A note from Dean Tom Reichert
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Dear Alumni,
I hope you are enjoying your summer and had a good July 4th. We’re in the midst of planning for the upcoming academic year and visiting with alumni and professional partners.
Recently, several of us traveled to New York City for a productive set of visits that culminated in an alumni event with President Amiridis at the Mason Jar. Also, our new iSchool director, Dr. Lyda Fontes McCartin, visited with alumni at two conferences—ALA in Chicago and the Metrolina conference in Charlotte—since assuming the iSchool helm on June 1.
The J-school also welcomes new director Dr. Damion Waymer this month. We're excited about the energy and administrative experience he brings to the school. He will set the tone for the SJMC's next 100 years of success.
Summer is also typically a time for study abroad. We currently have over 80 CIC majors in Barcelona for the second year of our new low-cost study abroad experience for students. Other than in-state tuition, students only need to cover travel cost to participate. We expect to have over 100 students taking advantage of this program next year.
As always, there is much more in this edition of CIC Alum Connect—so keep scrolling. Again, thank you for all you do to support the college and our students.
Forever to thee!
Dean Reichert
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J-school names new director
Orangeburg native Damion Waymer has been selected as the next director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in USC’s College of Information and Communications. Learn more about Waymer >>
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Planning to attend the AEJMC Conference?
Join us for breakfast and a dessert social! These events are open to all SJMC graduates, students, alumni, faculty and current graduate students. No registration is required.
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USC Alumni Association Partners with the CIC
Spring 2023 graduates, through the generosity of CIC donors, you are now an annual member in the USC Alumni Association and should have received your membership kit mailed from the association. In addition to access to unique programming and activities offered by the alumni association, you also are invited to attend two alumni tailgates before the Furman, Florida, Vanderbilt, Kentucky or Clemson home football games. To obtain your tailgate tickets email Laura Bundrick for your special code to receive your tickets. We look forward to seeing you at the next tailgate! | |
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Jeffery Wilson
1992, print journalism
Vice president, workplace culture, DEI and chief of staff at Padilla.
Jeff Wilson, APR received the Excellence in Public Relations Award from the Richmond, Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond) in a ceremony on June 7, 2023. The award recognizes the achievement of a seasoned public relations practitioner who has made an ongoing commitment to the advancement of the profession. It is the chapter's highest honor.
With nearly 30 years of communications experience, Wilson serves as vice president of workplace culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and chief of staff at Padilla, one of the country’s leading mid-size communications agencies with offices in Minneapolis, Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va. As a member of the agency’s Cabinet (senior leadership team), Wilson is responsible for workplace culture programs, internal communications and DEI initiatives. He also provides DEI strategic counsel to clients across a variety of industries, as part of the agency’s Social Impact Consultancy, and speaks nationally on DEI and social impact issues. He previously led Padilla's agency marketing team for Padilla. Jeff also has specific expertise in community relations, grassroots marketing, issues management and higher education.
He has held several leadership positions within the community and a two-year term on the national board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He serves on the board (executive committee) for the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. He previously served as co-chair of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame advisory committee, chair for MENTOR Virginia, president of the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond) and president of the Richmond Public Relations Foundation, which recently named a scholarship on his behalf for Richmond Region college students of color. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in print journalism.
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Stacey McCray
2000, master's, mass communications
Promoted to vice president of communications
McCray will continue to oversee all internal and external communications for Bojangles as it pioneers itself into new markets, focusing on heavy-hitting PR campaigns and memorable employee and consumer engagement. Since she started, McCray has increased local and national media coverage for the brand and led an award-winning PR campaign that launched Bo’s Chicken Sandwich in New York. Prior to joining the company, she was vice president and associate director of public relations for Charlotte marketing firm Luquire, overseeing multiple accounts, including the agency’s work on Bojangles.
Read more >>
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Keisa Gunby
1996, mass communications
Named the chief public relations officer for the Richmond County School System in Augusta, Ga.
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Nancy (Holly) Poag
2023, mass communications
Poag is joining Coker University as their strategic communications manager in Hartsville, S.C.
