Tag: 2019

Sonya Gavankar

SONYA GAVANKAR

Multi-Media Content Creator

Sonya Gavankar is a communicator who uses dynamic story-telling techniques as a spokesperson, television and podcast host, filmmaker and social multi-media content creator. Her work with the Newseum brings a cohesive voice to the its 250,000 square feet of exhibit and interactive programming. She can be seen hosting programs and giving commentary on everything from hard news to cooking shows on ABC and CBS affiliates, PBS, QVC and even the Puppy Bowl!

For close to two decades she has trained millennials for job interviews using a unique connection between personal brand building and social graces. The launch of HerExchange.com brings a new perspective to insightful conversations and professional development tools with a cross platform approach of the written word, podcasts and live workshops.

Philanthropy is an important part of her life. She serves on several national boards that focus on education and social change, like the Hugh O’Brian Foundation, The Miss America Organization and Ladies America.

Juliette Rouge

JULIETTE ROUGE

Dean, School of Security and Global Studies, American Public University System

Dr. Juliette Rouge (Shedd) is the Dean of the School of Security and Global Studies. Before joining APUS, Dr. Rouge worked at George Mason University for 17 years where she held the positions of Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Her responsibilities included leading the Carter School’s administrative staff, budget, and administrative processes, along with new program and partnership development, where she spearheaded efforts to roll out effective distance education offerings.

Dr. Rouge also taught research and practice methods courses, along with courses on terrorism, peacebuilding, media and conflict, extremism, global conflicts, and ideologies. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a BA in Political Science and Psychology from George Washington University. Dr. Rouge’s research includes work on the relationship of media to conflict, specifically focused on media coverage of terrorism and the role of women in political violence.

An active community practitioner, Dr. Rouge works internationally on peacebuilding in divided communities and developing local leadership capacity with communities in Ukraine, Serbia, Myanmar, and Central Asia. Locally, Dr. Rouge works with communities to collaboratively address contentious local issues. These projects include media literacy and dialogue training, conflict resolution in schools, police-community engagement, and supporting community engagement processes for local government on issues like confederate legacy street names and monuments. Her projects are funded by local governments, the Virginia Department of Education, USAID, the Department of State, and nonprofit organizations.

Matt Rasgorshek

MATT RASGORSHEK

Faculty Advisor

Matt is the journalism advisor at Creighton Prep High School in Omaha, Nebraska. He has advised video and online publications that have received state, regional and national recognition. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Broadcast Advisor of the year by the Journalism Education Association as well as as one of the country’s top journalism advisors by the Dow Jones News Fund. Prior to teaching journalism, Matt worked behind the camera as a newscast director, producer, videographer and editor in local affiliates in Omaha and Phoenix. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, running and playing golf.

Matt Schott

MATT SCHOTT

Faculty Advisor

Matt is the publications adviser at Francis Howell Central High School in Cottleville, Missouri, where he just completed his 19th year advising the newspaper, yearbook, web and broadcast programs. His students have been the recipients of numerous national, state and local awards. He’s been honored twice by the Dow Jones News Fund, was the 2010 Missouri Journalism Teacher of the Year, and his school’s teacher of the year in 2018. In 2019, he was named one of six recipients of the Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award. Prior to teaching Matt worked at newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and Florida as a design editor. Matt is married with two kids and two dogs. In his spare time, he’s a freelance photographer specializing in sports photography.

Melissa Larson

MELISSA LARSON

Faculty Advisor

Melissa Larson is excited to return to WJMC for her 10th year as a Faculty Advisor for the Pink Group. Melissa taught technology, photography, and journalism for 14 years, before leaving the classroom to chase dreams, and is now working at Edpuzzle making educational videos. She advised yearbook and online publications which received numerous state and national awards. In 2014, she received the “Rising Star” Award from the Journalism Education Association. In 2013, she was recognized as one of nine Apple Award Finalists for Secondary Educator of the Year in the Douglas County School District. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, photography, reading, hiking, and traveling.

Chrissy Wiedemann

CHRISSY WIEDEMANN

Student Support

As a teacher for 19 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Chrissy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University. A proud Patriot, she connected to an international community there and developed her love of writing. As part of Patriot Nation, she traveled to Indianapolis in 2006 to watch the Cinderella team head to the Final Four. (Florida continues to be her least favorite team.) When she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC, enjoy summers on the beach and traveling to other countries. Chrissy is excited to return to Mason for WJMC and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!

April van Buren

APRIL VAN BUREN

Faculty Advisor

April van Buren, M.J.E., advises yearbook, broadcast, a journalism website, and also teaches various digital media classes including graphic design and web design at East High School in Madison, Wisconsin. She has taught journalism for 18 years, including at Parkway Central High School near St. Louis, Missouri and at Mesa Vista Middle and High School in rural New Mexico. She has been an adjunct professor for the communications department at the University of New Mexico-Taos. From 2010 to 2013, she served as the New Mexico director for the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and as the vice president of the New Mexico Scholastic Press Association. She earned her National Board certification in language arts in 2012, and studied journalism, education and library sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was the 2013 New Mexico Adviser of the Year and is currently on the Board for the Kettle Moraine Press Association and as the broadcast contest director for JEA.

Jessica Young

JESSICA YOUNG

Faculty Advisor

Jessica Young is returning for another summer with the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She teaches yearbook, journalism, photography, video production and graphic design at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and anthropology from San Diego State University and her master’s degree in education from University of California, San Diego. Outside the classroom, she serves as the vice president and communications chair for her school district’s teachers union. She is also the president of the San Diego Journalism Education Association and serves as the secretary for the Southern California Journalism Education Association. In addition to teaching, she also enjoys running, baking, watching baseball, putting glitter on things, and traveling. She has conquered the Original Marathon Greece, the Inca Trail in Peru, and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. She and her husband are on a quest to visit all the major league baseball stadiums across the country.

Abrianna Nelson

ABRIANNA NELSON

Faculty Advisor

Abrianna Nelson, CJE, teaches journalism and advises newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, and literary magazine at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Va. She also serves as a Curriculum Coordinator for the Journalism Education Association’s Curriculum Initiative; previously she served as the Entrepreneurship Module Leader from 2013-2017. Additionally, Nelson previously advised newspaper and yearbook at Pleasant Ridge High School in Easton, Kan from 2011-2014. She majored in journalism and history at Washington and Lee University and interned with the Fairfax County Times and USA Today. Nelson also holds an M.A.Ed. in Education from The College of William and Mary and an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. Her specialties include web-based journalism and social media. In her free time, Nelson enjoys creative writing, binge-watching, rock climbing, and triathlon training.

Katie Fletcher

KATIE FLETCHER

Faculty Advisor

Katie (Fletch) is a proud native Texan with a BA in political science and English from Texas Tech University. She teaches in a small town and is the sole member of the fine arts department at her school, where she oversees the production of the yearbook, the coordination of photography, teaches all art courses, and is in her 15th year of instructing journalism. Katie advises student council, fostering leadership skills and encouraging meaningful contributions to both the school and the community. She is passionate about the leadership development supported by both student council and WJMC, and she finds fulfillment in watching her students grow and succeed. Katie enjoys spending time with her family, photography, reading, attending concerts, following sports, playing spades, and traveling. She is thrilled to return to WJMC!