Department of Communication

Ten students with the UTA chapter of American Advertising Federation (AAF) recently toured TM (formerly Temerlin McClain) Advertising in Dallas.

The students enjoyed a lengthy question and answer session and found out about internship opportunities with the company for Fall.

UTA Advertising students have many opportunities to network with professionals through classroom and departmental events each semester.

The student chapter of AAF is open to all advertising and communication students who want to gain insight and information about the field of advertising.

The active chapter hosts monthly meetings, networking and informational events, and a opportunities to meet industry professionals.

Students in Dr. Shelley Wigley's Fall 2012 PR Champaigns class were honored with an Award of Excellence from the Greater Fort Worth Public Relations Society of America Chapter for their work on behalf of Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County. 

 

The students tied with Texas Christian University for the Award of Excellence in the Service Learning Initiative category.

 

"Unlike TCU, who had a $50,000 grant to support their campaign, our students completed their efforts with no budget," Dr. Wigley said. " I am so proud of them. They went out and raised money/funds to support their campaign efforts."

 

The Department of Communication offers many opportunities for students to engage in service leaning through their coursework each semester.

 

This semester, students in Dr. Wigley’s Campaigns class are working with the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.

On April 11, the students hosted "Get Down," an on-campus event to raise awareness about restaurants, businesses and events in Downtown Arlington.

More than 300 students were served up free food from Five Downtown Arlington restaurants including Babe's, Grease Monkey and Mellow Mushroom. Theater Arlington, College Park Center and Symphony Arlington were also on hand to share information.

Students used giant-sized comment boards to tell city officials what they would like to see in Downtown Arlington.

Communication students have worked with many local companies and non-profit organizations including Meals on Wheels, Children's Hospital, The Reading Corp., the SPCA, homeless shelters, nursing homes and orphanages.

 

UTA Department of Communication students are getting a first-hand look at the fast-paced world of journalism and broadcast news.

The UTA broadcast majors covered the arrival of President Barack Obama at Dallas Fort Worth Love Field April 24. The President was in Dallas for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The nation's five surviving presidents attended the center’s dedication. More than 10,000 people gathered on the Southern Methodist University campus amid tight security from local and federal law enforcement.

UTA students, Annabelle Hernandez, Laura Romo and Madeline Amashta, also traveled to Waco where President Obama attended a memorial event to honor those injured and killed in the fertilizer plant explosion that rocked the small, farming community of West last week. The memorial was held on the campus of Baylor University.

Enrolled in TV Reporting class this semester, the students are also very involved in UTA News en Español, explained Julian Rodriguez, broadcast lecturer and faculty sponsor of UTA News en Español.

"Covering these events helps our students work side by side with professional journalists, covering events of national impact," Rodriguez said, "Covering events of this magnitude prepares our students for the pace and professionalism required of broadcast journalists."

The students' stories of the President's arrival and the West memorial aired on Time Warner Cable in Arlington and online at UTANews.com and TV.UTA.EDU.

Communication studies junior Jason Hays is an international champion in Irish hardshoe dancing. Hays has been dancing for 14 years.

Hays was featured in a recent story publiched in The Shorthorn. Check out the following link to read more about this talented student.

http://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/people_and_interests/student-finds-inspiration-in-traditional-irish-dance/article_357ac542-758a-11e2-b1eb-001a4bcf6878.html

The UTA chapter of Society of Professional Journalists will host guest speaker Jason Whitely from WFAA Channel 8 at the group's next meeting. Whitely will discuss investigative reporting.

The SPJ meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, in room 258 of The Fine Arts building. All interested students are welcome to attend.

 

The Fort Worth Star Telegram Other Voices carried an op-ed by Austan Pierce, 20, an advertising major at UT Arlington and member of the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team.

Pierce described the challenges and opportunities he has experienced living with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

See the following link to read Pierce's column.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/16/4553035/movin-mavs-player-was-changed.html

The Department of Communication has a long history of giving back to the community. Students gain hands-on experiene while making meaningful contributions through several service leaning projects each semester.

 

Students in Suzy Nead’s fall Group Communication 2304 class are assisting several local non-profit groups and organizations as part of the courses’ service learning projects.

 

This semester the student teams’ efforts will benefit Ronald McDonald House, Wound Warriors, Mission Arlington, Boy's and Girl's Club, Child Abuse Awareness and The Salvation Army of Fort Worth.

 

Students in Shelley Wigley’s Public Relations Campaigns class are working with Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County this semester.

 

“Groups of students have been holding events to increase awareness, donations and volunteers for the organization,” Dr. Wigley explained.

 

The events will help the area non-profit while providing UTA students with real-world public relations experience.

 

On Oct. 25, students held an on-campus awareness event that raised more than $120 for MOW and recruited dozens of potential volunteers. Another student group is holding a Mavstir Bake-Off competition which will feature members of UTA student organizations competing in a bake-off challenge to create a new dessert for MOW clients.

 

Another team is holding an on-campus event for Arlington community leaders on Nov. 28 to educate them about MOW and its impact on the citizens of Arlington. The public is also invited to attend. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Rio Grande Ballroom, 300 W. First Street. RSVP to Sir Jones at Sir.Jones@mavs.uta.edu.

