Von Whitmore is a JMC Associate Professor and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies at Kent State University. She has professional experience as a reporter for radio and television in the Hampton Roads Virginia market and as the General Manager of Hampton University’s FM radio station, WHOV. Von’s teaching areas are in broadcast producing, graduate ethics and theory.
How do you define mass communication?
Mass communication involves the utilization of technology for the immediate or time delayed transmission of ideas to audiences of various sizes and at various distances.
How do you keep your students excited about working in the field of communications in light of shrinking job opportunities?
I recognize first that many students are scared about their job prospects after graduation. Heck, I was scared when I finished my undergraduate degree. So, I can relate. I try to get them excited by telling them the truth. In many cases, they will have better technical multi-media skills than their prospective employers. So, learn as much as you can and develop an expertise in one particular area but be knowledgeable as possible, about every aspect of journalism and mass communication. Internships, internships, internships, networking is important. I also tell them that the cream always rises to the top. I personally am not aware of any of my former hard working students who have not eventually landed a job in their chosen field.
What changes do journalism and mass communication programs need to make in order to stay relevant today?
JMC programs face the challenge of ever-changing technology and staying current with new skills associated with the technology. But the bigger challenge is continuing to emphasize the values that journalism, in particular, was founded upon in light of the new tools we have to work with.
If you could save one journalism and mass communication course from extinction, what would it be and why?
Many programs are doing away with the History of Mass Communication course. I think it’s a big mistake. Although students may not want to learn about John Peter Zenger or Ida B. Wells-Barnett, the old adage is true when it comes to JMC history. When students don’t know where the profession has been, they have no context or perspective to appreciate the present or anticipate the future.
What new media tools or applications do you incorporate in your teaching? Why these in particular?
In my graduate and under courses I use weblogs, and wiki collaborative sites. For my undergraduate broadcast courses I use Flash and non-linear audio and video editing tools. I find that weblogs, in particular, can be very useful in coaching students to do reflective thinking about what they are learning.
If you could offer a piece of advice to both your fellow educators and media professionals in the field, what would it be?
Don’t give up what you believe to be important in your teaching but try to stay relevant. As educators we have a moral responsibility not only to stay current in our chosen discipline but also to use the mantel of academic freedom to ensure that we always teach what we think our students should know regardless of technology or external pressures. For media professionals I urge you to practice what we as educators preach. At times it becomes increasingly difficult to convince our students that the principles of journalism: truth, accuracy, fairness, etc, are still important when there are so many examples that show them otherwise.
What do you see for the future of journalism and mass communication both in general and in higher education?
That’s a really not a hard question. The good JMC programs will continue to adapt and remain relevant to their students and their universities. We are truly in the information age that we have long told our students about even before it was really true. Now more than ever, AEJMC programs will be relied upon to produce skilled knowledge workers with strong ethical and professional values. Our democracy is dependent on what we do and we’re up to the challenge.