Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board helps the journalism faculty plan both social and educational extracurricular activities and, as its name implies, advises the school on the journalism program.

In its first year, the board planned and carried out a semiformal spring banquet for journalism majors. The board chose the food, shopped for decorations and prizes, and decided the journalism professors should serve at the buffet table. The evening was a smash hit, and the board members are looking forward to planning the second annual banquet next spring.

To get things rolling for the fall semester, the board held a barbecue for journalism majors and minors. On a beautiful September evening, students and faculty mingled on an outdoor patio, renewing old ties and welcoming new students.

The board members assist at other school functions, which gives them a chance to meet many distinguished guests and university officials.

When famed investigative reporter Bob Woodward gave a speech last April, the students on the board attended a reception for him in the Wang Center. Woodward sat with them for a half-hour and chatted about his career and their hopes.

And the “advisory” part is important, too. The board played a key role in shaping the on-campus internship, a required element of the journalism major. They held a phone-a-thon for admitted students in April, calling high school seniors who had expressed an interest in the program, answering their questions, linking them to professors and sharing their enthusiasm for the school.

“The Student Advisory Board is a terrific asset,” Dean Howard Schneider said. “They’re helping the school get off to a strong start. I think it’s important for students to help guide the future of the school. We need their input, we need their advice, we need their suggestions. Professors aren’t the only smart people at the university.”

The advisory board currently has nine members, and there are three openings. Students will be able to apply for the three open spots this fall and will be selected by faculty and the current board.

Members, 2007-08

Alex Berkman
April Warren
Ashley Barton
Meaghan Folk-Freund
Michael L. Kelly
Rohma Abbas
Sadaf Majahid
Stephanie Brumsey

Talk to the advisory board! Email us at jrn.student@gmail.com.