In 2021-2022, the college focused on creating spaces for students to experiment with new technology and create the future of media and expanding the curriculum surrounding critical industry issues.
During the year, the college embarked on the renovation of four experimental spaces. Construction was completed on the Pepsi Unlimited Sports Lab. This new classroom will be the home of Unlimited Sports and offer students an opportunity to learn and experiment with sports media and communication. The room will feature televisions to broadcast sports, furniture to promote collaboration and a single camera set so students can “come to you live from the Pepsi Unlimited Sports Lab.” Renovation for the space is supported by underwriting of Husker sports broadcasts on KRNU.
Construction is underway on the Perry Multimedia Classroom. This space, located in Agency at the Lincoln Children’s Museum, will be home to advertising and public relations capstone courses. It will provide space for teams to research, collaborate and create integrated media campaigns that support real clients.
Adjoining the Perry Multimedia Classroom will be a photography studio that provides students the opportunity to experiment with photography and videography as part of their courses or emerging Experience Lab programs. The classroom and photography studio are supported by generous gifts from the Philip Perry family.
Lastly, construction has started on a new 3,500-square-foot television studio and newsroom on the second floor of Andersen Hall. The Don and Lorena Meier Studio will feature a state-of-the-art control room, three separate sets and furniture to support research and collaboration by the next generation of journalists and media professionals. The studio is supported by generous donations from the Don and Lorena Meier Foundation and the Nebraska Broadcasters Association.
To support studio operations, the college hired a new Technical Director in January of 2022. Jamie Wenz will oversee studio operations and coordinate with faculty and student production assistants to ensure students obtain professional experiences as part of the Experience Lab and college courses.
During the year, the college also offered courses targeted at the leading issues within our industries. A redesigned advertising sales course provided students with the opportunity to learn the sales skills sorely needed in our industries. A Business of News class focused on journalism business models and engaged journalism throught leaders from throughout the country. A partnership with the Seline Lecture Series provided in-person talks with national newsroom leaders in spring 2022.
|
Target |
Start (20-21) |
21-22 |
Goal (25-26) |
|
Roundtable of industry experts discussing the future of our industries held each year[1] |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
Increase broadcast majors in media production by 10%[2] |
83 |
86 |
91 |
|
Increase broadcast minors by 30%[3] |
31 |
42 |
34 |
|
Window of major changes into ADPR moved up to second semester freshmen year or first semester sophomore year |
|
|
|
[1] Number taken from college news stories about the Seline Lecture Series.
[2] Numbers taken from the UNL IEA Data Index Report, “Enrollment by College, Majora and Specialization.”
[3] Numbers provided by the University Registrar.
Review of the targets
The college achieved or made progress on all targets. The window of major changes is currently unknown. The college is working with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics to develop a report that with shed light on this target.