Cox Institute’s Digital Natives program completes third year

Before classes began this semester, 14 journalism students spent the first week of January innovating with newsrooms across Georgia. Some students created newsletters, some developed existing social media accounts, and others focused on video storytelling. All of them left an impact on local news organizations as they helped them achieve digital goals and develop new audiences.

Digital Natives is a program funded by Richard T. and Deborah H. Griffiths, the Georgia Press Association and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. It is a program of the Journalism Innovation Lab within the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management & Leadership.

Students spent a month preparing for the program, working with newsroom leaders to determine their goals. Preparation included creating a detailed weeklong plan for the students’ week on-site with newsrooms, which began Jan. 2.

Destiny Johnson was one of the 14 students who participated in the program this year. She spent the week working with The Oglethorpe Echo. (Photo/submitted)

Dr. Amanda Bright, who leads the program, said the program’s purpose is to pair UGA journalism students with news organizations across Georgia to accomplish specific digital goals.

This was the third year of the program. Thanks to the support from Richard T. and Deborah H. Griffiths, Bright said the program has expanded through the years from eight students to 14. Since its beginnings, the program has expanded to include broadcasters in addition to print organizations – this year, 2 broadcasters participated. Five newsrooms returned to participate from previous years.

This was the first year that the majority of the students were able to work on-site. Bright said the relationships between the newsrooms and the students have improved since the program’s start.

“We have gotten better at understanding how to communicate what we’re trying to achieve both to newsrooms and to students,” she said.

Bright said the most rewarding part of the leading this program is both seeing the students build their confidence, while also knowing that the newsrooms are gaining new strategies and knowledge built specifically for them.

“When I get evaluations or I get contacted by these newsroom leaders, they are always universally pleased with the work that the students do,” she said.

“Those comments and those conversations are just so heartening for me because I love community news. I believe in it more than just about anything else, and I want to help it,” Bright said.

 

Katie Tucker captured this photo of the president of Piedmont University, which was printed in the Northeast Georgian’s midweek edition.  (Photo/submitted)

Fourth-year journalism student Katie Tucker spent the week at The Northeast Georgian in Cornelia and its sibling paper in White County. During the week, Tucker created new content for the newsroom’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, created templates for best social media practices, and developed an analytics sheet for the newsroom staff to track their monthly analytics. 

Katie Tucker worked at both The Northeast Georgian and White County News during her week on-site. (Photo/submitted)

“I feel like so much of my journalism career has been during covid, and so everything’s virtual,” Tucker said. “Having that physical newsroom space where I can walk over and talk to someone and share ideas and get immediate feedback is something I’ve never had.”

Tucker said having this experience in a physical newsroom allowed her to realize she prefers working in-person instead of working remotely, which is helping her now as she searches for jobs. 

In addition to helping the newsroom with digital goals, Tucker helped with stories during her week on-site at The Northeast Georgian. She took photos of Piedmont University President Marshall Criser while reporters were interviewing him, which ended up being published in the paper.

“I think that was the most valuable thing I could’ve done,” Tucker said.

Lu Warnke is a third-year journalism major who spent the week at Connect Savannah. Warnke helped the newsroom restructure their Trello board and created a new calendar system to plan content.

“They just transitioned from a primarily print publication to a digital-first one, so I hope I gave them some tools to look ahead and re-orient their thinking towards digital,” Warnke said.

“I really loved being able to make a tangible difference in a newsroom. Local newsrooms are vital to connecting and informing people, so to help an organization further that mission also meant a chance to strengthen a whole community,” Warnke said.

 

Asya McDonald’s spent the week at The Current in Savannah, teaching the journalists how to edit video both on their phone in iMovie, and on their laptops and Adobe Premiere Pro.

“While I was at The Current, the staff raved about all the things that they had learned and how excited they were about video production for their print stories. Adding the element of video was something that was going to be new for their audience, and hopefully garner them additional audiences,” she said.

Shannon GaNun of The Current in Savannah referenced Asya McDonald’s help in incorporating video into their storytelling.

“Asya worked with everyone in our organization one-on-one to teach us how to make and edit videos,” GaNun said. “We were very impressed with Asya’s skill set and professionalism.” 

“The most rewarding part of participating in the Digital Natives program is being available to be hands on with industry professors to see if their field of journalism is the path that I want for my future,” McDonald said. 

 

Video was an area of interest and desired growth for many newsrooms this year, Bright noted.

While specific goals for each newsroom differed, Bright said a goal across the newsrooms was audience growth, especially among younger audiences.

“To me, it’s about finding the right path – and it’s different for every newsroom, but they all want new audiences,” she said.

Looking forward, Bright hopes the program will expand. She’s considered doubling the number of students and news organizations involved, and going beyond state lines.

