Baylor JPR&NM Alumnus Describes Experience as Fulbright Scholar
Pablo Gonzales acknowledges Baylor’s undergraduate program for preparing him for the position he is in now: a Fulbright Scholar serving in Mexico City, Mexico. Gonzales graduated with a major in journalism and a concentration in news editorial. After graduation, he joined Teach for America, where he taught at a public school in Dallas. Gonzales was a bilingual teacher for two years, helping his students integrate into the United States school system. He recognized the difficulties that came with migration and the difficult policies around it.
https://www.baylor.edu/journalism/news.php?action=story&story=228864
Alumna Brings the War Closer to Home in this Dallas Morning News Commentary
Baylor JPR&NM alumna Sharon Grigsby brings the war closer to home in this commentary published in the Dallas Morning News. The longtime DMN local news and feature writer has a son and daughter-in-law who are of Ukrainian descent who are teaching in Slovenia.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2022/03/15/united-by-concerns-for-brave-ukrainians-my-son-teaches-near-its-border-while-im-half-a-world-away/
Alumna Joins the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as Local Governments Reporter
Congratulations to Jillian Price, who joined the newsroom of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a reporter covering local governments. Price graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving her master’s degree in journalism and media. An avid fan of documentaries, she has interned at several organizations including Channel 2 Action News here in Atlanta, the Daily Dot and Texas Monthly. Price is also a member of The National Association of Black Journalists, The Ida B. Wells Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.”
https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/reporter-jillian-price-will-join-the-ajc-newsroom/Y5MIUSRYO5EGFPOAUGMXAMDANA/
BizCom Names Monica Feid Chief Operating Officer
Monica Feid, a proud Baylor graduate, is one of the three original co-founders and a Principal from when BizCom was formed in 1999. She also has been the president of BizComPR since 2017. For the last 20+ years, she has been the heart and soul of BizCom. She has been vital in guiding, inspiring, educating and enabling our expanding team and our portfolio of world-class clients. In addition to her existing roles, she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency and its operating divisions, BizComPR, DigitalBizCom, BizComDesign and BizComPress.
Alumni Recognized for Service to the Profession
Congratulations to Baylor JPR&NM alumni Terry Barone and Philip Poole, ’77, who received awards in recognition of their service to the profession and life members of the Baptist Communicators Association. Both have communications careers spanning 40+ years and both served as president of BCA. At Baylor, both served on the RoundUp staff and worked in what was then known as the Baylor news bureau as students. Barone retired in December 2021 after 30 years as director of communications for the California Southern Baptist Convention. Poole served as Baylor PRSSA chapter president in 1976-77. He retired in July 2018 after 16 years as executive director of marketing and communications for Samford University. He retired once again in April after a second career teaching upper-level public relations courses for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Alumna Joins Certificate Program in Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism at the International Center of Photography in NYC
Congratulations to Baylor JPR&NM alumna Corrie Aune, who has been accepted into the full-time one-year certificate program in Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism at the International Center of Photography in NYC. ICP is recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to photography and visual culture. Cornell Capa founded ICP in 1974 to champion “concerned” photography. The International Center of Photography is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. It was founded to champion “concerned photography”—socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world. Through exhibitions, education programs, community outreach, and public programs, ICP offers an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image.
Alumna Accepts New Reporting Position in Jacksonville, Florida
Kennedy Dendy, Baylor JPR&NM alumna, accepted an opportunity to work with Action News Jax in Jacksonville, Florida, in January. Kennedy graduated from Baylor University with a degree in journalism. While at Baylor, she worked as a reporter, anchor and executive producer for Lariat TV News, where she covered many stories, including the controversial Shawn Oakman trial and acquittal. She joined the KEZI 9 News team as a news reporter in January 2020. Starting in April 2021, she also anchored on weekend mornings. Before KEZI 9 News, she interned at CBS This Morning in New York City. Working with the features team, Kennedy produced a variety of daily content.
Alumna Wins Small Agency of the Year
Congratulations to Baylor JPR&NM alumna Amanda Lewis Hill, MBA, APR, President & CEO of Three Box Strategic Communications, for receiving the “Small Agency of the Year” from PRSA Dallas. Three Box has been named a finalist for this year’s PRSA Silver Anvil Awards. Winners will be announced in May. Also employed at Three Box is JPR&NM alumna Ashton Brown.
