Management Seminar for College News Editors

For nearly a quarter century, college journalists from across the U.S. studied leadership, management, content development and new media production skills at the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication during the annual Management Seminar for College News Editors (MSCNE).‬ 

While we will no longer hold MSCNE, we will continue to welcome nominations for the annual Betty Gage Holland Award. The award recognizes campus journalists and their publications for distinguished service to honor and protect the integrity of public dialogue on America’s college campuses. 

An award of $1,000 goes to the winning student journalist and an additional $1,000 goes to the publication sponsoring the winning entry. Of special importance to judges are news stories, institutional editorials, personal commentaries or columns that single out for public examination any act that results in distortion or pollution of the public discourse. Use of open records is deemed particularly meritorious if the result is to let the people see the people’s business being done. More details and past winners are here: Grady.uga.edu/Holland-award. Please reach out to klhern@uga.edu with questions.

MSCNE19 participants visit CNN.

MSCNE participants traveled to Atlanta and met with reporters, editors and producers. Student editors gained hands-on multimedia experience and participated in a simulated news event that involved UGA public safety and communications officials.

Sponsored by the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership, the seminar series was led by educators and industry professionals. The late Conrad Fink started the program in 1996 to better prepare campus news editors for top management positions at their news organizations. Dr. Keith Herndon is the current director of the Cox Institute.

“When I first thought about attending MSCNE, I was filled with nerves because I was the only person attending from my newspaper and I had no idea what to expect. I was worried I wouldn’t get along with my roommate, wouldn’t make friends or wouldn’t have a good time. However, MSCNE was the opposite of my fears. By the second night of the conference, I felt that I was best friends with my roommate and had made so many friends that I felt I had known all my life. I finally had someone that could relate to my editor problems. Another great component of the conference was the speakers. Every seminar I attended was interesting, exciting and interactive. It didn’t matter what time it started or how long it went because the speakers were so engaging I lost track of time. In just the five days I was there, I think I learned more than I would at any class and I made friendships that will last a lifetime. I am so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to attend this conference and see CNN. I loved it so much, I wish I could go again next year.”

-Megan Thorne, former Editor-in-Chief, The Shield, University of Southern Indiana

“MSCNE is a transformative experience.  If you pay attention to the speakers and participate fully in the activities, you will leave the program as a better person.  I’ve learned so much this week that I feel as though someone raised a lid on my head and poured in knowledge until it overflowed.  In addition to being educational, MSCNE is also fun. You’ll meet some great people, visit some intriguing places, and make memories to last a lifetime.  Be sure to explore Athens with some new friends in your spare time!”

– Cole Trahan, former Managing Editor,  The Saber, Columbus State University