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University of Mississippi journalism graduate creates Gulf Coast publication Seaside Social News

Posted on: January 5th, 2022 by ldrucker

A University of Mississippi journalism graduate has started an online publication on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that showcases its people and culture.

Amanda B. Compton-Ortiz, who moved from Memphis to Mississippi with her family when she was 12, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi in 2002. Today, she is founder/publisher of Seaside Social News, a positive, online news source she created as a tribute to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where she now resides.

She formerly served as editor of the Long Beach Breeze in Long Beach, where she lives with her husband and two German shepherds.

While her career in journalism has offered incredible opportunities over the years, from a fly-along with Air Force pilots to exclusive interviews with influential leaders in her home state and across the globe, Compton-Ortiz said she relishes most the connections she makes in the communities she serves. Creating Seaside Social News was her way of “paying it forward” coupled with her mission to promote positivity.

“Combining the crafts of photography and storytelling, we will bring the best of the Gulf Coast home to our readers,” she said. “We hope that you feel a sense of community when you venture through our stories of the vibrant coast life.”

Amanda Compton-Ortiz

Amanda Compton-Ortiz

Seaside Social News debuted July 31, 2019.

“Sometimes in the world of reporting and publishing, we get bogged down in the drudgery of the everyday news,” she said, “but Seaside Social News allows us the opportunity to explore the fun and colorful side of the area.

“In each online edition, we’ll profile interesting people and places in our communities. We’ll talk with musicians, entrepreneurs, city and county leaders, and others. We’ll spotlight local businesses and organizations. We’ll also take tons of photographs of folks attending area parties and special meetings and functions to help illustrate the best of who and what makes our beloved towns and cities special with pictures featuring our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and who knows, maybe even you.”

Compton-Ortiz was recently recognized as one of “100 Successful Women to Know 2020” by Gulf Coast Woman Magazine. She said she was also selected by the local American Cancer Society as a 2021 Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast Honoree. As one of 17 business professionals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast charged to raise funds to fight cancer, her work benefited a Mississippi Community Transportation Grant Program that awards grants to local health systems to aid in transporting patients to facilities for treatment.

She said her journalism career was shaped in the early 2000s by UM professors, such as the late Stuart Bullion and Samir A. Husni, a.k.a. “Mr. Magazine,” founder and director of the Magazine Innovation Center, among others.

“My newspaper career began as a student reporter and photographer at Ole Miss’ The Daily Mississippian,” she said.I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people and a special crop of reputable publications throughout the state, many of which were major successes in print media and who have successfully transitioned into the age of the internet.”

Some include The Democrat in Senatobia, her first reporting job as a summer intern; and the DeSoto Times-Tribune in Nesbit, where she worked in the mid-2000s as a staff reporter and photographer under the newspaper’s former name, DeSoto County Tribune, with then publisher Layne Bruce, who is now the Mississippi Press Association’s executive director.

“Having had the opportunity to study inside the university’s historic Farley Hall that houses the School of Journalism and New Media and graduate into the newspaper business during a time when printed publications were booming and the practice of ethical journalism was on the forefront to now managing my own online publication in today’s fast-paced digital world has equipped me with a unique skillset,” Compton-Ortiz said. “I feel I have much more to bring to the table in my profession, as well as a more well-rounded approach as I strive to meet the needs of our readers and grow the publication into something I and my team of writers and photographers can be proud of.”

During her time as a UM journalism student,  Compton-Ortiz said she was nominated for Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities in 2001. And in 2002, she said she placed second in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications Student Magazine Contest in the Individual Magazine Start-Up category among 224 universities competing across the United States and Canada for Reach, a personally designed 86-page women’s magazine.

She was a member of the university’s Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi). The same year, she said she was awarded a journalism scholarship from the late Terry Keeter, a UM graduate and longtime political reporter for The Commercial Appeal.

In October 2016, she relocated from Holly Springs to Long Beach.

“Though I had always known about the horrific storm and its devastation to the area, seeing remnants of it for myself, in person, planted a seed; one that has continued to root itself deep within my heart,” she said. “A seed I have discovered I share with many others here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. One that keeps growing through connections with people who truly take pride in their communities by supporting small businesses, participating in service projects, school and city functions, churches and charitable causes, volunteering, keeping their parks, beaches and neighborhoods clean, and so much more.”

Compton-Ortiz said seeing this daily is the evidence she is where she should be.