 

The Communication Department's Associated Press Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Lab is open to assist Communication students.

The lab hours are:

• Mondays 9-10:30 a.m.
• Tuesdays 2-3 p.m.
• Wednesdays 9-10:30 a.m.
• Thursdays 8-9:30 a.m.

The lab is located in Room 257 of the Fine Arts building.

The windows at the library and University Hall may be rattling a bit when UTA Radio launches its annual Rocktober concert series on Tuesday, Oct 2.

This is third year for the event, but only the second year the event carries the Rocktober name.

“It’s a chance for our students to not only organize a weekly, mini-concert,” says Faculty Advisor Lance Liguez. “It’s also a chance to showcase, in a live setting, some of the local indie rock bands we feature on the air.”

Tuesday’s kick-off concert will feature Sammie Zonana, recently voted UTA's Most Talented Maverick 2012.

The concert is also being held in conjunction with College Radio Day, a national effort to draw attention to college radio stations and the impact they have on and off campus.

Bands confirmed to playin October include Svenny Baby and the Lost Immigrants.

The UTA student chapter of the Association for Women in Communication (AWC) will be hosting a general meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25. The meeting will be held in room 414 of the Fine Arts Building.

 

AWC is offering free food during the meeting and will be viewing  a webinar about the Top 10 Mistakes Women Make in Networking. All communication students are invited to attend.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) elected new officers to open positions last week to carry out the organization’s plans for the semester.

Chapter President Kevin Luong said several PRSSA officers graduated or stepped down to focus on studies their senior year, but other members are stepping up to take over.

"It was good to get this out of the way so we can get to work,” Luong said.  “Everybody’s anxious to get started.”

Jennifer Garcia, the new PRSSA events coordinator, said this is her first year as a member of the PRSSA and she looks forward to helping organize the events.

“I don’t want to just be a member, I want to help and be involved,” Garcia said.

Some of the newest PRSSA officers are also members of other UTA organizations..

“It’s good to see that they’re really active in the organizations so we can have more networking,” Luong said.

PRSSA elected Public Relations major Brandon Demings to the position of recruitment coordinator.

“My job is to go to different clubs and organizations and classes to help them (students) see the benefits of joining PRSSA,” Demings said. Upcoming events and orientations will allow more students to find out about PRSSA and the many workshops, activities and events the organization plans each semester.

Luong said it will not be hard for the new officers to transition into their new roles.

“It’s just a matter of planning and educating,” he added.

The UTA chapter of PRSSA meets at 3:30 p.m. each Thursday  in Room 327 of the Fine Arts building.   All students interested in Public Relations and Communication are welcome to attend.

 

--Michelle Tyer, UTA Department of Communication intern

The UTA chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists is sponsoring a resume workshop this month.

The resume critique workshop will be specifically geared toward Communication students. Department of Communication faculty will be on hand to offer critiques and advice.

"The most common mistake -- even in the era of spellcheck -- is spelling, not only on resumes, but on cover letters as well," advises Broadcast Lecturer Lance Liguez, one of several faculty members who will assist with the workshop. "Little mistakes like that will not get you an interview."

Students attending the workshop will learn resume formatting and tips and how to put together a winning resume for internships and career positions.

The workshop will be held at 12:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 in Room 327 of the Fine Arts building. Space is limited, so interested students are encouraged to RSVP by Sept. 22 to Bianca.montes@mavs.uta.edu.

Students receiving a grade or D or F in a course may file a grade exclusion request with the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration. The Grade Exclusion link is now activated.

Students seeking grade exclusion must receive counseling from an academic advisor to determine the effect a grade exclusion may have on degree and probation requirements. The student may also need to meet with the Financial Aid Office if receiving a scholarships or financial aid. Student athletes should meet with the Athletic Department, and international students should check with the International Office.

The course with the excluded grade cannot be used to satisfy any graduation requirement.  The course grade will be removed from the academic GPA calculation; although the grade received will remain on the student's transcript. Excluded grades will be included in the calculation of GPA for determining graduation with Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude).

The grade exclusions will apply to a maximum of three courses at UT Arlington and will not apply to courses that may be repeated for credit or to courses taken on a pass/fail basis. Of the three courses, only one course can be at the 3000/4000 level.

Students must be enrolled on the Census Date of the semester in which their grade exclusion request is processed. Grade exclusions must be submitted before the last drop day of the term. For the Fall semester, the last day to submit a grade exclusion is Oct. 31.

To submit a grade exclusion, or for more information about the grade exclusion process, check the following link:
http://wweb.uta.edu/ses/recordsandregistration/content/student_services/grade_exclusion.aspx

Students needing assistance completing the grade exclusion request may visit the Department of Communication advising office during regular advising hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The UTA chapter of the American Advertising Federation will host the group's introductory meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13. The meeting will be held in room 414 of the Fine Arts building. All students interested in advertising are welcome to attend and join the organization.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Advertising Federation (AAF) acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” AAF is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry. UTA's student chapter is one of more than 200 college chapters nationwide.

