Kent State Student Media continued its commitment to community engagement this summer by welcoming young people into Franklin Hall for hands-on experiences in journalism, radio and television production.
In early June, Student Media hosted four middle school participants and their program leaders from College Now, an organization that helps students explore educational and career opportunities. The group stepped into the role of reporters to investigate claims of a Bigfoot sighting on campus.
Clues were hidden throughout The Kent Stater newsroom while student staff from The Kent Stater and other Student Media organizations joined TeleProductions and the Dean's Office staff as witnesses. Working against the clock, participants examined evidence, conducted interviews and wrote a headline, news story and social media post about the supposed sighting. The activity introduced them to the reporting process while creating a memorable, hands-on experience.
Student Media also hosted participants from Kent State's TRIO Upward Bound Programs for a four-day media workshop. Upward Bound helps first-generation and income-eligible students prepare for and overcome barriers to higher education.
Participants began by researching and developing pitches for their own radio shows. The following day, each went live on Black Squirrel Radio to deliver a five-
minute segment. They then worked with KSTV to research and write stories for broadcast. On the final day, they brought those stories into the television studio and produced a mock newscast. Rotating through roles including camera operator, technical director and on-air talent, they gained experience both in front of and behind the camera.
In late June, Student Media welcomed participants from Fostering Pathways for Bright Futures, a Kent State program that creates pathways to postsecondary education and credential completion for current and former gang-impacted youth and young adults, with priority given to those with juvenile justice or foster care experience.
During their visit, participants produced a mock newscast and explored a variety of television production roles, from operating cameras and directing the broadcast to anchoring news, weather and sports segments. Each participant had the opportunity to try different roles while learning about the equipment, collaboration and skills required to produce a live broadcast.
These workshops reflect Student Media's mission to serve both Kent State students and the broader community through experiential learning, opening doors to education and careers in media.
Student Media understands the value of building community and creating a welcoming environment where young people can explore, learn and imagine themselves pursuing careers they may never have considered. These experiences do more than introduce participants to media, they show that new possibilities are within reach and that there is a place where they can discover what they are capable of achieving.
