January 2020
Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a refreshing winter break. I’m excited to start a new semester in a new decade. I hope you are, too.

This month I’d like to tell you about a new initiative we’ve been working on that will be ramping up over the course of the semester. With the goal of demonstrating pathways in the communication field to students at the high school level, we’ll continue to develop partnerships with area schools, corporate partners and community partners. These partnerships will benefit our current students as well, as we leverage our relationships to create opportunities for internships, job placements and mentoring. We are currently in the process of seeking agreements with schools, community, and corporate partners and will announce the partnership program during Communication Week.

A few examples of the work we’ve already started:
  • In partnership with Rural Action we hosted the Youth Climate Action Team (YCAT) summit in October. Students from area high schools convened in Schoonover Center for a day of real-world problem solving. Participants explored how media deserts influence climate change, especially in rural areas like the ones where most of the YCAT students live.
  • Evan Shaw and the team from WOUB have been visiting area high schools to talk about careers in media. Naturally, Evan’s experience with the NFL is of special interest to the students, and seeing someone with a similar background to theirs who found so much opportunity and success by starting (and continuing) here at OU is inspiring.
  • Our Communication Fellows initiatives have already resulted in a vibrant relationship with Allison Ricket at Athens High School. In addition to having her students produce a very compelling podcast exploring social issues in the community (The Matrix), Allison has worked with us to offer a College Credit Plus course at Athens High in partnership with the college. Other area schools have expressed interest in doing similar work.
  • The GRID Lab and McClure School have visited high schools as well, demonstrating the exciting possibilities available in the AR/VR space.

As we expand on these and other relationships, our objective will be to establish visible connections between industry and community partners, our college, and high-school partners. Through those connections, our intention is to help high school students envision tangible career pathways in the field generally, and ways in which our programs open such opportunities. Not only will this be a vibrant recruiting message for potential students, but it will also open a wide range of collaboration possibilities for our faculty and students seeking to engage community and industry partners to advance the field.

As you start your own work preparing the next generation of communicators, I wish you the absolute best. May 2020 be our best year yet and the beginning of our best decade yet.

Scott
The Harris Student Support Center is eager for spring semester 2020 to begin. If your students are applying to graduate spring 2020, summer 2020, or fall 2020, the Harris Student Support Center invites them to come in for a graduation check during the first week of the semester. Students should not wait until the last minute.  We encourage Spring 2020 graduation candidates to come during the  FIRST TWO DAYS  of classes—that way, if they need to adjust their schedule, it’s easier to add classes. Starting week two, students must get a permission slip from the instructor to add most classes.  
 
Graduation checks are being held on the following dates and times:
  • January 13: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
  • January 14: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
  • January 15: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
  • January 16: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
  • January 17: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
 
Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Friday, January 17, is the last day to add a class without instructor’s approval.
  • Friday, January 24, is the last day for students to remove incomplete grades incurred during fall semester. Incomplete grades will turn to F grades. This is also the last day to add/drop classes.
New year’s best wishes to you!
 
Spring semester is always packed with creative activity and research events (there’s probably a seasonal blooming metaphor here). The student work showcases are among my favorites, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting our students at numerous events including:

  • For graduate students, the annual Three Minute Thesis® competition comes up in February with semi-final rounds on February 10 and 12, followed by finals on February 19. Scripps College students have excelled here in the past—last year, current Mass Communication doctoral student Michelle Michael walked away with the top prize from the judging panel as well as the People’s Choice award while she was a Master’s student in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The entry deadline for this year’s competition is January 31.
  • The annual Student Research and Creative Activity Expo features an incredibly wide range of undergraduate and graduate work across the university and typically includes entrants from every school in the Scripps College. This year’s Expo will take place on April 9 at the Convocation Center. Registration opens for students on January 15 (remember, it’s first come, first served, so get in early!). And if you would like to serve as a faculty judge in April, contact Roxanne Male’-Brune.
 
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We're giving students the opportunity to recognize their professors in our new PROPS for profs project. Soon you will see cards and collection boxes in the school suites, Scripps Hall, and the Schoonover lobby information desk.

When someone shares something about you, we will let you know! We may even use the student's quote on our social channels, signage or on our website. Who knows? We may even do a feature on our blog ! We love telling our students' stories.

Student quotes will remain anonymous unless they choose to leave contact information.
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