Major Spotlight: Communication and Media Studies

I was the kind of student who came in undecided Freshman year and had absolutely no clue what I wanted to major in, and this is completely fine! Choosing a major can be an extremely stressful decision, which is why I want to share some of the amazing perks of the major that I decided on two years ago and have not regretted since: Communications and Media Studies! 

I didn't fall in love with Communications until I took an introductory class in it Freshman year.  I soon realized that I was fascinated and could definitely see myself creating a career for myself in this field in my future.  I was particularly drawn in by the fact that this major could take me in so many directions, I was not limited to one specific job. 

As a Communications major you will need to pick a concentration, in other words a specific area of study.  There are five different concentrations to choose from: 1) Film 2) Journalism 3)Media, Culture, and Society 4) New Media/Participatory Media and 5) Television/Radio.  

There are some core classes that are the same for all concentrations.  Before moving on in your chosen focus you will need to take two introductory courses, which are both extremely interesting and do a great job of introducing you to the field!  One of my favorite parts of the Communications major at Fordham is the fact that each concentration allows room for electives so you have the opportunity to check out classes from other focuses that you may be interested in.  

All of the professors in the department here are amazing and have an insane amount of knowledge about the field!  Another perk is that the Communications department is constantly hosting fun and interesting events with all kinds of guest speakers! 

Some of my personal favorite Communications classes that I have taken during my time at Fordham are: Communication Technologies & Society, Media Law, and Persuasion & Attitude Change.  I have absolutely loved having the opportunity to study Communications during my time here at Fordham and I cannot wait to see what awesome classes my Senior year will provide me with! 

Click here to learn more about the Communications Department here at Fordham! 

Or check them out on Facebook! 

When Journalism and Theatre Collide

I am a very proud communications major (with a concentration in journalism) here at Fordham. I look forward to getting a job in the journalism field. In addition to my passion for news, I also have a passion for Broadway or anything theatre related at all. That’s why I was so quick to register for Fordham’s “Theatre Journalism” class this spring.

Theatre Journalism is by far my favorite class I have taken at Fordham so far. The class is at Lincoln Center and being a rose hill student, I do have to commute to class via ram van, but it is well worth it! The professor is Frank DiLella. He is the feature Theatre reporter for NY 1 in addition to hosting  the weekly television show On Stage Across America.  He is so knowledgeable because he is active in the communications field right now. He has structured the class in a very experiential way that helps us develop skills that we will be able to use in the future. Some of our assignments included writing TV news scripts and articles, creating publicity plans for Broadway shows, and writing Broadway reviews.   We have also had a ton of guest speakers including, Glenn Burger, co writer of Spiderman: Turn off the Dark and author of Song of Spiderman, and Paul Wontorek of Broadway.com.  But, I must admit my favorite class was when our professor took us to the NY1 studio and gave us a tour. We also had the privilege of talking to many people who also work at NY1 including, Roma Torre the midday anchor for the station

This is the Playbill for a show I saw for my theatre journalism class

What I love most about this class is that it has practical value. Instead of studying about the industry through textbooks, we are actually doing what we would be doing if we were Journalist. This hands on approach enables us to receive extremely valuable experience in an environment that fosters learning. I look forward to taking other communications courses in the future!

Branching Out!

Students modeling for MODE's photo op

On September 3^rd, I attended Fordham’s annual Club Fair on Edward’s Parade.  The usual campus hangout was encircled by tables, one for mostly every club here at Fordham.  The club fair allows students to see what is happening on campus and gives them an opportunity to get involved with something that they find interesting. At each table you can receive a brief overview of what the club is and give them your email to receive more information as well as meeting times.  As a sophomore, I wanted to broaden my horizons and get involved with something new and exciting.  I came across many clubs that caught my attention, but the one I was most interested in was MODE.

The Fall 2013 Cover

The Spring 2014 Cover

MODE is Fordham’s version of a fashion magazine.  A group of students work together to publish one edition every semester which gets distributed right before the start of finals.  The magazine covers a myriad of topics from fashion to romance to fitness.  What makes MODE special is its emphasis on the Fordham community in its articles.  The models and interview subjects in the articles are all current students or alumni.  Fashion on campus was a huge part of the most recent edition of the magazine.  It is very cool to see people you know in the magazine! Also, it makes it super easy for any Fordham student to relate to!