The organization connects students with advertising professionals in corporate America, offers internship and workshop activities and a chance to meet other UTA advertising students.

For more information about AAF at UTA visit http://mavorgs.collegiatelink.net/organization/advertisingleagueoftexasarlington/about

Department of Communication juniors and seniors planning to complete an internship for upper-level elective credit must submit appropriate paperwork by Friday, Aug. 31.

Students should pick up internship applications in the Department of Communication main office, Room 118 of the Fine Arts building.

Students must have a 3.0 departmental GPA, have the form signed by a faculty sponsor and must have met all class requirements designated by major. Students are also required to submit an unoffical transcript with paperwork.

All requests for internship credit must be approved by the department. Requests must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 for consideration.

 

 

Chloe Jamerson, a May '12 Public Relations graduate has been hired to work in brand public relations for The Richards Group in Dallas.

 

May 2012 PR graduate, Kristina Kopplin, has been hired by Social Compass, a social media marketing agency. She will be working as an Interactive Producer for the company.

Alison Cohn, May 2012 Advertising graduate/English minor, was selected for the Teach for America program and will be teaching English in Miami, Fla. Cohn begins her position this week.

Recent Comm grad Trey Caron has accepted a position in Lawton, OK as production director for Townsquare Media.

BCMN grad David Mannering was accepted to St. Thomas University Law in Miami, Fla. He will begin his studies in August.

May 2012 PR graduate, Kristina Kopplin, has been hired by Social Compass, a social media marketing agency. She will be working as an Interactive Producer for the company.

May 2012 BCMN grad Christine Nicholson has been hired for a morning reporter position at KXII-TV in Sherman. She began her new position in June.

The UTA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is sponsoring a pizza and bowling event 8 p.m. until midnight, Monday, July 9. The new location for the event will be Spare Time Lanes, located between California Street and Mayfield. 

The $8 admission includes shoe rental, pizza, soft drinks, bowling and door prizes. 

"The event will be a lot of fun and will give students a chance to find out about our UTA chapter of SPJ and the many events we have throughout the semester," said Kim Pewitt-Jones, SPJ faculty co-advisor.

The event will kick off this year's roster of events for the active UTA chapter, Pewitt-Jones said.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

"We welcome everyone to come out and have a good time and learn how to get involved with SPJ at UTA," Professor Jones added. "And you might even win a prize."

Students interested in attending should RSVP for the event by Sunday, July 8.

For information and to RSVP see http://spjutapizza.eventbrite.com
For additional information about SPJ contact President Jose Enriquez at jose.enriquez@mavs.uta.edu or chapter co-adviser Kim  Pewitt-Jones at kejones@uta.edu.

 

In the classroom:

 

Learning is more than cracking a book and taking a test in the Department of Communication. Classes offer students an opportunity to see what they will be doing once they graduate in their respective fields. During the spring semester, Communication students got the chance to meet with industry professionals and work on a variety of projects for hands on learning.

 

Assistant Professor Mark Tremayne hosted a visit by his former student, Ann Arnold, morning anchor for KFDX in Wichita Falls. Arnold spoke to broadcast students about preparing themselves for careers in television news.

 

 Public Relations Students in Mindia Whittier’s worked as student ambassadors for the PR firm, Strategic Image, to develop a public relations campaign on behalf of the Tarrant County Public Health Department. The campaign was designed to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among college students. Students participating in the project include Christopher Bryan, Nicole Durham, Sarah Frost and Jasmine Moore.

 

Students in Whittier’s PR Campaigns course developed Strategic Communication Plans for the national launch of a new product being offered by a company called Think Finance this semester.

 

Communication Technology students in Dr. Brian Horton’s Spring Human Computer Interaction spent the semester working with local client, DigIt! Development, to create a unique, interactive website.

 

“DigIt! Development is collaborating with the City of Dallas to create 21 custom homes in the Cedars area of Dallas, just south of I-30,” Dr. Horton explained. “The class has created -- and is in the process of implementing -- a very unique user experience where potential homebuyers can customize homes online. The homebuyer is then able to print out a report that they can take to the bank without having to go through a Realtor.”

The City of Dallas has contributed $300,000 to upgrade the infrastructure around the neighborhood of custom homes. The Galleries on Hickory will range in price from $300,000 to $500,000.

The students also collaborated with DigIt! Development to create an internet marketing plan for the company.

“Being the first of its kind and scale, the website is expected to generate a lot of buzz throughout, not only the DFW area, but also the United States,” Dr. Horton added. “I am very proud of the work my students have done on this innovative project.”

Carl Esposito, M.A. in Communication Candidate, Select, successfully defended his Master's Thesis . His thesis is titled "Can political candidates use Facebook to influence real world outcomes? An analysis of uses and gratifications needs, online participation and offline outcomes on candidate’s Facebook pages."

Department of Communication graduate students James Dunning and Michael Agee presented a paper, “When ‘Oops, Sorry’ Isn’t Enough: Tiger Woods and Image Repair,” at the University of North Texas Student Conference in March.

