Investing in the P.I. Reed School of Journalism
The P.I. Reed School of Journalism: A State of Minds Since 1939, the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism has been graduating journalism and mass communications specialists into of sources and platforms, are becoming increasingly fractured. Media consumers have become more selective, and access to current technology and media applications. At the same time, we will continue to honor our core traditions by providing hands-on an increasingly global marketplace. This more engaged, and more wired than ever learning experiences that serve the needs of our long-standing tradition of educating skilled before. Industry professionals are trying to meet students, the region, and the global community. 1 and ethical media professionals remains a those needs through multi-platform storytelling, We will conduct high-quality research that cornerstone of our approach. As a result, our interactive tools, and information that is current, helps to raise the University s research profile, graduates have gone on to successful careers trustworthy, and instantly accessible. advances our industry, and improves people s lives. as award-winning journalists and high-level As a school of journalism, we face a significant We will continue to recruit and retain the most strategic communicators. challenge. The industry demands much of our talented faculty who bring new ideas, passion, and Our focus on teaching accuracy, ethics, graduates and us. It is no longer enough to professionalism to the classroom. Their research reporting, and writing has not changed, but the train our students to be skilled communications and discoveries will help to strengthen the role of digital revolution has required that we further professionals. We also must prepare them to be media in a democratic society. adapt our curriculum and programs to remain leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, who are The reason is clear: The people and relevant to our students and industry. able and ready to meet the demands of the 21st industries of West Virginia expect much from us. The journalism and mass communications century media revolution. Knowledge. Leadership. Innovation. And skilled industry is undergoing a radical change. This is our State of Minds at the School of graduates who will contribute to the growth and Newspapers and broadcast outlets are losing Journalism: We will provide our students with vitality of their own local communities. We can readers, viewers, and revenue. Audiences, a dynamic, relevant education, offering an and will exceed those expectations but only bombarded with information from a variety innovative curriculum, real-world opportunities, with your generosity and support.
The Trajectory of Success With more than seven decades behind us, the P.I. Reed School of Journalism has never been in a better position to shape cross-platform storytelling and interactive media technologies, while helping to boost tourism and economic development in the former successful online minors. Peer institutions often look to us for advice on developing academically rigorous programs that can be offered online. the future and lead change. Our progress is booming coal community. Even with these successes, there is so much 2 evident through our strong enrollment, the Similarly, the Mobile Main Street initiative more we can do with your commitment, vision, modernization of our facilities, the continued is a cross-curricular experiment in new economic and generosity. The School s participation in A success of our alumni, and our growing models for community media. Students and State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia s reputation as a leader in innovation. faculty are developing mobile applications to University will support new opportunities and We have earned national recognition for our deliver news and commercial content and, initiatives designed to address the challenges real-world experiential learning and community ultimately, to provide revenue streams for rural our industry and academic discipline face in a outreach projects from the student-produced media and small businesses in Appalachia. constantly evolving communications landscape. newscast ranked best in the nation by the In addition to our niche in service learning, As we look ahead, we must remain relevant Broadcast Education Association to West we have become a national leader in online to our students by providing them an innovative Virginia Uncovered, a grant-funded project education, offering ground-breaking degree curriculum and the skills and mindset to adapt designed to help rural media transition to the programs, such as the nation s first online master s to an industry in flux. We will continue to build digital age. degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. upon our growing reputation as a center of The Soldiers of the Coalfields media Our relevance to the University community research, creative activity, and service learning, project in Kimball, W.Va., is chronicling the also remains strong, as we serve a large number attracting the best and brightest students and stories of African American veterans, utilizing of non-journalism students through our highly faculty to help lead us into the future.
We must remain relevant to our students by providing them an innovative curriculum and the skills and mindset to adapt to an industry in flux.
