Tag: 2019
Dr. Richard T. Craig
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 25, 2017
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DR. RICHARD T. CRAIG
MA Director, Communication, George Mason University
Richard Craig directs the MA program in the Department of Communication at George Mason University and teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level about the influence of the media. He has been a part of the university and the communications department since the fall of 2009. Dr. Craig received his BA in Journalism from Olivet College, his MA in Telecommunications Management from Michigan State University, and his PhD in Mass Communication/Media Studies from Howard University. His research centers on mass media political economy; addressing the production, distribution and consumption of media content. He takes particular interest in exploring the social structure/struggle embedded in media production and interpreted in media consumption. His goal is to use research to influence the development of policy to enhance opportunities for media production and distribution by marginalized cultures. In recognition for his work, he received the 2021 Spirit of King Faculty Award as part of Mason’s annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Evening of Reflection event.
Meghan A.T.B. Reese
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 24, 2017
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MEGHAN A.T.B. REESE
Producer, Writer, & Photographer
Meghan Reese is a producer, writer, and photographer. Reese’s credits include producing and writing for National Geographic, National Geographic WILD, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, History Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Science Channel, Oxygen, A&E, Animal Planet, Amazon Prime, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Family, PBS, Sony, Capital TV Pakistan, Facebook and Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and NASA.
Reese also runs Ography — her own photography and multimedia shop — capturing events for the National Park Service, the White House, and many other businesses, families, and events. Her photography has been featured by The National Park Service, The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, PBS, and more.
Reese’s first step into production was as an assistant director and producer for WGBH PBS’s news coverage team, where Reese covered local Boston stories and major national events including the nomination and election of President Barack Obama.
Prior to making the switch to television and film, Reese was an award-winning writer and editor for several newspapers, medical, health and lifestyle magazines, and executive editor of Today’s Dietitian Cookbook. Her writing career began at USA Today, covering fashion, trends, and popular culture.
Reese holds a journalism degree from American University, where she held several prestigious internships around the Washington D.C. area, including The Washington Post, CNN, NPR, and at the White House.
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 (Shedd)
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 12, 2017
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JULIETTE ROUGE
Associate Dean & Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
Dr. Juliette Rouge (Shedd) is the Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. She teaches research and practice methods courses and 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. Her 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. She is an active practitioner working internationally on peacebuilding in divided communities and developing local leadership capacity with communities in Ukraine, Serbia, Myanmar, and Central Asia. Locally, she 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. She leads the Carter Schools administrative staff, budget and administrative processes, and new program and partnership development. She has shepherded the Carter School’s efforts to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic and to build upon effective distance education offerings along with overseeing a wide range of innovations in experiential and service learning.
Matt Rasgorshek
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 6, 2017
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MATT RASGORSHEK
Faculty Advisor
Matt Rasgorshek is the journalism advisor at Creighton Prep High School in Omaha, NE. He has advised video and online publications that have received state, regional and national recognition. Rasgorshek 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
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 6, 2017
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MATT SCHOTT
Faculty Advisor
Matt Schott is the publications adviser at Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Mo., where he just completed his 17th year. He advises the newspaper, yearbook, website and broadcast at FHC, where students have been the recipients of numerous local, state and national awards. He’s been honored with two teaching awards by the Dow Jones News Fund, was the 2010 Journalism Teacher of the Year in Missouri and was named one of six recipients of the Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award in 2019. Prior to teaching, Matt was a designer and editor at newspapers in Missouri, Illinois and Florida. Matt also is a freelance photographer for various clients around St. Louis in his free time and loves soccer and reading.
Melissa Larson
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 6, 2017
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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
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 6, 2017
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CHRISSY WIEDEMANN
Faculty Advisor
As a teacher for 18 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and Journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Va. 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.) No English teacher has loads of free time during the school year, but when she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC. Summers on the beach and traveling to other countries are also favorites of hers. Chrissy is excited to return to Mason for her third WJMC and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!
April van Buren
- Post author By Allison Dodson
- Post date April 6, 2017
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APRIL VAN BUREN
Faculty Advisor
April van Buren, MJE, advises yearbook (Tower Tales), broadcast (Tower TV), and a new journalism website (Tower Media), and also teaches various digital media classes including graphic design and web design at East High School in Madison, WI. She has taught journalism for about 18 years, including at Parkway Central High School in suburban St. Louis and at Mesa Vista Middle and High School in rural New Mexico. She has also been an adjunct professor for the Communications Department at the University of New Mexico-Taos. From 2010 to May of 2013, she served as the New Mexico director for the Journalism Education Association and as the Vice President of the NM 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 NM Adviser of the Year and currently serves on the Board for the Kettle Moraine Press Association and as the Broadcast Contest Director for the Journalism Education Association. In her free time, she likes to read young adult fiction, and plays roller derby and ice hockey.