Feb. 17, 2009 issue
I came to teach at EMU because I felt like my ideas and thinking about
journalism would fit in with the department. Also, I would be able to
implement them quickly. I teach "Introduction to Journalism," "News Writing" and "Digital
Journalism," which is now a requirement.
Journalism is very different now and young journalists can invent the
future of the profession. I am excited about inspiring them to pioneer
new practices and new forms of news. It is truly a pivotal time in the
history of the newspapers, and I welcome the challenge to reinvent what
we have come to know as news and newspapers.
I am a media ecologist and I am working on a book project, which will
develop an ecological model of news delivery. I believe we need to be
more conscious of the news we consume, and I am working to design tools
to help people do just that. I work hard to keep up with where the field
is going, so I can teach our students what they need to know.
The warmth, sincerity and generosity of spirit of the campus community
are especially attractive to me. There are a lot of random acts of charity
and kindness. People feel real here. I'm an East Coast transplant and
my theory is that people are nicer here because they have more space.
I feel like, every single day, I make a difference. It's so rewarding
when you see your students get on board and do phenomenal
work. Journalists are a lens and we can shape what we see
in a way that is connective. We all have a responsibility
to make the world better. — Contributed by Heather Hamilton