As a communications major, I was very interested in being a part of MODE.  Writing for a magazine can be a good way to improve on your writing skills while being a great resume booster as well.  Rumor has it, members of MODE have interned for big time magazines such as Teen Vogue!  Being a part of publishing a magazine is not only good for potential writers or journalists.  It is a great way for anyone interested in fashion, photography or graphic design to gain experience.  Although I am just starting to get involved, I cannot wait to begin writing for the magazine! 

Senior Spotlight: Emily Pandise

During my short time at Fordham, I've met plenty of hardworking, ambitious students, especially in Rose Hill's performing arts scene. One of the busiest and most accomplished is Emily Pandise, who I've gotten to know mostly during her time as president of the Mimes and Mummers, our main stage theatre group. Having been recently accepted to NBC's insanely competitive Page Program, her post-grad plans are also looking pretty sweet. This weekend I chatted with Emily about her college experience, crazy schedule, and future adventures.

Name: Emily Pandise

Year: FCRH '14

Major: Double major in American Studies and Communication & Media Studies 

Hometown: Mahwah, NJ 

Clubs: The Mimes and Mummers, Fordham Experimental Theatre, 90.7 FM WFUV, Fordham TV (Fordham Nightly News and Fordham Mornings)

Internships: Entertainment Events, Inc. (Summer '12), Weekend TODAY at NBC (Spring and Summer '13), MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

Did you come to college with a clear idea of you wanted to do? 

I did, but I completely changed my mind. I really wanted to go into publishing; I wanted to be an editor for fiction publications and ultimately become a writer. I wanted to write first-person essays and short stories. When I got here and got involved in a few activities, I realized that I really like working with people more than I like reading about people. So through my involvement with the Mimes and Mummers and especially with Fordham TV, I realized that I really like to be hands on, not working in an office, and that television would be a better fit for me. 

How did you end up at Fordham? 

When I was looking at schools, Fordham was on my list because my guidance counselor had mentioned it, and I knew a lot of people who went here who were happy. I ended up getting in through early admissions, and they gave me a bit money. This was the last school I visited. I had been doing theater since high school, and I came to visit a friend of mine overnight and sat in on an FET rehearsal; they were doing Clue. I sat in on a class I really liked. I think it's nice that the people here are the kind of people who open doors for each other. Good vibes.

If you could do the college process over again, what would you do differently, if anything?

I applied to a lot of reach schools, so I would've probably applied to more safety schools for scholarship money. But I'm so happy I ended up here, especially as someone who didn't know she was interested in television until she came here. 

Could you describe your most favorite role as a leader and student on campus? 

That's such a toss-up. I have loved working with the Mimes and Mummers, and the club has afforded me so many opportunities that I wouldn't have been able to get elsewhere… but I have loved producing Fordham Mornings just as much. I really couldn't pick one.

What kind of opportunities has Fordham given you that you might not have found elsewhere?

I think it's really great (because this is not the case in other schools) that students have the chance to work in the TV studio and the radio studio no matter what their major is. Neither of my co-producers for Fordham Mornings are communications majors. My sister's at Syracuse, and I know they won't let her work in the television studio because she's not a communications major.  

What kind of duties do you have as a Fordham TV producer?

We have production meetings every week to decide what's gonna go into our next show. We write, shoot, and edit everything ourselves. Every week I do between one through three packages to air. And we have bunch of live segments, musical guests, and interviews every week. This semester we've added a cooking segment, which has been really fun. I do a lot of the "Do It Yourself" segment each week. I've done fitness segments. We have a new segment called Student Spotlight, and we focus on people and events on campus. During the shows, I floor manage.

What're your post-graduation plans? Do you have an ideal job in mind?

Since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a writer in some form…and then you know, theater is the art of live storytelling. News is the same thing, and I love that no matter what, you can talk to the most important person in the world or the least important person, and you can still tell someone about them. I'm really excited because I was accepted to the Page program in November, so I'll be starting work as a Page in August. 

My ideal job is to be a segment producer for news. I really love talking to people, and I love asking questions and hearing what people have to say, and telling the story for those who can't tell it themselves. You know, because there's so many people who don't have the means, or just can't really articulate what needs to be articulated. 

Can you talk more about what the Page Program entails?

It's a one year program, and it's super competitive. They choose about 80 people from about 12,000 that apply, so it's really, really exciting. And they choose people that want to spend their careers at NBC. You apply for three-month assignments, so you can really get a taste for what each department is like, and from there you can decide what you want to do. Hopefully I'll get to do work with MSNBC, and then morning shows, and then nightly shows. We also give tours and seat people for SNL and other shows.