Journalism major Monica Nagy will work at The Eagle in Bryan for 10 weeks this summer as part of the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Association's Butler Haas Minority Internship program.

COMS major Elizabeth (Bess) Alvarez, has accepted an offer of admission to the Master’s program in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bess has also been offered a teaching assistantship (with a stipend and tuition waiver) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate College Fellowship.

Each year the UTA Career Center names one student as a Distinguished Student Employee. Tierra Chatmon, public relations senior, was named the Distinguished Student Employee for April by Multicultural Affairs.

PREL student, Mark Melendez, is spending his spring semester in Spain as part of UTA’s Study Abroad program.

Public relations majors Patrick Jackson and Courtney Chipman spent the spring semester interning for the Director of Communication for UTA Athletics.

PREL major Terry McLennan landed a summer internship with Tarrant County chapter of The American Heart Association.

This spring semester has been a busy one in the Department of Communication with students getting invaluable experience to prepare them for life after graduation.

Assistant Professor Mark Tremayne hosted a visit by his former student, Ann Arnold, morning anchor for KFDX in Wichita Falls. Arnold spoke to broadcast students April 30 on how to prepare themselves for careers in television news.

Public Relations students in Mindia Whittier’s classes are getting hands-on experience this semester. Several of Whittier’s PR students worked as student ambassadors for the PR firm, Strategic Image, to develop a public relations campaign on behalf of the Tarrant County Public Health Department. The campaign was designed to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among college students. Students participating in the project include Christopher Bryan, Nicole Durham, Sarah Frost and Jasmine Moore.

Whittier’s PR Campaigns students developed Strategic Communication Plans for the national launch of a new product being offered by a company called Think Finance this semester.

Communication Technology students in Dr. Brian Horton’s Human Computer Interaction spent the semester working with local client, DigIt! Development, to create a unique, interactive website.

“DigIt! Development is collaborating with the City of Dallas to create 21 custom homes in the Cedars area of Dallas, just south of I-30,” Dr. Horton explained. “The class has created -- and is in the process of implementing -- a very unique user experience where potential homebuyers can customize homes online. The homebuyer is then able to print out a report that they can take to the bank without having to go through a Realtor.”

The City of Dallas has contributed $300,000 to upgrade the infrastructure around the neighborhood of custom homes. The Galleries on Hickory will range in price from $300,000 to $500,000.

The students have also collaborated with DigIt! Development to create an internet marketing plan for the company.

“Being the first of its kind and scale, the website is expected to generate a lot of buzz throughout, not only the DFW area, but also the United States,” Dr. Horton added. “I am very proud of the work my students have done on this innovative project.”

Students in Suzy Nead’s Group Communication class are hard at work on class projects benefitting many local non-profit organizations.

“Right now, groups are working with Cook Children’s Hospital, YMCA, Mission Arlington, The Moritz No-kill Animal Shelter, Package Brigade and a local senior center,” Ms. Nead said.

“The students’ service learning efforts include play days for children, letters and gifts for Americans serving overseas, gathering supplies for animals, and implementing programs for local seniors and children,” she added.

Scholarship applications for the 2012-2013 academic year for eligible Department of Communication students are due no later than 3 p.m. Monday, Mar. 12.

Students may apply for more than one scholarship, but must submit individual applications for each scholarship. In order to apply, students must maintain full-time status for the Fall 2012 semester.

Students may turn in applications in the Department of Communication office in Room 118 in the Fine Arts Building.

Students needing to do a grade exclusion may now do so. The period for grade exclusions started  Feb. 2 and continues through March 30.

Only grades of D or F may be excluded and you may have a total of only three (3) grade exclusions.

For more info, see the following link.

http://wweb.uta.edu/ses/recordsandregistration/content/student_services/grade_exclusion.aspx

If you need assistance with a grade exclusion, visit the advising office during normal advising hours, 9-4 M-TH.

The UTA chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America will host its first meeting of the semester at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in Room 327 of the Fine Arts Building. The meeting will provide prospective members information about PRSSA.

Voted Best Student Organization on Campus by The Shorthorn in Fall 2010, PRSSA provides students the opportunity to network with professionals, professors and colleagues. The group provides an environment where students learn by doing, with student teams working on writing skills, graphic design and event planning.

PRSSA members will soon visit classes to share information about the organization. PRSSA meetings are held the first Thursday of each month.

For more information, email utaprssa@uta.edu or contact Rachel Makutuya, VP of Recruitment and Retainment at rachel.makutuya@mavs.uta.edu.

Two UTA journalism majors have been offered paid internships for summer 2012 through the Dow Jones News Fund program.

Bryan Bastible will be a copy editor and page designer at the Beaumont Enterprise. Jose Enriquez will be a copy editing intern at The Dallas Morning News.

The Dow Jones News Fund, formerly known as the Newspaper Fund, was organized in 1958 to improve the quality of journalism education and the pool of applicants for jobs in the news business.

