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Schools of Journalism and Communications Journalism schools prepare students to tell the stories of marginalized voices and communities

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Physics is the least diverse of the sciences, and the GRE could be a barrier

In this issue April 2019

Special Report: Schools of Journalism and Communications 29

INSIGHT Into Diversity Names 2019 Global Performance Studies Teach Students 10 Engagement Scholarship Recipients 30 to Value Underrepresented Communities By Kelsey Landis By Ginger O’Donnell

34 Previously on the Decline, Journalism School 12 CDO Corner: Diversity-Related Resources Enrollment Benefits from ‘Trump Bump’ for Communications Faculty and Students By Alice Pettway By Naeemah Clark and Brooke Barnett 36 In Lieu of ‘Objectivity,’ Journalism Professors Argue for Credibility and Directness 18 Aerospace and Tech Companies Promote By Ginger O’Donnell Diversity When Recruiting Talent on Campus By Dale Singer 40 Professional Journalists Share Their Advice for Success 20 Physics Is the Least Diverse of the Sciences, and the GRE Could Be a Barrier 44 Journalism Schools Find New Approaches By Mariah Stewart to Covering Underrepresented Audiences By Sheryl Jackson

48 Noticias in the News: Journalism Programs ON THE COVER: Students take a break while on Bring Latinx Voices to the Forefront assignment for Noticiero Móvil, the bilingual news By Mariah Bohanon service at The Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism at University of Nevada, Reno. 52 The Public Relations Industry Is Too White and the Solution Starts with Higher Education By Kelsey Landis

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WEWE ALLALL HAVEHAVE AA ROLEROLE CLAIMCLAIM YOURS...YOURS... VT.EDUVT.EDU In Every Issue April 2019 2018 Volume 93 No. 1

In Brief 50 Crestwood Executive Center, Suite 526 St. Louis, Missouri 63126 6 Diversity and Inclusion News Roundup 314.200.9955 • 314.756.2036 FAX [email protected] [email protected] www.insightintodiversity.com New Directions © 2019 Potomac Publishing, Inc. 8 Leaders on the Move Contacts: Lenore Pearlstein | Publisher Holly Mendelson | Publisher The Diversity Professional Spectrum Kelsey Landis | Editor-in-Chief Daniel Hecke | Creative Director 9 Deans of Journalism and Communications Schools Mariah Bohanon | Associate Editor By Ginger O’Donnell Debra Boyd | Director of Operations Ginger O’Donnell | Senior Staff Writer

Editorial Board: This Month's Celebration Linda Akutagawa Brooke Barnett, PhD 11 Deaf History Month Kenneth J. Barrett LeManuel Bitsóí, EdD By Ginger O’Donnell Lynette Chappell-Williams, JD Deborah Dagit James A. Felton III Gretchel Hathaway, PhD HEED Award Spotlight Lisa McBride, PhD Carlos N. Medina, EdD 14 Support Programs Improve Graduation and Retention Rates Julia Méndez Ajay Nair, PhD of African American Male Students Clyde Wilson Pickett, EdD By Kelsey Landis Joseph Santana Shirley J. Wilcher, JD Anise D. Wiley-Little Damon A. Williams, PhD Diversity Champion Spotlight Contributing Writers: Brooke Barnett 22 Medical University of South Carolina Shows a United Front in Mariah Bohanon Fight for Healthcare, Higher Education Equality Naeemah Clark Sheryl Jackson By Mariah Bohanon Kelsey Landis Ginger O’Donnell Alice Pettway Dale Singer Closing INSIGHT Mariah Stewart

58 The Bateman Competition Asks Bright Minds to Solve PR’s Biggest Issues The views expressed in the content of the By Kelsey Landis articles and advertisements published in INSIGHT Into Diversity are those of the authors and are not to be considered the views expressed by Potomac Publishing, Inc.

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Oklahoma State University Earns Honorable Mention in NCAA/MOAA Award

The Award for Diversity and Inclusion from the NCAA and the Minority Opportunities Athletics New Organization Seeks Association recognizes to Support Investigative and celebrates schools and programs that promote Journalism in Indigenous diversity and inclusion in Communities intercollegiate athletics. Oklahoma State University The Native American Journalists received an honorable Association (NAJA) established a new mention for the 2019 award organization in February dedicated and quoted INSIGHT Into to improving working conditions for Diversity co-owner and investigative journalists in Indigenous publisher Lenore Pearlstein communities. The organization is on their award banner. called the Indigenous Investigative “Oklahoma State University Collective (IIC). has demonstrated exceptional NAJA says press freedom is a major success in this area by creating problem in Indigenous communities a diverse, welcoming, and because of opaque government inclusive campus for students structures. The IIC will offer training, to learn and excel and for resources, and general support to employees to thrive in long-term careers,” Pearlstein said. “Oklahoma State University Indigenous reporters, allowing them demonstrates continued efforts and initiatives to increase the recruitment and retention to provide thorough and transparent of underrepresented students, administrators, faculty, staff, and suppliers.” coverage of their tribal governments. For more information on the NCAA/MOAA award, visit ncaa.org. In an effort to promote the safety — Kelsey Landis of Indigenous journalists, the collective will require its member Newsrooms Are Gradually Becoming More Diverse news organizations to adopt certain baseline security standards, training, and protocols. Results from the 2018 Newspaper • Employees of color increased from The IIC will provide tools for Diversity Survey by the American 16.5 percent of total newsroom staff working with whistleblowers in ethical Society of News Editors presented some in 2017 to 22.6 percent in 2018. and responsible ways. It will also assist of the most recent statistics on women • Women accounted for 41.7 percent them in keeping sensitive documents, and underrepresented journalists in of employees in 2018 compared data, and news tips secure. United States newsrooms. with 39.1 percent in 2017. The goal is to protect tribal Of the newsrooms that participated, • 79.3 percent of those surveyed had sovereignty and self-determination by the report shows on average 59 percent at least one woman among their top ensuring citizens can access information of staff were men, while people of color three editors. about their governments and the represented 22.6 percent of employees. • 32.7 percent of those surveyed had institutions associated with them, While the statistics are indicative at least one person of color in a top including important public documents of the 293 newsrooms surveyed, three editor position. such as budgets, meeting minutes, the responses did not draw from a records, and business contracts. random sample and so cannot be To view the entire 2018 survey and For more information, contact used to interpret diversity in the U.S. past reports, visit asne.org/newsroom_ [email protected]. journalism climate as a whole. diversitysurvey. An interactive chart is — Ginger O’Donnell Here are some additional facts and available at googletrends.github.io/asne. figures from the study: — Kelsey Landis

6 April 2019 ORGANIZATIONS and Colleges Black Philanthropy Celebrated Diversity, Activism Circle Raises Nearly during Women’s History Month $400,000 in First 6 Months of Operation

Women’s History Month, celebrated during the month The Black Philanthropy Circle, of March, is recognized all over the world. Here’s how a unique charitable giving group some organizations and colleges in the United States founded by Indiana University (IU) recognized women’s history this year. alumni and friends, has achieved unprecedented fundraising success The National Women’s History Misericordia University, a private since its launch in August 2018. Alliance selected “Visionary Catholic liberal arts university in Within this short time period, the Women: Champions of Peace and Dallas, Penn., featured presentations Nonviolence” as this year’s theme, by eight female faculty, each from a group has raised nearly $400,000 a celebration of women who have different discipline, who spoke about to improve educational access and used “inclusive, democratic, and an influential woman from their field. success for African American students active means to reduce violence, and underserved communities. achieve peace, and promote the In support of this mission, the common good.” Circle’s 23 founding members have Bakersfield College in California held pledged $150,000 to support the a series of lectures around the theme work of the Mays Family Institute of women and war. The lectures on Diverse Philanthropy. As part included talks by influential female of the IU Lilly Family School of scholars Clemantine Wamariya and Hilary Matfess. Wamariya, a Rwandan Philanthropy, the institute is dedicated genocide survivor and human rights to the study of charitable giving within advocate, discussed her memoir The diverse communities. Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of At Dutchess Community College in The Lilly Family School is the first War and What Comes After. Matfess, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the Institute for institution in the world dedicated a journalist and author of Women Women’s Studies hosted a panel and the War on Boko Haram: Wives, discussion about “craftivism,” or how solely to the study and teaching of Weapons, and Witnesses. women use art and crafts to engage philanthropy. with social and political issues. In the words of Rose Mays, PhD, Panelists discussed the importance of a founding member of the Black this form of activism and the various Philanthropy Circle, professor emerita ways that women can participate. of IU, and member of the family for which the Mays Family Institute on Diversity Philanthropy is named, the funds raised by this innovative circle of donors “support the Black community at Indiana University and bring more representation of underrepresented communities into the whole field of philanthropy.” The money raised also supports Pennsylvania State University hosted multiple events including a group of IU’s Office of the Vice President for performances and workshops led by Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural the dance-theater company Urban Rutgers University-Camden hosted Affairs. The group works closely Bush Women, known for creating Tarana Burke, the founder of the with this office to develop leadership multidisciplinary performances #MeToo Movement. She discussed the pipelines for Black students and that express the rich and complex origins of the movement and offered experiences of women of color. The words of healing and strength to employees, foster engagement with company performed highlights those who have experienced sexual African American donors, and more. from their original pieces and led trauma or harassment. — Mariah Bohanon interactive sessions with participants. — Ginger O'Donnell

insightintodiversity.com 7 new directions

GEORGIA vice president for academic She previously served as dean of Erica Godbee Harden has been affairs at Wesleyan University in Temple University Rome. named president at Oconee Middletown, Conn. Fall Line Technical College, with Cecilia M. campuses in Sandersville and Teresa A. Miller, JD, McCormick, JD, Dublin. She previously served as the was appointed senior has been named college’s executive vice president. vice chancellor for president of strategic initiatives Elizabethtown Pablo Mendoza, and chief of staff for College. She PhD, was appointed the State University previously served to serve as the first of New York system. as vice provost for Academic director of diversity She previously served as a professor Strategy and Special Programs and inclusion at the of law and chief diversity officer and at Thomas Jefferson University in University of North vice provost for inclusive excellence Philadelphia. Georgia in Dahlonega. at the University of Buffalo. He was previously assistant to the SOUTH CAROLINA president for social equity and Félix V. Matos Sally Selden, PhD, chief diversity officer at Indiana Rodríguez, PhD, was appointed University of Pennsylvania. has been named provost and dean chancellor of City of The Citadel in MASSACHUSETTS University of New Charleston. She Shakenna K. York. He previously previously served Williams, PhD, served as president as provost and vice has been named of Queens College in Flushing. president for academic affairs at the director of the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. Center for Women’s MICHIGAN Entrepreneurial Philomena V. UTAH Leadership Global Mantella, PhD, was Debbie Initiative at Babson College in appointed president Tahmassebi, Wellesley. She previously served of Grand Valley PhD, has been as the deputy academic director State University in named provost and lead faculty director of the Allendale. She was at Westminster Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small previously senior vice College in Salt Businesses Program at the college. president and chief executive officer Lake City. She was of the Lifelong Learning Network at previously dean of the College of NEW YORK Northeastern University in Boston. Arts and Sciences at Santa Clara Jennie Marie Durán, JD, was University in California. appointed system affirmative action NORTH CAROLINA officer for the State University of New Lisa M. Chapman, EdD, has been WASHINGTON York system. She previously served named president of Central Carolina Deena J. as Equal Employment Opportunity Community College. She previously González, PhD, investigator in the Office for Access served as senior vice president was appointed and Equity at the University of Illinois and chief academic officer for the provost and senior at Urbana-Champaign. North Carolina Community College vice president at System Office in Raleigh. Gonzaga University Joyce Jacobsen, in Spokane. She PhD, has been named PENNSYLVANIA previously served as associate president of Hobart Hilary L. Link, PhD, provost for faculty affairs and and William Smith was appointed professor in the department of Colleges in Geneva. president of Chicana/o, Latina/o Studies at She was previously Allegheny College Loyola Marymount University in provost and senior in Meadville. Los Angeles.

Has your campus recently hired a new administrator? INSIGHT Into Diversity would like to publish your news. Please email [email protected].

8 April 2019 diversity professional spectrum Deans of Journalism and Communications Schools

In each issue, INSIGHT Into Diversity features diverse professionals in higher education. By Ginger O’Donnell

Juan-Carlos Molleda, PhD, is the Edwin L. Artzt Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. A leading scholar in global corporate public relations management, he spent 21 years teaching and researching public relations and communication management at the University of Florida, the University of South Carolina, and Radford University in Virginia. Molleda’s professional portfolio has also informed his teaching and research. He previously served as manager of public relations, corporate communication, and advertising and promotions for a Venezuelan financial consortium. In 2011, he consulted on a strategic planning project in Willow Bay is dean of the University of international public relations for Mayo Clinic. Molleda Southern California (USC) Annenberg earned the University of South Carolina’s School of School for Communication and Journalism and Mass Communications Outstanding Journalism as well as the Walter H. Young Alumni award in 2010. Annenberg Chair in Communication. Prior to joining USC, she served as senior editor and strategic adviser of John L. Jackson, Jr., PhD, is the Walter H. Annenberg the online news site HuffPost, where Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication and she oversaw editorial content and the Richard Perry University Professor at the University growth initiatives. Bay is also a veteran of Pennsylvania. He previously served as dean of the broadcast journalist. She has worked School of Social Policy and Practice as well as the as a reporter and an anchor for university’s special adviser on diversity to the provost. numerous national networks, including Jackson is a prolific scholar who researches urban ABC, NBC, and CNN. In addition, she is communities and constructs theories about race and the author of the book Talking to Your ethnicity, among other focus areas. He is the author Kids in Tough Times: How to Answer of numerous books, including Harlemworld: Doing Your Child’s Questions About the Race and Class in Contemporary Black America, Racial World We Live In. Paranoia: The Unintended Consequences of Political Correctness, and Thin Description: Ethnography and the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem.