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Jada Samuel
2018, broadcast journalism
Crowned Miss South Carolina, Samuel is a creative communicator, change agent and champion for girls. She is the founder of iShapeMe, a nonprofit mentoring organization that empowers girls and young women to shape themselves mentally, physically and spiritually.
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Katie Turner
2019, broadcast journalism
Nexstar CBS affiliate WBTW Myrtle Beach, S.C., has hired Katie Turner as the new host of their daily lifestyle show Living Local Carolina that airs weekdays at 9:30 a.m. Turner moves from co-owned WCBD Charleston, SC. Since June 2021, she has hosted WCBD’s Loving Living Local lifestyle show. WBTW Vice President and General Manager Robert Raff said, “It’s a great opportunity for WBTW to have someone with Katie’s hosting experience join our staff. She’s not only talented in front of the camera, but shoots and edits her own stories, too. We’re glad we can keep her in the Nexstar family.”
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Kristina Thacker
2023, broadcast journalism
Thacker accepted a position at WIS-TV in Columbia, S.C. as a multi-media journalist and producer. Thacker says, "I want to thank all my previous professors including Rick Peterson, Laura K. Smith and Anderson Burns for giving me a top-notch journalism education. I couldn't have done this without them."
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Cynthia Davies
1996, MLIS
After 25 years of service in two of South Carolina's technical colleges, in 2021, Davies assumed the role of vice president for academic affairs and workforce development at Western Piedmont Community College. In August 2022, she completed a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University. She and her husband Robert live in Morganton, N.C.
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David Smoak
2022, advertising
Smoak is the owner/creative director for Second Shift Design. In 2022, David was recognized with two gold awards in the New York Photography Awards – one for his work with AGCO Corporation (Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Gleaner) and one for Kubota's 50th Anniversary. That same year, he received two Official Selections in the International Photography Awards for his work with Kubota and radio station The JOY FM.
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Patrick Villegas
1994, broadcast journalism
Villegas, an experienced journalist and sales and marketing expert, joined The Daniel Island News as an associate publisher. Read more >>
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Erika Grimes
2018, public relations
Started new role as CHStoday city editor at 6AM City.
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Lauren Johnson
2008, public relations
Returned to her alma mater to serve as the senior director of development for the Arnold School of Public Health.
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Kailey Cota
2023, journalism
Former editor-in-chief of the Daily Gamecock accepted a new role as a data reporter at The Current GA.
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Suzanne S. LaPierre
2019, MLIS
Co-authored the book, Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries (The History Press, 2023). In addition, LaPierre is the Virginia specialist librarian at Fairfax County Government.
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Jackie McFadden
1988, MLIS
Named interim dean of Dacus Library and Archives at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Read more >>
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Kelly Hughes
2023, mass communications
Announced new role as the marketing and communications manager for the Capital City Lake Murray Country Tourism Board - one of South Carolina's 11 regional tourism organizations recognized by The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism promoting tourism in Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Saluda counties.
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Caiden Dinkins
2023, broadcast journalism
Started role as the morning meteorologist for KTXS-TV (ABC) in Abilene, Texas.
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Dylan Ortuno
2023, print journalism
Accepted a sports reporter role with the Idaho Mountain Express in Ketchum, Idaho.
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Carolyn Callahan
2008, broadcast journalism
Callahan is the chief of communications and community relations for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Ky. JCPS is made up of more than 155 schools and more than 95,000 students. Callahan was named the a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear. The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.
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Sydnie Tramontina
2022, visual communications
Tramontina is the graphic designer for Burpee Gardening in Warminster, Pa.
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Madeline Mulkey Ledford
2018, public relations
Ledford is pursuing her MBA from Emory University Goizueta School of Business while continuing to serve as the founder of McM Social Media. She recently married Will Ledford.
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*Have an alumni update to share? Complete our alumni update form.
We love to showcase the amazing work you are doing!
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Kickstart your
Cybersecurity Career
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The CIC is excited to announce our newest master's degree and certification, Information Security and Cyber Leadership!
In this program, you will learn about information policy, network protection and threat mitigation. Our flexible, online master's degree will provide you with both the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in this rapidly expanding field.
Virtual Info Session: Monday, July 10, 7 p.m. (EST)
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89014161329
Deadline to apply July 15**
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