The Fund offered its first fellowships for high school journalism teachers of $1,000 each in 1959. DJNF provides paid summer internships in business reporting, news, multimedia and sports copy editing for juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Both Bastible and Enriquez are staff members of The Shorthorn, UTA's student newspaper.

Students in April Blount's Fall Group Communication class assisted Arlington's Creative Arts Theatre School (CATS) in raising money for costumes and operating expenses.

The students held an on-campus bake sale to raise funds and donated concession supplies to the non-proft arts organization. The Communication students also organized the costume and fabric room at the North Arlington facility, making it easier for staff and volunteers to create costumes used in CATS' productions. Founded in 1977, CATS is the only youth theatre in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, staging a roster of plays each year and offering classes in acting, dance and stagecraft.

Blount said she is proud that her students are not only learning to work together to accomplish goals, but are learning the importance of getting involved in the community.

“That’s what this project is about — going out and helping someone and actually make a difference,” she said.

Department of Communication students with at least 60 hours of credit or more are encouraged to complete an internship in their major to gain valuable work experience prior to graduation.

Communication students intern with a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and non-profits. The internships not only provide an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned, but many lead to job offers following graduation, reminds Department Chair Dr. Charla Markham Shaw.

"We are proud of the relationships we foster through our internship program, and we encourage students to take advantage of the numerous internship opportunies available through our department," Dr. Markham Shaw said. "The experience and knowledge gained through an internship are invaluable and often set students apart from other applicants when it's time to apply for that first professional position."

This semester, Department of Communication students are interning all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with several studnets packing their bags for out of state  positions.

Journalism major J. C. Derrick  is spending the semester in Washington, D.C. as an Archer Fellow where he is interning with The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. His article, “What Joe Paterno taught me: It’s time to stop keeping secrets,” was published in The Washington Post Nov. 11.

"My internship has been extremely valuable to me. It has definitely met and exceeded my expectations," Derrick said. " Due to my background in journalism and my interest in law, I chose The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to merge those two fields."

"I've been challenged as I covered and learned a lot about media law issues," Derrick added. "The internship has been very useful for teaching me new journalism skills, while also imparting a plethora of knowledge about the legal system. I can now make a much more informed decision about law school."

Like Derrick, many Communication students are finding internship positions equally beneficial.

Ahsan “Ali” Kahn, who will graduate this month with a Public Relations degree, was hired for an internship with Fleishman-Hillard, a leading international communication agency with 80 offices around the world. Kahn will be training in Washington D.C. before working on the firm’s Best Buy account in preparation for a new store opening in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Public Relations students are landing internships with a variety of companies. Public Relations major Kaitlin Hennessy is now Community Relations and Giving Intern at Southwest Airlines, while Ashley Montgomery is serving as a PR intern for MD3 Holdings in Garland. Katy Kiger has accepted a spring Public Relations internship position with Richards Partners, affiliated with The Richards Group.

Breanna Standifer, Spring 2009 PR grad, and Rebecca Strong, Spring 2010 PR grad, served as interns for Open Channels Group, one of the largest minority-owned public relations firms in Texas.

Journalism students often intern with local media outlets. Journalism major Megan Falconer spent the fall semester interning at D Magazine in Dallas. 

Organizational Communication major Sandy Kurtzman is an intern for ARC of Greater Tarrant Country in Fort Worth.

The department's broadcast students are also gaining hands-on experience through internships. Broadcast major Aubree McFadden works with Irving-based Salem Communications as a producer for the Nightlife show. Alanna Quillen and Christine Nicholson, broadcast journalism majors, worked in the newsroom of KXAS NBC 5 this semester, shadowing reporters and assisting producers.

Candace Brown and Jared Mayers landed internships with FSN-SW (Fox Sports Southwest) for the Fall 2011 semester.

In addition to the experience and exposure an internship provides, completing an approved internship through the Department of Communication also earns the student three hours of credit. A student must have a departmental GPA of 3.0 to apply and must have completed appropriate coursework related to the internship.

Internship forms are available in the Department of Communication office in Room 118.

"I would absolutely encourage people to find an internship - even if it's not paid," Derrick advised. "The experience gained will at least make you a better graduate and more attractive to potential employers, but it also might end up changing your life."

 

 

Students have been flocking to the Department of Communication Advising office the past several weeks to meet with advisors to plan spring semester schedules and enroll in Wintermester classes.

Communication advisor John Macejak is urging all students in the Department of Communication to enroll as soon as possible.

"Registration for classes began in October, and many popular class times have filled," Macejak said. "There are only a handful of seats left in Communication Department Wintermester classes. We encourage our students to meet with an advisor and enroll in classes immediately."

Students can also review their progress toward graduation during the advising session and verify that they are on track with their degree plans, Macejak added.

Located in Room 126 in the Fine Arts building, the Department of Communication Advising office is open for walk-in advisement 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The UTA chapter of PRSSA raised almost $500 at the group's Fall Fashion Show held Nov. 17 at Blackfinn Restaurant in the Arlington Highlands Shopping Center.