Michelle Ferrier, PhD, is dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee. She was formerly the associate dean for innovation, research, and international programs at Ohio University in addition to serving as an associate professor at the university’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Ferrier is the founder of Trollbusters.com, a site that helps journalists fight online abuse. She is also the principal investigator for the Media Deserts Project, an initiative that uses geographic information system technologies Lori Bergen, PhD, is the founding to find areas in the U.S. where there is a lack of news dean of the College of Media, and information. In 2017, media analysis website Communication and Information at MediaShift named Ferrier one of the top 10 journalism the University of Colorado Boulder. innovation educators to watch. She previously served as dean of the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication at Marquette Prabu David, PhD, is Dean of the College of University in Milwaukee. At Marquette, Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State Bergen facilitated meaningful University (MSU) in East Lansing. Prior to joining partnerships between students and MSU, he was a professor and associate dean at the communications professionals. She Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at is a leader in multiple academic and Washington State University, where he led efforts professional organizations, including to revamp several undergraduate and graduate serving as president of the Association programs and recruit new, highly qualified faculty. for Education in Journalism and Mass His research focuses on media and cognition. David’s Communication and as an advisory current projects include assessing the relationship board member for the Poynter between media and multitasking and researching Institute, a training organization for how children use mobile media. He has served as an journalism professionals, educators, investigator or co-investigator on projects funded by and students. institutions such as the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control, among others.

insightintodiversity.com 9 INSIGHT Into Diversity Names 2019 Global Engagement Scholarship Recipients By Kelsey Landis

INSIGHT Into Diversity and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) are proud to announce the recipients of the second annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Global Engagement Scholarship. Dozens of students from public INSIGHT Into Diversity publishers Lenore Pearlstein (left) and Holly Mendelson (right) and private colleges and universities recognized all five scholarship recipients who were honored at the annual National across the country applied for Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) conference in the scholarships, which support Philadelphia, Pa. Also pictured is NADOHE president Archie W. Ervin (second from right). underrepresented students in studying abroad. Five winners were selected from this pool of diverse, academically The five 2019 scholarship recipients operational analytics. driven applicants. are as follows: She will participate Each $2,000 scholarship is designed in a field ecology to encourage global engagement among Adiah Bailey, a course in San José, underrepresented students whose sophomore at Case Costa Rica learning backgrounds and identities represent Western Reserve about experimental a broad cross section of our society. University in design, natural history, and Preference is given to students from the Cleveland, Ohio, advanced statistics. United States who have not traveled or double-majoring studied abroad previously. in economics and Hayley Betty President of the NADOHE Archie international studies with a minor Fitzgerald Smith, W. Ervin, PhD, says more than in anthropology and Spanish. In a junior at Southern 110 students have applied since the the fall, she will study in Argentina Illinois University scholarship began last year. and Chile through the Emerging Edwardsville majoring “The intent of the scholarship is to Economies Program, which focuses in political science and promote greater international learning on the impact of laws, culture, outside philosophy. She will study engagement by underrepresented institutions, and business practices on international law, conflict and terrorism, students,” Ervin says. “The first two globalization and economic growth in political communication, peace, and cohorts of recipients of the scholarship the two countries. reconciliation in Northern Ireland and have been exemplary student scholars the Republic of Ireland. who will derive lifelong benefits as Maddie Clendening, members of our globalized world.” a politics and Dominique Wallace, One of the 2019 recipients, psychology double a sophomore studying Dominique Wallace, says her upcoming major at Hendrix civil engineering semester, when she will study in Peru, is College in Conway, at Tennessee State a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ark. She plans to participate University in Nashville. “This is not a trip or a get-away in either a French language program She plans to take an but an experience that I feel will mold at the Université de Caen Normandie in Africana studies course me professionally and humble me as I Caen, France or in the Lex Fellowship in in Peru, where she hopes discover this world outside of mine,” Barcelona, Spain. to learn more about the region and the Wallace says. “I encourage everyone to people who lived there in the past.● take advantage of their opportunities Hallie Downs, a sophomore at and never be afraid to go far with the University of South Dakota Kelsey Landis is editor-in-chief of your ambitions.” double-majoring in biology and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

10 April 2019 this month’s celebration

Deaf History Month By Ginger O’Donnell

National Deaf History Month takes place from March 13 to April 15. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) individuals as well as the vibrant history of the community. The month-long observation also provides an opportunity to recognize institutions of higher education where deaf and HOH students thrive. Here are three examples of universities that excel.

the Rochester Institute of mission statement. California State University, Technology (RIT) National Technical With approximately 94 percent of Northridge (CSUN) Deaf Studies Institute for the Deaf (NTID) courses having an online component, Department and the National Gallaudet integrates technology in Center on Deafness NTID provides state-of-the-art its classrooms more than do other technical and professional education colleges in the U.S. The university CSUN’s undergraduate major in deaf programs complemented by a robust also has dedicated research units studies emphasizes the diversity of deaf arts and sciences curriculum to more in visual language and learning, and HOH individuals as well as their than a thousand deaf or HOH students. neuroimaging, rehabilitation commonalities with hearing people. The college also prepares its graduates engineering, and communication The program offers experiential to work in fields related to deafness. technologies and services. learning opportunities through Of the 1,262 individuals enrolled, Gallaudet also provides education practicums and internships; it also 1,025 are undergraduates, 90 are to young children through its encourages students to promote graduate students, and 147 are in the Laurent Clerc National Deaf cultural, social, and political college’s American Sign Language Education Center. The Kendall awareness among the broader campus (ASL) program; 37 percent come from Demonstration Elementary School community by sponsoring guest underrepresented groups and 4 percent gives tuition-free education to deaf speakers, participating in ASL Deaf are international students. and HOH students from birth Theatre productions, and joining the NTID offers over 20 accredited through eighth grade. The Model student group Deaf CSUNians. programs for associate degrees, and Secondary School for the Deaf is the The program equips students those who are qualified can earn university’s tuition-free high school. to pursue a wide range of careers, bachelor’s or master’s degrees in more College students at Gallaudet can including those in counseling, than 200 programs within other choose from more than 40 programs. government, education, and non- colleges at RIT. One such program is a Bachelor of profit leadership. Faculty members communicate with Arts in ASL, which enables students CSUN is also home to the National students in the way that suits them, to pursue careers in areas such as deaf Center on Deafness, which provides be it through sign language with or education, linguistics, interpretation, learning assistance to the university’s without voice, fingerspelling, FM sociology, and social work. The deaf and HOH students as well systems, visual aids, or other methods. university also offers a Master of Arts as to service providers, families, in Deaf Studies, which examines the and CSUN alumni, among others. Gallaudet University (Gallaudet) deaf “ways of being.” The program Approximately 150 students who are Department of American Sign includes a yearlong project in which deaf and HOH benefit each year from Language and Deaf Studies students either write an academic the center’s services, which include thesis, complete a creative project, or communication access, leadership Gallaudet in Washington, DC, engage in advocacy work. opportunities, scholarships, and direct was established in 1864 as a A survey conducted by the communication classes. The center diverse institution “that ensures university showed 96 percent of also offers interpreting, speech- the intellectual and professional undergraduate respondents who to-text transcription, note taking, advancement of deaf and HOH finished their diploma between 2014 tutoring, academic advisement, and individuals” through ASL and and 2015 are either employed or priority registration.● English, according to the university’s pursuing further education.

insightintodiversity.com 11 CDO CORNER Diversity-Related Resources for Communications Faculty and Students

By Naeemah Clark and Brooke Barnett

Earlier this year, Tucker Carlson available at your institution. our student newspaper produced the Tonight on Fox News featured a story These centers are staffed with first ever Spanish-language version of about immigration across the United knowledgeable professionals their weekly newscast and newspaper. States-Mexico border. Carlson said who have been trained and have This effort was widely applauded on mass immigration “makes our country recent information about specific campus, and it demonstrated that poorer, dirtier, and more divided.” social identity groups and their there is a population of students Scores of people took to social media to intersections. Additionally, they may interested in creating and reading say the statement was racist. Anger over also have reading rooms with books, this content. It is now incumbent on the comment quickly spread, resulting in magazines, and video content that us to support and inspire more of more than a dozen companies removing could be helpful in planning lessons our students to reach audiences with ads from the prime-time cable news or as sources for projects. These diverse identities. program. This situation is a reminder to spaces are usually open to anyone communications professors that we have on campus to come and learn, no • Professional organizations have an extraordinary responsibility to teach matter their identity. recognized the need to broaden students to be culturally competent. the understanding of diversity Issues of diversity and inclusion • Librarians are important sources in communications industries. come up naturally in communications for professional development. Our Materials can be found on these curricula focused on attracting varied library staff at Elon University organizations’ websites. The Radio audiences and creating accurate in North Carolina have been key Television Digital News Foundation representations of identity. partners and advocates for creating a offers a downloadable diversity Opportunities abound for more inclusive campus broadly. They toolkit on its website (rtdna.org) for teaching students to develop fair and love to help faculty find discipline- anyone interested in implementing complete representations in film, or profession-specific resources. case-based lessons in their classrooms. television, ads, and media campaigns, The toolkit also offers a few but professors must be prepared to • Events on campus allow students readings and discussion questions. articulate why inclusion matters in to share their ideas about identity Similarly, the Public Relations Society communications and related professions. with professors. We have attended of America (prsa.org) has made Because communications professors student government town halls, available its diversity and inclusion work with future storytellers, we political party meetings, and panels toolkit that offers best practices for have a responsibility to help our sponsored by various ethnically and professionals wanting to add more students recognize that there are both racially oriented organizations to inclusive thought to their offices, ethical and economic advantages to gauge what students are thinking but the techniques can also be viable intercultural development related to about their campus, culture, and for classroom use. race, gender, ability, sexuality, faith, worlds. Generally, faculty and staff and class. In order to teach inclusive are invited to these sessions, but • Some national organizations offer thinking, we must also continue to it’s always smart to check with the faculty seminars where portions develop our own knowledge and tools student leaders before attending. of the programs highlight issues to do this important work. related to race and gender. The Below are ways communications • Student media is also a good gauge Television Academy Foundation faculty can educate themselves and, in of campus climate. The stories covers the airfare and lodging of turn, their students. covered, music played, and films participants of its faculty seminar. produced provide valuable exemplars In 2018, the seminar offered a deep • Resources such as multicultural when teaching the inclusivity of dive into the television industry in centers, chaplain’s offices, or sources and effectiveness in reaching the #MeToo era. Communication LGBTQ programs might be all members of an audience. Recently, professors would also do well to

12 April 2019 keep an eye on the International Radio and Television Society faculty seminar. The topics vary each year, but there is always a session or two focused on inclusion.

• Connections in the broader community also afford an opportunity to develop empathy, understand different perspectives, develop active listening skills, and create rapport with people different from you. Our civic engagement- based programs at the university offer students the chance to engage deeply in the communities that surround Elon. Students and faculty have the chance to develop cultural humility, a necessary aspect of intercultural competence. Communications students in particular can connect with the broader community by working with non-profit clients in the community, writing for the local newspaper, and making documentary films about history and current issues. Both students and faculty can use their talents to volunteer and make connections with the local NAACP chapter, immigrant communities, and the area PFLAG group. These all provide opportunities to have meaningful interactions with people from various background and learn more about their lives.

Communications disciplines and professions have natural alignment with intercultural development. Faculty, staff, and students have opportunities to continue and further that development, which is crucial to their effectiveness in the classroom, on campus, and in their lives outside of college.●

Brooke Barnett is an INSIGHT Into Diversity Editorial Board member, an associate provost for Academic and Inclusive Excellence, and professor of communications at Elon University in North Carolina. Naeemah Clark is a faculty fellow for Civic Engagement and associate professor of Communications at Elon University.

insightintodiversity.com 13 . . . #1 University for Diversity in Washington state.

heed award spotlight

Central Washington University is the only university in the state of Washington to earn the prestigious HEED Award in four of the past five years.

You belong here. 2018 ® 2018 ® CWU is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Top Colleges for Diversity For accommodation e-mail: [email protected].

The annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award is the only application-based higher education award that recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Support Programs Improve Graduation and Retention Rates of African American Male Students

By Kelsey Landis

Promising preliminary data completed a bachelor’s degree within life’s work at this point is to convince from three universities show six years, compared with a 45 percent you otherwise.” African American male students earn completion rate for Black women and University of North Texas better grades and graduate at higher 60 percent for White men. rates if they participate in Those concerning statistics push Harold Woodard remembers when peer-support programs. universities across the country to the Ku Klux Klan held rallies and Year after year, data from the National promote programs that specifically cross burnings along Route 301 near Center for Education Statistics indicates support Black male students, but his hometown of Sharpsburg, N.C., that Black men face steeper challenges leaders from three of those programs and the segregated public spaces. than do their Black female and White say the message in their classrooms As program director for Strategic peers. Only 9 percent of the bachelor’s isn’t about the numbers. It’s about Retention Initiatives at the University degrees earned by U.S. male students including young Black men in the of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, in 2016 were earned by Black men, campus community and giving them Texas, Woodard says those memories while 67 percent of the degrees were the confidence they need to believe help him “add that level of experience” awarded to White men and 11.9 percent they can do more than they thought to his lectures, which focus on how to Hispanic men. African American possible, says Sam African Americans persevered women earned 11.8 percent of degrees Gutierrez, president of the despite radical opposition to conferred in that year to women. Brother 2 Brother program their rights. The percentage of Black men earning at Central Washington Students in UNT’s Male a bachelor’s degree has slowly increased University (CWU). Alliance for a Rigorous, over the years, up from 5.2 percent in “Somewhere along the Transformative and 1977, but their dropout rates remain line someone convinced Interdisciplinary Approach to higher than those of their counterparts. you that you didn’t have a Sam Gutierrez Learning (MARTIAL) program Just 35 percent of those who enrolled voice,” Gutierrez says of pay “a little more attention” at a four-year institution in 2008 peers in his group. “My to Woodard because of his

14 April 2019 going away to college,” Woodard says. But each Eagle is reminded of his history and how humans “carve out a meaningful existence” despite the odds. “It can be inspiring — whether you are of African descent or not — just to know the human spirit has that resilience, to know if they succeeded, so can I,” Woodard says. Preliminary data show the program is working. Eagles had earned a higher average GPA than a comparison group.— 2.46 versus 1.84 at the end