“I feel honored to be a part of such a strong network of places and people who won’t quit when the seas get rough or when the going gets tough,” she said. “They will stand up, they will recover, they will rebuild, and they will flourish.

“It’s this strength in community that makes me excited for another day in the life in Coastal Mississippi and proud I have continued my work as a journalist. I’m proud to join the multitude of others who are living, working and sharing the possibilities of the future. Like-minded people who have the courage to face the storm, not once, but twice.

“I reference here to Hurricane Camille that made landfall in August 1969. And I have no doubt, they would do it all hundreds of times over if that’s what it takes. Thank you, Coastal Mississippi, for teaching me the meaning of true love for community. I look forward to giving it back.”

Texas Monthly editor in chief inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

Posted on: October 11th, 2021 by ldrucker

A University of Mississippi journalism graduate was recently inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. Dan Goodgame, who graduated from UM in 1975, is editor in chief of Texas Monthly, an award-winning magazine that has covered the Lone Star State for 48 years.

The Ole Miss Alumni Association recognized seven distinguished University of Mississippi alumni, including Goodgame and a former professor and campus administrator, with its highest annual awards as part of Homecoming 2021.

Alumni Hall of Fame inductees for 2021 are: Coolidge Ball (BRL 75), of Oxford; Dan Goodgame (BA 75), of San Antonio, Texas; Richard C. O’Ferrall Jr. (BBA 57), of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; Michael H. Stewart (BA 75, MCJ 78), of Oxford; and Judy Trott (BSHPE 1961, MEd 64, EdD 72), of Oxford.

Ole Miss Alumni Association Names Distinguished Alumni for 2021

Since Goodgame took the helm of Texas Monthly in 2019, “the magazine has sharply increased its online audience and revenue; expanded its storytelling through podcasts, videos, books and live events; and optioned a dozen of its articles to Hollywood for development into movies and video series,” according to a UM news release.

Before joining Texas Monthly, Goodgame served as a vice president for Rackspace, a cloud computing company in San Antonio.

Dan Goodgame. Congratulations Dan Goodgame. University of Mississippi Distinguished Alumnus.

Dan Goodgame. Congratulations Dan Goodgame. University of Mississippi Distinguished Alumnus.

A Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling author, Goodgame has interviewed and profiled leaders in many fields, including six U.S. presidents, Saddam Hussein, Steve Jobs, Rupert Murdoch and Tiger Woods, the UM news release reports. Goodgame served as editor in chief of Fortune Small Business, whose subscribers were 1 million owners of entrepreneurial companies.

He earlier worked for Time magazine as White House correspondent, Washington bureau chief and assistant managing editor. He is co-author of the book “Marching in Place,” about President George H.W. Bush.

Goodgame worked for the Miami Herald as Middle East correspondent in the early 1980s, covering the Israel-Lebanon and Iran-Iraq wars. He started his career as a crime reporter at the Tampa Tribune.

“Goodgame is a native of Pascagoula, where his parents worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding,” UM reports. “After graduating from Ole Miss, he earned an M.Phil. in international relations as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. He played on the university golf team and rowed for his college.

“During the past 12 years, Goodgame has served on the boards of Texas Public Radio, the World Affairs Council, Medical Foundation and Sports Foundation. His wife, Marcia, a retired journalist and educator, works part-time for the San Antonio Book Festival. They have two sons, Clayton and Sam.”

Created in 1974, the Hall of Fame honors select alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to their country, state or the university through good deeds, services or contributions that have perpetuated the good name of Ole Miss.

Read more about Goodgame and the other Hall of Fame inductees at this link.

Scholarships and donations help University of Mississippi journalism and IMC students achieve their dreams

Posted on: July 21st, 2021 by ldrucker

For many prospective students, there’s only one thing standing between them and an education that will change their lives – money.

That’s why donations are critical to providing scholarships and financial support for students pursuing their educational dreams.

You can help make someone’s dream a reality.

Brandon native Kaylynn Steen, 20, is just one of the School of Journalism and New Media’s scholarship recipients. She was awarded the Clay & Krista McFerrin Sun-Sentinel Scholarship that is helping fund her studies as a double major in journalism and public policy leadership with a minor in Spanish.

Kaylynn Steen

Kaylynn Steen

“This scholarship is helping me to fund my cost of tuition at the school,” she said. “One of the biggest barriers of students seeking higher education is finances, so I am extremely grateful to have this scholarship to help alleviate some of that stress.”

The scholarship will also help Steen give back to the community.

