Mass Comm professor honored for promoting diversity in newsrooms

June Nicholson, associate director and associate professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Mass Communications, has received the 2008 Robert P. Knight Multicultural Recruitment Award. The award was given by the Scholastic Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.

Nicholson, a VCU faculty member since 1984, was honored for her significant contributions over more than two decades to promoting diversity in America's newsrooms through work in scholastic media programs.

"June is passionate about bringing more young people of color into journalism education and the profession of journalism," said Judy VanSlyke Turk, director of the VCU School of Mass Communications. "She has done a remarkable job of pursuing that passion and creating undeniable results."

From 1985 to 2007, Nicholson directed VCU's Virginia Urban Journalism Workshop, an intensive summer workshop founded to provide experience and training for minority high school students interested in journalism. A dozen participants spend two weeks each year at VCU, learning the basics of journalism and producing a 20-page newspaper. The workshop is sponsored by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the national Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, VCU and the Virginia Press Association. In 2007, the workshop adopted race-neutral admission criteria.

A number of graduates of the Urban Journalism Workshop during Nicholson's tenure advanced to careers in journalism and journalism education. Among them is George Daniels, assistant professor at the University of Alabama and a 1987 participant in the workshop program.
"Her willingness to not give up is exceeded only by her passion for young people that has lasted for decades," Daniels, who nominated Nicholson for the Knight Award, said in his nomination letter. "It is fitting that we pause to recognize and salute her for the time and talent she has brought to ongoing efforts to make our nation's newsrooms more reflective of the diversity in their communities."

Nicholson is co-developer of the Society of Professional Journalists' (SPJ) diversity curriculum that is part of the organization's newsroom training program, and is a former member of the national SPJ committee on diversity among journalists. She is the chair of national SPJ's International Journalism Committee and served as chair of SPJ's national Journalism Education Committee from 2000-07. She is former president of the Virginia Professional chapter of SPJ and a current board member.

The Knight Multicultural Recruitment Award is given by the Scholastic Division of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication to recognize any media organization or individual who has made significant contributions to promoting diversity through contributions to high school or middle school media programs.

School of Mass Comm recruits for four new professors

Want to have a hand in shaping future mass communications professionals? At VCU's School of Mass Comm, you can impact the future! We enroll 1,200 majors and pre-majors in journalism, advertising and public relations and 200 graduate students in advertising and public relations. VCU has a diverse student body of more than 28,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

Current Job Openings (Beginning Fall Semester 2009):

• Assistant or Associate Professor, Broadcast Journalism
  (Two Positions Available)
  
  
• Assistant or Associate Professor, Advertising
  (Two Positions Available)

VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Urban Journalism Workshop Wraps Up

The ink has dried on the 2008 Virginia Urban Journalism Workshop and a dozen outstanding students from across the Commonweath have a publication to prove it – The Urban Reporter.

The UJW is a two-week intensive workshop for high school students who might be interested considering journalism as a course of study in college and as a possible career. The participants produced a 20-page tabloid-sized newspaper which focused on the 2008 Presidential election. Each student wrote an article highlighting some aspect of the election and a profile on one of their peer reporters.

The residential program, held June 15-27, was one of nearly 30 Urban Journalism Workshops across the country sponsored in part by a grant from the by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund. Other sponsors of the VCU workshop included the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Press Association and VCU’s School of Mass Communications. It was the School’s 24th year to host the workshop.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about interviewing, reporting, writing and editing by working in an intensive news environment. They interacted with some of Richmond’s top newsmen and women,” said Carol Mawyer, director of the UJW. “For the first time in our workshop’s history, we included a multi-media component. This reflects the industry trend in convergence and received high marks with the students.”

The workshop was held on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and included occasional visits to the Richmond Times-Dispatch building as well as a trip to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., an interactive museum of journalism history and current worldwide news. The students also enjoyed visits from various speakers including Tom Silvestri, president and publisher of the Richmond-Times Dispatch and Glenn Proctor , the paper’s vice president and executive editor.

Bonnie Davis, the workshop’s associate director noticed a big change in some of the students during the workshop. “They came in timid and left with a sense of self confidence,” she said. “The program provides them with skills they can take with them in various aspects of their lives for years to come.”

