SMPA WEEKLY RUNDOWN

Jan. 13, 2019 · Campus Weather Updates

Quick programming note: In the case of a delayed opening, spring graduate student orientation will begin when the campus opens. In case of a closure, the event will be pushed to Tuesday.  

We begin a new semester on the front lines of events and history. All around us, there are big changes. The media are in the crosshairs, our politics move into a new and combative phase, 2020 presidential candidates are lining up, investigations mount and the most diverse class ever in the U.S. Congress brings new voices to power and to the national debate. 

Frank Sesno
SMPA Director

Veteran White House correspondent and former SMPA Terker Distinguished Fellow April Ryan returns to campus for an inside look at reporting from the front lines of the Trump White House.

How are reporters adjusting to the new normal of chaos and confusion in the Trump administration? Don't miss her SMPA book talk, moderated by Professor Cheryl W. Thompson.

ALUMNI LEADERS IN FASHION JOURNALISM TAKE THE STAGE IN NEW YORK

GW alumni gathered in New York City for a conversation with Harper's Bazaar vice president Carol Smith, CCAS B.A. ’71, and EveryStylishGirl founder Nana Agyemang, SMPA B.A. ’16.

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BECOME AN SMPA STUDENT AMBASSADOR!

Want to connect with prospective SMPA students and give brief tours of the MPA building?

First-year students are now invited to join the SMPA Ambassador volunteer group!

To sign up, please email SMPA Student Services Specialist Marisa Mansueto at mjmansueto@gwu.edu.

POLITICS AND PROSE & GW PRESENT JASON REZAIAN

Jason Rezaian, a former SMPA Terker Distinguished Fellow, will discuss his new book, “Prisoner,” with Frank Sesno on Jan. 23, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre.

Our free SMPA tickets have all been claimed, but discounted tickets are also available to the GW community for $10 by visiting the Lisner Auditorium box office and more ticket options are available online.

JAN. 14

SPRING 2019 CLASSES BEGIN

The spring semester kicks off on Monday, Jan. 14.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR »

JAN. 17

APPLY FOR THE 2019 GRACIE AWARDS

The Gracie Awards have celebrated programming and individual achievement by, for and about women in television, radio and interactive media for over 40 years. There are 18 student categories for the 2019 Gracie Awards!

JAN. 31

SMPA DIRECTOR'S COUNCIL MEETING

Join SMPA Director Frank Sesno for the second SMPA Director's Council meeting of the school year. All SMPA majors are welcome to attend!

The council will meet at 4 p.m. in SMPA conference room 406A.

FEB. 1

APPLY TO RECEIVE ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR YOUR SPRING INTERNSHIP

Credit for internships is available for juniors and seniors majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Communication, as well as minors in journalism.

FEB. 8

APPLY FOR THE 2019 INDONESIA SUMMER STUDIES PROGRAM

Explore the language and culture of Indonesia through a ten-week language and cultural studies fellowship held in Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia.

FEB. 28

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT TRAINING IN PRAGUE

Want to experience the life of a foreign correspondent? Register for a two-week TOL Education course in Prague, Czech Republic, this July where you will learn tips of the trade directly from working correspondents and pursue your story.

MARCH 3

PLANET FORWARD STORYFEST COMPETITION

Planet Forward's annual competition recognizes compelling, student-told stories that illuminate environmental issues and solutions. The grand prize trip is a 10-day storytelling voyage through the Galápagos Islands.

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Dante Chinni co-authored the NBC News article “Up next: 2020 Senate contests come into focus.”

David Karpf spoke to MastersinCommunications.com about SMPA's Media and Strategic Communication program.

Peter Loge spoke to AFP about President Trump's prime-time immigration speech.

Ethan Porter had research mentioned in the Wired article “Trump's Immigration Speech Won't Change Minds, Science Says.”

Frank Sesno joined the CNN program “Smerconish” for the segment “Did media drive Trump's border wall backflip,” the “CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin” to discuss what happens when the White House press secretary loses credibility, the ABC (Australia) broadcast “PM with Linda Mottram” for the segment “TV networks made the right call on airing Trump’s speech: Frank Sesno” and the “When Science Speaks” podcast produced by Bayer Strategic Consulting.

He was quoted in The Atlantic article “There's No Winning for the Networks,” the Politico article “New Democratic kingmaker: Ratings surge positions Maddow to boost favorite candidates,” the Sinclair Broadcast Group article “Coverage of Trump's Christmas visit to Iraq ignites war with the media,” the CNN article “Cable news networks air Trump's comments in real-time. But should they?” and in the Variety article “Major Networks Decide to Carry Trump's Primetime Border Security Speech.”

Janet Steele gave talks in Malaysia with the U.S. Embassy and taught workshops on narrative journalism for the Malaysia Press Institute and at three universities.

Nikki Usher authored the Slate article “Bring Back the AIM Away Message” and was quoted in the Nieman Journalism Lab article “Showing your work, reflecting your audience, and using the right tools: Some 2019 predictions about trust and transparency.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Danielle Noel, B.A. '15 and M.A. '17, was named deputy communications director at Emerge America where she works to promote the organization's work training progressive women to run for all levels of office in 25 states. 

The screening will be followed by a conversation with filmmaker Oren Rudavsky.

Jan. 17 | 7:30 p.m.| Bethesda Row Cinema | LEARN MORE »

Apply by Feb. 6 | LEARN MORE »

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how the brain and body work when healthy volunteers feel anxious.

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