MARTIAL program practices for academic success include the following: MARTIAL program coordinator Candi Harris and Harold Woodard, program director for Strategic Retention Initiatives, at the University of North Texas in • Learning note-taking, time Denton (Photo courtesy UNT) management, test-taking, and other basic college skills in a three-credit- hour first-year course experiences. The program aims to through the lens of music. “For many, • Using syllabi to fill out planners at the beginning of the semester with provide social and academic support it’s the first time they’ve actually each course’s assignment due dates to Black men at UNT through had a course that deals with historic an intensive first-year course and Black experience other than slavery • Attending mandatory study sessions continued encouragement throughout and maybe the modern civil rights two nights per week their time at the university. movement,” Woodard says. “My focus • Setting “smart goals” for each study Woodard wants young men in the when I teach the Black experience is session program — known as MARTIAL to try to focus on what people did for Eagles — to consider what he and themselves and less what was done • Living in a dedicated dorm for other African Americans faced to them.” the first year at school with other historically and then ask themselves, Woodard and program coordinator cohort members “If they succeeded facing what they Candi Harris give assignments in did, what can I not do?” Using this which students can express feelings approach, Woodard says his students about their own problems through “understand and appreciate the distance music. In one of them, each Eagle of the fall 2017 semester, according we’ve come and the distance we’ve yet develops a playlist of contemporary to UNT’s Data, Analytics, and to go. It gets real.” music that speaks to him. At the end Institutional Research office. They Learning about resilience is key of the semester, they perform a song or also completed more credit hours than to overall confidence, but confidence recite a poem they wrote. students in the control group with an alone won’t finish an essay due in The messages in those performances average of 13.27 versus 9.95 hours. As 24 hours or read the three chapters are about the transition into new of fall 2018, more Eagles had returned required for an exam. Adjusting to experiences, separation from family, for their second year than those in the the loaded workflow of college life spanning “the whole gamut of what other group. is one of the main challenges for you expect a student to experience Woodard hopes to hire another Eagles. Program staff teach students full-time MARTIAL staffer, which to master the basic processes that help would allow the program to accept an them “get through the tough times” additional cohort. But the main goal is step-by-step, Woodard says. to push Eagles to fill leadership roles Those “College 101” skills are just The MARTIAL Eagle on campus and not just in groups for program is named one part of the MARTIAL first-year after the martial eagle, underrepresented students. course. The other part focuses on the largest and most “We want them to experience the the history and culture of African powerful breed of eagle full breadth of what the university has American men in the United States in sub-Saharan Africa. to offer,” Woodard says. “We want Its wingspan ranges from 6 feet 2 inches to 8 feet 6 inches. insightintodiversity.com 15 them to research with faculty, study sense of belonging. You have to break abroad, land quality internships. We’re through these theories and models to starting to see that happen.” believe not only do you belong here, but you have value.” Central Washington University Gutierrez, who has served as With support from the Brother 2 president of the program since Brother program, students at CWU in spring 2018, says he became involved Ellensburg, Wa., succeed in leadership after approaching a group of “well- roles, says Andre Dickerson, director dressed Black men” who caught his of the Center for Leadership and eye on campus. The evolutionary Community Engagement. biology and ecology major had “We’ve seen [the program] be been struggling with his identity transformative,” Dickerson says. as a Latino and with concepts of As part of the Student White privilege. So on a whim, African American he decided to approach them Brotherhood (SAAB) to seek their opinion on his organization, the predicament. extracurricular Brother 2 The men turned out to be A Brother 2 Brother chapter member speaks to his peers at a meeting to plan Brother program recruits involved in Brother 2 Brother. outreach programs. (Photo courtesy roughly 45 new students One was Dickerson and another ABH Studios) each year out of CWU’s was SAAB founder and CEO Andre total undergraduate Dickerson Tyrone Bledsoe. The conversation enrollment of 11,000. turned into an invitation to a Research shows 86 luncheon and that led to Gutierrez Old Dominion University percent of SAAB participants attending the national conference in As at CWU, Brother 2 Brother chapter graduate, exceeding the average Detroit. Sitting in a room with 500 leaders at Old Dominion University five-year graduation rate for African Black men and listening to some speak (ODU) in Norfolk, Va., rely on data American men in the U.S. about their experiences, Gutierrez says, as well as anecdotal evidence to prove Most participants are recruited at “broke my world view.” their program’s success. summer orientation. When they arrive From then on, he worked on “self- Between the founding of the chapter on campus, Brother 2 Brother staff actualizing,” or the realization that in fall semester 2017 and the end of greet them with a welcome session, he was capable of achieving his goals spring 2018, members showed a higher create networking opportunities with and making his identity a part of that average GPA than Black and Brown upperclassmen, and connect them with process. Seeing men who looked like men not associated with the program, peer mentors. him in leadership roles at subsequent says Johnny Young, EdD, associate vice “We’re able to capture those students conferences also helped. In the Brother president for Student Engagement and before they arrive to give them as much 2 Brother program and after graduating Enrollment Services. Those students guidance as we can,” Dickerson says. this spring, he hopes to be the role are on track to complete their degrees “So, when you get here, you know model for other young men of color in four to five years who you can contact with questions or seeking self-actualization. based on the number of concerns. They have someone they can “To anybody reading this who credits they received in connect with if they ever need it.” feels like they are burdened with spring semester 2018. In addition to guaranteeing access to representing a marginalized population, At the end of 2019, information and support, the program that is not bad,” Gutierrez says. another report will look focuses on ensuring all young men — “Embrace it. Pull it into perspective. It’s at the same population. male students of any race are encouraged heavy sometimes, but there is light at Young says he expects Johnny Young to participate in the program — feel the end of the tunnel.” to see the same positive welcome on campus. Each comes with their own personal identity. “When you step foot on campus, you think, ‘I’m a Black man, a first- The Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) was generation college student, and now I founded by Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe in 1990 to address the academic and social challenges of African American male have to navigate the stereotypes people college students. Through chapters on college campuses may have,’” Dickerson says. “But then as well as in middle and high schools, SAAB assists you also have to find confidence and a men of color to excel academically, socially, culturally, professionally, and in the community. Over the 21 years since its founding, SAAB has grown to more than 200 chapters in 16 April 2019 39 states, with a national office at the University of Toledo. Benefits of participating in the Brother 2 Brother program include the following:

• Access to evening meetings and weekly study tables with peers

• Professional development opportunities

Brother 2 Brother chapter members accept certificates at an event at • Possibility to earn leadership Old Dominion University. (Photo by Aaron Hodnett) certificates

• Civic engagement participation and public service outreach trend. “What we attribute that [success] backgrounds who are progressing, to is simply the fact that Brother 2 doing well, and overcoming obstacles • Connection to tutoring center Brother is based on the peer cohort that makes a peer group I can turn to, and other student services model,” Young says. “Members support that I can talk to, that I can depend support one another, mentor one another, some on,” Young says. • Internship opportunities come from similar backgrounds and Chapter members also offer the experiences. … Those are the types of leadership skills they acquire to children • Access to the national Brother things that bond them together.” in the community. They go to local 2 Brother network and Support from university leadership also elementary schools a few times a week conferences plays a key role in the success of Brother to tutor and engage with students there. 2 Brother, which at ODU includes 160 “[The elementary students are] seeing members. Austin Agho, provost and vice young Black and Brown men that are president for academic affairs, attended perhaps where these kids will be in the an orientation session when the chapter next 10 to 13 years when they hopefully was first initiated, and Brian Payne, go to college,” Young says. academic affairs vice provost, attended a As with most programs, however, the minority male symposium last year that proof is in the data. included athletes and chapter members. “I’m confident the data will continue The university’s president, John to show that programs like this Broderick, comes to retreats to “give do make a difference,” Young says. words of encouragement,” Young says. “Having this as a part of what I do is “When you see the leadership just pure joy.”● stopping by and encouraging and showing their interest and their support Kelsey Landis is the editor-in-chief of for initiatives like this, it makes the INSIGHT Into Diversity. The University Brother 2 Brother chapter members difference,” Young adds. with a GPA above 3.0 were recognized of North Texas is a 2018 HEED at an event in April 2018 at Old Dominion Seeing leaders who look like Award recipient. Central Washington University. (Photo by Aaron Hodnett) themselves is essential to Brother 2 University is a 2014, 2015, 2017, and Brother member success, but watching 2018 HEED Award recipient, and Old peers achieve their goals is just as Dominion University is a 2018 HEED important, Young says. “It’s seeing Award recipient. people who look like you with similar

insightintodiversity.com 17 Aerospace and Tech Companies Promote Diversity When Recruiting Talent on Campus By dale singer

Attracting and retaining a diverse recruiting, Collins adds, the top the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship workforce may seem like an intuitive, qualification is that the schools have the Fund, which, according to Boeing’s common sense approach for business academic programs that will properly website, “provides an unparalleled success, but it isn’t always easy to prepare new employees, but diversity career opportunity and scholarship translate that concept into solid dollars matters as well. for outstanding students attending and cents terms. “One of the things we are letting Boeing HBCU priority schools,” as The New York City-based consulting our college members know,” she says, well as a boot camp where students firm McKinsey & Company has worked “is that diversity is important to learn more about specific business for years to nail down how diversity can the employers and important to the units at Boeing. pay off. In 2015, it conducted a study students, so it should be important to “It’s really good for us,” she says. that found the following: the colleges too.” “We’re able to open the doors during Here’s how some companies that are the time they spend with Boeing and • Companies in the top quartile ranked highly for their commitment to show them more about our business for gender or racial and ethnic diversity view the question of how this model, how we actually work, and diversity are more likely to have affects recruiting. provide information about air and space financial returns above their careers. It’s a great opportunity to have national industry medians. Boeing access to executives in the organization. Pam Hennard, Boeing’s global director • Companies in the bottom of talent acquisition, says the world’s Lockheed Martin quartile in these dimensions are largest aerospace company The Bethesda, Md.-based statistically less likely to achieve has relationships with aerospace firm Lockheed Martin above-average returns. more than 120 educational recruits at 120 schools altogether institutions to help recruit based on their accreditation, • Diversity is probably a competitive top talent. Diversity is a key location, and other criteria, with differentiator that shifts market factor in hiring, she says. diversity being a top consideration. share toward more diverse “Diversity fuels “You want to spread a wide companies over time. innovation, along with Pam Hennard net,” says Scott Trapp, the firm’s better decision-making in director of diversity outreach. “We “We live in a deeply connected and the organization,” Hennard want to make sure that we can get global world. It should come as no says. “It’s one of our enduring values, the the best of the best surprise that more diverse companies key to getting the best people. We recruit and challenge each and institutions are achieving better from the widest possible talent pool to other with their ideas.” performance,” the study states. make sure we get the best person.” Derek McGowan, Mimi Collins, director of content Since 2012, she adds, Chicago- diversity manager for strategy for the National Association based Boeing has hired 850 students higher education, adds of Colleges and Employers, says a as paid interns, 7,000 workers, and that the company has a recent survey showed students strongly 140 executives from underrepresented sustained approach to Scott Trapp support and value a prospective populations. recruiting majors from employer’s commitment to diversity. “We actually recruit and engage with underrepresented groups “Many employers of new college student organizations on campuses in STEM subjects, because in many cases graduates have as part of their overall to get top talent,” Hennard says of diversity is lacking in that area. strategy that they are looking to the company’s efforts to keep open a “We’re not just swinging by campus diversify their workforce,” she says. pipeline of diverse employees. on one day to recruit,” he says. “All When deciding which campuses In particular, Hennard points to through the whole curriculum, we want potential employers will visit for a program the company has with them to know Lockheed Martin. When

18 April 2019 they graduate and are ready to go to work, they know our company and we become an employer of choice.” The Ohio State University’s School of Communication faculty, The commitment to diversity continues once new students and staff are dedicated to building a rich tradition of employees are in the fold, Trapp says. “Recruitment does diversity, equity and inclusion by fostering a stimulating intellectual not stop when they hit the doors at culture with diversity at its core. Lockheed Martin,” he says. “If we do a • Active faculty research programs and coursework in good job of doing that, it’s only going ethnicity, gender, equity and disparities to get stronger. We want to make sure • Strong mentorship and excellent record of student success they see people like them and can engage with people like them. We want to make • Access to funding for all graduate students and enrichment sure they feel they have a home, with fellowships for diverse students that fund the first year of people they can go to.” program — with assistantships available for the duration of the Derek program for students who remain in good standing Building that relationship can start McGowan even before students graduate, McGowan • Ranked No. 1 in the 2018 Shanghai Global Ranking of says, including visits with active alumni. Academic Subjects for Communication

“We want to be walking the walk, versus talking the talk,” Encourage your talented students in communication and journalism, he says. “If you haven’t seen us during your freshman or and those interested in media and communication, to apply to the sophomore year, we would expect us to be a stranger to you. MA or PhD in Communication at The Ohio State University. We prepare them for what’s ahead of them, so they don’t think we’re just giving them a sales pitch. The pitch part of it is that we actually have hands-on leaders who reach out to students, to really partner with those students.” IBM Besides more traditional efforts toward diversity, Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM has widened its search for new employees with an initiative it calls “New Collar,” a reference to the phrase “new collar jobs.” New collar jobs are roles in some of the technology industry’s fastest growing fields, from cybersecurity and cloud computing to cognitive business and digital design. But the Our May 2019 Issue: jobs do not always require a traditional degree. What they require instead is the right mix of in-demand skill sets. Medical, Dental, IBM believes these jobs attract a diverse workforce Veterinary, and other because the company goes outside the traditional sources and backgrounds to consider a wider group of possible employees. Healthcare Schools The New Collar initiative allows IBM to pursue those efforts. Brigid McMahon, the company’s talent acquisition director Our May issue will focus on diversity and inclusion of global early professional and diversity hiring, wrote in an issues and initiatives at medical, dental, veterinary, and emailed statement that IBM wants to find diverse employees other healthcare schools across the U.S. in fields ranging from cybersecurity and cloud computing to This special report presents a unique opportunity to cognitive business and digital design. showcase your university’s healthcare schools to the Like the other companies, she says, IBM considers a readers of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. diverse workforce an imperative for success. IBM was named The advertising deadline is April 8. For advertising by LinkedIn the top employer of graduates from historically information, email [email protected]. Black colleges and universities in 2018. “At the core,” McMahon says, “it’s good for business. Creating a more inclusive workplace allows us to innovate better and help our clients succeed and thrive. Who we hire matters. We believe that it’s important to look beyond homogeneous backgrounds within the organization and open the aperture for bringing in diverse talent.”●

Dale Singer is a contributing writer for INSIGHT Into Diversity.

insightintodiversity.com 19 Physics Is the Least Diverse of the Sciences, and the GRE Could Be a Barrier

By Mariah Stewart

The graduate record exam (GRE) standardized tests more frequently than and gender-bias differences, a majority might not be the best admissions U.S. students. of PhD programs still require it with a assessment for students hoping to The study is the largest ever minimum acceptable score. pursue a PhD in physics, according conducted that specifically focuses on “The outcome is fewer women of all to a study released earlier this year by physics and the correlation between races and underrepresented minorities the Rochester Institute of Technology admissions data and graduation rates. of all gender identities get into PhD (RIT). Further, the study found The data set looked at students from programs, despite the tool being the GRE is potentially a barrier to nearly 30 different PhD programs ineffective at telling us who will finish,” including more underrepresented for more than a decade. The research Miller says. individuals in the least diverse sector of was funded by the National Science Miller and his colleagues suggest the sciences. Foundation and was a part of the institutions reevaluate admissions Researchers found that barely 5 Inclusive Graduate Education Network, requirements and consider more holistic percent of PhDs in physics are granted annually in the United States to African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, while only 20 percent are received by women of any racial Researchers or ethnic background. Women and suggest institutions underrepresented individuals tend to have the worst scores on physics GRE reevaluate admissions tests, according to the study. requirements and Though the GRE is a common consider more assessment for admissions, the findings show that low scores are not connected holistic factors, to PhD completion. Diversity in like perseverance, physics programs is determined by creativity, leadership, who universities accept. Therefore, the and grit. future of diversity in physics is at stake if the GRE continues to play a major role in the admissions process, the study indicates. Up to 40 percent of physics programs in the U.S. use cutoff score requirements, a “decontextualized a research hub of select graduate factors, like perseverance, creativity, use of GRE scores” because the physics programs that help share leadership, and grit. The American cutoff scores embody an admissions inclusive practices for admitting and Physical Society and American process that systematically filters retaining women and minorities. Astronomical Society both reported out women, Hispanic and Latinx The findings are a “big deal,” in the past about graduate programs individuals, Blacks, and Native peoples according to Casey Miller, the study’s limiting the use of GRE scores. of all genders, the study found. The lead researcher and author and associate Co-author of the study Ben Zwickl, cutoff score also gives preference to dean for research and faculty, because PhD, assistant professor of physics international students, who are given while the GRE shows significant racial at RIT, says he admires students