“It’s just about making sure that we don’t grow beyond our capability to do a really good, quality job,” she said. “We’ll have to get the support to make that happen.”

News organizations and students interested in participating in the 2024 program can learn more on this page. Applications will open in October 2023. 

2019 Grady College Fellowship class, Sanford Circle honoree announced

The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is pleased to announce its 2019 Fellowship class: Connie Ledoux Book (PhD ’93), Richard Griffiths, Dean Krugman, Carole Munroe (ABJ ’82) and Brian Robinson (ABJ ’97).

Established in 2008, the Grady College Fellowship honors alumni and friends of the college whose accomplishments and service to their industries have made a positive impact.

In addition, Tom Crawford (1950-2018) will be inducted into the Sanford Circle. A posthumous honor, the Sanford Circle recognizes friends of Grady College whose achievement and generosity of spirit remain with the college.

The induction of the Fellows and Sanford Circle honoree, along with recognition of the Grady College Alumni Award winners, takes place at “Grady Salutes: A Celebration of Achievement, Commitment and Leadership” on April 26, 2019, at the Athens Cotton Press, 149 Oneta Street, Athens.

Connie Ledoux Book –Book is president of Elon University. Early in her higher education career, Book spent 16 years at Elon University as a professor and senior leader before leaving for a job as provost and chief academic officer, of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. She returned to Elon University in 2018 to become its ninth president. Book earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University, a Master of Education from Northwestern State University and her Ph.D. in mass communication from Grady College.

Richard Griffiths – Before he retired in March 2017, Griffiths spent twenty years as CNN’s editorial oversight, most recently as vice president and senior editorial director. Currently, he serves as president of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, focusing on government access and free speech issues. Griffiths has been named Distinguished Industry Fellow at the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership and serves on Grady College’s Board of Trust. Griffith’s work has been awarded two Emmys, five Peabody awards and two Investigative Reporters and Editors medals.

Dean Krugman – Krugman is professor emeritus in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College. Prior to his retirement, Krugman served as a department head and senior associate dean and director of graduate studies, playing an instrumental role in the creation of the doctoral program at Grady College. He is a prolific researcher, focusing on audience views of changing media environments and health communication, specifically surrounding anti-tobacco strategies. Krugman served as president of the American Academy of Advertising and was named a Fellow of AAA in 2018.

Carole Jackson Munroe – Munroe is a senior director of brand communications for portfolio, loyalty and content for Hilton Worldwide. Prior to Hilton, Munroe served as the director of public relations and content relations for Disney Parks. Her work has been recognized with PRSA and Telly Awards, and several first place awards from the Associated Press early in her journalism career. While she was a journalism student at UGA, Munroe was chosen as the first student selected for a full-time internship with the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta, where she served as a special assistant to Coretta Scott King. She continues to impact Grady College by serving two terms on the Grady Alumni Board and mentoring Grady’s PRSSA and NABJ chapters, as well as individual students.

Brian Robinson – As an owner of Robinson Republic, a communications consulting firm specializing in public affairs messaging, Robinson works with clients to develop media relations and manage crises. Prior to starting his own business, Robinson served as deputy chief of staff for communications during Gov. Nathan Deal’s campaign in 2010 and 2014. In 2012, he was named UGA’s 40 under 40 class and is an alumnus of Georgia’s 2015 Leadership class. He was also an adjunct professor teaching public affairs communications at Grady College in 2016 and is a member of the Grady College Board of Trust.

By receiving the John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award, Chris Holcomb, chief meteorologist for WXIA/WATL-TV, will also be inducted into the Grady Fellowship.

Tom Crawford will be inducted into the Sanford Circle (photo: Jennifer Stalcup)

The Sanford Circle honoree, Tom Crawford (ABJ ’72), was the voice of Georgia politics, serving as the founder and editor of “The Georgia Report” (known early on as “Capitol Impact”) for more than 18 years.  He penned a weekly newspaper column that was published in nearly 30 Georgia newspapers, delivering political conversation beyond the capitol to towns and rural communities throughout the state. He was also an early adopter web-based journalism, sharing his political news via an online subscription and through blog posts. Crawford, a former editor of the Red & Black, studied journalism at Grady College and went on to write for the Marietta Daily Journal, the Montgomery Advertiser and The Atlanta Journal. His papers are archived in the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries.

Visit the Grady Salutes ticket website for reservations to the awards dinner.

Grady Journalism students complete 2017 Cox Institute Leaders Program

The James M. Cox Jr. Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership at Grady College recognized Thursday evening the aspiring student leaders who completed the Institute’s fifth leadership development program.

