By Hannah Kirkpatrick
Professor Adrienne Garvey started a student media club at Southeastern University in 2020 to offer her journalism students more real-world experience. While there is no student newspaper, the NextGen Journalism Club works with local and online news outlets to publish students’ stories on local news.
“I was trying to figure out how we could best serve our students and serve our community as well,” said Garvey.
Garvey is an associate professor of broadcasting and journalism in Southeastern’s Department of Communication. Any students can join the club, according to Garvey, even those that aren’t journalism majors. However, students must take a “Writing for Mass Media,” course, an introductory writing course
for journalism.
Garvey has worked closely with Brian Burns, owner of The Free Press, a completely digital platform for local and national news. The Free Press is based in Florida. Burns founded The Free Press in April 2020 with a goal of publishing bias-free, honest journalism.
“I believe that it’s important for journalists to explore what they are passionate about and focus on those topics or interests as they grow in the field’” Burns said. “This program has allowed just that. From something as simple as a local food truck story or more complex as Florida Agriculture, the students have embraced their passions and it shows in their work.”
With mentorship from professors and professionals, students in the NextGen Journalism Club can ease into the professional world without fear. Garvey recalled that as a young journalist, having publications was a key factor in getting her first job.
“When I saw that our students didn't have that, I knew that was a key piece of the education that was missing,” she said.
Before the NextGen Journalism Club was founded, Garvey and Burns did a test run in the summer of 2020. The three students who wrote stories for The Free Press were given editing guidance but were expected to pitch their own ideas.
“One of the most important things I think we can teach our students as professors of journalism is how to enterprise stories,” said Garvey. “Watch what's going on in your community, what has changed, what's different? What questions do you have? What are people talking about?”
While students are not paid for the articles they write, time spent writing and editing in the club can count towards 45 hours of journalism practicum per semester for journalism majors. Students are responsible for editing their peers’ work and can hold leadership positions in the club as they gain experience.
Students’ bylines in The Free Press do not mention that they are students, which Garvey says gives them more confidence.
“He [Burns] really treats them as professionals, and I think they appreciate that. I also think it makes them take it a little more seriously,” Garvey said.
Burns also has really enjoyed the experience.
“Working with Adrienne and the students has been an amazing experience for me personally and professionally. I have been in the publishing business for over 20 years and to have the opportunity to watch the students flourish in their work in invaluable,” Burns said.
Looking forward, Garvey wants the club to become self-sustaining and student run. She also has a vision of expanding the club to cover more communities that surround Southeastern University.
“Eventually, I'd love to turn it into almost like a bureau here in Lakeland, where we have students who are going out and covering breaking news. They’re covering the city council meetings and the elections, doing really meaty, good journalism.”
Garvey believes that it’s important to teach journalism students to advocate for themselves.
“Instead of criticizing them and saying, you know, this generation doesn't know how to talk to each other, let's teach them how to talk to each other,” she says. “I push them out of the nest. Some love it, some hate it, they'll survive.”
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