Matthew Bardowell, a rising senior at James River High School in Chesterfield County, recieved a four-year renewable $1,000 scholarship from the Richmond –Times Disptach for his outstanding reporting on immigration issues. Kendra Johnson, a rising senior at Varina High School in Henrico County, was recommended for a $1,000 national Dow Jones Newspaper Fund scholarship for her story on Barack Obama.

UJW participants lived in university dorms and ate in the campus dining center during their stay. Most days began at 7 a.m. and ended at 11 p.m.

After two weeks of hard work and long hours, the students reflect on what they learned.

“I have really enjoyed the Urban Journalism Workshop this year, despite the long nights and the lack of sleep, said Erika Maguire, a senior from Midlothian’s Cosby High School. “However, with our daily schedule, I have really gotten a feel of what it's like to be a reporter.”

Lurah Lowery, a rising senior at John S. Battle High School in Bristol, said, “We have to work hard and work long days but it's worth it because we end up writing great articles. Plus this is good practice and experience for college.”

Maguire said, “Although it is a lot of work, you get the chance to come in contact with so many people, from newspaper writers, to broadcasting anchors, to politicians, and best of all, to fellow students, just like yourself, who want to pursue the same career. These are the people that will ultimately help you get where you'd like to be in the future.”

Arviet Rawlings, a rising senior at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, said, “I would absolutely recommend this program to other students. Whether they are into advertising, live broadcast, or journalism, I think this is definitely a good source for preparation.”

Reuben Jones, a rising senior at Charlottesville High School, said, “I would recommend the workshop because you learn a lot and meet a lot of friends and hear from a lot of journalists. The workshop helps improve your writing skills and helps you become a better journalist.”

Learn More!

Read the coverage from the Richmond Times Dispatch.

View a slideshow of the UJW experience.

Judy VanSlyke Turk receives PRSA Richmond's prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award

On June 12, PRSA Richmond awarded Judy VanSlyke Turk, PhD., APR, Fellow PRSA, with the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award.

Each year PRSA Richmond recognizes extraordinary achievement by an individual working in the field of public relations. Thomas Jefferson Award winners exemplify the best in the profession. The program is open to public relations practitioners in the Greater Richmond metropolitan area.

“This award recognizes and celebrates a lifetime of achievement,” said Felicia McLemore, APR, PRSA Richmond’s president. “In Judy VanSlyke Turk’s case, she has achieved enough for three lifetimes! We’re so pleased to be able to honor her in this way, and to count her among our chapter membership.”

Judy VanSlyke Turk is Director of the School of Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Prior to joining VCU in March 2002, she was founding dean of the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates, a position she held for 2½ years. Previously, she was dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina, director of the journalism and mass communications program at Kent State University and a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma, Louisiana State University and Syracuse University.

VanSlyke Turk is president-elect of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communications and is past president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC), the largest association of journalism faculty and administrators in the United States. She was chair of the teaching standards committee in 1992

VanSlyke Turk is an elected member of the Arthur W. Page Society, an association of senior executives and educators in corporate communication and public relations.

She is 2008 chair of the Educational Affairs Committee of the Public Relations Society of America and a past chair of its College of Fellows. She also is a member of the Commission on Public Relations Education, a collaborative venture among PRSA and several other academic and professional associations in public relations.

VanSlyke Turk, who worked professionally for The Associated Press and in university and corporate public relations before beginning her academic career, was named Outstanding Public Relations Educator in 1992 by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2005 she was awarded the Pathfinder Award by the Institute for Public Relations in recognition of her research and publications in the field of public relations.

She is associate editor of Journalism Studies, an international refereed journal. She also is a member of the editorial advisory board for Journal of Public Relations Research, and Journalism and Mass Communications Quarterly.

VanSlyke Turk is co-author of This is PR: The Realities of Public Relations (Wadsworth Publishing, now in its 9th edition) and co-editor of a collection of international public relations case studies developed as a project of the Public Relations Division of AEJMC and published by the Institute for Public Relations.

She has consulted and lectured on public relations and journalism/mass communications curriculum issues in Eastern Europe, the Newly Independent States, the Baltics, Russia, the Middle East and Asia.

Dr. VanSlyke Turk's friends congratulate her in a video tribute

View the tribute video in which just a few of Dr. VanSlyke Turk's friends congratulate her on this lifetime achievement award.

Tribute Video- Part I

Tribute Video- Part II

School of Mass Comm welcomes Timothy Bajkiewicz

The School of Mass Communications at VCU has added another broadcast journalism faculty member, Associate Professor Dr. Tim Bajkiewicz (or as he prefers, “Dr. B”).