The event, which included food, discounted drinks and prize giveaways from local retailers, helped PRSSA raise money for the chapter. The funds raised will help send UTA students to the PRSSA national conference being held in Raleigh, North Carolina March 15-18, explained Katy Kiger, PRSSA chapter president.

For more information on PRSSA, call 817-965-0398 or e-mail utaprssa@uta.edu. Check out PRSSA on Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Shelley Wigley is faculty sponsor for the organization.

Students in COMS 2304 Group Communication class are working with the non-profit organization, A Wish for Wings, as part of a service learning project this semester.

"To promote awareness of this organization, the COMS 2304 students will be giving away hot chocolate and seeking monetary donations," explained speech communication instructor April Blount.

Proceeds collected will benefit the organization's upcoming event, "Breakfast with Santa," a holiday party for children with life-threatening conditions.

"These students are looking for our help. If you have any hot chocolate mix, stir sticks, or cups you are willing to donate, we can sure use them," Ms. Blount said.

Drop off donations in the Department of Communication Office, Room 118 in the Fine Arts Building, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Place donations in the box labeled A Wish for Wings.

UTA Radio has won the Best PSA category for radio at the College Broadcasters, Inc. convention. Dontae Robison beat out three other finalists for the award.

Emmy-winning journalist Rebecca Aguilar will be the featured speaker at the November meeting of the UTA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The noted journalist worked at DFW Fox affiliate for 14 years. Aguilar has won seven Emmys and has been recognized with many industry awards including being named 2007 Broadcast Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the 2005 Texas Associated Press Television Reporter of the Year.

Aguilar will speak at noon Monday, Nov. 14, in Room 258 of the Fine Arts Building.

Six students from the Department of Communication will be shadowing professionals for a day on the job as a result of their team winning the Comm Day 3.0 Apprentice Challenge. 

Stephen Belcher (Communication Technology) will be shadowing at Ride for the Brand Web design and online marketing; Taylor Dodds (Advertising) at Concussion Advertising; Rosemell Opee (Broadcast) at CW-33; Maria Stroth (Journalism) at The Star-Telegram; Britney Taylor (Public Relations) at Open Channels Group; and Tiffany Taylor (Communication Studies) at Six Flags Corporate.

Congratulations to our Comm Day Challenge winners!

Public Relations major Kaitlin Hennessy is now Community Relations and Giving Intern at Southwest Airlines.

Megan Falconer, journalism student, is spending the fall semester interning at D Magazine in Dallas, while Broadcast major Aubree McFadden is working with Irving-based Salem Communications as a producer for the Nightlife show.

Public Relations major Ashley Montgomery is serving as a PR intern for MD3 Holdings in Garland. Alanna Quillen and Christine Nicholson, broadcast journalism majors, are working in the newsroom of KXAS NBC 5 this semester, shadowing reporters and assisting producers.

Candace Brown, broadcast major, is interning with Fox Sports SW in Las Colinas, working in the sports department with reporters and editors to cover events.

Organizational Communication major Sandy Kurtzman is serving as an intern for ARC of Greater Tarrant Country in Fort Worth.

Students in ADVT 3306 -- Strategic Communication II are looking to make their mark on the UTA campus -- or rather, to leave their clients' marks everywhere.

This semester, the students are working with both the Women's and Gender Studies Program and the Center for K-16 Educational Policy & Research on branding projects. The students produced detailed copy strategies, and from those, developed logo designs, print ads, pamphlets, newsletters and website designs. Students then presented their work to Dr. Desiree Henderson, acting director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program, and Dr. Ryan Gildersleeve, director of the KEPR center.

“The students expressed hope that positive buzz from their work will lead to additional clients,” said Geoff Campbell, lecturer. “Until then, Agency 3306 expects to continue growing in sophistication and skill.”

Several Department of Communication students were recognized at the Honors College Scholarship and Induction ceremony. The event was held Sept. 29 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at University Center.

Honors College Inductees 2010-11
Gemme Campbell (JOUR)
Raegan Cardwell (JOUR)
Lauren Devoll (COMM)

Honors Distinction Scholarship 2011-2012
Raegan Cardwell (JOUR)

Honors Academy Scholarship 2011-2012
Benjamin Muir (SPCH)

Honors Robert D. Riley Scholarship
Benjamin Muir (COMM)

Honors Bridge Scholarship to Graduate School
Rebekah Karth (PREL)

Broadcast major Christine Nicholson got the opportunity to interview UTA Alum Dominic Bracco II for UTA Radio the day before the noted photojournalist returned to his alma mater for a special presentation.

Bracco discussed his work documenting the effects of Mexican and North American policies on the border region where he was raised. His talk, "The Lost Generation: Globalization, Youth Culture and Violence in Ciudad Juarez," was held in the UT Arlington Central Library Sept. 28. This event is part of a fall 2011 "The War Next Door: Narco-Violence and the U.S. Mexico Border" series tied to the "Life and Death in the Northern Pass" exhibit in the UT Arlington Central Library sixth floor parlor.

Bracco, a 2008 Department of Communication grad, has documented the horrors of Mexico's drug war through evocative images of violence and its aftermath, of grieving families and tender scenes of day-to-day urban life. His photos are the heart of a new exhibit, "Life and Death in The Northern Pass," which runs through Jan. 14 in the Central Library's Sixth Floor Parlor.

