Tag: Master’s Degree

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Eduardo Morales

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Why did you choose Grady and your course of study? 

I have lived and worked in Athens for the past 15 years and met and made many good friends at Grady College during my time in the Classic City. While I have worked in journalism for 30 years, I never did study it at a collegiate level, but since I work in communications at UGA, I decided there was no better place to get training in that field than at Grady. 

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you? 

For a journalist, it means forging on despite disparate odds and chasing every lead that can lead to the truth. One of the best scenes in my favorite movie, “All the President’s Men,” is when Redford and Hoffman, playing Woodward and Bernstein, go through thousands of index cards to find the answer to a question that will only lead them to another question. It’s the essence of being a journalist.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year? 

Being the husband to the greatest woman I ever met, and the father to a daughter and son I would do anything for.

What was the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and early career professional? 

I think it’s the uncertainty of it all – there’s no real sense of what’s to come, and the pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. It feels like we are all disconnected, and I’m not sure how we get a true sense of community back. 

What are you passionate about? 

Fairness and equity. There’s a certain amount of injustice that gets swept aside or disregarded, and it infuriates me. I try my best, in a small way, to make sure everyone has a chance to reach their potential and excel. 

Who is your professional hero? 

When I was a kid I read the Miami Herald sports pages every day, and the sports editor at the time was a seasoned newspaper veteran named Edwin Pope. He wrote clever columns that always made me laugh, and it was his writing that made me want to go into sports writing, which I did for 12 years. It wasn’t until I moved to Athens that I discovered Edwin Pope was born in Athens, received his journalism degree at Grady College and began his career at the Athens Banner-Herald, where I once served as editor in chief. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor/mentor/family member? 

Being the first to report is only meaningful if you get it right.  

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why? 

I don’t know if it’s my favorite app, but the Fitbit app is the one I go to most often. I’m a bit addicted to reaching my goal of 10,000 steps a day and do a constant check to see where I am as the day progresses. 

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

That I have a paralyzed vocal cord, which has made me incapable of yelling. 

Where is your favorite place on campus and why? 

On the fifth floor at the Main Library – you can sit and study in quiet while getting a fabulous view of campus. 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Madeline Laguaite

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Who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

My program director and friend Sabriya Rice has definitely had the biggest impact on my life during my time at UGA. Not only has she been an incredible professor and mentor, but she continuously advocates for me, both inside and outside of the UGA bubble. My knowledge of health reporting has increased tenfold thanks to Professor Rice’s skillful teaching and the way she combines typical coursework and experiential learning. She’s changed my life for the better and I consider myself lucky to know and look up to her. 

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

I love Twitter. Journalism Twitter comes in handy when I’m catching up on the news, brainstorming story ideas, exploring potential sources or browsing relatable tweets from other journalists.

What is an example of a time you used your studies and skills in a real-world experience? 

Last summer, I was able to leverage my health and medical journalism skills as the senior editorial intern for WebMD. The internship was virtual, and I was able to confidently use my health writing skills every day. The health and medical courses I’ve completed facilitated my transition from editorial intern to senior editorial intern, and continue to inform my work as a freelancer today.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus is probably the main library. I’ve spent so many hours there during my undergrad career and especially during grad school — it’s almost like a second home.  

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

I think for me, my proudest moment would be producing my first-ever podcast, while juggling my assistantship, my contracted position at WebMD, freelance work and my full graduate course load during a pandemic. In my experience, all that hard work has been so rewarding.

What are you planning to do after graduating? What is your dream job?

After graduating, I plan to freelance fulltime and hope to eventually find a fulltime position in health content writing. My dream job would be working fulltime for WebMD, ideally writing LGBTQ health content.  

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I have an axolotl, which is an amphibian and specifically a neotenic salamander. He lives in an aquarium and loves snacking on worms and playing with the moss balls in his tank. 

What are you passionate about?

I’m really passionate about LGBTQ health. It’s an area of health that doesn’t get as much attention but is incredibly important. The queer community faces significant health disparities due to discrimination and societal stigma, so LGBTQ folks often face higher rates of conditions. A lack of nationally representative data on queer folks in the U.S. is also a continuous issue that often comes up when I’m reporting on LGBTQ health, but motivates me all the more.  

What has been the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and future professional?

For me, the hardest part about adjusting to the pandemic is finding the work/life balance again. Because I work and take classes online, I’m sitting in the same place (my kitchen table at home), day in and day out, so it’s a little more difficult to remember to take breaks. When you’re working from home, that fine line between work and your personal life becomes even finer.

Who is your professional hero?

Right now, my professional hero is Apoorva Mandavilli. She’s a reporter for The New York Times who focuses on science and global health. Following her comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic has been inspiring and I aspire to cover health beats as she does: relaying critical information in a straightforward but engaging way.