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Priorities for Tomorrow The P.I. Reed School of Journalism has identified a list of essential funding priorities that, with your vital support, will power our accomplishments in education and research in the coming decades. A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia s University is the vehicle through which you can make a difference for students and faculty members, as well as our state, national, and global communities. Named Professorships and Faculty Support As we face increased competition for top faculty, we must create salary and incentive packages that will allow us to recruit and retain the best professionals in our field. The ability to provide faculty salary supplements remains a top development priority. Currently, four of the School s 20 full-time faculty positions are either enhanced or endowed. The goal of the campaign would be to create one additional endowed professorship, particularly in the area of multimedia journalism, public relations, or integrated marketing communications. Another goal would be to create an endowment to support a rotating research position that would contribute to the University s enhanced research mission. We also would like to generate funds that support faculty research and travel to relevant academic conferences. Investment Total: $750,000 We are poised to help chart the course of our industry and redefine the role of journalism and strategic communications in the new age. 5
6 Student Scholarships and Enhancement The School currently has 35 scholarship endowments, which allow us to provide financial support to eligible students. The School seeks additional support for scholarships directed to high-performing students and non-resident students who don t benefit from the in-state Promise Scholarship. In addition, the School seeks funds to enhance the student experience through internships and study-abroad opportunities. Internships are a necessity for School of Journalism students to gain professional experience, but many of our students can t afford to intern in major markets where they have to pay for course credit and room and board. Our students also benefit from international experiences but often can t afford the travel costs and added expenses. To attract high-caliber students, we know we must provide support for these opportunities. Investment Total: $250,000 Visiting Professional Program The journalism and strategic communications fields are undergoing a dramatic revolution in which traditional print and broadcast media are losing audiences to digital and interactive media. To remain relevant, schools of journalism and mass communications must evolve and adapt to the new media landscape. Since traditional faculty are often several years removed from their professions, it is imperative that we be able to hire professionals whose experience is current and cutting-edge. An endowed Visiting Professional Program would allow us to bring top professionals to campus on a rotating basis, for semester- or year-long residencies, to teach classes and seminars, give public lectures, and help the School develop innovative curricula and programs in new areas, such as multimedia journalism, social media marketing, energy journalism, and sports digital media. Investment Total: $500,000
Multimedia Innovation Lab We are seeking to create a multimedia innovation lab in which students will produce real-world products and projects across digital media platforms. The lab will be home to the West Virginia Uncovered project a nationally recognized multimedia reportertraining project upper-level skills courses, and other special projects. One-time funding is needed to create the lab, which would include the latest instructional technology, digital media tools, and an open, flexible space to accommodate teamwork and inspire innovation. An additional endowment is needed to generate funding to replace technology and equipment on an ongoing basis, ensuring the innovation lab remains relevant over time. Investment Total: $1 Million Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Doctoral Program The School of Journalism plans to launch a doctoral program in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). This would be the School s first doctoral program, and it would be the first IMC doctoral program in the country. The program would be delivered in a hybrid format (primarily online with limited residencies). The program would prepare graduates for careers in academia, higher education administration, and targeted industry positions. It also would generate new knowledge about the evolving discipline of IMC. The fund would provide monies for curriculum development, program research, travel, and research support for IMC faculty, as well as additional start-up costs. Investment Total: $1 Million 7
Creating a Culture of Excellence and Innovation 8 The digital media revolution has dramatically transformed journalism and mass communications. As journalism educators, we are responding to that change with an innovative approach and an entrepreneurial spirit, hallmark characteristics of the P.I. Reed School of Journalism. Flexible and nimble, our School has always accomplished more than would seem possible with a relatively small faculty and limited resources. In recent years, the School has earned a national reputation for its hands-on curriculum, community outreach projects, and high-quality online programs. But in today s rapidly changing media environment, we face new challenges and new opportunities. As an academic discipline, we must continue to evolve our curriculum and programs to remain relevant to our students and the industry we serve and lead. We must prepare our students to be communications professionals able to write, report, produce, and persuade across media channels and platforms. We also must prepare them to be adaptable and entrepreneurial, able to respond to and lead change during a time of media transformation and reinvention. And we must expose them to a diversity of cultural and global experiences that will prepare them for a changing world. In addition, we have a growing responsibility to generate new knowledge that will advance our industry and help reposition journalism to its vital role in our democratic society. To that end, we must continue to hire talented faculty and support their efforts in research and creative scholarship. We must continue to invest in technology and our learning labs to create an environment conducive to discovery, innovation, and teamwork. We are poised to help chart the course of our industry and redefine the role of journalism and strategic communications in the new age. But we can t do it without your vision and generosity. I urge you to support the P.I. Reed School of Journalism through A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia s University. With your investment, you can play an integral role in helping our students succeed and our industry thrive during this exciting and challenging time. Maryanne Reed Dean
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY West Virginia s healthcare epicenter, its flagship of service, its brain trust. Home to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking minds in the country, WVU serves the world by first serving its state. We have emerged as a leader in solving today s most complex problems, and we are ready to share our State of Minds with the world. A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia s University is about investing in the values, ambition, intellect, and mindset that define one of the most exciting universities in the country. With support from alumni, friends, foundations, and partners, West Virginia University will be in a position to lead the national and global dialogue on energy, health, the environment, the economy and so much more. West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism Office of Development 1511 University Avenue P.O. Box 6010 Morgantown, WV 26506-6010 304-293-3505 www.journalism.wvu.edu One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor P.O. Box 1650 Morgantown, WV 26507-1650 304-284-4000 or 800-847-3856 www.astateofminds.com