I know you've had several internships at college. What has been your most favorite internship experience so far?

That's hard. Weekend Today was great, obviously. I spent 8 months there, and I really loved it. And I gotta tell you, I was working on the The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, and they had amazing people there, and I learned a lot from them. I learned a lot about politics. And at network news, they have so much money and so many resources, but they do so much with so little in a 24-hour turnover period at MSNBC. It's incredible what the producers and editors do over there. 

I remember seeing on Facebook that you actually got to go on air at one point.

Yeah, I was modeling Kate Middleton's maternity dress on Weekend Today. I was working late in the office one weekend, and they said, "Hey, what's your dress size?"

Finally, what have you loved most about Fordham?

I think the sense of community here is really strong. And you can really find people who are passionate about the things you're passionate about, and you form lifelong friendships over those things. I love how open people are, how much they're willing to share their time and share themselves with you.

Student Spotlight: Connor Ryan

photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zanghi, Ram photo editor

When I first met Connor Ryan three years ago at a production night for The Ram newspaper, I immediately thought him intelligent and personable, if somewhat quiet. Looking back on our initial encounters, I wonder how I missed the determination and passion for reporting glinting behind the lens of his thickly-rimmed glasses. During his time at Fordham, Connor has quickly risen up the ranks of The Ram, securing the editor-in-chief position as a second-semester sophomore, while simultaneously taking on multiple journalism internships and a job as news manager at WFUV, Fordham's NPR-affiliate radio station. Connor knows more about the world of journalism than anyone else I know at Fordham, so I couldn't wait to interview him!

Year: Junior

Major: Communication and Media Studies

Hometown: Darien, Conn.

Clubs/internships: Editor-in-Chief of The Fordham Ram, News Manager at WFUV (NPR-affiliate), Collegiate Correspondent for USA TODAY, News Intern at Newsday

What kinds of opportunities has Fordham afforded you that might not have been possible at another school?

When it comes to journalism, Fordham has provided me with strong academic training and incredible hands-on experiences — a necessary combination for anyone trying to break into the industry. The communication and media studies major offers a wide array of courses for students interested in studying journalism. And outside of the classroom, it’s easy to gain extracurricular experience whether it’s at The Ram, WFUV or Fordham Nightly News (the on-campus television channel). I feel lucky to be a student here.

How would you describe your experience serving as The Ram's editor-in-chief?

Working as editor-in-chief of The Ram has been — and always will be — one of the greatest honors of my life. Asking questions and exploring issues on campus on behalf of the student body is a great privilege, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. Plus, most of my best friends at Fordham I’ve met at The Ram.

I know you are an avid tweeter and that a social media initiative was one of your primary focuses as EIC. Can you explain how you have seen social media change the world of journalism and communication, and talk a bit about what you think the future has in store for journalists?

It’s amazing to see the influence social media has had on the journalism industry. The first place I go when I wake up in the morning to get acquainted with the news and how people are reacting to it is Twitter. Social media has totally been a game-changer, but I’m just a kid, so it’s really all I’ve ever known. I think the role of social media will only grow to be larger in the future.

What is your favorite part of reporting for Fordham's radio station, WFUV?

The best part of reporting for WFUV is working beside reporters from The New York Times and NBC News at a Mayor Bloomberg press conference in Manhattan. I think the most effective way to learn about journalism is to actually get your hands dirty and begin producing work. And that field experience is held in high regard at WFUV. Students are given the same credentials major news organizations are given, we’re sent into the field to do our reporting and then a few hours later we’re on the radio delivering the news to hundreds of listeners. And because the station is affiliated with National Public Radio, we will occasionally file reports for national newscasts that are heard throughout the country. It’s incredible experience.

In addition, the mentorship at WFUV is simply unbeatable. Not only are George Bodarky (News Director) and Robin Shannon (Assistant News Director) tremendously talented journalists, but they are also some of the best teachers I have ever had. WFUV launched my career, and I’ll always be proud to say that.

If you could have any job in the world following your graduation from Fordham, what would it be?

My hope is that after graduation I’m still typing — ideally for a newspaper or news website in New York City.

Do you have any advice for the high school juniors and seniors currently applying to colleges who are aspiring journalists?

