Since its launch in the fall of 2021, the Experience Lab has transformed into a defining feature of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, embodying the college’s commitment to hands-on, industry-centric learning. What began with just over a hundred students in its inaugural year has expanded into an integral part of the student experience, with enrollment in the lab reaching 530 in spring 2025. This growth reflects the increasing importance of experiential learning in preparing students for their careers, as well as the program’s ability to attract and engage students across disciplines.
A significant factor in the Experience Lab’s success has been its strong mentorship model. The number of Professionals in Residence (PIRs) has grown steadily, from 13 in 2021 to 21 in both the fall and spring semesters of 2023-2024. Sixty unique professionals in residence from 43 separate businesses and organizations have collectively donated more than 5,000 hours of mentorship to students. These professionals provide students with invaluable real-world insights, guiding them through projects that mirror industry expectations. At the same time, leadership opportunities within the lab have expanded, with students taking on roles as editors, producers, and team leads. In recognition of these efforts, the Matousek Award for Student Leadership was established, offering scholarships to Experience Lab leads who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment.
The college has made significant strategic investments in infrastructure to support the expansion of experiential learning. In 2021, the college secured a 13,000-square-foot space to house The Agency, a dedicated workspace for advertising and public relations students, with the backing of 17 corporate sponsors. This facility mirrors the look and feel of professional agencies, giving students an authentic industry environment to develop campaigns and collaborate with clients. In 2022, the Don and Lorena Meier Studio underwent a full renovation, made possible by the Don and Lorena Meier Foundation and the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, transforming it into a cutting-edge production space for broadcast and multimedia projects. The following year, in March 2023, the Pepsi Unlimited Sports Lab opened, providing a high-tech facility where students could produce live and recorded sports content at a professional level. The lab was made possible through underwriting support from Pepsi-Co of Lincoln, further strengthening the college’s partnerships with industry leaders. These enhancements to physical spaces reflect the college’s ongoing commitment to creating immersive learning environments that prepare students for real-world careers.
To expand the scope of experiential learning, the college launched a new Experience Lab program in the fall of 2023: Production House, a service-oriented program offering photography, videography, and livestreaming services to campus and community clients. At the same time, the Heartland Webzine underwent a strategic rebrand to become Heartland Pulse, shifting its focus from long-form storytelling to content marketing. These developments reflect an ongoing effort to ensure that experiential learning remains dynamic, responsive to industry trends, and valuable for students as they prepare for the workforce.
As the Experience Lab continues to evolve, the college has taken steps to improve accessibility and visibility. In 2024, the websites for journalism and broadcasting programs—including Nebraska News Service, Nebraska Nightly, Unlimited Sports, and Heartland Pulse—were transitioned to a new webhosting platform, Blox Digital ensuring a modernized, user-friendly interface. Plans are underway to transition to Buoy and Production House, further integrating all Experience Lab programs into a centralized platform.
One of the most significant milestones in the past year has been the formalization of a portfolio requirement for all students, which was approved by the faculty in May 2024. Recognizing that a strong portfolio is key to securing employment in journalism, broadcasting, advertising and public relations and sports media and communications, the college has embedded portfolio development across multiple courses. Students now begin building their professional portfolios in JOMC 130, refine their work through major-specific writing courses, and submit a final portfolio in JOMC 098, where they receive feedback from industry professionals. By the time they graduate, students will have a polished portfolio that showcases their unique strengths and career aspirations.
Beyond campus, international experiential learning is once again gaining momentum. After a hiatus, the Global Eyewitness program relaunched in January 2024 with a three-week trip to Vietnam, during which students produced in-depth multimedia stories on global issues. The program has also seen an overall increase in participation, with 28 students engaging in study abroad experiences in the past year. However, despite this progress, the college remains focused on growing these opportunities and ensuring that students from all backgrounds can access international learning experiences.
The success of the Experience Lab has been accompanied by unprecedented growth in student interest and engagement, with fall 2024 marking a historic milestone for the college. The incoming freshman class grew from 142 students in fall 2020 to an all-time high of 215 in fall 2024, making it the largest in the college’s history. This surge in enrollment reflects the appeal of the college’s hands-on learning approach, as students are drawn to the opportunity to build their professional portfolios and gain real-world experience from day one.
As incoming class sizes continue to grow, the college is well-positioned to stabilize and increase total enrollment in the coming years. The Experience Lab remains a key driver of this success, drawing students who are eager to build professional portfolios and gain industry experience from the moment they step on campus. With new experiential learning opportunities launching and the portfolio requirement becoming fully integrated into the curriculum, the college is reinforcing its reputation as a leader in preparing students for career success.
Targets | Aim | 20-21 | 21-22 | 22-23 | 23-24 | 24-25 |
| 60% of ungraduate majors enrolled in or completed the practicum | 1 | 0 | 13% | 23% | 43% | 73% |
| 80% of graduating seniors with professional portfolio | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91% |
| Study abroad participation | 1 | 26 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 30 |
| Increase first semester freshman by 15% | 1 | 142 | 147 | 171 | 181 | 215 |
| Increase total college enrollment by 10% | 1 | 1137 | 1051 | 1010 | 1043 | 1093 |
| First-second year retention rate of 88.5% | 1 | 91.1 | 85.1 | 87.7 | 91.2 | 87.7 |
| Six year graduation rate of 79% | 1 | 77.6 | 79.5 | 69.1 | 64.3 | 76.7 |
| Four year graduation rate of 57% | 1 | 56.7 | 50.3 | 61.6 | 61.7 | 65.2 |
| First Destination Rate (employment, education or military service) of 58%* | 1 | 58.9 | 58 | 62.3 | 66.7 | 43% |
*Additional data will be collected for one year post-graduation, and the number will continue to update.