“I'm really excited about coming to VCU. I just have a good feeling about everything--the students, my fellow faculty, the campus,” said Bajkiewicz. “When you start talking to people you can sense the buzz and that's something special. I visited campus in late January, which was a little cold for a guy who's basically lived in Florida for the past 20 years. Everyone was so kind to me and I had a great time. As soon as I got there I knew this is where I wanted to be,” he said.

Bajkiewicz holds a doctorate in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also has a master’s degree in mass communication and telecommunication from the University of Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida as well, majoring in anthropology with a minor in mass communication.

“I bring a lot of broadcasting and media experience with me, especially with multimedia journalism,” Bajkiewicz said. “You just have to look around to see all the ways we get information today, like our cell phones or online. Quality information has never been so important, and so we need to train the next generation of media storytellers. VCU's School of Mass Communications has a great national reputation, and I'm looking forward to working with the School's students and faculty to keep that up.”

Bajkiewicz has a great deal of teaching experience, including working as an instructor at the University of South Florida. He has also received a number of awards such as the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for his work at the University of South Florida. He also placed second in the “Promising Professors” National Teaching Competition the same year.

Bajkiewicz also has a long list of professional broadcast experience. He was a researcher and production assistant for the North Carolina Center for Public Television. He was Online Assistant Coordinator of the General Alumni Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has also been a full-time on-air talent at stations like WRUF AM-FM in Gainesville, Florida, WGLF-FM in Tallahassee and WRQN-FM in Toledo, Ohio.

School of Mass Comm welcomes Soo Yeon Hong

Part of what makes Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of Mass Communications great is its experienced and diverse faculty. The school takes pride in hiring qualified faculty to educate the continuously growing number of students. Dr. Soo Yeon Hong is one of the newest assistant professors to be added to the School’s faculty.

Hong, who joins the School on Aug. 15, said, “I'm very excited to join the faculty at the School of Mass Communications in Virginia Commonwealth University and to teach students at VCU. I've taught students before but this is huge! Many of my friends here in Syracuse told me that Richmond is a very historic city. But with so much energy coming from the students, the professors, VCU, and the city, I felt like I was in a very young city when I was there for an interview last fall.”

Hong received her PhD in May 2008 from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She obtained a master’s degree in television, radio and film in May of 2005 and a master’s in magazine journalism in December of 2000, both from Syracuse. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from Hankook University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Korea.

“I've always followed my heart which led me to explore wonderful professions and education--public relations, graphic design, research, magazine journalism, film, marketing--as well as great parts of the world--Spain, Indonesia, Japan, New York City, Syracuse, and Alabama, “ Hong said.

Hong began her teaching experience as a guest lecturer at Syracuse University. She quickly moved up the ladder to become a lab instructor and then a teaching assistant. After that she became an adjunct professor, teaching Introduction to the Graphic Arts and Visual Communication Theory and Practices.

“At VCU, I want my diverse experience to create useful, relevant lessons that kindle and affirm students' interest, and I want the work we do in the classroom to build students' confidence,” Hong said.

She was rated as one of the best Syracuse professors and classes in The Daily Orange, a student-run newspaper at Syracuse. Hong was also Mentor to a Syracuse University Scholar in 2006-2007. University Scholar is the highest honor given to an undergraduate.

Hong is excited about her new position, stating, “I can't wait to begin my journey in VCU.”

School of Mass Comm hosts Urban Journalism Workshop

The Virginia Urban Journalism Workshop is back for its 2008 encore! Twelve rising or graduating high school seniors have been selected to participate in this year’s program, which will take place June 15-27. The students are from James River, Deep Run, Cosby, Varina, Charlottesville, John S. Battle, Floyd, Windsor, L.C. Bird, George Wythe and J.R. Tucker High School.

This two-week intensive residential workshop is designed for high school students interested in journalism. The Richmond Times-Dispatch and VCU's School of Mass Communications and the Virginia Press Association are partnering to sponsor the event. Additional funding is being provided by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund. It will take place on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and includes occasional visits to the Times-Dispatch building.

The workshop is offered to participants at no cost.“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about writing, editing, design, graphics and career opportunities in the important field of journalism,” said Carol Mawyer, director of the Workshop and the School’s assistant director for student services and scholastic journalism. The Workshop’s associate director is Associate Professor Bonnie Newman Davis.