Sharing Grief, Sharing Healing
In the article, “Sharing Grief, Sharing Healing,” Randy Fiedler features two alumnae who have found outlets to process their own grief while helping others. Baylor JPR&NM alumna Ella Prichard shares her how life changed after her husband of 46 years died, and she experienced unforeseen crises. Prichard is a JPR&NM advisory board member and Baylor supporter of many projects, including the Black Gospel Restoration Project. To read more: https://www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences/magazine/index.php?id=984659
Final Days on Earth Alumni Podcast
The summer 2022 issue of the Baylor Arts & Sciences magazine features alumni who use podcasts to educate and entertain a growing audience. In an article written by JPR&NM professor Kevin Tankersley, Claire St. Amant, JPR&NM’s 2022 alumna of the year, discusses Dammion Heard who was just 20 years old and a college athlete with a “life full of so much promise” when he disappeared in March 2014. His disappearance and his death — was ruled a suicide — which struck her as unusual and became the impetus for “Final Days on Earth.” Read more: https://www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences/magazine/index.php?id=984658
Alumnus Earns Juris Doctorate, Graduating with Honors
Baylor JPR&NM alumnus Joe Holloway (B.A., 2009) earned a juris doctorate, with honors, from the University of Houston Law Center on Sunday, May 15, 2022. After taking the July bar exam, h e plans to join the real estate investment and finance group in Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Houston office in September 2022. He is pictured with his wife, Sarah (Pullin) Holloway (B.S. Ed., 2011; M.S. Ed., 2014), and their daughter, Audrey Holloway (anticipated Baylor Class of 2043).
Alumna Received UIL’s Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) Award
Congratulations to Midway High School commercial photography teacher Jamie Beavers, the recipient of UIL’s Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) first place in objective writing and honorable mention in photography. Beavers, a Baylor JPR&NM alumna, won for a feature article on the Sul Ross Dance Club for senior citizens in Waco and for a photograph that she took of a groundhog while on vacation in Lubbock. Beavers' students won 17 ILPC state awards and 15 Press Women of Texas honors, two of which advanced to nationals. She has taught photography, yearbook, newspaper, and independent study in journalism at MHS for 22 years.
Alumna Joins KLBK team in Lubbock
Baylor JPR&NM alumna BrenShavia Jordan recently joined the KLBK team in Lubbock as the host of lifestyle show Trends & Friends! She graduated from Baylor University in 2019 and holds a degree in journalism with a concentration in news editorial and a minor in entrepreneurship. While attending Baylor she served as a reporter and anchor for Baylor’s Lariat TV News. She was also the social media chair for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). When she is not reporting, she loves spending time with her husband Quintin and their two children. BrenShavia is passionate about storytelling and connection with her local community.
JPR&NM Alumna Joins Hempstead ISD Staff
Baylor JPR&NM alumna Valonia Walker, APR, recently joined the Hempstead ISD staff, as their Chief Communications Officer. Walker formerly worked as the Aldine Communications officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Baylor University and a master’s degree in strategic communication and innovation, and a certification in advanced and digital media from Texas Tech University. Before beginning her career in K-12 school public relations, Walker worked as the social media and events manager for Theater District Houston. She helped create a collective voice for Houston’s performing arts scene via digital and print media, managed a bi-weekly Food Truck event, and orchestrated one of the largest free Theater District events, Theater District Open House. She is also an active member of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA), Houston Area School Public Relations Association (HASPRA), and the Houston chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Alumna’s Team Finishes Eighth in the Nation
JPR&NM alumna Alexandra Leatu, who is the Weatherford College Tennis head coach, celebrated a victory this year. In the program’s first season ever, the Coyotes finished eighth in the NJCAA National Championships.
Alumna Recently Promoted to Senior Marketing Manager at Biotech company in Irvine, California
Alumna Nina Thornton was recently promoted to Senior Marketing Manager at Zymo Research Corp. (a biotech company in Irvine, California) and awarded the company’s 2021 Young Leadership Award. She graduated from Baylor in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Film and Digital Media. She interned for a luxury lifestyle magazine the summer before her senior year and after graduation, interned with a digital marketing firm in California. After some very valuable lessons there, she went on to work as a consultant for nutraceutical companies at a health-focused marketing agency.
JPR&NM alumna Reaches Major Milestone
Baylor JPR&NM alumna Madelyn Gee graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas in Austin in August. While attending UT, she worked with numerous publications, including Austin Monthly, Black Texas Magazine and more. She wrote 150+ pieces as a Digital Intern for BlackNewsAlerts.com by “UrbanNewsroom” and is the Lifestyle Writer of Sage Magazine. She now serves as a staff writer for the Black culture publication Blavity, Inc., as well as freelances for entertainment publications including Mediaversity Reviews and Black Girl Nerds.
Congratulations to this year’s undergraduate and graduate JPR&NM majors. We are proud of you.
If you would like to be featured in Castellaw Kudos, please send your announcements of job transitions, birth announcements, and other accomplishments to Mia_Moody@baylor.edu. We feature accomplishments of faculty, alumni and students. Click this link to view previous issues of Castellaw Connect: https://bit.ly/CastellawConnectFall2021
One department, two majors, five concentrations, six minors and lots of choices.
Chair Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D.
Student Media Director Bruce Gietzen
Graduate Program Director Marlene Neill, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Program Director Liz Bates, Ph.D.
Office Manager Lanisa Tovar
Administrative Associate Dennisse Concepcion
For more information: https://www.baylor.edu/journalism/