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS), a K-12 school, SJGC has organized informational sessions and tours for students to experience the broadcast facilities and learn from faculty and staff. In Fall 2021, the unit hosted approximately 60 students from FAMU DRS for tours of the studios and breakout sessions with SJGC students, staff and faculty, and in Fall 2023, the unit hosted a DRS SJGC Takeover as part of a Campus Tour event. The unit is exploring a deeper collaboration with DRS and its Digital Media and Multimedia Design (DMMD) Academy in the coming year.
SJGC opens its doors to host students participating in various programs such as the Black Male Explorers, TRIO program, Tallahassee State College Summer Verizon Camp and Teen Leaders of America Residential Summer Program throughout the academic year. These opportunities allow the unit to engage with groups about media and expose them to the journalism/PR program.
Additionally, the unit takes part in university-sponsored events such as the annual STEM Day for students in grades 6-12, to expose them to technology, digital media, and immersive storytelling.