Fourteen students were selected from a pool of faculty nominations based on a demonstrated commitment to their professional development through work in student media, internships and other student activities. They are Cory Cole, Taylor Cromwell, Denver Ellison, Daniel Funke, Zachary Hansen, Lauren Herbert, Reann Huber, McKenzie Lewis, Anna Logan, Miles Moraitis, Mollie Simon, Lauren Sloan, Jaylon Thompson and Katelyn Umholtz.

These students, family, faculty and guests gathered at the University of Georgia’s Special Collections Libraries for a dinner ceremony where the students received a Cox Institute Leadership Medal in recognition of their achievements.

Richard Griffiths (Cox Institute Industry Fellow)Richard Griffiths, who retired this week from his post as vice president and senior editor director at CNN, was the event’s keynote speaker. Griffiths, who is an Industry Fellow with the Cox Institute this semester, told the students: “Remember you don’t need a vice president and senior editorial director’s title to be a leader in a newsroom.  Don’t be a snotty know-it-all in your first job, but accept mentorship, and where you can offer insights and specific expertise, mentor upstream…Give the mentorship that you receive back.”

Cecil Bentley, who retired from Grady in August, was recognized with the Cox Institute’s Distinguished Service Award. Prior to his retirement, Bentley had served as the Cox Institute’s assistant director and leader of its annual Management Seminar for College News Editors.

Students participating in the leadership program met weekly during January and February with Keith Herndon, professor of practice in journalism and director of the Cox Institute. The sessions featured student discussion leaders guiding conversations about leadership principles drawn from the “Your Leadership Edge” course developed by the Kansas Leadership Center.

“The premise of this material is that you can ‘lead anytime, anywhere,’ and that is something I strongly believe in,” said Herndon. “Students entering the chaotic news industry find themselves leading teams and managing projects earlier and earlier in their careers. This program helps them understand proven leadership principles and how they can deploy them.”

The program features reading material and online video modules that focus on key elements of the training material, but the six live sessions were designed to foster discussion among the participants.

“Being a part of the Cox Leaders Program has given me the opportunity to engage and discuss important topics in journalism and leadership with fellow students,” said Cory Cole. “It has encouraged me to embrace change and to lead by doing things with my whole heart.”

Lauren Sloan said her “key takeaway is that a leader is not afraid of failure or change.” Denver Ellison added the program taught her how to approach leadership as a “learning process” that “involves practice and engaging with others.”

Unlike generic leadership programs, the Cox Institute Leaders program, places the discussion of leadership in the specific context of the news industry and the challenges facing newsroom leaders.

“The issues the media faces today are difficult and, at times, discouraging. But focusing in this program with media peers about those very subjects we’re about to face head on has made that chaos seem tamable,” said Miles Moraitis. “We have not just an opportunity, but an obligation to have the courage to solve these problems, and this program has given me confidence in that.”

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Richard Griffiths (Cox Institute Industry Fellow)

CNN’s Richard Griffiths to be Industry Fellow at Grady’s Cox Institute

Richard T. Griffiths, vice president and senior editorial director at CNN, will serve as an Industry Fellow with the James M. Cox Jr. Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership during the spring 2017 semester at the University of Georgia.

Griffiths, who has worked for CNN for 25 years and has announced his CNN retirement effective February 28, will be a resource for journalism students at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.  CNN is sponsoring Griffiths’ role at Grady where he will guest lecture in the investigative journalism and journalism ethics and diversity courses, and will be available to students as an editor and coach on investigative reporting projects.

“I am excited to work with the students at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication,” said Griffiths. “In this changing media environment, it’s more important than ever to build strong foundations and share our experiences with the next generation of journalists.”

Keith Herndon, director of the Cox Institute, said having Griffiths available as resource for Grady’s journalism students will be an invaluable educational experience.

“Richard Griffiths has been a key decision maker in the news industry for many years. Bringing his exceptional background to Grady this semester gives our students an intimate opportunity to learn and reflect on how the news business works,” Herndon said.

Griffiths had been in his most recent post at CNN since 2010.  He was named editorial director in 2004 after serving a dozen years in several critical frontline positions as producer, senior producer, executive producer and senior executive producer.  Griffiths joined CNN in 1991 after 7 years as a producer with CBS News.

During an exceptional career, Griffiths led reporting and investigative projects that won multiple George F. Peabody Awards, the Overseas Press Club David Kaplan Award, two Emmys, a National Headliner Award and the Investigative Reporters and Editors Medal.

His nine planned lectures for the journalism ethics and diversity course will be open to all Grady faculty and students. They will be held in Studio 100 at 12:20 p.m. on January 27, February 3, 10, 17, March 3, 17, 31 and April 7 and 14.