20 April 2019 who persisted in school maximized their debate. “One thing that you can’t and did well despite their potential yet,” argue with is that it’s a cost barrier. GRE scores. “It blows says Julie Posselt, I think everyone can agree that this my mind that basically co-author of the exam costs money and not everyone the ability to solve one- study and assistant has the money to take it. Everyone minute physics problems professor of education who is interested in becoming a became indicative of the Ben Zwickl at the University of Julie Posselt physicist deserves the chance to capability to complete Southern California. become one.” a multi-year research “If we only admit The origins of disparities among project. Those tasks are so dissimilar. people who have the best credentials, people of color and women with low The link between them almost seems then we’re not taking advantage of GRE scores and low admittance implausible and I think we see it’s the opportunity to develop their full into physics PhD programs often implausible in the data.” potential while they’re students with us.” begin at an early age with inequitable The GRE is generated by the Moiya McTier, 24, is a third-year educational access. The issues increase Educational Testing Service (ETS), PhD student majoring in astronomy with implicit bias and disciplinary the world’s largest nonprofit at Columbia University. McTier took practices in the classroom and research educational testing organization the physics GRE twice laboratories, the cost of the GRE, responsible for several standardized and scored under the 13th text anxiety, stereotype threats, tests including the SAT. percentile both times. and other factors. ETS executive director of GRE McTier says she was “We see a lot of students not and College Programs Alberto “heartbroken” when she even pursuing things they could Acereda says he agrees with the RIT found out her score the potentially be good at because study about the risk of overreliance first time. of the perceived barriers things on GRE scores or any single “I struggled a lot with like the GRE bring,” Zwickl measure that can have negative physics and math when Moiya McTier says. “What would be good is consequences, especially for women and I was in [undergrad],” the more schools that drop the underrepresented individuals. Acereda says McTier, who GRE, the wider and wider set of says his organization recommends majored in astrophysics and folklore schools the next generation will have that all programs consider applicants at Harvard University for her to consider. I think that’s exciting.” holistically and weigh all important undergraduate degree. She didn’t The Future of GRE Assessment information about a student, including have a strong background in physics GRE scores, which he says provide while in high school, and even in Miller says one of his goals is to “valuable information” to schools. college, she says that, “everything develop a non-cognitive assessment “GRE scores are successful in felt really intimidating” to her. She for the front end of the admissions predicting academic performance believes she got into the program process that would look at other factors in PhD programs, an important at Columbia because they took into that might offer a better prediction factor in determining student and consideration her other skills such as of success, such as GPA. Meanwhile, program success, whatever its ultimate her undergraduate research experience. Posselt says students may on their own definition,” Acereda wrote in an It wasn’t until after a couple of years accord steer clear of universities that emailed statement. “Throwing away in graduate school that she began to require the GRE for admissions. valuable information is not the best shift her perspective. She taught herself Students choose where to apply for way to make an informed decision.” useful patterns of thinking and creative their own reasons, but increasingly ways to find solutions. they’re choosing colleges that don’t Effects of the GRE on Applicants “I know a lot of women and people of rely heavily on the GRE, Posselt says. The pool of graduates RIT color who are undergrads now and just Students, she adds, might believe those researchers surveyed for the study finished applying to grad schools, but schools “have old fashioned views with had widely ranging scores on the only applied to schools that didn’t require respect to how they treat the students GRE. Students who scored lower still the physics GRE because they couldn’t that they do admit.” finished their PhD at high rates, not afford to take the test, or they didn’t “Students, especially of color and much different from those who scored score well on the test, or they didn’t feel women,” Posselt says, “are looking for high on the exam. comfortable going to a school that used faculty who are going to have more “In some regard, you want to admit that as a requirement,” McTier says. progressive and inclusive attitudes.”● people who have strong potential, In discussions with faculty members but achievements at the point of in her department, McTier has heard Mariah Stewart is a contributing writer applying don’t necessarily show they’ve both sides of the GRE admissions for INSIGHT Into Diversity.

insightintodiversity.com 21 diversity champion spotlight

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Medical University of South Carolina Shows a United Front in Fight for Healthcare, Higher Education Equality By Mariah Bohanon

Diversity Champions exemplify an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels. INSIGHT Into Diversity selected institutions that rank in the top tier of Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recipients.

iversity and inclusion professionals at the needs will continue to change,” she says. “For us that Medical University of South Carolina means continuous innovation to stay on the pathway for (MUSC) take on a big role. The MUSC organizational excellence in diversity and inclusion.” enterprise includes a network of eight Growing Diverse Leadership hospitals with 1,600 beds across the state, clinics, Dand six colleges. Ensuring every student, employee, To ensure candidates from underrepresented groups and patient feels welcome throughout the enterprise were being prepared for leadership positions on requires cross-campus teamwork, the campus, MUSC created the David J. and Kathryn full support of institutional leaders, and Cole BRIHTE Leadership Academy, says DaNine J. a willingness to continuously innovate Fleming, EdD, director of training and intercultural for improvement. education and an associate professor at MUSC. The These characteristics define MUSC, academy is a two-year cohort model for approximately says Willette Burnham-Williams, 15 employees representing a wide range of sociocultural PhD, chief diversity officer, Title IX and professional backgrounds. The first year of coordinator, and assistant professor. “We Willette BRIHTE, which stands for Building and Retaining really consider our diversity and inclusion Burnham- Inclusive High-Potential Talent and Excellence, Williams work as a journey. We know you cannot consists of day-long didactic training sessions every approach this work with the mindset that month led by the MUSC department of diversity, there is an end in sight because as populations change, equity, and inclusion and guest lecturers utilizing the

22 April 2019 Health Leadership Competency Model from the and [President Cole] consistently demonstrates that to National Center for Healthcare. me, to our senior officials, and to our entire campus,” In a recent session, the cohort learned about ADA Fleming says. compliance from senior officials and compliance experts Making Information More Accessible at MUSC and the nearby Military College of South Carolina. By interacting with guest speakers and each While every institution is obligated by law to make certain other, BRIHTE scholars “see how the skills they learn materials available for those with disabilities, accessibility as well as their own unique talents and interests are has long been a central focus of MUSC’s institutional applicable to a cross section of the campus community mission. During the last year, senior leadership helped they may have never considered before,” Fleming says. form the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee to ensure that all MUSC digital materials are “accessible to anyone, no matter what their disability,” says committee co-chair Mary Mauldin, EdD, a professor, executive director of instructional technology and faculty resources, and associate director of interprofessional initiatives. The committee works to provide resources and training that gives community members, employees, and students the opportunity to experience the digital domains available through MUSC in an equitable manner. These domains include webpages, documents, videos, or other digital resources provided by MUSC. This means faculty members are learning to adapt files for screen reader technology and know which color contrasts are best for users with visual disabilities and color blindness, Mauldin says. MUSC offers group and individual The inaugural David J. and Kathryn Cole BRIHTE Leadership Academy cohort trainings and online courses to help employees and students learn digital accessibility and universal design. The institution also recently hired a digital accessibility expert to head these efforts. In the program’s second year, participants are assigned Mauldin herself wears a hearing aid and says she to shadow MUSC leaders. knows firsthand what a difference something as basic as Though the program is relatively new, it has been closed captioning on an online video can make. Digital rewarding to see participants “blossom and grow,” with accessibility doesn’t just help people with disabilities. each new session, Fleming says. “This is just going Written course materials can now “be downloaded as to be a great retention and recruitment program for podcasts so students are free to listen to those materials our underrepresented minority leaders on campus. ... while driving or working out, and we’ve seen that they Our end goal is that whenever [leadership] positions are taking advantage of that convenience,” she says. are available, this will be a pool and a resource of The principle of universal accessibility also shapes candidates who we know will meet the criteria to be MUSC’s approach to health literacy. Rather than strongly considered for the position,” she says. assessing an individual patient’s “health literacy The academy is named after the university’s capability,” the organization presents all patients with president and first lady in recognition of their support multiple options for how they would like to receive for advancing diversity and inclusion. Having the information, says Kathleen White, MUSC Health president’s name attached to this type of effort patient and family coordinator. This means that a reinforces the idea that “diversity is everyone’s business patient who has just been diagnosed with an illness

insightintodiversity.com 23 has the option of watching an interactive video about “health weeks,” such as Queer Health Week, to help people their diagnosis rather than relying solely on written understand “the nuances and need for further education,” explanations and disease management tips. on healthcare for specific populations, Wilson says. MUSC offers a library of 800 such videos accessible The office also works closely with the MUSC Student directly from patient rooms. Some materials are available Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to resolve in both English and Spanish. The institution also concerns and improve campus engagement. “[The provides community health materials and interpretation council] has really shifted from a group where we would services in several languages to better serve local discuss problems with diversity and inclusion to a group immigrant populations. where we discuss proactive approaches to these issues,” Wilson says. This year, MUSC began hosting university- Student-Centered Work wide mixers after the council brought up the fact that In addition to its Department of Diversity, Equity, and students often feel siloed within their individual colleges. Inclusion, the Office of Student Programs and Student When students of color commented to Wilson’s office Diversity serves as a hub for student affairs across the six that there were few opportunities to meet “the folks of color colleges and fosters teamwork between administrators who look like us or folks from marginalized backgrounds,”

President David J. Cole, welcoming attendees to the second annual Inclusion to Innovation Summit in Charleston, has been recognized MUSC offers a host of mentoring programs and other opportunities for for his commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion efforts underrepresented students and healthcare professionals to connect. across the MUSC enterprise.

and student leaders in creating an inclusive, student- his team started an annual orientation session specifically centered campus. for underrepresented students. The Multicultural TaJuan Wilson, EdD, executive Orientation and Resources for Excellence program takes director, says teamwork enables his office place at the beginning of every academic year and allows to be more effective in meeting the needs attendees “to meet folks who look like them and engage of a diverse campus. Last year, MUSC’s with our office from day one,” Wilson says. student government association (SGA) This kind of relationship-building has helped created the position of vice president for MUSC become one of the top schools for African diversity and inclusion. American medical students in the United States. The responsibilities of this role include According to the Association of American Medical TaJuan spearheading efforts with Wilson’s staff Wilson Colleges, the university is fifth in the nation for their that promote the well-being of students enrollment and in the 97th percentile for graduating representing multiple sociocultural Black male medical students. identities. This year, the SGA and the Office of Student Michael de Arellano, PhD, senior associate dean for Programs and Student Diversity organized university diversity in the MUSC College of Medicine, attributes

24 April 2019 these achievements to the school’s comprehensive across South Carolina, North Carolina, HBCUs, and to pipeline and mentorship programs. MUSC works with have the summit be a resource for those [institutions] high schools to identify underrepresented students and leaders doing this kind of work,” she says. interested in healthcare careers and offers them “What was interesting for me,” Burnham-Williams mentoring and academic development opportunities that says, “is that a lot of us struggle around the same things. continue through undergraduate, medical, and residency For instance, how do you let someone know their education. “I think that’s really the key to our success, behaviors are characteristic of microaggressions while having not just pipeline programs, not just getting letting them keep their dignity? ... So often, they don’t students through admissions, but making sure we have realize what effect their behaviors or words have.” thorough mentorship to offer once they’re here,” he says. Attendees appreciate the communal support and learning opportunities. Feedback surveys note “the Uniting Institutions in Support of Diversity importance of taking a day and a half to just have MUSC is devoted to supporting diversity professionals conversations and reflect on the work that we’re doing as not only across its own enterprise, but outside counterparts,” Burnham-Williams says. “Two HBCUs organizations invested in this work, as well. One major attended this year and they stressed how it’s great to get

Menah Pratt-Clarke, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Vice MUSC is fifth in the nation for enrolling African American Provost for Inclusion and Diversity at Virginia Tech, leads a workshop medical students and in the 97th percentile for graduating on the power of words and courageous conversations during the black male students in medicine. second annual Inclusion to Innovation Summit in Charleston.

endeavor to do so is MUSC’s annual Inclusion to another perspective and how they enjoyed having the Innovation Summit. broader conversations on diversity work.” The event was founded after the community recognized Planning for the third annual summit is already their work “can be isolating,” says Burnham-Williams. underway and MUSC will continue to offer this “The goal is to look at really innovative ways to address opportunity for the foreseeable future, she says. “We diversity and inclusion work and approach it from a made a commitment to do this because we know collaborative, ‘you’re not alone’ kind of mindset,” she says. it’s a resource that people badly need. We feel that Burnham-Williams and MUSC Health chief diversity we have a role where we sit in South Carolina to officer Anton Gunn created the summit in 2017 specifically provide opportunities like this for education, training, for chief diversity strategists in higher education and other collaborations, and conversations.”● businesses and organizations in the Charleston, S.C., region. The event attracted 50 local participants in its first year. Mariah Bohanon is the associate editor of INSIGHT Into By the second annual summit in 2018, it had more than Diversity. MUSC is a 2018 Diversity Champion and a doubled in size to approximately 125 attendees. “In year 2016, 2017, and 2018 Health Professions Higher Education two, our focus was to broaden our community to expand Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award winner.

insightintodiversity.com 25

Diversity Drives Communication

Diversity is the foundation of creativity and communication. That’s why we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, meeting students where they are, and supporting the success of each, here in Saint Louis, Missouri and around the world.

In Webster University’s School of Communications, we provide access to world-class education in a diverse and inclusive community, preparing critical thinkers and creative communicators for the ever-changing global field of media and communications.

With 16 undergraduate degrees and five graduate degrees covering the full range of media and modes of communication — with campuses in Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, China, Thailand, Ghana, Greece, and Uzbekistan, as well as our main campus in Saint Louis and online — we prepare students to succeed, wherever they are and wherever their paths may lead.

Webster University: Because the world needs more creative, effective, and ethical communicators.