"What an honor to interview such a bright, insightful and talented photojournalist,” says Nicholson. “Bracco has done an incredible job shedding light on the tragic reality of narco-violence. Some may feel the photos are graphic but I feel it’s definitely not gratuitous but rather poignant, brave and important for all of us to see. The fact that he's a UTA alum makes me that much more proud to be a Maverick."

Listen to Nicholson's complete interview with Bracco at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrdY5605bRA or via Nicholson's website at http://christinenicholson.vpweb.com/Media-Samples.html

The Comm Day 3.0 Apprentice Challenge needs students in Broadcast, Communication Technology, and Communication Studies to participate on teams with students in other Communication majors (including Advertising, Journalism, and Public Relations).

The teams are producing professional communicaton packages for corporate partner TXU Energy. Some of the student-produced projects will be used for TXU's In the Community social media campaign.

Students on the winning team will also shadow professionals in their fields for a day on the job.  Broadcast students will work with CW-33 or Ranch Radio. Comm Tech students will shadow Ride for the Brand Web design and online marketing.  Comm Studies will be working with Six Flags Over Texas corporate offices.

Interested students should contact Dr. Erika Pribanic-Smith at epsmith@uta.edu to be placed on a team.

Learning may begin in the classroom, but getting practical work experience is crucial in today's tough job market. Communication Department students are taking their skills to the streets and landing internships with local businesses and non-profits to gain work experience and add to their resumes.

Broadcast students Candace Brown and Jared Mayers landed prestigious internships with FSN-SW (Fox Sports Southwest) for the fall semester.

“This is a very competitive paid internship,” said Dr. Andrew Clark, broadcast sequence chair. “Only three interns were selected and two were from our department. We are very proud of Candace and Jared.”

Aubree McFadden, broadcast major, is interning as a producer for KLTY’s Nightlight.

Public Relations major Becky M. Volk is interning with the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, while Kevin Johnston, broadcast major, is working with UTA Movin' Mavs to help create instructional videos for use in public schools.

Journalism student Colt Langley is spending this semester at The Dallas Observer and Valeriya Stavitskaya, advertising major, is interning with CBS 11.

Advertising major Daniel Kruzic garnered valuable experience working as a summer intern for the City of Dallas’ Public Information Office. Kruzic worked on media and public relations projects and honed his graphic design and advertising skills.

Broadcast  major Christine Nicholson became a published writer and photographer during her internship at NBC last semester and, ultimately, landed a job as a production assistant at the station. She now runs teleprompter, organizes scripts for anchors and helps write for the evening and weekend newscasts while attending UTA classes full-time. Christine is interning again this semester, shadowing station producers.

“The opportunity to be able to contribute news to a mass audience like NBC’s still gives me goose bumps,” the busy student said.

Department of Communication Chair Dr. Charla Markham Shaw said student internship experience often give job applicants a leg up in a competitive job market.

"We are very proud of our students who are serving as interns throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It is exciting to see our ambitious, talented students making a contribution in the community," Dr. Markham Shaw said. "It speaks well of our department and faculty. What we are teaching in the classroom is translating to the job market."

If you have landed an internship we need to know about, e-mail barriehill@uta.edu and we'll do a little bragging on you, too!

Studies show that students involved in student organizations related to their field of study do better in their classes. Students who participate in organizations also have a higher chance of gaining career employment after graduation.

The Public Relations Student Society of America is inviting UTA Department of Communication students the opportunity to network with professionals, professors and colleagues. 

"Our group provides an environment where students can learn by doing," said Rachel Makutuya, VP of Recruitment and Retainment for PRSSA's UTA chapter. "Our organization is made up of multiple committees within our team. Within these teams, students can work on writing skills, graphic design and event planning."

In Fall 2010, PRSSA was voted the “Best Student Organization on Campus” by The Shorthorn.

PRSSA members will be visiting Communication classes in the coming weeks to inform students about the benefits of joining PRSSA. 

"We will also be at the Student Activities Fair on Aug. 31 with more information about our club," Makutuya said.

The PRSSA chapter meets the first Thursday of the month. The semester's first meeting will be Sept. 8 at 3:30 p.m. in FAB room 327.

For more information, email utaprssa@uta.edu or contact Rachel Makutuya at rachel.makutuya@mavs.uta.edu.

Broadcast Lecturer Julian Rodriguez’s TV Production students produced five public service announcements for Air North Texas as part of their class assignments.

“The PSA’s were received with great gratitude by Air North Texas,” Rodriguez said. “The PSAs are now posted on the group’s website, giving our students some wonderful exposure for their work.”

The following students’ PSAs are featured on the Air North Texas website:
PSA 1: Jazmyne Washington
PSA 2: David Morgan, David Cornwell
PSA 3: Isaac Molina, Noelle Russell, Elizabeth Jaimes
PSA 4: Jazzmyne Greer
PSA 5 (Spanish): Maria Martinez, Raul Solis, Karen Ramirez

Two United States veterans in Geoff Campbell’s Summer I Writing for Mass Media class were published in the July 4 edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The students, Amber Raymond and Wade Ishim, wrote feature stories about their experiences serving in the U.S. military for a classroom assignment.

