This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, 17 Kent State Student Media students had the opportunity to attend three national conferences dedicated to the future of media, an experience that is truly transformational for young journalists, broadcasters and creators.
Five students from Black Squirrel Radio and Production & Film Distribution traveled to Denver for the College Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) Conference, where they explored the latest trends in audio, television and digital broadcasting alongside students from across the country. Three students from The Kent Stater and KSTV attended the CNN Academy Atlanta Bootcamp in Atlanta, where they were paired with students from other universities and challenged to collaborate under real newsroom conditions.
During the bootcamp, Ari Collins, a reporter for The Kent Stater, worked as part of a six-student team to produce a three-minute audio/visual news package, along with a written report, in just a short production window. Their story centered on a couple visiting the Georgia Aquarium on their honeymoon — whom they later discovered had also shared their first date, proposal and wedding at another aquarium, making the location deeply personal. The team also interviewed a teacher who brought her students to the aquarium on a class trip, connecting both stories through a larger narrative about how aquariums bring the wonder of the sea to landlocked cities. The result was a deeply human, beautifully layered story that earned the group "Best Report" honors among all student teams in the program.
You can read Ari's team's story and watch the video package .
Nine additional students from The Kent Stater, KSTV, A Magazine, The Burr and Fusion traveled to Washington D.C. for College Media Association (CMA) MediaFest '25, immersing themselves in workshops on journalism, design, advertising and leadership. While there, Adriana Gasiewski earned top honors in a fast-paced AP-style quiz, a standout achievement that reflects the strength and preparation of Kent State's student journalists.
These experiences are made possible entirely through donor support covering conference registration, travel, lodging and meals, removing financial barriers and opening doors for our students. Each year, students return with fresh ideas, renewed confidence and a broader understanding of the media industry. They bring that knowledge back to Kent State, shaping the future of our outlets and the communities they serve.
Hear from the students themselves on the impact these conferences have:
While attending College Media Association's MediaFest25 in Washington D.C., I was able to learn how to write stronger headlines, produce quality podcasts and gather records for my reporting from attending discussions throughout the conference. I was also able to put my AP Style skills to the test, winning an AP Style contest and $5! From this experience, I look forward to sharing the valuable information I learned with other students to help them improve on their skills, too. Adriana Gasiewski, The Burr Editor-in-Chief |
Getting to represent Kent State Student Media at the CBI National Student Media Conference was really eye-opening. We were able to meet with students across the nation, and there were even 9 Ohio colleges present. Even though a lot of the convention sessions focused on radio, I was able to take a lot of those ideas and think about how I can make those work for TV, took over 9 pages of notes. One of the best things we got to do was network. Getting to connect with not only our peers at other colleges, but with professionals in the industry is something that we don’t get the chance to do every day. Jenny Zaborowski, Production & Film Distribution Head of Programming |
My name is Lauren Prusak and I am the social media director for A Magazine! In October, I had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. with my fellow student media leaders for MediaFest ’25! This experience was very meaningful for me, as it allowed me to help form relationships with other student media organizations, gain professional insights, and develop my own skillset. One of my favorite parts of MediaFest was getting to talk to the team at SMULook, the fashion magazine at Southern Methodist University. We exchanged ideas about running college fashion media outlets and how to grow and monetize social media. I am so grateful for this opportunity to build my confidence as a leader and gain the inspiration and motivation to improve A Mag! Lauren Prusak, A Magazine Social Media Director |
My opportunity to represent Kent State Student Media and Black Squirrel Radio at the National Student Media Convention hosted by CBI was an amazing and invaluable experience. The convention helped me expand my knowledge on how to effectively manage and grow a college radio station, while also allowing me to network with stations from across the country. Hearing from professionals—including several Kent State graduates—share lessons from their careers will not only impact me, but will benefit the entire station as we continue working to grow as a community hub on campus. The insights gained from this conference will help us continue developing a station that fosters an environment where all of our student DJs, podcasters, and web writers are supported with the resources they need to succeed. I would like to thank Student Media and all of the donors who made this trip possible—your support helps Black Squirrel Radio grow as a creative, welcoming space for students across campus. Gabe Virant, Black Squirrel Radio, Technical Director |
For me, DC was more than just a trip. It was a learning experience that I needed more than I thought I did. I learned a lot about journalism, myself, and where to go for coffee in the heart of the capital. I wish I could live there and learn so much from the people who work there and have been in the media for longer than I've been alive. Ivory Herman, Fusion Editor-in-Chief |
Attending MediaFest25 was an incredibly beneficial and education experience! I was able to attend workshops covering podcasting and social media which pertain to my work within Fusion Magazine. I learned about different ways to market ourselves to make us standout in a time of unprecedented media saturation. We attended keynote speeches that addressed censorship issues that student publications are facing currently and, overall, learned how to persevere and maintain motivation during such uncertain times. Malia Pittsenberger, Fusion Social Media Coordinator |
Going to CNN Academy was honestly one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had in college. I got to learn from real CNN reporters, producers, and editors who talked with us about everything from writing better leads and staying calm under pressure to how AI and social media are changing the newsroom. The week taught me that good journalism isn’t just about being first but more about being fair, human, and telling stories that matter. I can’t thank our donors enough for making this possible. It gave me the kind of experience you can’t get in a lecture and reminded me exactly why I want to do this for the rest of my life. Lex Radde, KSTV Newscast Reporter |
My experience at Media Fest helped validate my choice to pursue journalism, and this was confirmed through receiving kind words and encouragement from industry professionals to bonding with fellow college journalists. Speakers like Alyvia Taylor and Pat Doney helped me establish the right mindset I will need when I begin my work at a station. Taylor advised me not to let intimidation stop me from starting and to embody my role model. Doney instructed me to look for the deeper meaning or search for the meaningful story. He gave this advice because he said that everyone has a story to tell, and when you take the time actually to listen to someone, you will discover that. Doney was so helpful because he was such a meaningful and kind person. He even personally told me that my internship boss hired me for a reason, which almost made me cry. Media Fest also allowed me to reconnect with recruiters who have grown to be friends of mine, like Stephen Crews from Gray. Stephen and I have given each other book recommendations from each of our email correspondents, so I can trust him to help me with the post-graduation hiring process. Having that relationship with me made it special for me to introduce Gage, Kayla, and Adriana to him as well. I hope he can help them with any career needs. I also had the chance to sit in a session for ABC's Pierre Thomas, and this was the same day he broke the news of John Bolton being indicted. From Pierre, I observed the importance of accuracy and finding a work-life balance. Nikki Gasiewski, KSTV Broadcast Manager |