Students explore future career options through Grady College’s 2025 Summer Media Academy

Nearly 70 middle and high school students from around the country explored Grady College majors firsthand during the Summer Media Academy in June.

Four programs were hosted at Grady College this year focusing on entertainment and media studies, advertising and public relations, multimedia journalism and broadcast news.

Broadcast

The broadcast journalism session was instructed by David Lawson, Grady College lecturer in sports media, and Karmen Morrison (MA ’25). Working in small groups, the class of 19 students produced a broadcast show. Students were able to experience trying out roles such as anchors, reporters, producers, camera operators and editors. They also gained experience using a teleprompter, writing scripts and conducting interviews. Finally, they were able to visit the WUGA radio station to learn about the broadcasting industry.

“The most rewarding part of camp was going out and learning how to compile a news broadcast,” said Micah Taylor, a first-year broadcast participant. “It has been something I have always been interested in.”

Multimedia journalism

The multimedia journalism session was instructed by Joe Dennis (MA ’07, PhD ’16), co-chair of the Mass Communications Department and associate professor of mass communications at Piedmont University, and Karmen Morrison (MA ’25). Eighteen students learned the art of writing, editing, interviewing and multimedia reporting. Students were also able to visit the Red and Black, where they were able to see a working newsroom. During the week, students were also able to write their own news pieces.

“I will definitely remember the people I met and my great instructors,” said Caroline Conner, a first-year multimedia journalism participant. “Hopefully, I will be doing something with this skillset, so I will remember the origin story of starting here at UGA and learning how to write.”

Advertising and Public Relations (AdPR)

The advertising and public relations session was instructed by Isabella Martinez (MA ’25) and River Gracey, Ph.D. student. This was Martinez’s third year teaching AdPR Summer Media Academy. When asked what her biggest takeaway has been, she stated, “Teaching the AdPR camp has been a great experience to build my public speaking skills and my teaching skills, in general.” Martinez also stressed her love for “getting to interact with and know all the students.”

Fifteen students were tasked with selecting a prospective client and creating a mock campaign. Students made social media posts, conducted a SWOT analysis, set goals and objectives and studied a target audience for Extra Special People, an Athens non-profit organization focused on supporting disabled individuals and their families. Additionally, participants heard from guest speakers and visited Jackson Spalding, a marketing and public relations agency.

“I learned a lot about myself, what I am good at, and how I can apply myself to the real world,” said Dakota Nagel, a first-year AdPR participant.

Entertainment and Media Studies (EMST)

The entertainment and media studies session was instructed by Sara Epps, Ph.D. student, and Luka Briglevich (AB ’24). Eleven students learned the basics of content creation by writing, producing and directing short films to showcase in their portfolios. Additionally, participants were able to visit Athena Studios, a sound stage development for a guided tour with Marty Lang, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences academic professional associate.  

In response to his week of camp, Ned Helmboldt, a first-year EMST participant, said, “It has been so cool to see all of your work come together into one amazing short film.”

Additional pictures from the events can be viewed by clicking here. View all of the student work from this year and previous years here. 

Author: Lauren A. Pike, lauren.pike@uga.edu

The Summer Media Academy is a partnership between the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and UGA’s Georgia Center for Continuing Education’s Summer Academy program. More about the partnership can be found on UGA’s Public Service and Outreach’s website. Information about the summer 2026 program will be available in December. Reach out to journalismacademy@uga.edu with any questions.