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The Daily OrangeBranham focuses on future plan
Dean candidate discusses diversity, media convergence
By Ryan Balton
Posted: 1/29/08, 11:50 PM EST Section: News
Lorraine Branham's words have reached readers of The Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post Gazette and others in her extensive career as a journalist. Branham is one of two candidates for dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Branham is on a two-day visit to Syracuse University that ends today. She took part in a one-hour, question-and-answer session with SU students Tuesday afternoon in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium.
Students' questions promptly revealed the items topping Branham's agenda in communications education: diversity and media convergence.
"As an African-American woman, I have dealt with that issue my entire life, both in the newspaper business and journalism education," Branham said in the session.
After experiencing newsroom diversity struggles, Branham seeks a proactive approach to diversity in the classroom.
"If you're going to be in the media, you're going to have to understand how to talk to and how to tell stories to people of all backgrounds," Branham said.
As a newspaper reporter and editor, Branham improved coverage of minority communities and hired more minorities to work in the newsroom. As for communications education, she seeks to create a deeper appreciation for diversity and covering diverse communities.
Preparing students for the ever-increasing convergence in media is also of Branham's top priorities.
"I saw the changes that were taking place in the industry, and I was concerned that they really were not considering what was taking place," Branham said of the schools at which she worked, including Temple University, the University of California at Berkley and the University of Texas at Austin.
UTexas asked Branham to direct its journalism program six years ago while she was working as an assistant to the publisher of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
"I put a special emphasis on making sure my students are getting the broad, multimedia training that everyone needs to be successful," Branham said about the UTexas program.
Branham is on a two-day visit to Syracuse University that ends today. She took part in a one-hour, question-and-answer session with SU students Tuesday afternoon in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium.
Students' questions promptly revealed the items topping Branham's agenda in communications education: diversity and media convergence.
"As an African-American woman, I have dealt with that issue my entire life, both in the newspaper business and journalism education," Branham said in the session.
After experiencing newsroom diversity struggles, Branham seeks a proactive approach to diversity in the classroom.
"If you're going to be in the media, you're going to have to understand how to talk to and how to tell stories to people of all backgrounds," Branham said.
As a newspaper reporter and editor, Branham improved coverage of minority communities and hired more minorities to work in the newsroom. As for communications education, she seeks to create a deeper appreciation for diversity and covering diverse communities.
Preparing students for the ever-increasing convergence in media is also of Branham's top priorities.
"I saw the changes that were taking place in the industry, and I was concerned that they really were not considering what was taking place," Branham said of the schools at which she worked, including Temple University, the University of California at Berkley and the University of Texas at Austin.
UTexas asked Branham to direct its journalism program six years ago while she was working as an assistant to the publisher of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
"I put a special emphasis on making sure my students are getting the broad, multimedia training that everyone needs to be successful," Branham said about the UTexas program.
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