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EC-3411 SOC Insights into Div Ad.indd 1 3/6/19 12:08 PM Special Report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

The Columbia Missourian newsroom, affiliated with the University of Missouri School of Journalism, was a hub of activity on election night Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo by Nate Brown, Missouri School of Journalism)

insightintodiversity.com 29 special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications Performance Studies Teach Students to Value Underrepresented Communities BY Ginger O’Donnell

Renée Alexander Craft, PhD, Scholars go on to work in theater, performance in the traditional sense. always knew that she wanted to dance, and other stage-centered They might adapt literature to the stage be a writer. In elementary school, careers, but performance studies or study and document performance she regularly wrote poetry and by also provide skills relevant to traditions of underrepresented groups. the time she reached high school, communications and public relations, To analyze performance, scholars she decided she wanted says Craig Gingrich-Philbrook, apply theory to social constructs like to become a journalist. PhD, professor of performance gender and race identity. Craft says As an undergraduate at studies at Southern Illinois using theory for analysis allows students the University of North University Carbondale (SIUC). to consider how human beings perform Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Such skills include the ability to gender and race in their everyday lives. Hill, she participated communicate effectively, conduct “We use a framework of performance to in several journalism research, and approach storytelling understand what race means on bodies,” internships, ultimately Renée in innovative ways. Those with an Craft says. “How do we do gender? Alexander Craft graduating with a bachelor undergraduate degree in the field How do we do race? How do we do of arts in English literature. follow a wide range of career paths, spirituality or religiosity?” As she was considering an MFA in from doing performance to working in With regard to activism, the field creative writing, a professor suggested the corporate world, public policy, public “decolonizes traditional approaches that she pursue a graduate degree in relations, or human resources. to scholarship” by respecting forms of an interdisciplinary field that she had knowledge that may not come from a What Exactly Is never heard of — performance studies. classroom or a textbook. Performance Performance Studies? Typically found in schools of studies scholars who compile oral communications, performance studies As an associate professor of histories, for example, may interview, explore theories about how the world communications at UNC, Craft now archive, and even perform the works, encourage students to write defines performance studies according perspectives of individuals who their own performance pieces, teach to three focus areas outlined by come from underrepresented or movement and performance, and another professor in the department marginalized groups. engage in both critical and creative at NU, Dwight Conquergood, PhD. Craft’s scholarship focuses in part writing. Craft took the professor’s He defines the field through artistry, on an Afro-Latin community in advice, eventually obtaining her master’s analysis, and activism. Portobelo, Panama, and how their in communications at UNC and then In terms of artistry, performance carnival performance traditions honor a PhD in performance studies at studies students both study and practice the history of enslaved Africans who Northwestern University (NU). self-liberated and formed their own Craft immersed herself in the communities. After writing a book perspectives and writings of women about them, she launched a website of color. Through these experiences, SIUC OPTIONS called Digital Portobelo intended to she says, “I felt seen. I felt placed in a serve as a platform for researchers as Sample graduate performance very visceral way. I’m a first-generation studies courses offered in well as a space for local community college student, a first-generation SIUC’s Communication Studies members to share their stories. professor, and I had often come from Department: A Naturally Interdisciplinary Field a space in the academy feeling as • Communication and though I was coming with a deficit. So, Part of the dedication to nontraditional Popular Culture [performance studies] made space for • Communication and Gender forms of communication involves using me at the table. Not only me and my • Queer Theory and Performance the body, on or offstage, to express worldview, but the people I represent meaning, says E. Patrick Johnson, PhD, and come from.” a professor of performance studies

30 April 2019 at NU who is also a performer and As Johnson, Craft, and and ability to think about complex chair of the Department of African Gingrich-Philbrook can confirm, problems from multiple perspectives. American Studies. the interdisciplinary nature of Graduate students, Craft says, often Johnson says “it’s only natural” performance studies is what attracts study and create nontraditional theatre that he serves as a professor in many to the field. Undergraduates pieces and giving voice and space to multiple academic departments, including African American studies, Two Performance Studies Pioneers performance Richard Schechner, PhD Dwight Conquergood, PhD studies, and gender A founder of performance studies. A performance studies professor at and sexuality He is currently University Professor NU known for his ethnographies of studies. Each of Emeritus at NYU’s Tisch School of underrepresented groups, including E. Patrick Johnson these disciplines the Arts and editor of the academic the Hmong of southeast Asia, contributes to his journal The Drama Review. Chicago street gangs, and refugees living in Thailand and Gaza. primary research interest, which is “how sexual minorities represent themselves,” he says. Similarly, Craft’s interest in performance studies is connected to tend to pursue performance studies underrepresented perspectives. her work as a Black feminist scholar, for a variety of reasons. Overall, performance studies students she says, just as Gingrich-Philbrook Some are interested in becoming “have an interdisciplinary set of describes his solo performance work as performers whereas others are focused experiences, are often very interested in rooted in queer theory. on developing their analytical skills combining a sociological and political

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insightintodiversity.com 31 E. Patrick Johnson performs Sweet Tea, based on a written collection of oral histories about the experiences of gay Black men in the American south. He interviewed more than 70 men for the project.

interest with an aesthetic form, [and] lens as a gay man. so many different kinds of experiences, are not content to specialize in ways “The history of performance art is even of people who share the same that a lot of programs necessitate,” really about joyful play and fearsome identity category.” Gingrich-Philbrook says. truth happening simultaneously,” he Craft, Gingrich-Philbrook, and says, adding that he tries “to bring both Johnson exemplify the discipline’s strong The Value of a Performance of those things together.” orientation toward underrepresented voices Study Degree The work is personal for Johnson as and perspectives, whether it be uplifting Performance studies create a space for well. Young people often approach him such voices through a digital humanities forms of storytelling that transcend the after a performance of his piece, Sweet project, solo performance work, or a limits of journalism or even literature Tea, in which he embodies different written collection of oral histories. in the traditional sense by encouraging gay Black men from the south. Youth In this way, Craft argues, performance curious and interdisciplinary thinkers thank him and confide in him about studies help students “broaden their to conduct ethnographic research, their own struggles to come to terms awareness of knowledge that is valuable.” collect oral histories, and turn scholarly with their sexuality. In a higher education climate that research into creative performances, “I’ve learned so much from them, increasingly values specialized degrees Gingrich-Philbrook says. about them and their lives but also and accelerated timelines, she argues that “This kind of alternative storytelling about myself,” he says. “Bearing witness performance studies are an “exceptional can be more visceral, angrier, and more to these stories taught me that there are approach” to the humanities. honest about the diversity of people’s The stories her students tell experience, particularly in relationship ultimately have the power to to things like queer performance and shape public policy, she says, and feminism,” Gingrich-Philbrook says. GLOBAL APPEAL they also have the power to make His own solo performances as underrepresented individuals both well as those of E. Patrick Johnson More than 25 undergraduate inside and outside of the classroom feel demonstrate personal modes of and graduate programs in seen and heard.● storytelling. In his performance piece performance studies exist worldwide, often housed Grooms to the Flame, for example, Ginger O’Donnell is a senior staff either within a school of Gingrich-Philbrook taps into his communication or a department writer for INSIGHT Into Diversity. “journalistic impulse” by commenting of communication studies. on current LGBTQ issues through his

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Previously on the Decline, Journalism School Enrollment Benefits from ‘Trump Bump’

By Alice Pettway

Journalism hasn’t had an easy decade. Enrollment in undergraduate journalism and mass communication programs dropped 3 percent in the United States from 2010 to 2013 as students increasingly saw traditional journalism degrees as unmarketable, according to a University of Georgia survey. Journalism programs took an even harder hit in the following years. A Texas Tech survey published in 2017 found that between 2013 and 2015, undergraduate enrollment in the discipline nationwide dropped by 16.3 percent. In 2016, public trust in mass media hit a 45-year low with only 32 percent of respondents in a Gallup poll reporting trusting media a “great deal” Hub Brown, associate professor of broadcast and digital journalism, talks to students at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications' or a “fair amount.” digital newsroom. (Photo courtesy Newhouse School) The press has continuously been under attack from political leaders in the U.S., as well. President Donald Trump consistently undercuts the a recovery in their application and Lucy Dalglish, JD, dean of the media, referring to journalists as “the enrollment numbers. Journalism faculty Philip Merrill College of Journalism at true enemy of the people,” “fake news,” and administrators theorize that the the University of Maryland, and Janet and “crazed lunatics.” He recently political climate is driving renewed Kolodzy, chair of the Department of suspended a White House journalist’s interest in the field and have dubbed Journalism at Emerson College, have press pass and has disallowed media the phenomenon the “Trump bump.” also seen increased interest, and both from attending important events. “The president is making journalism agree the current political climate has When a bomb was mailed to CNN great again,” says Joel Kaplan, something to do with it. headquarters in October of 2018, associate dean for professional Kolodzy says in the last Trump denounced the act but blamed graduate studies at Syracuse three years, she has noticed the journalists, saying, “The media also University’s Newhouse School “a resurgence of interest due has a responsibility to set a civil tone of Public Communications. to the political and cultural and to stop the endless hostility and “We did have a real issue climate and journalism’s role constant negative and oftentimes false toward the beginning of this in society.” Dalglish has seen attacks and stories.” decade when we were losing Joel Kaplan steady applications and a rise in But the continued attacks on the a lot of interest in journalism, enrollment — from 81 starting press may have had a counterintuitive but that has ticked back up freshmen in 2017 to 118 in effect on journalism schools. Since in the last couple of years. 2018.— a phenomenon she Trump’s election in 2016, some schools I credit the president of the United believes is in part a response to the of journalism have reported seeing States for that.” 2016 election. The college was also able

34 April 2019 Studio manager Neal Coffey observes a student working at Dick Clark Studios Gilat Melamed reports during a summer in Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications. (Photo internship for New York City television station courtesy Newhouse School) WNBC. (Photo courtesy Gilat Melamed)

to offer more scholarship money. television station’s coverage of election in audio and video, podcasts, and “The freshmen are telling us night. “Being a part of that night was multimedia storytelling. “We’re trying they enrolled in journalism because my first taste of the unpredictability of to empower them with these other they want to hold the powerful breaking news and American politics,” skills that we never thought we would accountable,” Dalglish says. Melamed says. “A lot of the backlash need,” Kaplan says. Tyler Lowell, a graduate student at the media received for how it covered Kaplan is glad interest in journalism Newhouse, says the current political the 2016 election stuck with me and has picked up, but students wanting to situation played a big role in his made me think about how I can be a have an impact can be a double-edged decision to pursue a journalism degree. better journalist.” sword, he says. “I was completely blindsided by the In addition to a surge of students “We’re journalists. If you’re going chaotic political landscape of the 2016 responding to heightened political to make a difference, you still have to election and was convinced it would tension, journalism programs are also make a difference within the ethical have a different outcome,” he says. seeing a payoff from changes they parameters, and the idea is that you “Voices and ideologies that I agree made to respond to financial challenges shouldn’t be taking sides and you with weren’t prominently featured in in the journalism world. As media shouldn’t be taking things personally.” the 2016 cycle, which I’d say prompted organizations tightened their belts and It’s an idea that’s ingrained in older some desire to bring both my own hired fewer people at lower salaries, journalists, Kaplan says, but is a little personal experiences and awakened Newhouse shifted its approach. tougher for younger students who tend curiosity about others to the table.” In the past, as long as students to want to call it like it is. Even students who weren’t initially were good writers and able to think “I love their passion, and I love drawn to journalism because of the critically, they could find jobs with that they want to make a difference. political climate say it has news organizations that would Journalism is always a profession you affected how they approach then provide more specific can make a difference in,” Kaplan reporting. Gilat Melamed, training, Kaplan says. As says. “But I also don’t want them to a Newhouse undergraduate, full-time positions became cross the line.”● applied for college before increasingly competitive and Democratic nominee more journalists turned to Alice Pettway is a contributing writer Hillary Clinton or Trump freelancing, the academic for INSIGHT Into Diversity. even announced their approach had to become more Gilat Melamed candidacies. She participated entrepreneurial. Newhouse in Newhouse’s student-run students are now trained

insightintodiversity.com 35 special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

Freelance journalist Pete Vernon (left) conducts an interview. After writing for the Columbia Journalism Review for three years, he relocated to Botswana, where he works as a journalist and a teacher.

In Lieu of ‘Objectivity,’ Journalism Professors Argue for Credibility and Directness By Ginger O’Donnell

In late January 2017, a reporter human rights. He wrote, “Can people our understanding of how journalism for American Public Media’s business of color be expected to give credence works by insisting that it needs radio show “Marketplace” wrote a to ‘both sides’ of a dispute with a to be upheld,” she says. Zelizer is blog post on the website Medium White supremacist?” the Raymond Williams Professor entitled “Objectivity Is Dead, and I’m Wallace was later fired on the of Communication and director Okay with It.” The reporter, Lewis grounds that he had violated of the Center for Media at Risk Wallace, argued that all journalists Marketplace’s code of ethics, which at the University of Pennsylvania bring a unique perspective to their requires staffers to keep their political (Penn) Annenberg School for work and are capable of upholding views private. He now works as an Communication. the truth without positioning independent journalist in Durham, N.C. The term “view from nowhere” themselves as neutral. Media scholars have historically describes the absence of perspective He asserted that journalists found the journalistic framework of that can come from upholding a who come from underrepresented “objectivity” to be problematic. Barbie perfect ideal of objectivity, according groups.— Wallace himself is Zelizer, PhD, has “long argued to Jay Rosen, a media critic and transgender — are incapable of being against the standard of objectivity associate professor of journalism at “neutral or centrist” when covering and neutrality, maintaining that New York University. issues, events, or individuals that it’s an unachievable ideal. … We’re Journalists run the risk of represent a threat to their fundamental actually introducing more harm to behaving more like stenographers

36 April 2019 Congratulations to the University than writers when they take a “view about Mexicans being rapists or former of Mississippi School of Journalism from nowhere.” In other words, they President Barack Obama not being a and New Media’s Assistant Dean engage in a “he said, she said” pattern U.S. citizen, freelance journalist and Patricia Thompson for being honored of reporting in which they present former CJR reporter Pete Vernon argues as Educator of the Year at the opposing, mutually exclusive views that it is paramount for journalists 33rd annual Southeast Journalism without shedding light on their topic. to use words like “racist” and “lie” to Conference. Pat also recently took Other media experts go further, categorize such claims. on the role of executive director saying journalists increasingly need to “When you have enough evidence for the Accrediting Council on protect themselves and stand up for about a person’s statements and Education in Journalism and Mass the profession in an era when their beliefs, as we did with Donald Trump Communications. integrity is in question. well before he ran for president, it’s fair to say that certain actions he has A Theory of Objectivity taken are not ‘racially charged,’ not In journalism historian Daniel ‘racially tinged.’ They are racist,” he Hallins’ theory of objectivity, political says, “and that’s factually supported discourse falls into three categories: with evidence.” the “sphere of consensus,” the “sphere Furthermore, Vernon believes of legitimate controversy,” and the that journalists are failing on some “sphere of deviance.” level when they use vague adjectives The “sphere of deviance” encompasses like “controversial” if an action or speech that journalists are expected to statement is more aptly described as “disregard or denounce” because the “racist” or “untrue.” facts in such language cannot stand in “This isn’t true of every statement debate. For instance, President Donald the president makes, and I don’t Trump’s frequent assertions that think you need to say that he as a Mexican immigrants are “criminals” person is racist. He provides enough could be considered to fall into the opportunities to call certain actions or sphere of deviance because it is not a statements themselves racist,” he adds. legitimate claim. Journalists must still be fair and Over time, political issues can move truthful in their accounts and avoid from deviance to legitimate controversy staking out a political position to consensus, according to Hallins’ unless they specifically identify as “Journalism has been my passion since I was theory. Two examples of this include an advocacy journalist, says Jack elected editor of my school the issue of women’s voting rights Doppelt, PhD, a professor in the social newsletter when I was 11 and full U.S. citizenship for African justice and investigative reporting years old. I’ve been teaching Timothy Ivy by photography Americans. Those topics moved from concentration at Northwestern here and in charge of being controversial in the past to being University’s Medill School of student media for almost 10 generally accepted today. In other Journalism, Media, and Integrated years, and it has truly been a words, society came to a consensus. Marketing Communications. dream job.”