Plan ahead! When thinking about where to go to college, consider a variety of factors: academic programs, extracurricular offerings, geographic location, alumni network, etc. Look for nearby internship opportunities. Explore the websites of college newspapers. Look at the journalists that have graduated from the school. But ultimately, go where you think you’ll be happiest. I think it can be counterproductive to overanalyze the decision.

Be passionate, but keep and open mind. The journalism landscape is constantly evolving, and you’ll need to be fluent in a wide range of mediums and platforms — print, video, radio, web, social media, etc. — if you want to be successful. It’s true, the corners of journalism are folding onto each other, but don’t pay attention to the naysayers. The industry is alive and well — in fact, it needs you!

Be persistent and work hard.

Fordham students are doing amazing things. Stay tuned for next month's Student Spotlight!

My NYC Internship!

One of the great perks that comes along with being a Fordham student is being so close to Manhattan. As many know Manhattan is filled with amazing internship opportunities and I was lucky enough to scoop one up! I have the privilege of interning for a public relations company named Upspring PR. They specialize in interior design firms that do both residential and commercial locations. I am a communication and media studies major,  so an internship along these lines is a great opportunity for experience that will definitely look great on my resume! I am writing press releases and creating huge press lists for the companies clients and also learning so much about the industry I hope to venture into when I graduate.  I certainly am not the typical intern that is depicted in movies who has to run and get thirty coffees and pick up dry cleaning I get the opportunity to be a part of the things that are going on everyday in my office. Also, an extra perk of my internship is being able to work under a Fordham alum! 

I was able to create a schedule for my fall semester where I had both Wednesdays and Fridays off by simply taking two classes that only meet once a week. This leaves me the opportunity to head in to Manhattan for my internship on both of these days from 9:30-5:00!  My office is located on 30th Street and 5th Avenue, so I am in a great location to explore when I am done at the end of the day!

Fordham makes it extremely easy to intern during the year at the same time as your classes.  They offer credit for many types of internships and they also offer free Ram Van transportation passes so you don't even have to spend money traveling back and forth from where you have to be! As a Fordham student I feel like I have so many opportunities to experience the world I am hoping to go into before I even graduate, which I feel is a huge advantage that comes with being a Fordham Ram! 

                                                           Exploring the city!!!

Off to the United Nations!

Instead of meeting in the regular room for class this week, my International Communication class went to the United Nations. Since we spend much time discussing the UN and its impact on our global society in the course, our professor decided it would be worthwhile to take advantage of our location in New York City and our proximity to the United Nations Headquarters.

UN Visitor Centre

While there, we went on a guided tour, where we learned about various aspects of the UN, hearing about everything from its founding to the artwork on display (and everything in between)!  We were able to walk through the Economic and Social Council chamber, where a meeting was being held. Upon entering the Security Council Chamber, we were told about the importance of the council and the impact it has had on the world...in the very spot where the members meet! After the tour, we attended a briefing, where we learned about the media and news division of the UN.

UN Security Council Chamber

To be able to supplement a semester of more traditional classroom learning with a "field trip" like this was a great experience!

The Edward A. Walsh Digital Media Laboratory

The Lab:

Founded in 1997 in response to an increasingly tech-based society, the Edward A. Walsh Digital Media Laboratory is an ideal location for any budding multimedia enthusiast. The workshop is home to a classroom for group instruction, in such fields as video production and online journalism, a workroom for individualized projects, and production space, all of which are located on the third floor of Faculty Memorial Hall.

The Staff:

Edward Wachtel is both an Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Media Lab. In addition to overseeing daily operations, Professor Wachtel instructs a course in Video Production, in which students develop, produce, and present their own short films. I have personally taken the class, and found it to be a fascinating exploration of what it means to create a motion picture.

Ed Wachtel

Hopeton Campbell, Technical Supervisor and adjunct professor, is responsible for facilitating the hiring and training of student workers, managing laboratory servers, and assisting in the use of equipment and software, all the while instructing a course in Digital Media. 

Hopeton Campbell

Each individual is often praised for their depth of knowledge and ability to aid students, an account I can confirm. 

