TIPA Offers Opportunities for Students

Baylor faculty, staff, and students are excited to welcome the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) back to Baylor.

With its first meeting at Baylor in 1909, TIPA became the nation's oldest state collegiate press association. It has grown into one of the largest collegiate groups, said Julie Reed, TIPA executive director and Baylor’s assistant student media adviser.

TIPA is a nonprofit organization that holds live contests, training programs and a spring convention for media students in Texas. Although headquartered at Baylor, the organization is governed by a board, and all decisions are made by the membership.

For the second year in a row, Baylor was the diamond sponsor of the annual TIPA spring convention. In addition to 21 students, faculty members and advisers, five Baylor Marketing and Communications team members attended to celebrate Baylor’s new role as the home of TIPA. 

Among those in attendance were Jason Cook, Baylor University vice president for marketing and communications; Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for media and public relations; and Torie Johnson, associate vice president of strategic communications and initiatives. 

Cook spoke at the TIPA Hall of Fame luncheon, asserting Baylor’s commitment to student journalists. 

“We did not sponsor this convention for the recognition,” Cook told the audience. “We wanted to recognize students' work at the end of the day and the impact you guys are making on the media.” 

Members of one student group say they benefited from attending the TIPA 2024 convention, said Baylor NABJ President Cole Gee.

“TIPA offered the opportunity to network and connect to professionals in all forms of journalism,” he said. “I met a lot of accomplished people. I gained a new perspective on my future and journalism and what I hope to do once I graduate next semester.”

The convention included 31 live contests and employers from various companies. 

“TIPA intensely boosted my confidence, and I had great conversations with broadcast employers who poured excellent advice and knowledge into me,” said Gierra Cottingham. “The workshops were personable and informative.”

Baylor Journalism, Public Relations and New Media graduate student Raphael Roker, who is pursuing a master’s degree in journalism, said his favorite session during TIPA centered on self-starting a journalism business. Presenters encouraged attendees to start where they are to gain the experience they need for the real world.