The kids are still not alright. I wrote "the kids are not alright" in April to explain how COVID-19 would impact college students. At the time, I wrote: COVID-19 is different than any other type of traumatic event we’ve experienced because of its longevity... We’re ready to adjust, be resilient and return to normal, but the pandemic is still … [Read more...]
4 Things I Loved About Virtual Fall National College Media Convention
News alert: Virtual conventions make you just as tired as in-person conventions. I never would have thought this was the case, but we just hosted Fall National College Media Convention and I am tired. Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association host the annual convention, which was virtual for the first time this … [Read more...]
My Favorite Book of September
I've spent time lately lying on the sofa under my favorite blanket, smelling my favorite fall candles burning and reading a book on my iPad while my husband watches football. Fall is not my favorite season, but I can still have a favorite book of September. I'm a summer girl who loves sunshine, sandals and water. But I do love the colors, scents … [Read more...]
How to Recruit When There’s No One on Campus
College media staffs have been tasked with reporting critical health and safety information since last spring when COVID-19 sent students nationwide to virtual classes. At the same time, student editors found themselves working with smaller staffs as students tried to figure out how to do coursework online and adjust to their altered living … [Read more...]
How to Interview Sources on the Phone
I had an editor who used to say that a reporter could get any story on the phone that you could get in person. His theory confused me because I had grown up in journalism understanding the importance of shoe leather reporting. I'd always been taught you needed to get out, meet people and observe the news. But my editor's mantra came from … [Read more...]
How to Talk With Students About Race
As journalism educators, we talk about a lot of uncomfortable subjects with our students. Media law and ethics alone are just packed with lessons that lead us to reevaluate our ways of thinking. And, then there is the news we advise them through covering. I'll never forget when our university president was diagnosed with prostate cancer. We all … [Read more...]
Avoiding Decision Fatigue
I don't like getting ready for work. You know the process. You shower, fix your hair, put on make-up, get dressed (after finally deciding what to wear), grab your things, then commute. For me, the entire fiasco takes about two hours. Then, once you arrive at work, you have to transition into actually working. Almost three hours later, you're … [Read more...]