“After college, I plan to work in political advocacy and the nonprofit sector,” she said.

William Fisher, who recently served as a development associate for the School of Journalism and New Media, says there are good reasons why scholarship money is so important.

“The University only receives about 12.9% of its budget from the state,” he said. “Decreased state appropriations for public universities is a trend across the country. Therefore, private support is crucial to propelling the University of Mississippi ever forward and helping increased numbers of students with scholarships. Fortunately, our university enjoys highly engaged alumni and friends, who care very deeply for Ole Miss and students.”

Fisher said donations benefit integrated marketing communications (IMC) and journalism students in the following ways.

·       Reduces the financial burden of the costs of college.

·       Allows students time to focus on studies rather than part-time work.

·       Gives students an incentive to do their best work.

·       Encourages students to complete their degrees.

·       Builds students’ confidence in their ability to have a better future.

·       Benefits larger society and economy when individuals earn degrees.

Scholarship logo

Scholarship logo

One of the School of Journalism and New Media’s priorities is to provide more scholarships for students studying integrated marketing communications (IMC).

“When looking at the number of scholarships that are strictly dedicated to assisting IMC majors, there are only a few,” Fisher said. “Most scholarship endowments created for the school were for journalism majors. To understand, you have to take into account that the IMC program has not been around that many years.”

However, IMC majors may be receiving scholarships that are not school-specific, Fisher said. For example, UM offers scholarships based on academic achievements, financial need, geographical areas, leadership, community service, etc. There are those for transfer students from community colleges and those for children of alumni. Fortunately, the list of scholarships is long.

Interim Dean Deb Wenger said UM has some extraordinary applicants who just cannot afford our programs. Scholarships help put the advantage of a college education in the hands of some of those students.

“One misconception that people have is that you have to have millions of dollars to make a difference,” she said. “We have many, many scholarships that accept contributions at any amount. For example, you can help support our Talbert Fellows, a scholarship designed to support applicants who are already doing work as journalists or integrated marketing communications practitioners, even while they’re still in high school.

“There is also the Women in Communications Scholarship and dozens more that honor some of our most respected former faculty and alumni, including Curtis Wilkie or Pamela Hamilton. Adding a few more dollars to those endowments honors them and supports students.”

Wenger said all scholarships are listed on the school’s website.

“I highlight the Talbert Fellows as one of our newest,” she said. “For students who have worked for high school student media in Mississippi, there is the Beth Fitts Scholarships. The Thomas Family Scholarship honors one of our most successful alumni in the area of integrated marketing communications – John Thomas. I encourage anyone interested in our programs to spend some time looking at our scholarship opportunities online.”

If you are interested in establishing or contributing to a scholarship, contact Wenger at drwenger@olemiss.edu.

This story was written by LaReeca Rucker.

 

UM journalism graduate to join ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News as special projects producer

Posted on: July 1st, 2021 by ldrucker

A University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media journalism graduate will soon join the ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News team as a special projects producer.

Poinesha Barnes first day at the station will be Monday, Aug. 9.

“Poinesha has an impressive track record producing winning newscasts and specials,” said Jennifer Graves, vice president of News, ABC 7 Chicago, in a news release. “She also brings great enthusiasm, leadership and a wealth of ideas to any team effort. She will be an important addition to ABC 7’s special projects and community reporting.”

Poinesha Barnes

Poinesha Barnes

Barnes is currently a producer at KXAS-TV, the NBC-owned station in Dallas, where she produced both newscasts and specials. She also contributed to KXAS’ diversity and inclusion efforts as co-lead of the Black Employee Network.

Prior to joining KXAS-TV, Barnes worked as a producer at WREG-TV in Memphis. She also produced newscasts and digital content at WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida.

In addition, Barnes has been active in her local chapters of the National Association of Black Journalists.

A journalism graduate of the University of Mississippi-Oxford, Barnes is currently studying for a master’s in industrial/organizational psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. When not working, she enjoys mentoring youth, spending time with family and learning the art of Bachata.

University of Mississippi IMC grad offers tips for landing your first public relations job

Posted on: May 19th, 2021 by ldrucker

Kara Weller graduated in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications degree. The Stevens Point, Wisconsin native has lived in Nashville since graduation and now works as a communications specialist at Pierce Public Relations.

Weller penned this column for PR Couture that offers Four Tips from a PR Grad Who Landed Her Dream Job in a Brand New City.