The Equipment:

Individuals are able to make use of an extensive variety of media oriented software, including Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Acrobat, each of which can be found on laboratory computers. In addition, high-definition camera kits are available to anyone currently enrolled in a Video Production course

I am quite fond of the lab, as both a student and employee. It provides an outlet for undergraduates to examine aspects of media culture they may otherwise not have access to. Moreover, the hands on approach taken by professors renders instruction not only painless, but pleasurable. Accordingly, it is in my opinion that everyone should explore The Lab, whether for class or otherwise, as they may stumble upon a new hobby, or potential profession.

Written by Shane Yelicanin

Alumni Spotlight: Abby Forget, FCRH 2012

When visiting schools, it is always a great idea to ask about job placement statistics. While your four years of college are sure to be a blast, the ultimate goal upon graduating is to find a job in your field of study. Each month, our blog will feature an Alumni Spotlight to help you get an idea of where Fordham graduates are now. I sat down with Abby Forget, a member of the class of 2012, while she shared some of her experiences in "the real world" thus far.

 

Name: Abby Forget 

Hometown: Attleboro, Massachusetts 
Graduation Year: FCRH Class of 2012

Major: Communication and Media Studies & English

Where are you now? I am a News Editor at FoxNews.com

 Did you have any internships during your time at Fordham? 
I interned at The Sun Chronicle, a newspaper in my hometown in Massachusetts. I also interned for PTO Today magazine, FoxBusiness.com, Fox News Channel University and FoxNews.com, where I now work.

What were you involved in during your time at Fordham?
I was on The Ram newspaper staff as a staff writer, copy editor, managing editor and assistant news editor. I worked as a lifeguard at the Lombardi Center and as a student ambassador at alumni and trustee events for the Fordham Development and University Relations office.

Can you talk a little about the interview process for your full time job offer?
I had interviews with HR and my prospective managers at Fox, as well as grammar, geography and writing tests.

What do you do on a daily basis at work?
As a News Editor for FoxNews.com, my week is split between running the homepage and working on production. Half of the week, I’m responsible for putting stories, headlines, videos and photos on the homepage, sending out breaking news emails, and streaming press conferences and events on the site. The other half of the week I’m production, so I produce, write and edit content for the site.

What do you miss most about Fordham?
All of my friends being in the same place!  I miss seeing everyone all the time.

How did Fordham help prepare you for the "real world"?
It helped me to become more independent.  Moving after graduation and starting my job hardly felt like a big adjustment, because I had already been living away from home in NY and commuting to internships in the city. 

What is your advice for students beginning their college experience?
Intern as soon as you can and as much as you can.  My communications classes were interesting and informative, but my internships were what allowed me to make so many valuable connections and the experience I got helped me to get my job.

Be sure to check out next month's alumni blog to hear more about where Fordham graduates are now!

Moodswing360

Having already had the fortune of functioning in three very different internships, I was ecstatic to finally land a position in the field I am interested in pursuing - the music and entertainment industry.
Moodswing360, a music booking and strategic marketing agency, is the company I currently intern with, and I am thoroughly enjoying my experience with this relatively small agency, located in Chelsea.
LMFAO, Dev, Hyper Crush, Das Racist, and Travie McCoy are some of the artists they represent, just to name a few, and as an intern I am responsible for managing these artists calendars, as well as those of our other talent.
As an intern I am also responsible for conducting market research, and creating artist "one sheets" for high many of our profile clients, a unique skill I know will benefit me when applying to other job opportunities in this field.
This month has been particularly busy at Moodswing, as many of our artists are performing at March music festivals such as Winter Music Conference and Ultra in Miami, as well as South by Southwest in Austin.
The internship has also had its perks, as I have had the privilege to attend many of our artist's concerts and various events in the NYC area.
I would highly recommend this company to any Fordham student interested in a career in music or entertainment, and as Communications major and English minor, I think it has broadened my horizons and really helped me realize what it is I would like to do after graduation, which for me is merely months away!

WFUV at Fordham!

WFUV 90.7, public radio brought to you by an eclectic cast of both professionals and Fordham students, has an illustrious history and a devoted fan base. Given its popularity and recognition within the industry, WFUV is a necessary stepping-stone for aspiring broadcasters, producers, and engineers. As a member of the WFUV Sports department, you will learn how to seamlessly manage demanding academic and work schedules, all for the sake of sports that you love. If it’s any consolation, you will have your share of fun…and the press credentials won’t hurt either.