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Cesar Moncada

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What are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about helping others and using my skills as a form of service. The reason I chose to go into advertising and branding is to help businesses communicate in more creative and effective ways. I am interested in a lot of different things such as music, sports and art. I hope to make an impact in those fields and be able to help companies struggling with design and media.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

People may be surprised to know that I am a twin! My twin brother also completed his undergraduate degree at UGA in biological engineering.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

I would definitely have to say that the faculty of the New Media Institute have had the biggest impact on my life here at UGA. I went from not knowing a thing about new media to being fully immersed in the program and loving every minute spent in classes. I think the NMI has had a significant impact on my course of study. I remember being in my first semester of NMI classes and I still communicate with those professors to this day. The NMI professors have been brilliant mentors and I cannot thank them enough for guiding me and giving me such great opportunities.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite spot on campus would have to be North Campus. When the weather is nice the view is unrivaled, and I love spending time outdoors. Definitely a go-to study spot! 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

The best piece of advice I received was from my father. He has always reminded me to never become complacent and to never stop searching for opportunities, whether it be in professional or personal life. I think it had the biggest impact on why I decided to pursue a master’s degree at UGA. I keep that advice with me every day and am always looking for different ways to better myself in all areas of my life. 

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

My favorite app would have to be Instagram. I am a very visual person and I love how the app has quickly grown into a knowledge sharing application rather than just being used for social purposes. 

What is an example of a time you used your studies and skills in a real-world experience?

I have had the opportunity to serve as a communications assistant with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. The work I do as a member of the communications department directly correlates to what I have learned throughout my time at Grady.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

My proudest moment in the past year would have to be graduating with my bachelor’s and diving into my master’s programs despite a pandemic!

What are you planning to do after graduating? Do you have a dream job?

I am hoping to find a job doing creative work in fields that I am passionate about. I have always loved sports and music, so I hope to use the things I have learned to make a positive impact. My dream job is to be a creative director in an industry that I love.

Editor’s Note: Some of the above answers have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

The #ProfilesOfTenacity series is a set of student features highlighting the strength, determination and leadership of students in Grady College. Visit our Profiles in Tenacity webpage to view other profiles.

UGA Amazing Student: Caroline Windham

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Excerpts reposted from uga.edu.

 As a master’s degree student in emerging media, Caroline Windham is committed to connecting people through the media in a positive way and make them feel accepted.

Hometown:

Peachtree City, Georgia

High school:

Landmark Christian School

Current employment:

I am a graduate assistant for Dr. Keith Herndon and a master’s student in the Emerging Media Program, currently in its second year of operation and I’m thrilled to be a part of it!

Family ties to UGA:

My grandfather played basketball here in between his military service. My dad and uncle both graduated from Terry College, so I was somewhat of a traitor choosing Grady College but I’ve been forgiven. My sister is about to start her sophomore year and two cousins both transferred in this past fall. To say it lightly, UGA is definitely a family affair!

Expected graduation:

Spring 2020

Degree objective:

Emerging Media

Other degrees:

Certificate in Media Analytics

My favorite professor is …

… Dr. Keith Herndon by a landslide. He was the one who really helped and encouraged me to pursue entrepreneurship, and is also one of the kindest people I know. He truly wants his students to succeed, and has definitely found his purpose in life. *Disclaimer* I’m going to be his graduate assistant in the fall, and I promise I’m not saying this to get on his good side, just meet him and you’ll see.

What is your passion and how are you committed to pursuing it?

For me, passion and purpose go hand-in-hand. Without passion your purpose becomes dull, and without purpose your passion fizzles out. I’m committed to pursuing my purpose of loving people and making them feel accepted. That’s what drives me, and I am passionate about doing that through media and connecting people. Media isn’t all bad, and I want to help people see the positivity and love available because that’s essential for a happy life.

The one UGA experience I will always remember will be …

Getting to go to the National Championship game. Even though we lost, the energy was insane and truly made me proud to be a Georgia Bulldawg.

Please visit Amazing Student: Caroline Windham to view the entire Q&A about Caroline’s time at UGA.

Grady College offers Double Dawgs accelerated master’s programs

Posted on by Stephanie Moreno

Grady College has expanded its Graduate Studies opportunities to include a total of eight linked-degree Double Dawgs programs in which students earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less.

The Double Dawgs programs designed by Grady College faculty are among 113 Double Dawgs programs to date at the University of Georgia, giving UGA one of the nation’s largest selections of accelerated master’s programs.

“The ability to come out with both degrees in a fairly short period of time gives students an edge,” said Jeff Springston, associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies at Grady College. “Students will come out of here in a stronger position both in the professional world and if they want to come back for a terminal degree.”

Students also save time and money by earning a master’s degree in one year instead of two through the Double Dawgs program.

“I’m very sensitive to the kind of debt that students have to take on these days, and I like the idea that we can reduce the cost,” Springston said.

The Grady College now offers eight pathways. The full list includes:

  • Advertising AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(ADPR 4+1)
  • Advertising AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
  • Entertainment and Media Studies AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
  • Journalism AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)
  • Journalism AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Journalism)
  • Music AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Advertising)
  • Public Relations AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(ADPR 4+1)
  • Public Relations AB/Journalism and Mass Communication MA/(Emerging Media)

Springston noted that additional Double Dawgs programs will likely roll out in the future.

Double Dawgs applicants follow the same steps as other Grady College graduate program applicants: they must take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and complete application materials required by the UGA Graduate School, as well as supplemental materials required by the Grady Graduate Studies Office.

Students should apply for a Double Dawgs program during their first year in Grady College (or third year at UGA) by March 1, according to Springston. Three courses, or nine hours total, will count for both their undergraduate and graduate work.

Students interested in Grady College’s Double Dawgs programs are encouraged to meet with Springston.

“We have fabulous students,” he said. “I love having our undergrads move into our graduate program when it makes sense for them, and they typically do extremely well.”

 

UGA Double Dawgs Program from UGA OVPI on Vimeo.