Kara Weller

Kara Weller

Breaking into the public relations industry and getting your first job can be daunting, but Weller said she knew she wanted to work in public relations because she admired how PR pros used strategic communications to help individuals and brands reach their goals.

After moving to Nashville after graduation, she began reaching out to PR firms. She said she was instantly drawn to Pierce Public Relations after reading the founder’s inspirational story about how she moved to Nashville and started her own business.

Weller’s tips may help you navigate the job market. You can read her article at this link.

Have a business column you’d like to share? Email us at this link.

University of Mississippi journalism alumna fights for women in the workforce

Posted on: April 21st, 2021 by ldrucker

Ole Miss graduate Ashley Miles has come a long way from selling advertising for The Daily Mississippian. The founder and CEO of Franklyn West, a business consulting firm, is now on a mission to help women succeed in the workforce.

Miles, who earned her journalism degree in 2005, is also the current president of New York Women in Communications (NYWICI). One of her first initiatives was launching a project called “Women Heard” to address pandemic job loss among women.

“I see an enormous opportunity across the country and the industry to help propel women forward,” Miles said. “Currently, in a post-pandemic world, women will not recover for two years from this job loss. That’s four times slower than men.”

Ashey Miles

Ashey Miles

According to a National Women’s Law Center statistic on the NYWICI website, as a result of pandemic-related job loss, “more than 2.3 million women have left work entirely, putting women’s participation rate in the labor force at 57%, the lowest it’s been since 1988.”

The “Women Heard” initiative includes a national study in partnership with Meredith Corp, Bloomberg and FCB, to determine why the pandemic led to disproportionate job loss for women specifically and how women can be better supported going forward.

“I would feel accomplished if we built mass awareness around the issue and brought women back to a reimagined workplace, by deeply understanding her pain points,” Miles said.

As a mother and a prominent businesswoman in the communications industry, Miles is passionate about the success of women, but she said she hasn’t let her gender define her career. When asked if being a woman has had an impact on her success, Miles said, “Yes and no. The facts are that there are challenges to being a female business leader, but I never let that stop me from pursing my dreams of helping businesses and leaders reach their full potential.  I embrace my unique qualities and focus on driving results.”

Miles encourages women to “try not to focus on what’s not working in our favor, block out the noise, dream without bounds and take action.”

Miles spoke recently to students in the School of Journalism and New Media’s integrated marketing communications program about some of the things that have helped her succeed. She said she gives “so much credit to both my experience in the journalism school at Ole Miss and my advertising sales and marketing experience with The Daily Mississippian.”

Many of the students in the audience will graduate in May, and Miles left them with some encouraging advice, “From a mindset perspective, anything is possible. This is an amazing time to invent yourself in corporate America.”

This story was written by Leah MacFarland.

Houston Chronicle executive editor and Ole Miss alumnus announces retirement

Posted on: April 6th, 2021 by ldrucker

After “The Houston Chronicle” reported that Executive Editor and Ole Miss alumnus Steve Riley was retiring after a 41-year career in journalism, he told HottyToddy.com that it is time to exhale.

Riley, 62, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and received the Texas Newspaper of the Year and Newsroom of the Year award from the Associated Press Media Editors while at the Chronicle. Riley, who joined the Chronicle in 2017 as senior editor of investigations, also spent more than 30 years at “The News & Observer” in Raleigh, N.C., and also worked as a reporter in Mississippi for “The Clarion-Ledger” in Jackson, “The Sun” in Gulfport and the “Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal” in Tupelo.

A recent Chronicle story featured a quote from the newspaper’s president: “Steve’s leadership of the Chronicle’s newsroom is reflected in the outstanding coverage and investigative work done under his reign,” Hearst Newspaper President Jeff Johnson said in a statement. “This work has been recognized both statewide and nationwide, and most importantly, by our readers. Steve’s commitment to journalism and serving the Houston community is second to none, and we wish him the best in his retirement.”

Steve Riley

Steve Riley speaks to the newsroom after he was named the Houston Chronicle’s new executive editor on Thursday, May 2, 2019, in Houston. Riley has served as acting editor since Oct. 30, 2018 and was previously the deputy managing editor, investigations, beginning in November 2017, overseeing a team of reporters and a data editor. Before that, he spent more than 30 years at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, in roles including: senior editor for investigations, deputy managing editor, metro editor, sports editor, government editor and reporter. He also worked as a reporter in Mississippi for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, The Sun in Gulfport and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo. His investigative teams have won more than a dozen national awards. Riley fills the role vacated by Nancy Barnes, who departed in November to become senior vice president of news for National Public Radio.