Columbia Journalism Review writer But Doppelt says even truthful, fact- – Pat Thompson, Assistant Dean at David Mindich argues that certain based reporting involves some element the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media circumstances allow for journalists to of individual perspective. “I’m sure call out deviant speech and advocate that the facts I would choose will be against it while still remaining fair and different from the facts that somebody credible in the eyes of their readers. else would choose because we’re all To learn more about the One such circumstance is when idiosyncratic individuals,” he says. outstanding achievements of public opinion supports the idea Journalists can achieve credibility our faculty, students and sta that a politician’s speech is deviant. with readers if they collect and visit jnm.olemiss.edu He writes, “That the vast majority organize facts in a way that is careful to of Democrats and quite a few avoid distortions of the truth. Doppelt Republicans ... speak out publicly is in the process of articulating a set against Trump gives cover to of norms and ethics for social justice SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM journalists who choose to depart from journalism to ensure that students AND NEW MEDIA the usual practice of studied balance.” can illuminate the experiences of When it comes to Trump’s comments disenfranchised and oppressed

insightintodiversity.com 37 attitude of deference in their efforts to be “moderate,” Zelizer says. A February 2017 Reuters message to its reporters supports Zelizer’s belief that journalism in the Trump era is a whole new ball game. The message, titled “Covering Trump the Reuters Way,” reminds reporters that “Reuters is a global news organization that reports independently and fairly in more than 100 countries, including many in which the media is unwelcome and frequently under attack.” The U.S. has entered a new era in which it is no longer leading the rest of the world when it comes to The Center for Media at Risk’s December 2018 symposium, “Red Lines: Cartooning at the democratic ideal of a free press, Risk.” Three political cartoonists and an organizer/writer who focuses on cartoonists’ Zelizer says. She asserts that academics rights participate in a Q&A session. and media practitioners, specifically journalists, are the two most detested and disrespected populations worldwide. To address these challenges populations while still maintaining a them.— is evidence that he resorts to and combat political intimidation certain level of detachment. the pejorative “fake news” term when toward journalists across the globe, she Such norms and ethics differ presented with “accurate coverage that founded the Center for Media at Risk somewhat from the standards of he doesn’t like.” at Penn in 2018. mainstream journalism. A social Zelizer argues the U.S. and the rest The center not only focuses justice-oriented journalist telling of the world are living in an era where on threats to journalism, but the story of an undocumented the credibility of journalists doing fair also on the difficulties facing individual may be more open to and truthful reporting is being attacked documentary filmmakers, the accepting the input of anonymous by powerful figures who feel personally entertainment industry, and digital sources for safety reasons. Checking threatened by their coverage. media practitioners. Recent events for accuracy when using anonymous She believes that when journalists try sponsored included a two-day sources is one example of a skill that to be “objective” under these political workshop about best practices for Medill students in the social justice circumstances, they usually end up protecting investigative journalists specialization learn in order to create adopting an attitude of deference to and documentarians and a symposium journalism that remains credible the people in power, which prevents about political cartoonists at risk, both while still attending to the needs of them from doing their job of telling the in the U.S. and around the world. The vulnerable communities. truth. Thus, she argues for journalism center is also co-hosting an ongoing that is fair and truthful, but also series at Penn to explore data at risk of Objectivity in the Trump Era unapologetically direct. elimination, particularly data related to In a recent Washington Post opinion Beyond being credible, Zelizer climate change. piece titled “Trump Doesn’t Believe encourages journalists to stand their Zelizer believes that the challenges His Own Damaging Rants about ground when political figures try facing journalists go beyond ‘Fake News,’” media columnist to intimidate them. She does not the debate about objectivity and Margaret Sullivan argues that think journalists are doing enough to accounting for perspective in the Trump’s accusations of media bias challenge people like Trump when news. “It’s really a larger question of are a direct response to responsible, they distort the truth or attack various what has to be the role of the media fact-based reporting that proves to be underrepresented groups. when you’ve got democracies that are inconvenient or unflattering to him. The soft-handed approach is turning autocratic.”● Trump’s inconsistency with the directly tied to the “unrealistic ideal” “fake news” label — for example, of journalistic objectivity, which not Ginger O’Donnell is a senior staff granting high profile interviews to The only creates an “absence of perspective” writer for INSIGHT Into Diversity. New York Times and later disparaging but also causes journalists to adopt an

38 April 2019 COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Clemson University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top-25 public universities in the nation for 11 straight years. The University has been classified as a Carnegie R1 research university that creates economic opportunities. Faculty, staff and students contribute to Clemson’s national reputation as a great place to study, live and work, and the University invites others to learn more about career opportunities at clemson.edu/careers. To promote inclusive April 25–26, 2019 excellence, the University’s Men of Color National Summit works The summit is open to high school to increase the number of African-American and Hispanic males and college students, community who finish high school and attend college. leaders and professionals. The 2019 summit features 30 breakout CLEMSON LEADING THE WAY speakers and incredible keynotes: • Call Me MISTER® increases the pool of available teachers from a broader, Melissa Harris-Perry, Geoffrey more diverse background. Canada, Ron Estrada, Pedro Noguera • The Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black Experience in Education examines issues that impact the educational experiences of and Freeman Hrabowski African-Americans. • Clemson Career Workshop supports college readiness of high-achieving clemson.edu/menofcolor students from diverse populations. • Emerging Scholars helps establish a college-going culture among students National Media Sponsor from the state’s economically disadvantaged areas. • The Erwin Center Summer Scholars Program gives students from HBCUs and other universities an opportunity to engage with marketing, advertising and communication professionals. • The Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center supports and advocates for all Clemson students’ needs while providing diverse and experiential learning opportunities. • PEER/WISE provides collaborative experiences for underrepresented students and women in science and engineering. • Tiger Alliance mentors and prepares African-American and Hispanic high 2018 ® school males for college entrance and success. Top Colleges for Diversity special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

Nick McCarvel interviews tennis legend Serena Williams at Wimbledon in London in 2018. (Photo by Ben Solomon)

INSIGHT Into Diversity invited journalists from across the news industry to share advice and write PROFESSIONAL Journalists about their experiences as underrepresented storytellers in the field. Responses from nine professionals offer inspiration and guidance for Share Their Advice for Success aspiring diverse journalists.

Alicia Montgomery is senior to interview or report on people with visible. Get an informal hype squad, editor and producer for NPR’s bigoted ideas about your community. a group of trusted fellow journalists Morning Edition. You’ve got to save your patience and across different newsrooms. Be Journalism is a tough, demanding your game face for them. intentional about boosting each other business, and you need to love Pick your battles. Vent with your on different social media platforms, it or do something else. people outside your newsroom. You tweeting and posting links to each Your newsroom may not can find them on your own, but other’s work. Be sure to share be a comfortable place, it helps when you join whatever information about opportunities with and your colleagues may journalist group is associated your squad, too. say ignorant things to with your identity. That’s even if If you want to go fast, go alone. If or about you or ask you your beat has nothing to do with you want to go far, go together. insulting questions based on your identity, and even if you are not Steven Thrasher is the their misperceptions about your a joiner. These groups will help you Daniel H. Renberg Chair at identity. Don’t let it knock you off connect with people who will be able to Northwestern University’s Medill your game. tell you which newsrooms would hold School of Journalism, Media, When someone hits you with real opportunities and where you might Integrated Marketing gendered, racist, homophobic, or encounter unexpected challenges. Communications. ableist remarks, walk away whenever A mistake that a lot of young you can. Minimize your contact with journalists make is thinking your Work for editors, problematic people in your newsroom, great work will speak for itself. That’s not for publications. keep it civil, but don’t invest too wrong, especially if you’re part of a Establish relationships much energy in “educating” them. marginalized community. So, make with editors. A good Depending on your beat, you may have sure your “greatest hits” are always editor — especially one

40 April 2019 who is interested in Black or LGBTQ writers — is valuable. As a writer, a relationship with an editor can last a lifetime. It will move between publications. But trying to write for a “good” publication is less valuable. You can't really have a relationship with an institution.

Damaso Reyes is director of partnerships at The News Literacy Project, a Washington, D.C.-based national education nonprofit. The biggest challenge I had was working my whole career as a freelancer. I've never had a staff job in Jarrad Henderson shows students of the Urban Health Media Project how to frame video journalism and that made interviews during a demonstration in Washington, D.C., on October 2, 2018. it difficult to place my work. I overcame it by joining a professional your research and figure out why Inferno: A Firefighter’s Story organization (in my someone you look up to is where of the Brotherhood that Saved case, the National they are. Learning from others is the Fort McMurray. Association of biggest opportunity you have when My dad, a successful restaurateur Black Journalists). A just starting out. And nine with a tenth-grade education, told me professional organization times out of ten (OK, something to the effect of, “Walk with can give you important opportunities probably eight) that your head up, work with your head not just to network but to develop person wants to down.” He immigrated alone to Canada skills and find mentors. help you, too. at 16 knowing he had to carry himself It's important to realize that you are One challenge confidently to overcome prejudices, not alone. There are other journalists I faced was not but he never wasted energy comparing Photo by out there who have been where getting my "dream Carlos Gonzalez himself to anyone who you are and are eager to share their job" out of college might distract him experiences and help you. You do not and having to recalibrate. I was set on from his goals. need to reinvent the wheel. It's really working with a particular publication, If you’re important to ask for advice from those but it wasn't meant to be. So, I had lucky enough who have traveled this road before to make the best of the situation and to be a child of you. And when you have succeeded continue to create opportunities. I chose immigrants, then don't forget to pay it forward. to see it as a chance to better myself in you probably bore Photo by Figure out the stories that only different ways, even though at the time witness to insane Curtis Comeau you can tell. All of us have a unique it felt like a punch in the gut. work ethic. Tap that perspective that can aid our storytelling. If you're different from the rest of immigrant ambition and To have longevity in this increasingly the field, then embrace that. That will channel it in your pursuit of stories, competitive and fraught industry, it’s make you stand out. Beyond anything sources, and truth. It's the edge you important to understand what you are else, be respectful, hard-working, need in this climate. passionate about and what advantages persistent and creative. Those things your perspective and background will get you far — no matter what type Yoruba Richen is a distinguished provides you as a journalist. of work it is you want to do. lecturer and director of the documentary program at The Nick McCarvel is an openly gay Omar Mouallem is a Canadian City University of New York Craig sports reporter for NBC, writer whose work has been Newmark School of Journalism. The New York Times, and USA published in Rolling Stone, Her latest film,The Green Book: Today Sports. The Guardian, and WIRED, Guide to Freedom, was released among other publications. Don't be afraid to ask. Ask for advice. in February 2019. He is co-author of Inside the Offer to take someone to coffee. Do One of the major obstacles I’ve had to

insightintodiversity.com 41 overcome is self-confidence and the finding your voice. Put the work first, and filmmaker for USA Today. way women and people of color can feel and always find a way to create. He is currently chair of the like we don’t deserve to be in the room Lastly, appreciate the newspaper. National Association of Black because we are so often Journalists’ Visual Task Force Raphael Rowe is an investigative underrepresented. It’s and a Donald W. Reynolds journalist for the BBC and host an ongoing process Journalism Institute Fellow at of the Netflix documentary and I’ve talked to University of Missouri-Columbia. series Inside the World’s other people of When I was a staff photographer Toughest Prisons. He was color and women at The Detroit Free Press, I made every incarcerated at age 18 but was in this industry mistake a first-year photojournalist later released when the charges who agree that being could make. I missed deadlines, against him were overturned. He able to feel affirmed and misspelled names, and even missed studied journalism while in jail. confident in your ability is something entire assignments. I went through a that’s always a work in progress. The BBC had never employed a person period where I had severe imposter Be a risk taker and don’t be afraid with my background before, especially syndrome. The best advice I received of “failure” as part of the process on a flagship program like The Today can be reduced to two words: Slow because only then do you fulfill Programme. To fit in, I thought I down. I didn’t realize it at the time, what your dreams and goals are. You should look and sound like all those but I was trying so hard to prove shouldn’t be confined even if it seems around me, but I was advised to stay myself (and moving at scary to take risks because of the true to who I am and what I believe 1,000 miles a minute) job market and how the industry is because that separated my qualities that I was forcing changing. If you take risks and you’re and the difference I had to offer. I did errors upon myself. It passionate about a story, it will get and I went on to create history as the was in that spirit done and it will get out there. first Black journalist with dreadlocks that one of my early to trailblaze my way through the most photo editors instilled Anayansi Diaz-Cortes is a reporter prestigious radio and TV programs a sense of excellence and producer for the Center broadcast by the BBC. in me. As a person of color, for Investigative Journalism. Throughout my and in a field where I am not Originally from Mexico City, she career it has proven well-represented, the idea of being is a recipient of the Overseas difficult to get excellent is important to consider. Press Club Award and the those in a position How does one become excellent? Edward R. Murrow Award. of power within the Well, it’s in the details. Being excellent I developed a passion for oral history broadcast industry is not about winning awards or earning and documentary, so radio journalism to report on subjects a singular achievement, but rather is was a natural fit. I quickly realized about communities that an accumulation of all the little things this was a not a realistic expectation traditionally didn't conform to the that you decide to pay attention to and because the path into this world average viewer or listener. Convincing knock out of the park. was dominated by highly educated editors who commission reports and The advice I would give to aspiring Caucasian males. I was destined for documentaries to change the narrative journalists who are underrepresented the outreach coordinator position, like and stereotypes about issues or people in our field is to seek out mentorship. so many women of color around me. was a challenge. The idea that you have to figure out I was adamant about transitioning I overcame these challenges [by] your craft on your own is a lie. Find to journalism, and I did. There were remaining steadfast in my beliefs and organizations and individuals whom power dynamics and a real glass authenticity. My route into journalism you trust who can help you along ceiling. I kept reading, I kept learning, was unconventional and so it was often your journey. and I let my work speak for itself. challenging to get my voice heard Secondly, be coachable. I never Be curious about your own story among those whose education made received a job offer because I was the and find ways to tell it. Ask yourself them feel superior. I used my life most talented or the most decorated, what stories pique your interests and experiences and acquired skills from but because I listened. Leave your go deep. Embed your whole being the streets and my time in prison to ego alone. Stop feeding it now. You’re into those interests and LISTEN. stand strong and deliver. not as dope as you think you are and Hoard conversations and go on the that’s OK. Jarrad Henderson is an Emmy- record when appropriate. Stay outside The last and final key: Do good work. award winning visual journalist your comfort zone and be fearless in Ultimately it will speak for itself.●