No matter your interests or career goals, the WFUV Sports training program will introduce you to every aspect of sports radio. WFUV Sports alumni who have participated in our workshops (Chris Carrino and Mike Breen, among others) often cite that it was the breadth of training at WFUV that prepared them for professional broadcasting. As someone who as had both on-air and behind the scenes assignments, I have come to appreciate everyone's dedication and hard work. Most importantly, the training you'll receive at WFUV will translate to any newsroom or control room in the business.

After the one-year training program, many opportunities will be open to you. The key is to budget your time wisely and get as much experience as possible. If you like beat reporting, you will start out with a Fordham team and work your way up to the professional beats. If your dream is to do play-by-play or analysis, you will do a few demos and then have the opportunity to broadcast Fordham games. If you’re more of a behind-the-scenes person, you will start shadowing producers and engineers on One on One (our Saturday afternoon sports call-in show) and live Fordham games, before getting to work on these broadcasts yourself. And finally, you can try your hand at talk radio by hosting One on One. The most important thing is to watch and learn, listen and take notes. Everyone is willing to help and answer your questions, because we’ve all been there before.

This semester I began an internship at MSNBC with The Rachel Maddow Show. While going through the lengthy interview process at both NBC and other networks to which I applied, I was delighted to see how interested people were in hearing about my time at WFUV. Long story short, professional radio experience has been invaluable on my resume. Whether it’s professionally motivated or simply for fun, working for WFUV Sports will provide you with communications and technical skills that you can’t get anywhere else. And who knows? You might just be the next Vin Scully.

Faculty Profile: Dr. Beth Knobel

The department of Communications & Media Studies provides its students with a disciplined understanding of issues in media and society. The program blends theory and professional training to prepare students for advanced study or careers in the media. Dr. Beth Knobel, professor of broadcast journalism, took time out of her busy day to answer the following questions regarding the contributions she's made to both Fordham and the media industry. 



How long have you been a part of the Fordham community?

I've been teaching at Fordham since 2007.  Before that, I had spent 14 years living in Russia, working as a journalist.  My last job there was as Moscow Bureau Chief for CBS News.


What institutions have you received degrees from?
I earned my doctorate and masters degree at Harvard, and was an undergrad at Barnard College, which is part of Columbia University.  So I know that New York City is a fantastic place to go to college.


What class(es) have you taught/are teaching for the ’10-’11 academic year?
In the fall, I taught three courses.  The first was a new Television Production course where we taught students to shoot video, edit it, write for broadcast and anchor, and then set them loose to make a tv series about Fordham.  The series is called "Eye on Fordham" and it's airing now on Bronx Community Television.  So that's a pretty exciting course.  The second was called "TV News Innovators," where we study the men and women who made television news what it is today.  I love this course too, and the best part of teaching in New York is that we've been able to have some of the innovators, or people they worked with, come to Fordham to speak.  And the third course is "Journalism Workshop," where we work on print writing skills.  I'm the advisor to the Rose Hill newspaper, The Ram, and so a lot of Ram writers take the course to improve their writing and reporting.


In the spring, I'm on sabbatical, working on a new book.  So I'm not teaching now, but I'll be back in the fall.  I usually teach "Writing TV and Radio News" in the spring term, which is fun to do in New York because I can have working journalists come in to talk about how they do their jobs.  We also went to visit WCBS 880 newsradio last year, which was a thrill, even for me.


What are the most noteworthy contributions (publications, special projects) you’ve given your field/discipline?
I recently published a guidebook for young journalists along with the great "60 Minutes" star Mike Wallace.  Mike and I had worked together at CBS News before I came to Fordham, and he came to speak to my "TV News Innovators" class.  He said such interesting things about journalism that day that I suggested he write a book about how to do journalism.  We ended up writing it together, and I think it gives solid information to young reporters about how to do compelling journalism.


I also serve as a judge for the News and Documentary Emmy Awards, and serve on the Community Advisor Board for New York Public Radio, which runs WNYC (mostly a news station) and WQXR (a classical music station).  (We have another great public radio station right on the Rose Hill campus, WFUV, which does an amazing job training student-reporters.)
  
What current research projects are you involved with? 
 I'm working on a new book about how watchdog reporting, the journalism that focuses on monitoring the work of the government, is changing in the Internet era.


How would you describe the typical Fordham student? 
The typical Fordham student is smart, fun-loving and motivated.  They're generally people who are want to make the world a better place in some way.  And most of them really love being in New York, and take advantage of the many things the city has to offer.  


Click here more information about the Communications and Media Studies Program at Fordham.