“You want the work to mean something to the people that read it, both everyday subscribers and the folks with power and influence to induce change,” Riley said. “So I’m very grateful to have been able to work in newsrooms that placed a premium on public-service journalism, deep stories that forced people to stop, think and then act. I’d like to think I’ve had some impact on the cities and states where I’ve lived and worked.”

Recently, during the Ole Miss spring semester, Riley, a graduate of Nettleton High School and one of the most distinguished graduates of the University of Mississippi, took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Journalism 102 students about the current state of a newsroom during the pandemic.

Riley talked about the transition to a more digital reporting environment in which his 200 newsroom reporters were filing stories as soon as they were complete rather than waiting for them to be printed in the paper the next day.

He also described how they moved to a more remote operation where most of the management communicates through Zoom. Even Riley lives remotely in North Carolina, and only travels to Houston when necessary.

Riley said COVID-19 has dominated the news and forced newspapers to reorganize their processes in order to cover the pandemic.

“This is a story of a generation, if not a century,” he said.

In order for the Chronicle to cover all aspects of the virus, they have had to organize their reporters to cover the Texas Medical Center, all of the different treatments for the virus, the evictions, hunger, the demise of small business and the roll out of the vaccine.

So what’s next for this accomplished journalist?

“I’d like to exhale, travel and get involved in my community a bit in ways that weren’t really possible while working as a journalist,” Riley said.

“We like to cycle, hike, and I enjoy tennis and skiing. So I don’t think I’ll get bored.”

This story was written by student Madison Malo.

University of Mississippi journalism graduate serves as CEO of Mississippi Today news organization

Posted on: April 6th, 2021 by ldrucker

Mississippi Today is a strictly non-profit, web-based news organization that brands itself as the political watchdog of the state.

With the Republican party holding a super majority in the state’s elected offices, Mississippi Today often receives criticism as left leaning. While the organization is nonpartisan, it must cover a heavily partisan government.

Mary-Margaret White

Mary Margaret White

Mary Margaret White, chief executive officer, credits the editorial staff as the group that brings political balance to each story.

White, who has a bachelor’s degree in English and in journalism, and a master’s degree in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi, also serves as an advisory board member of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.

Mississippi Today is the only fully-staffed non-profit newsroom in the state and often draws comparisons to The Texas Tribune. Its goal is to provide readers with honest journalism with unrestricted access.

The non-profit is funded by a few large donors and nearly 2,000 smaller donors.

Reporters at Mississippi Today have partnered with other non-profit news organizations to work on projects that affect the state. The Marshall Project is an organization focused on criminal justice in the United States. Together, the two organizations created, “Think Debtors Prisons Are a Thing of the Past? Not in Mississippi.” The series provided a detailed look into the state’s restitution laws. The impact of the investigation has raised awareness among state officials, and some are exploring ways the system can be repealed.

“State Auditor Shad White called for changes to problems flagged by our reporting: “The state must fix this, and now,” reported by The Marshall Project.

The year-long project received the 2021 Harry Frank Guggenheim Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting Award.

Mississippi Today heavily covered the removal and changing of the Mississippi state flag in 2020. A team of reporters from Mississippi Today began to investigate possible ways the flag could be changed.

The team wrote a story on how the state legislature had the power to proceed with changing the state flag. To involve their readers more, reporters traveled to 42 counties to ask Mississippians what they thought about the flag and polled 8,000 others through their website.

Reporters gathered the position of each state senator and house member, then created a document describing their stance. This document was created to inform Mississippians on how their representatives planned to vote on the measure.

Political reporters were not the only team members covering the issue.

Sports reporter Rick Cleveland tabbed the question to his readers,” What good is a state flag if so many won’t fly it?”

Each member of the Mississippi Today staff worked to provide how the state flag issue applied to the industry they covered.

The Other Side Podcast, hosted by Adam Ganucheau, another UM graduate, is the only podcast centered on politics in the state of Mississippi. The podcast has interviewed both current and former state officials, such as Gov. Tate Reeves, Sec. of State Michael Watson and former Governors Ronnie Musgrove and Ray Mabus.

Mary-Margaret White and family

Mary Margaret White and family

“A goal for us as a news team is to make sure that people are armed with the right information and have access to that information so that they are motivated to get to the polls and have representation in the capitol,” White said.

A Mississippi Delta native, White believes her calling is to serve the people of her home state.

