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When students graduate, they’re often expected to use industry-standard equipment immediately as they step into their first jobs. Thanks to the Student Resource Lab (SRL) in Franklin Hall, they’ll have had plenty of practice in the classroom before graduating. 

As television news professionals from the region gathered for the Central Great Lakes Regional Emmy Awards gala over the summer, Kent State Media and Journalism (MDJ) students “ran the show” behind the scenes. MDJ adjunct instructor Sam Angello, who teaches Production Fundamentals and Digital Video Editing, has been involved with the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (which produces the Emmys) for many years, and in 2023, trained Kent State students to run the backstage stream of the regional awards gala.

In America, conversations about grief and loss are often avoided, and in art, tend to be sugarcoated, or even “corny.”

Kent State Assistant Professor and independent filmmaker Dana White is changing that narrative through her work, and was recently recognized by the Ohio Arts Council.

As a digital media production student, Ailene Joven, '21, began creating the short film “Define” during the early days of COVID-19. Several years later, that film is set to be screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) on March 28, 2023.

Before he graduated in December 2022, digital media production alumnus Sam Teyssier had already racked up some impressive credits: He’d worked on television shows including “American Rust” and “A League of Their Own” (among others), as well as Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award winner “Cha Cha Real Smooth.” These experiences — which he began seeking out in his hometown of Pittsburgh during the summer of 2021 — have prepared him for post-graduation life.

The School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) at Kent State is pleased to welcome Tara Conley, Ed.D., and Kathryn Cooper, Ph.D., as full-time faculty members.

The CCI course Media and Movements explores social movements of our time through storytelling, strategy and advocacy. Fall 2021's seminar, themed “Building a Better World,” required students to select a specific human rights or human dignity issue that impacts their Kent State peers and reimagine a better future based on research. 

Alumnus Tom Jennings never forgot about his starting moments at Kent State, and when he began thinking about how he wanted to give back, he thought to  himself: "The best thing I can do for Kent State is find those most deserving who would like a shot in this type of industry.”