Communications Graduate to Show Her Film During Homecoming

Multi-talented 2016 Communications alumna Kris Kaylin Bennett recently added documentary producer and director to her impressive list of accomplishments. 

Current Comm students and the rest of the campus community will have the chance to see her new film during SC State's Homecoming. They will also hear from Bennett in person, as she will be on hand for the event. 

The Communication Program and co-sponsor Communications Club will screen Bennett's 50-minute film on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium (Room 208) in the Crawford Communications Building (aka Old Engineering Building).

The event is free and open to the public. "The Peninsula Stories: Ralph & Sid" is a documentary based on Charleston park legends Deljavon Ralph Simmons and Sidney Sanders. The film highlights these two exceptional Burke High School football and basketball players who were and have remained best friends.

The film is narrated by Dr. Justin Beaufort, a Charleston native who in 2015 published, "Be YaSelf: The Autobiography," a book about his upbringing and overcoming obstacles.

The Ralph & Sid story may be the first in a series of "Peninsula Stories" directed by Bennett's KrisKaylin Productions.

According to Bennett, the series will seek to "unveil the underground truths to the athletic output of Charleston, S.C."

Bennett will speak before and after her film is screened on Oct. 17. 

Bennett can be heard on Charleston's airwaves at Z93 Jamz Radio, where she is a personality and event host. 

Jerel Palmer is Raleigh-bound!

Jerel Palmer's WSPA colleagues gave him a nice farewell! 

His co-workers sure must have thought a lot of him to give him a send-off with such a nice cake!

Jerel Palmer, Class of 2016, this week has started his new job at WNCN-TV in Raleigh.  The talented videographer/editor takes the position at the CBS affiliate after working at WSPA-TV in Spartanburg/Greenville/Asheville market.

Since graduating from SC State, Palmer has also worked at television stations in Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

Palmer announced his new job on his LinkedIn site last week.  He also shared his resume reel showcasing his work.  Our current and future broadcast students can learn a lot from this professional production that Palmer used to get his new job in Raleigh. Thank you for sharing this Jerel and good luck covering news in the Tar Heel State. 

Bulldog Nation is proud of Jerel and the pride is reciprocal.

“This HBCU is where I got my start,” Jerel said. “Loved the experience and professors. The small classroom settings helped me understand the profession I’m in today.”

Click here to see Jerel Palmer's 2019 Photojournalist Reel:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6570477821788069888/

Palmer is also a graduate of Marion (S.C.) High School.

Comm Alumni Success Stories!

We are always glad to hear about and share good news about our Communications graduates!  Two new items recently came across LinkedIn about a pair of Lady Bulldogs making big career strides. 

Shandice Sluch, Class of 2016

Need a lawyer when you're in Chicago?  Well, here's who you want to call. Shandice Sluch was in the journalism concentration, earning her SC State degree in 2016. She went on to earn a law degree from Notre Dame University earlier this year.

Shandice just accepted a position as a litigation associate at the Chicago law firm of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. 

Shandice played volleyball at SC State and became team captain.  She was in the Honor's College and was a student media managing editor, among other activities.

Best of luck counselor!  See more on this fine alumna here on her LinkedIn site. 

Tradia McCoy, Class of 2015

Tradia McCoy, Class of 2015, continues to shine on Charlotte's airwaves. This month marked her first anniversary at WCCB-TV, Charlotte's CW station where she does entertainment reporting. 

Since 2017 Tradia has been an on-air personality at Charlotte radio station Streetz 103.3. She produces and hosts the popular entertainment segment "Tradia With The Tea."

Tradia will always be remembered at SC State for her part in the fabulous "We Are Front Row" talk show trio with now-fellow graduates Taylor Johnson and Valerie Mbamalu.

See more about Tradia on her LinkedIn site. 


Other Communications alumni, let us know what you are up to these days. Email Patrick Harwood with your news at pharwood@scsu.edu. 

BNN Poised for Big Year!

Professor Justin Smith talks to feature writing students

BNN, the Communications Program's Bulldog News Now television production, is getting a boost this school year thanks to an infusion of new equipment.

Communications professor Justin Smith (right) recently briefed Patrick Harwood's feature writing students on the new equipment that will make the new year an exciting one for the three-year-old production.

"We're more high tech, we're ready for the web, we're able to stream," said Smith, who is replacing Alicia Pryor as BNN's executive producer. (Pryor is now teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia).