Industry experts joined the College of Journalism and Mass Communications Experience Lab as professionals-in-residence for the fall 2024 semester.
Nebraska-based agencies and media outlets graciously volunteer the time of professionals from within their organizations to mentor Experience Lab students as the college’s professionals-in-residence.
Students in the Experience Lab gain hands-on experience starting the first semester of their college careers. During the semester, they work on projects and produce content for real-world clients in one of the college’s media outlets or agencies. The seven college-wide program areas are:
- Buoy , an advertising agency for nonprofits
- Heartland Pulse, a digital webzine for Nebraska audiences
- 90.3 KRNU, UNL’s campus radio station
- Nebraska News Service, a state news wire service
- Nebraska Nightly, CoJMC’s weekly live news show
- Production House, a video and digital media creation service
- Unlimited Sports, a sports reporting program
"By bringing industry experts into our classrooms, we're able to offer students a unique blend of traditional learning and practical experience," Experience Lab co-director and assistant professor of practice Jill Martin said. "Professionals-in-residence are an essential part of our experiential learning model."
In addition to offering guidance to students, professionals-in-residence recruit students for internships or full-time roles at their place of employment.
"Our professionals-in-residence help to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with real-world insights and networking opportunities that are essential for their future careers," Experience Lab co-director and assistant professor of practice Dave Remund said.
The fall 2024 professionals in residence are listed alphabetically by program area followed by their name, job title and organization:
Buoy
- Madeleine LeBlanc, associate creative director, Firespring
- Sarah Wischhof, vice president of marketing, Union Bank & Trust
Heartland Pulse
- Jeff Deans, director of copy, Nelnet
- Lauren Flowerday, founder and lead strategist, Flowerday & Co.
90.3 KRNU
- Austin Pistulka, digital production director and morning show host, Rural Radio Network
- DeWayne Taylor, founder, Whatever Collective; in-arena host, Husker Men’s Basketball announcer, Husker Gymnastics; arena DJ, Husker Volleyball
Nebraska News Service
Victoria Brown, senior producer and digital specialist, Lee Enterprises National Desk
Ryan Hoffman, managing editor, Flatwater Free Press
Mike Tobias, senior producer, Nebraska Public Media
Mary Kay Quinlan, professor emerita, UNL
Kent Warneke, editor emeritus, Norfolk Daily News
Nebraska Nightly
- Jill Lamkins, multimedia journalist, KMTV 3
- Mikel Lauber, news director, KOLN 10/11
- Amber Little, digital director, KOLN 10/11
- Mike McKnight, six on side reporter, WOWT-TV
- Heath Miller, promotions/graphic artist, KOLN 10/11
Production House
- Beau Poehlman, video production supervisor, Ameritas
- Levi Peters, senior video producer, CompanyCam
Unlimited Sports
- Brett Baker, senior producer, Straight Arrow News
- Zack Carpenter, publisher and owner, Rivals.com
- Amie Just, sports columnist, Lincoln Journal Star
