ILLUminating a pathway

Second Pathways to Success in Journalism conference runs March 30-31

Students tied to Liberty University’s School of Communications and Creative Arts (SCCA) have a knack for finding opportunities to further develop their talents and skills.

This week, the SCCA’s journalism students do not have to look very far.

On Thursday, March 30 through Friday, March 31, the faculty and staff of Liberty’s SCCA are hosting Pathways to Success in Journalism, the second journalism conference of its kind on campus sponsored by an ILLUminate grant.

This one was received by journalism professors Amy Bonebright, Deborah Huff and Chris Underation.

The conference, which has been in the works for nearly a year, is designed to give journalism students skill-building tips and techniques as well as deeper, firsthand insight into their evolving field.

“Students should come ready to receive,” Associate Professor of Digital Media and Communication Arts Chris Underation said.

Underation said Pathways is a good resource for students interested in journalism as well as students interested in related areas such as broadcasting.

Liberty alumni Michelle Wright from Pittsburgh’s WTAE morning show and Kyle Harvey, news anchor for California’s Bakersfield Now, will teach the conference’s eight sessions and will also provide individual critiques of students’ classwork Thursday afternoon.

Students who wish to sign up for critiques may do so under the “Pathways” tab at liberty.edu/champion.

An awards ceremony will be held Friday at the end of the conference for students who have submitted professional-level work.

“It’s a good idea for students to have this kind of exposure to professionals, especially professionals who literally used to sit where students today sit,” Underation said.

“We’re glad to bring them in so they can give a firsthand look at what’s going on (in journalism). They’ve been through the grinder that students are presently going through and lived to tell the tale.”

SCCA Dean Scott Hayes said Wright and Harvey’s relationship with Liberty makes Pathways particularly exciting.

“The opportunity to work with top, practicing people that have specific Liberty connections champions the very thing that the School of Communication and Creative Arts tries to instill in all of our programs,” Hayes said.

“We try to train our students to (be) the very best that they can be while at the same time acknowledging that we have a unique worldview with which to practice our skills.”

Students may remember Wright from a two-day journalism workshop she instructed at Liberty in 2014 during the celebration of the Liberty Champion’s 30th anniversary.

“This (conference) is part of the continuing evolution of that …(designed) to expand it and give a little more difference in insight,” Underation said.

Pathways to Success is open to non-communication students and those interested in getting a behind-the-scenes look at how journalism operates and how journalists do their jobs.

“It’s a journalism conference, but we try to make it diverse enough so that there’s a little something for everybody,” Underation said.

Underation said digital media and strategic communication students may benefit from attending Friday’s session about social media and personal brand growth.

Other sessions include “Why I Chose This Path Called Journalism,” “Career Choices,” “Lessons Learned on the Job” and “What It Means to be a Journalist of Faith.”

According to Underation, the element of faith is what makes Pathways unique from similar conferences at other institutions.

As Christian journalists, Wright and Harvey will deliver instruction to students intended to create a greater sense of purpose and to develop better ideas and skills for their field.

“It’s an opportunity to bring (in) the real world in a way that’s more tangible than we are normally able to practice,” Hayes said.

“We asked ourselves, ‘How can we best bless our students?’ and this is the idea we came up with. This is an opportunity that we hope (occurs) on a much more regular basis.”

A schedule of the sessions and other related events during the two days may be found under “Pathways” at liberty.edu/champion.

A continental breakfast is provided both mornings at 8 a.m.

For more information, contact Matthew Pierce at mpierce17@liberty.edu.

Estes is a feature reporter.