Alumni provide valuable support for Scripps in D.C. program

You can take the student out of Athens, but you can’t take Athens out of the student. That’s what those who are participating in the fall 2024 cohort of the Ohio University Scripps College of Communication Semester in D.C. program are learning by interacting with Bobcat alumni in our nation’s capital.

“A huge part of Scripps in D.C. is inviting guest speakers to talk to the students during the seminar part of the program, and many of those speakers are Ohio University alumni,” said E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Assistant Professor of Magazine Media Kelly Ferguson. “The alumni are more than happy to do it because they enjoy giving back to Ohio University.”

The Scripps Semester in D.C. program, which is a collaboration between the School of Visual Communication and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, gives students the opportunity to learn from industry professionals working in Washington D.C., focusing on journalism (print, broadcast, data and photojournalism), strategic communication, commercial photography, information graphics, data visualization, publication design for print and digital, and scripting a UX design. The program is open to all majors or minors in the Scripps College of Communication.

During the fall and spring semesters, the first four weeks of the term are spent in a seminar setting, with each week focusing on different topics. During the summer semester, there are two weeks of seminar instruction. Students receive three credit hours for each week of classes. Those participating in the program will meet with a wide range of industry professionals from media outlets, tech firms, communication-related operations of government, public policy professionals and non-profit organizations working in the Washington D.C. area.

Ferguson was part of this fall’s program, in charge of one week of the seminar portion for the students where she focused on arts and culture reporting.

“One great thing I was able to do was use Bobcat connections in D.C. to connect them with wonderful experiences,” said Ferguson.

Lauren Wamsley, MA ’10, who works as a correspondent at National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington D.C., took the students on a tour of the public radio facility.

“You aren’t able to do tours of NPR unless you know someone,” said Ferguson. “My students got to see the set for NPR’s 'Tiny Desk Concert Series,' which was just huge!”

E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Professor of Instruction Nerissa Young led a week that focused on the business of politics, and School of Visual Communication Graduate Director Stan Alost held a week-long seminar on visual art. Both also had several Ohio University alumni speak with students.

During Young’s week, the Rural Broadband Association’s Vice President of Strategic Communications Laura Withers, BSJ ’04, was one of the alumni speakers.

“Two of my goals for the Semester in D.C. program are to help connect students to our alums and for students to see themselves doing these jobs,” said Young. “I grew up a farm kid and never imagined the adventures my life would bring because there wasn't anyone in my life who was a journalist or strategic communication practitioner. I want my students to know their adventures can happen because they've met people who've done it. That means they can do it, too.”

During Alost’s seminar week, AFL-CIO Senior Video Producer Michael Kleinfeld, BSVC ’13, was one of the alumni speakers and talked with students about the importance of taking care of yourself in your job. One student wrote afterwards, “Michael was definitely very interesting as he was different from all of the other speakers in how he presented his information. A topic that I think was really important during conversations yesterday is advocacy. You have to stand up for yourself, for your values, and for your work.” While another wrote, "Michael Kleinfield was full of practical advice and lessons that really made me think about the industry."

In all, about a dozen Ohio University Alumni spoke to students during the four-week period. All the seminar instructors believe building Bobcat connections and giving students the opportunity to network with alumni in Washington D.C. is crucial.

“Transitioning from college to the professional world is difficult,” said Ferguson. “Talking to people who have successfully made these transitions to learn how to make your next step is important. They offer good tips and good advice. Jobs tend to come from having a connection or someone you know, and our Bobcat networking is very strong. It’s how our students get jobs.”

During the second part of the fall term, Scripps in D.C. students are immersed in a 10-week internship (practicum) in the D.C. area tailored to the areas of interest and study. All practicums are 40 hours per week. Scholarship opportunities are available. Many students in the program have significantly reduced their educational costs through paid internships.

The Scripps in D.C. program began in 2017, and 99 students have participated to date. This semester, students are interning with several different organizations including C-SPAN, the National Fisheries Institute, and on Capitol Hill with Senator Mitch McConnell.