42 April 2019 From Here, It’s Possible.

Photo by Curtis Comeau

The College of Media & Communication is continually striving to improve diversity, inclusion and equity in its academic environments and through communication research. We proudly offer world-class research labs, state-of-the-art facilities and immersive learning experiences that are helping shape the future of communication. The Center for Communication Research, Communication Training Center and the Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication train students to master skills and tech- niques that foster excellence in the classroom, in research and in the field.

comc.ttu.edu

2018 ® Top Colleges for Diversity special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

Journalism Schools Find New Approaches to Covering Underrepresented Audiences By Sheryl Jackson

A study of Chicago’s media

landscape shows people of color in more demographically diverse neighborhoods feel journalists are not doing a good job of covering their communities. Residents of the city’s west and south were more likely to agree that stories in their neighborhoods are too negative or that there isn’t enough coverage, according to the study by the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). But those same respondents were also some of the most interested in donating to, volunteering for, or otherwise becoming involved in news organizations, researchers found. Misrepresenting or underrepresenting diverse audiences is a missed opportunity Naomi Yane, a 2018 CUNY graduate, on assignment in the Bronx in New York City (Photo courtesy Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY) for news outlets, not just in Chicago, especially as the business model shifts in favor of subscription- and donation- based revenue. But if journalism students are trained to cover diverse areas, they reporters or by establishing relationships publication,” he says. This shift means can help their organizations tap into in neighborhoods to better prepare readers want local news media that new audiences and the potential for students for effective local news include stories that some sources revelatory reporting. coverage that is empathetic to the needs aren’t covering. “The results clearly show how of diverse communities, says Damian “Journalists must be able to go into imperative it is for journalism students Radcliffe, the Carolyn communities, talk with people and to be trained on how to cover news S. Chambers Professor establish relationships to build the in different areas of a city and how in Journalism and a trust that is needed to identify and to identify the need for coverage professor of practice at develop meaningful local news of different issues in different the University of Oregon. stories,” Radcliffe says. neighborhoods,” says Natalie (Talia) “We need to talk Empathy in Journalism Jomini Stroud, PhD, about how it is director of the Center important to listen Damian As traditional print newspapers for Media Engagement to our audience Radcliffe serving local areas change and and associate professor to provide stories shrink, journalism students will of communication that cover issues have to find new ways to listen studies and journalism at important to them because the to disenfranchised communities, UT Austin. news media business model is says Carrie L. Brown, director of the

Journalism schools can Natalie (Talia) shifting from an advertiser- journalism master’s program at City engage the community Jomini Stroud supported publication to University of New York (CUNY). by recruiting volunteer a subscription-supported “The same core skills required for

44 April 2019 journalism are important, but we boundaries to make sure sources audiences’ trust in media and inspire are flipping the script by teaching know you’re a journalist writing a community leaders to solve problems. students that they no longer should story about them. Be clear about The assignments Radcliffe gives be writing for peers or editors but what story you want to tell from students on this topic require should be looking the get-go. interacting with residents and at local residents developing relationships for complex for story ideas and • Be willing to connect emotionally.— stories, he adds. Professors must be sources to be able in person — to your sources. prepared to give their classes more to write articles time to complete assignments as well that meet their • Focus on having a conversation as additional mentoring and coaching. needs,” Brown says. rather than simply interviewing Not only do journalism students learn Carrie Brown Deliberate efforts someone and asking questions. how to investigate an issue in these to empathize assignments, but they learn to gain their with sources can To read more about empathy in audience’s trust by providing “potential help journalists better understand journalism, visit americanpressinstitute. ways to respond” to their problems, their audience, according to the org/publications/reports/strategy- according to the Solutions Journalism American Press Institute (API). While studies/empathetic-newsroom. Network (SJN), an organization reporters should be careful to not compromise journalistic integrity, they should spend “time and energy” on considering empathy while covering underserved or underrepresented While traditional investigative journalism communities, especially if people in can leave a negative impression of a those communities feel wronged. The API outlines the following community, solutions journalism bridges strategies for empathizing with the gap by providing stories that improve sources: audiences’ trust in media and inspire • Do your research but admit you community leaders to solve problems. don’t know everything. Ask people what you’re missing.

• Be aware of the history and perspectives of the people Providing Solutions you interview but don’t make dedicated to helping journalists and assumptions about their background. When journalists dive deep into journalism professors learn about the a problem in an underserved rigorous form of reporting. • Take time to listen to people who community, the resulting investigative Solutions journalism is defined by feel they’ve been ignored, whether story will naturally draw interest. the following characteristics: you believe their perspective is the But investigative journalism alone truth or not. isn’t always helpful, Radcliffe says. • It focuses in-depth on a response to Journalists can reach a diverse a social problem. • Be conscious of how writing a story audience and also gain their trust by about a marginalized community doing investigative reporting that • It examines how the response works might affect them, positively or focuses on providing solutions to in meaningful detail. negatively. problems in the community rather than just pointing them out. • It focuses on effectiveness, not good • Be there for the good and the bad to This type of reporting, known intentions, and presenting available build trust over time. as solutions journalism, “relies on evidence of results. listening to and engaging our audience,” • Don’t just follow up with sources Radcliffe says. While traditional • It provides not just inspiration, but for more stories but follow up with investigative journalism can leave a insight others can use. them to see how they’re doing. negative impression of a community, solutions journalism bridges the gap • It discusses what’s not working • Be empathetic but maintain by providing stories that improve about proposed solutions.

insightintodiversity.com 45 The University of Denver

First semester students in a radio class at the Craig Newmark provides students with many Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY (Photo by Bob Sacha) opportunities to join with faculty and staff both in and For more information about how to teach solutions

“ journalism, visit the SJN’s free learning lab at learninglab. out of classes to address solutionsjournalism.org.

Creating a Pipeline for Diverse Journalists concerns related to Denver’s Diversifying newsrooms themselves is another way “ to reach new audiences. CUNY’s graduate school of gentrification and sustainability. journalism actively recruits students of color, Brown says, to create a pipeline of diverse talent positioned to reach the Together, we strive to upper ranks of newsroom staff. The school works with the Ida B. Wells Society, which focuses on increasing the number of people of color seeking careers in journalism. Last year, they established an annual scholarship for a full ride in the journalism MAKE A master’s program. Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to a member of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. DIFFERENCE. The university also hosts the Knight Foundation’s Summer Internship Program, which welcomes a cohort of 20 aspiring journalists from historically Black colleges or Departments of Media, Film and Journalism universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or associations for underrepresented journalists. In addition to obtaining Studies and Communication Studies internships and networking opportunities at news outlets, CUNY instructors provide digital media training to participants in the program. As journalism schools evaluate changes in the industry and identify new skills that students must develop, Brown says innovative approaches are necessary. “It is hard to change curriculum, but we can add courses, additional programs and new ways to train students on how to cover a beat by engaging their audience without changing an entire curriculum.”●

Sheryl Jackson is a contributing writer for INSIGHT www.du.edu/ahss/insight Into Diversity.

46 April 2019 3RD ANNUAL

INCLUSION TO INNOVATION SUMMIT 2019

Charleston SC

NOV 7-8

Keynote Howard Ross

Learn more or register now education.musc.edu/diversitysummit

MUSC_Insight Into Diversity_Summit_April_2019.indd 1 3/8/19 3:29 PM special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

Noticias in the News Journalism Programs Bring Latinx Voices to the Forefront

By Mariah Bohanon

For Americans who identify as Hispanic Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Latinx, quality news relevant to their and Mass Communication at Arizona State University (ASU). interests in mainstream, English-language Hired in 2008 as part of the news media can be hard to find. university’s Southwest Borderlands Initiative, Rodriguez was tasked with creating an in-depth Although nearly one in eight through specialty programs focused reporting specialty in the United States identifies as on Latinx and Hispanic communities on this subject. He Latinx or Hispanic, their perspectives and concerns. Students from assists students in are rarely included in traditional all backgrounds are working on finding sources, such as news outlets. They are also innovative storytelling that bridges diplomats and migrant underrepresented in newsrooms, with cultural and linguistic divides, while aid workers, in both Rick recent surveys showing that Hispanic university-sponsored news outlets are the U.S. and Mexico Rodriguez or Latinx employees comprise only 11 providing a platform for top-quality to interview about life percent of television news staff and journalism centered on America’s in the borderlands. He just under 6 percent at newspapers largest minority group. also requires them to study current and online news organizations. When and historical border disputes and Arizona State University it comes to coverage, research shows migration on a global scale in order to that these individuals receive minimal Perhaps nowhere is the need acquire the expertise of professional attention, and what press they do more apparent than in coverage beat reporters. Each spring, he leads garner is largely negative. of immigration and the Mexican- students on an investigative reporting This narrative of exclusion American border. Responsible mission to another country struggling may soon be a thing of the past. reporting on this topic requires an with immigration issues. Progressive journalism schools accurate, nuanced understanding of “Having an understanding of across the country are working to America’s southern border, according what’s happening on both sides bring new voices to the forefront to Rick Rodriguez, a professor in the of the border and what’s going on

48 April 2019 [with immigration] throughout the world creates a knowledge base that’s really needed for fair and thorough reporting of one of the top issues of our time,” Rodriguez says. “I think that’s one of our top missions as a journalism school — to prepare people to cover the issues in a knowledgeable way to help inform the public debate.” The in-depth reporting produced by Rodriguez’s students is featured on the Cronkite School’s media outlets, including the television broadcast and Spanish-language newscast Cronkite Noticias. Their work has won numerous national honors, including the prestigious Opposite: ASU student Molly Duerig on assignment in Peru with the Southwest Borderlands Project in March 2019. Above: Durerig interviews newly arriving Robert F. Kennedy Award for Venezuelan migrants at Aguas Verdes, Peru. (Photos by Nicole Neri) reporting on social justice issues. Rodriguez, who was a longtime editor and reporter on Mexican-American news for The reporting for regional and national Telemundo, which is owned by Sacramento Bee, places a priority on audiences whose first language is NBCUniversal, plans to launch its background research. Spanish. Most students who enroll first English-language newscast “For anybody who wants to cover an identify as Hispanic or Latinx, on YouTube later this year to issue like [immigration], you can go Alexandrino says, but the program is “tap the burgeoning Hispanic down to the border and start talking open to anyone who is already fluent youth demographic,” according to people, and that’s really important,” in the language. to an interview with network he says. “But if you really want to be An important professional representatives in Variety. [an expert] reporter, it’s not just about development resource for UF students University of Nevada, Reno getting an anecdote here or there; it’s is the institution’s partnership with about doing the necessary background Telemundo University, a training As the demand for bilingual reporters research to prepare yourself to tell a program that connects them to experts grows, journalism schools should put really complex story.” in the field. Professionals from the effort into attracting more Hispanic international news network Telemundo and Latinx students, Alexandrino University of Florida visit the university twice per semester to says. One institution keenly aware At the University of Florida teach graduating seniors about digital of this demand is The Donald W. (UF) College of Journalism and and television news production. The Reynolds School of Journalism Communications, former Univision network has already hired three of the at University of Nevada, Reno. and CNN en Español anchor Dania program’s graduates. Four years ago, the Online News Alexandrino instills the same lesson Students with these skills are likely Association awarded the school about research in her students. to be in high demand in coming a grant to establish “Latinos in this country, years. Younger Hispanic and Latinx a bilingual news particularly those who are first- audiences are more likely than older model and to gauge generation, still have that attachment generations to consume news from student interest in and to back home and want to know both Spanish- and English-language consumer demand for what’s going on there,” she says. news sources, according to a recent this type of reporting. “Even those who are second- or study by the Pew Research Center. “The idea came third-generation may not be as News networks that have traditionally about because Vanessa Vancour engaged but still want accurate, well- only produced content in one of demographically our represented news, especially in the these languages have begun forming community is about face of a major crisis or situation.” partnerships or expanding their one quarter Hispanic, UF’s Spanish-language news services to meet the needs of these but of course when you look at the program focuses specifically on new audiences. Spanish-language media landscape,

insightintodiversity.com 49 it’s pretty thin,” says Vanessa Vancour, editor of Noticiero Móvil, the news service created by the grant. Journalism Students Capture Untold Noticiero Móvil functions as both a journalism course and bilingual news agency. Under Vancour’s guidance, Stories in Hispanic and Latinx History students learn to produce audio stories for local radio and multimedia projects for the organization’s website. Following World War II, young Mexican Americans who Bilingual, English-only, Hispanic and Latinx, and other had served their country launched a largely forgotten students alike work together on producing thoughtful movement in the fight for Hispanic and Latinx civil rights. journalism for and about people in marginalized “This was the generation that came back and began communities who “do not normally have a seat at the to dismantle some of the table,” Vancour says. institutions and barriers that had “I don’t care whether or not you speak Spanish. I just want held back Mexican-Americans students who have a desire to engage with physical spaces and in the Southwest,” says Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, PhD, a professor in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) School of Journalism. Were it not for the Voces Oral History Project, the story of this generation may have been lost to history. Rivas-Rodriguez founded the project in 1999 after struggling to find information for an investigative report on “Mexican- American history and post-war civil rights,” she says. She began working with students in her “Oral History as Journalism” course to interview Hispanic Americans who lived through this era and then write about UF students prepare for a Noticias WUFT broadcast, a Spanish- their experiences for the Voces language newscast on the university’s public access channel. website. The project quickly became so popular that faculty and volunteers joined in the endeavor, sometimes traveling across the country to conduct people you may not normally be engaging with,” she says. multiple interviews. Vancour, who is Mexican-American and a former Voces offers an extensive online collection of photographs TV news anchor, initially assigns students simple and stories of Latinx and tasks.— for example, visiting a Hispanic grocery store Hispanic Americans who and striking up conversations about food — before they participated in World War II delve into actual reporting work. While Noticiero Móvil and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The website also offers covers community-centered news and events, each class hundreds of stories of those also has a beat that touches on serious issues such as who participated in largely immigration and health disparities. overlooked moments such as student walkouts in the Gathering these stories helps students discover the fight for Latinx and Hispanic equality. Aside from the technical skills students acquire by importance of shedding light on lives and issues that participating in this project, it teaches them the value are typically overlooked by English-only journalism and of capturing marginalized voices. This lesson can be mainstream media, Vancour says. especially important for students who identify as Hispanic “When I talk to people [about Noticiero Móvil], they or Latinx. “To train the next generation of these journalists and prepare them to replace us, we need to not just realize how crazy it is that we didn’t have a service prepare them for a job,” Rivas-Rodriguez says. Educators like this before, especially given the demographics of should ensure aspiring Hispanic and Latinx journalists our community,” Vancour says, “and it is even more know their people’s history, she says, in order to fully surprising that this isn’t more common when you look understand the value of telling their stories. ● All Voces Oral History Project materials are available for at the landscape of our country.” public access at voces.lib.utexas.edu.

Mariah Bohanon is the associate editor of INSIGHT Into Diversity.

