Photos courtesy of Chad Cushing.

Senior JMC student Chad Cushing has qualified for the 2025 Hearst Photojournalism National Championship, earning second place nationally for his most recent photo story. Cushing placed second in the Photojournalism II Photo Story featuring Texas Christian University (TCU) basketball player Hailey Van Lith. 

“It means a lot to be able to represent Kansas,” Cushing said. “It's just such a great support system. Representing KU on the national scale is what I take the most pride in.”

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, named for William Randolph Hearst, recognizes collegiate journalists in writing, photojournalism, audio, television and multimedia journalism. 

Cushing is heavily involved with student media. He is multimedia editor for the University Daily Kansan, a member of The Playmakers TV show and a DJ for KJHK 90.7 FM.

JMC 430 students pose for a group photo. | Photo courtesy of Lecturer Laurie Bollig. 

JMC students in JMC 430 (Communicating Sports Information) conducted mock press conferences last week as part of a unit on media relations. They wrote press releases, developed key messages, crafted strategies and played roles in delivering the mock press conferences. They were assigned topics like the misbehavior of a professional athlete, the firing of a college football coach, the cancellation of a traditional postseason basketball banquet and the mid-season retirement of an NFL player.

Learn from industry experts: Want to know how a degree in Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations can take you across the world, or work to innovate the music industry? Learn from those who have made it on Thursday, April 24 from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Clarkson Gallery in Stauffer-Flint Hall. These KU alums will share stories from the frontlines of advertising, social impact, music marketing and tips on building a career that matters. Free lunch will be provided. 

Voice of Utah athletics to speak to club on April 30: JMC alum Bill Riley, director of broadcasting and play-by-play voice for the University of Utah, will be the guest virtual speaker at the Sports Media and Society Club meeting at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at the Clarkson Gallery.

KU PRSSA members speak about PR careers to high school students: KU PRSSA members Gracie Wheeler, Mira Koehler and Gabe Carter (pictured) spoke to a Blue Valley Northwest High School publications class and website class on Monday April 14, in Overland Park to provide tips on the skills and experiences connected to careers in public relations.

Photo courtesy of Steve Rottinghaus. 

Plan Ahead: Resource Center Equipment in High Demand: As finals approach, demand for camera equipment and laptops at the Resource Center is increasing. Students are encouraged to plan ahead, as availability may be limited and due dates may shift based on check-in and check-out activity.

It’s important to return any checked-out equipment by the due date to ensure access for others. If you’re unable to return items on time, contact the Resource Center as soon as possible at rcstaff@ku.edu. 

Apply for KAB scholarships: The deadline is May 1 for students to apply for the Kansas Association of Broadcasters and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Foundation scholarships. The KAB scholarship committee will screen applications to determine who will receive a personal interview and will invite up to 10 applicants for an in-person interview in Topeka in late May. Apply now. 

Assistant Professor Melissa Greene-Blye (pictured) has been elected to the board of IndiJ Public Media, the parent company of ICT, formerly Indian Country Today. ICT has been serving the Native American community with news and information since 1981 and has a strong reputation for fair and accurate reporting on Indigenous peoples and their issues. Under the ICT brand, IndiJ Public Media has multiple distribution vehicles: A digital mobile platform ictnews.org, public broadcasting ICT Newscast, e-newsletter The Weekly, and social media pages.

Join the JMC Research Colloquium from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 in the Clarkson Gallery. Lunch will be provided. Cal Bruns, J’79, CEO of Matchboxology, a marketing agency in South Africa, will offer a human-centered workshop based his work with Gates Foundation, USAID, and other international organizations. The Colloquium will also feature the JMC Research Group Showcase, highlighting innovative research and creative works by faculty and students in the school. The JMC Research Groups and their lead coordinators are: 

Belonging @ KU Series: On Tuesday, April 22 from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Dr. Rachel Schwaller will lead an interactive conversation, during which attendees will learn how religion and spirituality contribute to our cultures, identities, and communities. Register for the Zoom webinar. 

Postdoctoral Rapport: Rapport focuses on building intentional networks of care and belonging for members of the KU community. Join other post-docs at KU on Wednesday, April 23 from 4-6 p.m. in the Hawks Nest on the first floor of the Kansas Union. The event allows participants to connect with one another and meet other post-docs on campus. More information. 

Faculty Development Academies Week is May 13-19: It focuses on topics of importance to faculty and is dedicated time for professional development. Faculty are welcome to join for as many days as they’d like during the week. Learn more.  

Work for KU School of Business: The KU School of Business is hiring a marketing communications intern for the next academic year. The role supports content strategy and creation for the KU School of Business communications priorities by writing weekly blogs, developing daily social media content and supporting event marketing. Applications are due by April 28. Apply here. 

Internship and student jobs

Job opportunities

JBar Associates and Heather will be available during these special drop in times for students working on portfolios or JMC 300 projects: 

Monday April 28 8-11 Portfolio (any level) 
Tuesday April 29 10-12 Portfolio 
Wednesday April 30 1-3 JMC 300
Thursday May 1 8-11 JMC 300
Monday May 5 8-12 JMC 300, 2-4 Portfolio

Chloe Fuleihan is account coordinator at MMGY Global.

Lane Gillispie, sports director at Ad Astra Radio, was selected as Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Media of the Year for 2025.

Suzanne Miller, SPM Communications founder and president, was named to Inc.’s 2025 Female Founders 500 list, which honors women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries.

Ashley Zahn is senior account executive at Lyft.

Joel Thornton died April 5 at age 62. Read his obituary. 

Calendar

William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications
journalism.ku.edu

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