TIPA Offers Opportunities for Students
Baylor faculty, staff, and students are excited to welcome the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) back to Baylor and to help sponsor the annual convention. The convention provides opportunities for students to network, expand their journalism skills, and meet potential employers.
TIPA, a nonprofit organization, sponsors training programs and a spring convention for media students in Texas. It became the nation's oldest state collegiate press association when its first convention convened at Baylor in 1909.
Since its inception, it has grown into one of the largest collegiate groups in the nation, said Julie Reed, TIPA executive director and Baylor’s assistant student media adviser. Although headquartered at Baylor, a board governs the organization.
The annual TIPA convention offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy live contests, keynote speakers, workshops on cutting-edge topics, and job fairs featuring employers from various companies.
For the second year in a row, Baylor was the diamond sponsor of the annual TIPA spring convention. In addition to 21 Baylor 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.”
Baylor-NABJ President Cole Gee said he benefitted from the networking opportunities at the convention.
“The TIPA convention 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.”
Similarly, Baylor Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media graduate Raphael Roker, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism, said he enjoyed meeting potential employers. 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.
“The five steps were: identify your niche, build your skills, create your platforms, network and stay persistent,” he said. “These tips motivated me to create opportunities instead of waiting for them to arrive, so I will be prepared when the right one comes.”
Baylor Professor and Chair Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D. She is excited to have TIPA back on campus and looks forward to partnering with the organization. She attended the convention with NABJ-Baylor student members and noted its many great workshops, networking opportunities and speakers.
“TIPA helps prepare our students for the future of journalism, whatever that may be,” she said. “I really enjoyed the TIPA convention, and I am thankful Baylor was able to take on a leadership role in its planning. Julie Reed is an amazing director and her work in planning the event showed. Attendance, programming and logistics were great!”
Moody-Ramirez adds that the organization offers another opportunity for students to hone their reporting and writing skills and network—particularly those who are graduating and on the job market.
Gierra Cottingham, a spring 2024 graduate, said she benefited from attending the entire event, especially the job fair.
“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.”