50 April 2019 special report: Schools of Journalism and Communications

The Public Relations Industry Is Too White

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and the Solution Starts with Higher Education

By Kelsey Landis

Imagine there’s a public crisis begins in colleges and universities. “One of the [webinar attendees] in the city of Hialeah in Miami-Dade Underrepresented students are said, ‘How is this different than 30 County, Fla., where 96 percent of the “less likely to build a professional years ago? We were community identifies as Hispanic network in PR, build a strong talking about the or Latinx. Who would be the best support group among other public exact same thing,’” spokesperson to communicate with relations students, and experience McCorkindale citizens on what to do and how to stay comfort interacting with other says. “It was a little safe? Research indicates people prefer students in the classroom and in shocking to me.” But to hear news and information from extracurricular activities,” according what was acceptable Tina individuals similar to themselves. to a 2019 study by the University of 30 years ago is no McCorkindale The problem is that public Alabama and North Carolina A&T longer acceptable relations (PR) remains a majority- University published in the Journal of now, she adds, and White profession. A 2018 Harvard Public Relations Education. people are more aware, although there Business Review analysis of federal Combined, employer bias and a is still a lot of “work and action that labor statistics found the industry still mostly White talent pipeline needs to be done.” is 87.9 percent White, 8.3 percent create barriers for racial diversity in “It’s not just a woman, an African African American, 2.6 percent Asian PR. Industry leaders are still trying to American, or a Hispanic thing,” American, and 5.7 percent Hispanic or figure out best practices for breaking McCorkindale says. “It takes a Latinx. Industry leaders are still trying them down, but unlike in decades whole industry.” to figure out how to improve those past, increased awareness of the issue Promoting diverse voices isn’t only numbers, which become even more and research on solutions have now important in communicating with the stark in the C-suite. Though women made action possible. public, but it also helps private sector make up 70 percent of the entire PR agencies gain a competitive edge, Changing Expectations workforce, they represent only 30 says Maria De Moya, PhD, associate percent of agency executives. Tina McCorkindale, president of the professor of communications at DePaul Despite the expectation that the Institute for Public Relations, believes University in Chicago. De Moya is United States will become a minority agencies are trying to improve racial also director of the Latino Media White country in the next two to diversity, but she recalls a moment and Communication Program at DePaul. three decades, progress on hiring during a question-and-answer Agencies with multicultural more people of color in PR has session after a webinar on women in employees have an advantage because been slow. In addition to bias at the leadership when her belief was called their audiences are diverse. Varying executive level, part of the problem into question. viewpoints in the office help connect

52 April 2019 with those audiences. to do or a specific role. He talked “The people we’re trying to get to his boss about his feeling that more INSIGHT: DIVERSIFY PR to buy laundry detergent come from the position was a “token” job. The different backgrounds, different fellowship improved after that. experiences,” De Moya says, using “He was willing to advocate for Research on solutions for improving diversity in public the example of selling Tide-brand himself,” De Moya says. “Students relations include: detergent. “Americans and millennials have to be proactive to be successful. are all for trying something new. For We’re training them to work in the • “Racial and Gender-Based Latinos, especially for household second largest PR industry in the Differences in the Collegiate products and food, we tend to be country. They’re competing with all Development of Public Relations Majors: Implications for traditional and say, ‘I wash my clothes the other students in the region and Underrepresented Recruitment with Tide because my mom washed my young professionals looking to enter and Retention” by Kenon Brown (University of Alabama), Damion Waymer (North Carolina A&T University), and Ziyuan Zhou (University of Alabama)

• “Mind the Gap: Women in Leadership in Public Relations” by the Institute for Public Relations and KPMG

• “Bridging the Divide: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Diversity Research and the Implications for Public Relations” Dean Mundy, PhD, assistant professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University Maria De Moya (second from right) poses with students in her Communication of Oregon Campaigns for Social Change class at DePaul University in Chicago. (Photo courtesy Maria De Moya) • Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership by the Public Relations Society of America Foundation clothes with Tide.’ If you don’t know the market.” The average DePaul how to culturally read your audience, public relations student completes two • “Fixing the Flawed Approach then you’re going to have a problem.” or three internships before graduation. to Diversity” by the Boston Consulting Group White researchers can discover these Tactics for Real Change types of cultural messages, but employing people from the different target audiences Some students simply don’t know helps agencies take a shortcut to a more public relations is an option as an area nuanced understanding. of study because much of the work Anecdotally, De Moya has heard happens behind the scenes. students under the guidance of De Moya. positive and negative reactions from her To introduce PR before college, Basto says she has learned through her students of color who go on to work for another communications professor research for the competition that “the major firms. One Latino applying for at DePaul, Ron Culp, PhD, started a driving force in the lack of awareness in a job took it upon himself to talk with program aimed at underrepresented diversity is the fact that White people pharmacists in Hispanic communities high schoolers at the Midtown are uncomfortable talking about diversity in Chicago about how customers there Center for Boys in Chicago. Another with multicultural people.” shopped. His cultural know-how and initiative, the Bateman Competition In their campaign, Basto and her innovation landed him the job. organized by the Public Relations teammates — Katrina Marcotte, An African American student of Student Society of America (PRSSA), Colleen Raymond, Alicia Maciel, De Moya’s didn’t have as much luck gives students an opportunity to and Meagan Perkins — will bring in a fellowship aimed at recruiting develop campaigns for real clients. a lightweight couch around campus underrepresented employees. He Camille Basto, a public relations and encourage people to sit with said he was hired and celebrated, but student at DePaul, is participating in them and talk about what diversity his supervisors never gave him work the competition along with four other means to them. “We are trying to

insightintodiversity.com 53 Committed to Success The College of Communications stands out with its remarkable record of underrepresented student success.

• #1 in the nation and California for awarding the most bachelor’s degrees to minority communications and journalism students.1 • #4 in the nation for

bachelor’s degrees awarded Camille Howard shows off her presentation as students in to underrepresented students.2 DePaul University’s Public Relations and Advertising Graduate Program present their work during the third annual e-Portfolio Showcase in 2016 at the University Center on DePaul’s Loop campus. (Jamie Moncrief/DePaul University) 1 Diverse: Issues In Higher Education’s “Top 100 Producers of Bachelor’s Degrees” (August 2018) 2 Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (August 2018)

break down barriers and invite all ethnicities to talk about diversity and inclusion in PR,” Basto says. For more information on the campaign, search the hashtag 2018 ® communications.fullerton.edu Top Colleges for Diversity #PRGetsComfortable on Twitter. Despite programs like the Bateman Competition and a growing conversation among professionals, the industry still has a long way to go, De Moya and McCorkindale agree. The unconscious bias training some agencies conduct isn’t always enough. Rather, employers and universities must focus on inclusion and retention as much as recruitment and numbers. McCorkindale says leaders 2019 heed Award must “know the research” in order to make real change. Research shows employers hire or affiliate with people who are like themselves, so White and male leaders need applications to be self-aware in hiring and growing people unlike themselves. Executives also need to go out of their way to champion individual women and employees of color who available NOW! face bigger biases in moving up through the ranks. Agencies should also be aware that the approach to The INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education diversity is often flawed because it sometimes looks at Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards will the numbers of nonwhite men instead of looking at recognize colleges and universities that the implementation process overall. Interview panels demonstrate an outstanding commitment to should themselves be diverse to attract a multitude diversity and inclusion across their campuses. of candidates, and companies should consider blind screening of applicants. Visit insightintodiversity.com/heedaward to apply. Regularly surveying employees is another tactic for ensuring diverse hires feel included, McCorkindale says, “to see what’s needed and what can be improved.” Higher education is no exception, De Moya says. Health Professions Admins need to focus on hiring faculty of color for public relations and communications programs so diverse students are better able to connect, network, and mentor with the person they see at the front of the classroom, according to 2019 ® 2019 ® the study in the Journal of Public Relations Education.

54 April 2019 The study makes additional backgrounds to interact by creating recommendations for PR educators: diverse groups for projects.

• Inform underrepresented students • Proactively discuss racial and of the opportunities available to gain gender differences and disparities professional experience and guidance. in the industry.

• Increase diversity in the classroom With such tools and ongoing by including discussions about it research, progress could be slow to in mainstream PR courses and begin and steady if it continues, De including courses on diversity in Moya says, but the work has to be the curricula. intentional and go beyond just talk. “We’re quick to congratulate • Recruit underrepresented students ourselves about having the to join extracurricular groups. conversation,” De Moya says. “I’m happy we are starting. I’m thrilled • Create Bateman case study we’re starting, but I don’t think we’ve competition teams or host PRSSA achieved anything by looking at activities underrepresented students diversity without inclusion.”● might be interested in. Students visit Avantgarde agency in Kelsey Landis is the editor-in-chief of Munich, Germany during the summer study • Introduce opportunities INSIGHT Into Diversity. abroad program International Advertising. (Juan Mundel/DePaul University) for students from different

NO STORY UNTOLD At AU, inclusion is infused in the way we teach and the stories we tell. Kristian Hernández came to the AU School of Communication for his master’s in journalism and public affairs to develop skills that would empower him to cover immigration in a way that gives voice to those who are too often silenced.

He is an AU inclusive storyteller.

▶ READ MORE AT SOC.AMERICAN.EDU/DIVERSITY

insightintodiversity.com 55 201 INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON Reflections on HEED Award, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Indiana University, we have seen Asian Culture Center and the Latino As they carry out this work, La Casa and firsthand how a deep commitment to Cultural Center, commonly known as the Asian Culture Center are not only diversity and inclusion not only betters La Casa—celebrate anniversaries this supporting students of one particular our institution, but more importantly, year, marking decades of dedication heritage, but rather their programming makes a transformative impact on the to the work that helps bring our brings a celebration of history and students, faculty, and staff that call institutional commitment to diversity culture to our community that engages our campuses home. This is why we and inclusion to fruition. people of all backgrounds. In this regard, are honored to be in good company First and foremost, centers like the the work done by centers like La Casa among the universities recognized as Asian Culture Center and La Casa and the Asian Culture Center is critical to HEED Award recipients by INSIGHT Into play the critical role of supporting the building cross-campus relationships and Diversity magazine. It is encouraging communities for which they are home. ensuring that historically underserved to see that so many other institutions Since its founding in 1973, for example, communities are properly recognized at recognize the value of diversity and La Casa has lived up to its namesake, IU. inclusion in higher education. When one acting as a home away from home for La Casa and the Asian Culture Center of us helps make the world a more IU Bloomington’s Latino community. are but two of the many programs diverse and welcoming place, we all Whether they are facing financial Indiana University has implemented in its benefit. troubles or grappling with our difficult commitment to diversity and inclusion. Every day, individuals throughout the IU political climate, students can feel In doing this work, these centers carry Bloomington campus are on the front confident that La Casa will do everything out the true spirit of this commitment— line of this work, developing one-on- it can to remove any obstacle to their helping individuals from all backgrounds one relationships with members of our education. The same is true of the Asian succeed and find a home at Indiana community to ensure that they have the Culture Center, which celebrates 20 University. While we are honored that resources to succeed. years of excellence this fall. By providing their work has been recognized by this IU Bloomington’s cultural centers, which a home for a fast-growing community award, we know that the true reward of are supported by the Office of the Vice on our campus, the Asian Culture this commitment is student, faculty, and President for Diversity, Equity, and Center ensures that Asian and Asian staff success. Multicultural Affairs, lap y a critical role American students are able to find a in this work. Two of these centers—the space to support their success at Indiana University. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 57

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The Bateman Competition Asks Bright

Minds to Solve PR’s Biggest Issues By Kelsey Landis

The Temple University Bateman Competition team meets in class to discuss their project. Pictured are Mary Kate O’Malley and Lailumah Faisal (back row), Rose McBride, Christina Borst, and Erica DeAngelo (middle row) and professor David Brown.

More than 75 teams from universities course dedicated solely to preparing conversation has been surrounding around the country submit their a campaign for the competition. the industry for a good deal of bids every year to win the Bateman David Brown, assistant professor time now, but we haven’t seen it Competition, a contest that adds of instruction at Temple’s college move beyond the conversation to powerful real-world experience to of media and communications, is sustainable solutions.” student résumés and portfolios. The leading this year’s team, which In their responses, students competition is organized by the Public consists of six young women. said they weren’t aware there Relations Student Society of America “I think for the first time, [the was a diversity issue, and so the (PRSSA) and was founded in 1973 as industry] is really actively engaging team plans to introduce the idea the National Case Study. student voices,” Brown says. “They’re of “being comfortable with being For the 2019 competition, PRSSA going to be the ones shaping the uncomfortable” to bring discussions partnered with its charitable arm, the future of the industry.” to the classroom. This semester, Public Relations Society of America Existing research around diversity they will visit PR classrooms to give foundation, which is dedicated to in PR at the higher education level is presentations on “the hidden figures” improving ethnic and racial diversity relatively scarce, so the team had to in PR — the nonwhite male figures who in the public relations (PR) industry. make their own, says team member are shaping the industry. The challenge calls on teams to Lailumah Faisal. They surveyed 150 PR All competition campaigns will go develop a campaign that focuses on undergraduates to “start a dialogue into effect from Feb. 11 to March 11. diversity in PR and promotes Diverse around the issue and see how aware Judges will select three finalists on Voices: Profiles in Leadership, a book they are of and how they feel about April 17 and will announce first, second, produced by the foundation. Temple diversity,” Faisal says. and third place winners in mid-May. University in Philadelphia, Pa. is Christina Borst, another member, For more information about the one of dozens of institutions with says their hope is to stoke awareness Bateman Competition and for results, a team competing for the win. At among students and faculty by visit prssa.prsa.org/scholarships-and- Temple, students enroll in a yearlong providing actionable steps. “This awards/bateman-competition.●

58 April 2019

“ WITH PERSISTENCE, CIVILITY AND INTEGRITY.

If we could move from tolerance to understanding, wouldn’t the world be different? “As a graduate student in the Bob Schieffer College of ’’ Communication, L. Michelle Smith learned how important it is for organizations to tell their stories authentically and inclusively. Today, as a director of public relations for AT&T Global Marketing Organization, her work gives voice to diversity and helps the company speak to nine diverse segments, from multicultural to generational.

See Michelle’s full story at LeadOn.tcu.edu/understanding. Strong diversity leadership MAKES A DIFFERENCE

OSU has a strong diversity champion. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Jason F. Kirksey came to OSU as a walk- on football player in 1985. He left with two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in political science. Dr. Kirksey went on to earn a doctorate in political science from the University of New Orleans in 1997, and since 2009 has championed inclusiveness as OSU’s Vice President of Institutional Diversity. In 2018, Dr. Kirksey received the Access, Diversity and Excellence Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Public Land-grant Universities. This award is presented to one recipient nationally who broadened access and opportunity, and contributed to the achievement of diversity. While his list of diversity awards is impressive, Dr. Kirksey’s efforts make a meaningful difference where it matters most – impacting dialogue, collaboration, and how we treat one another as students, faculty, and staff on our campus.