“Amber built bombs aboard the USS Nimitz, and Wade ran Air Force convoys and did police work for the Air Force in Mosul and Baghdad. I thought they'd make a great July 4 package for the Star-Telegram, and the editorial page editor agreed,” Campbell explained.

Garnering a byline in a major metropolitan newspaper is an achievement.

“Even though I've written thousands of stories, I still get excited to see my byline, and I was ecstatic that my students got to enjoy the thrill,” Campbell said. “But perhaps more importantly, I was delighted that Amber and Wade were able to share their stories with a broad audience and provide a touching and poignant message for July Fourth.”

The students have also inspired their fellow classmates.

“Their experience getting published opened the eyes of other students to the power of the written word and the different avenues available to them to get published,” Campbell added.

 UTA Radio.com has named Staci DeLuca as Station Manager.

DeLuca, a junior broadcast major, will be involved in the day-to-day operations of UTA’s student-run, internet radio station.

Primarily an alternative/indie rock station, UTA Radio also handles play-by-play duties for volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball.

“Staci brings a lot of enthusiasm to the job,” notes Faculty Advisor Lance Liguez. “Her love of radio will help the station continue to grow its profile on campus and beyond.”

DeLuca spent the spring semester as a station assistant, while hosting her own radio show, “The Rewind,” featuring a mix of ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s rock. The Honesdale, Pennsylvania native hopes to eventually transition from student DJ to national radio host.

DeLuca replaces Charity Hitt, a May broadcast graduate now enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Florida. Under Hitt’s tenure, UTA Radio saw significant strides in campus recognition, staff development, and access to high-profile events such as Super Bowl XLV.

UTA Radio is participating in the donation drive for Safe Haven Women's Shelter, currently sponsored by Women in Leadership. The shelter is especially in need of toiletries and school supplies. If you'd like to contribute, drop off donations to Department of Communication main office, Room 118 in the Fine Arts building, by Wednesday, March 23.

Department of Communication grad students will be conducting eight focus groups this month to gain insight into students' freshman experiences here at UTA. Each group will last about an hour and will be conducted in University College, KC Hall or the Fine Arts Building. Pizza and soda will be served. Contact Dr. Andrew Clark at amclark@uta.edu or Dr.Camille Broadway at cbroadway@uta.edu as soon as possible if you would like to participate.

UTA advertising majors Richard Sparacin and Lucille Wong, are serving as professional interns this semester for Aramark, parent company of the University Club. Luis Lopez-Preciado, communication assistant professor, wanted students to get involved with the UTA community. The students created an advertising campaign for the University Club eatery as part of a class project, and the assignment turned into an offer for an internship with Aramark. The students' efforts were recently profiled in a story featured in The Shorthorn. http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/news/university/1010-project-turns-into-internship-for-two-communication-students

Brittany Mikula, a double major in Advertising and Public Relations, landed a coveted two-week internship with Party Planners West, Inc., leading up to the Super Bowl.

"The internship allowed me to be a manager at NFL Experience, as well as attend the Super Bowl XLV to help manage events," Brittany said. "It allowed me to meet a lot of people in the area, and be around several famous athletes."

Not only did the internship allow Brittany to interact with many Dallas celebrities and sports figures, she learned a great deal about public relations from her experience.

"I realized how much I really want to do what I'm studying, and that it can be fun and stressful at the same time. I also met a lot of really great media people from all over the Metroplex and some from out of state," Brittany said. "I think that the most important thing I got out of this experience was learning how to execute thinking quickly on your toes and being the voice of reason, even when things get stressful."

In addition to her short-term internship, Brittany has a full semester internship with Strauss Marketing-BPPR. The company hosted the "Big Game Big Give" Super Bowl Party at Phil and Lillie Romano's estate in Dallas.

Communication Department students Samantha Horn and Sara Scarborough are currently interning at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. Cook's hires three interns each semester, and for the last few terms, the hospital has filled two of those slots with UTA students. The students are working on significant projects as part of their internship responsibilities, including writing press releases, pitching media and assisting with video shoots.

Students in Mindia Whittier's PR Case Study class are working with Open Channels Group this semester to conduct surveys as part of a Public Affairs campaign for The T (Fort Worth Transportation Authority) as part of a Southeast Fort Worth Passenger Rail Feasibility Study.

"The T is executing a campaign that includes community meetings and man-on-the-street surveys to gather feedback from stakeholders," Ms. Whittier explained.

Open Channels Group is one of the largest minority owned public relations firms in Texas. Two recent UTA graduates, Breanna Standifer (Spring 2009 PR) and Rebecca Strong, a (Spring 2010 PR) are also working with the firm.

Public Relations major, Katy Kiger, has accepted a spring Public Relations internship position with Richards Partners, affiliated with The Richards Group. (8750 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX. 75231)