In March, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications hosted a media ethics panel discussion featuring six college alumni. Associate professor and Media Ethics and Society instructor Rick Alloway moderated the panel.
The panel helps support the college's value of ethics in students' education. Therefore, attendance was mandatory for students enrolled in Alloway's class.
Panelists shared ethical challenges they've encountered throughout their journalism and mass communications careers. Students were encouraged to ask questions and engage with the panelists.
Two alumni are volunteer Professionals in Residence (PIR) for the CoJMC's experiential learning program, The Experience Lab, and four teach courses as Lecturer/t. Read more about each panelist and their area of teaching below.
Kelli Britten ('13)
Britten is teaching ADPR 355: Event Planning for Branded Activations + Experiences this semester. She's the Senior Marketing Manager at Arbor Day Foundation and Founder of Bright Spots Paper, a paper goods business. Previously, she was the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Lincoln and Market Project Manager for Speedway Motors, Inc.
Nathan Wén Hé ('18)
Hé studied advertising and public relations as a first-gen student at the CoJMC and graduated in 2018. While at the college, he was Jacht's first international student leader and the Director of Research for the National Student Advertising Competition team. Today, he teaches ADPR 361: Connecting Through Owned, Earned, and Paid Media and is a Marketing Content Manager at Nelnet Campus Commerce. Hé is also a Commissioner for the City of Lincoln's Commission on Human Rights, a First Generation Nebraska Advisory Board Member and a current Integrated Media Communications student in CoJMC's MA program. Previously, he was the Assistant Director for Alumni Engagement at the Nebraska Alumni Association and served as a PIR for the Buoy Experience Lab.
Kelley Peterson ('94)
Peterson is the lead instructor for Buoy Content Studio, the student-run Experience Lab program that provides advertising & PR support to nonprofit organizations. She's the Founder of Pen & Pug, a local firm she founded after nearly 12 years at Kidglov in creative directing roles. At Pen & Pug, she specializes in marketing strategy, creative writing and nonprofit fundraising.
Austin Pistulka ('17)
Pistulka is a broadcasting alum and PIR for KRNU 90.3. He's the digital/broadcast production director at KOOL Radio in York and the voice behind their morning radio show, KOOL Mornings With The Stache. Pistulka also owns and operates live stream company The StreamGuy, where he runs cameras, produces livestreams, monitors chats, runs music and does play-by-play for streams.
Erin Sorensen ('10)
Sorensen is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and content creator who has spent over a decade covering Nebraska Athletics. She's teaching SPMC 250: Beginning Sports Writing for News and Promotion this semester. In 2023, she launched hello eso, a marketing and branding business that aims to help nonprofits and small businesses navigate the ever-changing world of social media, marketing and public relations.
DeWayne Taylor
Taylor is a PIR for 90.3 KRNU. He's the Master of Ceremonies and In-Arena Host for the Omaha Supernovas, the Arena DJ for the Husker women's volleyball and basketball teams, the In-Arena Host for the Husker men's basketball team and he announces for all women's and men's Husker gymnastics meets. Taylor is also a voice over artist and is the founder of Whatever Collective, a live events specialist team.