After graduation, she spent about a decade working for the state on various tourism projects, such as the Mississippi Blues Trail markers that honor the people, places, and history of blues music. She later joined Mississippi Today as the marketing and branding director, holding a few other titles before being elevated to her current position as chief executive officer.

This story was written by student journalist Austin Stark.

Holland inspires University of Mississippi Association of Black Journalists students

Posted on: March 8th, 2021 by ldrucker

“There are few professions where you can make a difference and be guaranteed immortality. Journalism is one of them. Which is why you have to be so careful about what you put your name behind.”

That was just one of the memorable pieces of advice from journalism alumnus Jesse J. Holland to members of the University of Mississippi Association of Black Journalists at their March virtual meeting. Holland was one of the founders of the campus UMABJ chapter when he was a student in the early 1990s.

Jesse Holland Jr.

Holland shared anecdotes about his new book — “Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda” — and his experiences as a journalist, author, educator and comics strip creator. The new Black Panther book is an anthology of short stories from acclaimed writers like poet Nikki Giovanni, who wrote her first piece of fiction for the anthology. Holland edited the book and wrote one of the stories. It is scheduled for release on March 9.

“I truly enjoyed the session,” said AJ Norwood, broadcast journalism major and UMABJ president. “From the very beginning, I could tell that he is an absolutely amazing storyteller. The insight that he was able to provide to not only myself, but to other students that attended was so valuable.

“One of the main things that I learned from Mr. Holland was that you should utilize all of your resources and find mentors who are already doing what you’re doing. If you’re able to do that, learn from their mistakes because you shouldn’t have to make the same mistakes that they have made.  It was an honor to moderate an event with someone with the credibility and grace of Jesse Holland.”

Jesse Holland

Jesse Holland

When he was a student at UM, Holland was a multiple-platform journalist long before it was embraced as something every journalist and communications specialist should be. He was Daily Mississippian editor-in-chief — only the second African-American editor in the student newspaper’s history. He hosted two Rebel Radio shows – one was The Night Train, a rap show that aired at midnight – and worked for the TV newscast and the yearbook. He and two student editor friends created a comic strip called Hippie and the Black Guy.

After he graduated, Holland was a writer for the Associated Press for 25 years. He covered the statehouse in South Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress and the White House, and he was on AP’s national race & ethnicity reporting team. He hosts the Saturday edition of C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, and was recently named assistant professor of journalism at George Washington University.

He is the author of two nonfiction books, but he is perhaps best known for writing two novels tied to Star Wars and Black Panther. His first Black Panther book was nominated for a national NAACP Image Award for best fiction in 2019.

“The publishing industry loves journalists because journalists know how to write, and journalists know and respect deadlines,” Holland said.

Jesse Holland

Jesse Holland

Holland’s conversation with the students lasted more than 90 minutes. He spoke at length about his work ethic – just one example: His C-SPAN gig requires him to get up at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings for a show that begins broadcasting at 7 a.m. – and how he fell in love with journalism after he figured out it was “the best way to meet interesting people, go interesting places and do interesting things.”

He talked about how UM students are lucky to benefit from the passionate “fraternity and sorority” of journalism graduates all across the nation who can help them, and he told detailed and sometimes amusing stories about a few who helped him along the way.

“There’s only one job you can do and you’re literally writing history on a daily basis,” he said. “…Years from now, when people read about the donations of Rosa Parks’ archives to the Library of Congress, they’re going to read that the person who discovered Rosa Parks’ material in a warehouse in New York where it had been languishing for 15 years was a guy named Jesse J. Holland. Years and years and years from now, when historians go back and read the stories from Ferguson, Missouri, and ask who was Michael Brown and what happened, the story they’re going to pull up was written by a guy named Jesse J. Holland.”

Read our Alumni Stories and submit your own

Posted on: September 24th, 2020 by ldrucker

Jules Healy, from Madison, Mississippi, graduated in 2016 from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. She’s been a fan of the University of Mississippi since her first visit to the campus at age 11 with her best friend, who became her freshmen-year roommate. Healy now works at Deynoodt Marketing in New Orleans as a marketing associate, where she said she learns something new every day.

Brandon Rook, 30, is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native who graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media and now works for the (Paul) Newman’s Own Foundation as the public relations manager.

You can read these Alumni Stories and more by clicking the photo above.

Are you a University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media Alumni? If so, we want to hear from you?

Click the photo and link to send us an email and tell us about your career path after college.