"Country Girl" Shares Her TV News Success Story

 

"One of my rules is not to say I want to be but to say I'm going to be, so from now on say that." 

Such self-confidence has guided Billie Jean Shaw to a successful television news career since graduating from Winthrop University in 2013 with a mass communications degree. 

The self-proclaimed "country girl from Manning" treated our communications majors to an inspiring presentation on Feb. 20 as part of our Media Professionals Speaker Series. 

A main anchor at Columbia's WIS-TV, Shaw told us she knew early in life that she wanted to work in TV news, telling the Manning newspaper in 2014 that as a youngster, she preferred watching WIS-TV news instead of cartoons.  

"They had a segment, 'Live with Lucas,' she said back then, "where he would go to places all over the Midlands and interview all types of people. I would look at that and think, 'Hey, I want to be on TV. I want to talk to people like that and tell their stories.'" 

College helped equip Shaw with the knowledge, skills and tools to make her dream a reality. She showed us her first "MMJ" report as a Winthrop student. MMJ stands for multimedia journalist, meaning she shot, wrote and edited the package (a reporter story with voice-over tracks, soundbites from people interviewed, and her on-camera standup part). 

May 2024 Graduates: Well Done!

Congratulations to our Spring 2024 Communications graduates! In alphabetical order and photo sequence, they are: Amauri Allen (cum laude), Deatrice Chisholm, Ke'Asia Edwards, Sharlene Luke (magna cum laude), Jared Kirksey (magna cum laude), Jerron Mayes, Delano Whitfield (cum laude).

Amauri Allen (cum laude)

Deatrice Chisholm

Ka'Asia Edwards

Police Social Media Coordinator Shares Career Advice

 

Campus involvement can be the key!

Communications graduate Brianna Simmons, Class of 2016, gave an excellent and insightful talk on March 21 as part of the program's Media Professionals Speaker Series.

The North Charleston native and Fort Dorchester High School graduate is the social media coordinator for the City of Charleston Police Department.

She encouraged students to make the most of their time on campus to better prepare themselves for life after graduation.

"My campus involvement helped," she said. "I was involved with student media, interned at WSSB (SC State's radio station), I shadowed a public relations department. It's really important while you are here to build up your resume and portfolio. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask."

Brianna spoke about, as a senior, meeting on campus U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a prominent SC State alumnus, and asking him if she could come work for him. The assertive approach paid off, when a few months later she met with the longtime S.C. 6th District Congressman and went on to work in social media for him for two years.

Tart Talk Inspires Students and Faculty/Staff Alike

 

His final year and a half of college was majorly disrupted for this communications major, but he came out of the COVID crisis even more determined to reach his goals in broadcasting. 

Jalen Tart, Class of 2021, returned to the classroom on Feb. 15 to speak as part of the Communications Program Media Professionals Speaker Series. 

During his time at SC State, Tart was a mainstay of the program's video news program BNN (Bulldog News Now). He encouraged the students to get involved with BNN and to seek out internships at TV and/or radio stations if that is what they want to do after college. 

A native of Columbia and graduate of Westwood High School, Tart today can be seen across the Midlands on WIS-TV where he is a news reporter and multimedia journalist. As an MMJ he wears all the hats: videographer, live shot technician, video editor and on-air reporter. 

"The hardest part of the job is time management," he told students and a mix of faculty and staff. "You have to get your interviews as early as you can. You have to know how to adjust and pivot." 

After his remote (due to the pandemic) SC State graduation ceremony in May 2021, Tart opted to apply to graduate schools to further enhance his broadcast journalism skills. 

At Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. he took full advantage of the many writing, reporting and commentary/analysis opportunities as he could. He completed his graduate journalism studies last spring and by June 2023 he was employed at one of his hometown stations, WIS-TV, an NBC affiliate owned by Gray Television, one of the largest station owners in the country.  

Local Television News 2023 Style

 

On July 27 Charleston’s WCSC-TV rolled out the red carpet for six visitors from SC State’s Department of English and Communications. 

Pictured from left in Channel 5’s studio are Rosalind Hanson, Dante Mozie, Rolando Davis, Dr. Janice Hawes, Patrick Harwood and Justin Smith. 

The invaluable learning experience came at the invitation of main anchor Ann McGill who spoke on campus to communications students and faculty in April (read about that here). Professor Dante Mozie followed up on the offer and it all came together on this summer day in July. 

WCSC, located in West Ashley, is a CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television, one of the nation’s largest broadcast companies with 180 TV stations across the U.S. 

Along with Charleston’s WCSC, Gray also operates South Carolina stations in Columbia, Greenville and Myrtle Beach, and regionally in Savannah, Charlotte and Atlanta. 

Our visit was very well organized with the precision of a tightly produced newscast. That’s no surprise since that’s the station’s expertise. 

Morning executive producer Jesikah Lawrence (center) led the tour. Jesikah is a West Ashley High School and University of South Carolina graduate. 

Alumna Kris Kaylin Bennett Guest Hosts on Popular "Breakfast Club" Radio Program

 

Big Bulldog kudos to Kris Kaylin (Class of 2016) who on July 19 was in New York sitting in with Charlamagne the God and DJ Envy for their popular "Breakfast Club" on Power 105 FM (WWPR-FM). 

Kris is a veteran of the Charleston radio scene, has produced documentaries and has her own video shows. She has expertise in social media and is obviously very well-connected!  

Kris, always loyal to her Charleston roots, gave a nice shout-out to fellow native Darius Rucker when the breakfast club was naming country music stars. 

Congratulations Kris and we will be watching for your next star turn! 

Head Shot Event Hits the Mark!

 

Many thanks to Communications Program production coordinator Rolondo Davis (right) for his expertise last week in our professional head shots event. 

This was a campus wide service and fundraising initiative for the Communications Club. A number of students, staff and faculty came by Turner Hall to pose for Mr. Davis in his pop up studio. 

For just $5 everyone had several profile photos taken and after some fine tuning by Mr. Davis, the favorite images (chosen by the subjects) were emailed to each attendee. 

To follow are samples of the high quality photos that we all can use for LinkedIn, other social media and different professional purposes. 

Thank you Rolondo Davis for sharing your time, equipment and expertise to make this first time event a big success!  

Thanks also to freshman Communications Club member Ariana Pinder for signing people in, taking payments and ensuring an efficient process. 

Kudos as well to Alex Gadsden of the Comm Club and Spiked Magazine for helping Mr. Davis with some of the photography. 

Let's head now to those beautiful head shots!

Nia Smith