Mass Comm Week Session Schedule
Zoom Session Notes:
Several Mass Comm Week 2023 sessions will be offered virtually on Zoom. All sessions with a provided link are open to all students. Attendees will be admitted into the session about 10 minutes before the session’s start time. You may be asked to log in to Zoom to access the session. Click on the SSO option and log in with your Texas State information.
Need help? Check the Texas State University IT Assistance Center Zoom support page.
9:30 a.m.
All Journalism is Investigative Journalism
Andrea Ball, investigative journalist from the Houston Chronicle, discusses how research and data are the foundation of all news reporting–and how she uses her skills to report on law enforcement and legislators, as well as stories about how to move an entire house and what happens when kids gets lost at the state fair.
Location: Online/Zoom Meeting ID# 85034118388
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Andrea Ball
Moderator: Amber Hinsley
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9:30 a.m.
Television News Directors Talk Jobs in TV News
Three television news directors – from Austin, San Antonio and a regional group news director for a large ownership group – will join us in person to chat with students about jobs in TV news. Two of these news directors are alumni of our program and they love to hire Bobcats! Journalism, Electronic Media, and Digital Media Students who are serious about possibly working in TV news are encouraged to attend.
Location: Old Main 106B
Program: Electronic Media
Speakers: Rob Cartwright, Blaise Labbe, Michelle Germano
Moderator: Kelly Kaufhold
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11:00 a.m.
Television News Directors Talk Jobs in TV News
The two news directors from the 9:30 a.m. class will visit a different class at 11. Rob Cartwright, news director of KEYE CBS Austin, is a Texas State alum (class of 1996). Blaise Labbe is the Group News Director for a host of Sinclair-owned TV stations. They?ll be meeting with merged sections of TV News and Multimedia Journalism and talking about jobs available right now in broadcast journalism.
Location: Old Main 212
Program: Electronic Media/Journalism
Speakers: Rob Cartwright, Blaise Labbe
Moderator: Amber Hinsley
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11:00 a.m.
DMI Capstone Project Critiques
This session gives DMI capstone students the opportunity to learn about careers in audience engagement and get feedback on their semester projects.
Location: Old Main 201
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speaker: Matt Adams
Moderator: Daniel Carter
*Available to students enrolled in MC 4328.002.
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12:30 p.m.
Finding Careers in Digital Content
SJMC graduates Elissa Fontenot, Giselle Kowalski, Callie Hill and Lucero Trevino have switched buildings – from Old Main to JCK. All are now part of the university’s Division of Marketing and Communications and will share insights on looking for jobs and how their classes helped prepare them.
Location: Old Main 232
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speakers: Elissa Fontenot, Giselle Kowalski, Lucero Trevino, Callie Lewis
Moderator: Dale Blasingame
*Students enrolled in MC 4326.006 get priority seating.
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3:30 p.m.
Influencers Help Wendy’s Put the BREAK Back Into BREAKfast
Ketchum NY pros Maren Gowland and Claudia Marvin share how the PR agency brought New York influencers together to roll out Wendy’s new breakfast items and bring fun into the most important meal of the day at the most relaxing rooftop event of the season! They will also discuss internship opportunities and talk about their jobs at this PR powerhouse.
Location: Old Main 201
and Online at Zoom Meeting ID# 81799811733
Program: Public Relations
Speaker: Claudia Marvin, Maren Gowland
Moderator: Sam Heimbach
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7:30 p.m.
Telling Stories with Data & Visualizations
Carla Astudillo, senior data visuals developer at the Texas Tribune, discusses how she uses her skills in journalism and data visualization to tell more comprehensive stories for her nonprofit news organization. Astudillo has contributed to stories on Texas legislators and politicians and helped build interactive databases with information on public schools and elected officials.
Location: Online/Zoom Meeting ID# 82784364071
Zoom Passcode: MC5344
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Carla Astudillo
Moderator: Amber Hinsley
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8:00 a.m.
Education Abroad and Study in America Opportunities
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication will be offering four Education Abroad and three Study in America programs this academic year. These sessions allow students the opportunity to learn about these programs, the destinations, the courses offered, and what you will learn and experience during these transformational learning opportunities.
Location: CENT 157
Program: All
Speakers: Dale Blasingame, Harry Bowers, Ali Forbes, Jessica James, Charles Kaufman, Youjeong Kim, Gilbert Martinez, Alex Muk, Debra Price, Jennifer Scharlach, Sara Shields, Paul Villagran
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8:00 a.m.
Hometown Reporting and Local Broadcast News
Derick Garcia is an anchor and reporter for CBS 4 News in the Rio Grande Valley. Garcia is a Texas State alum, and also grew up in the RGV. He will talk to students about how he got his start in broadcast news (with help from his undergraduate studies at Texas State) and the importance of local news.
Location: Old Main 201
and Online at Zoom Meeting ID# 82987183779
Passcode: 802462
Program: Electronic Media/Journalism
Speaker: Derick Garcia
Moderator: Jill Ament
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9:30 a.m.
Media: The Business Behind Ad Placements
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes in how media publishers interact and connect with advertisers to place ads? Bruce Levinson shares his industry experience to answer this and other questions related to the changing media landscape and what it means for advertisers.
Location: Old Main 201
Program: Advertising
Speaker: Bruce Levinson
Moderator: Clay Craig
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9:30 a.m.
From Advertising to Crypto and Everywhere In-between
Rob Edward will share about his journey from advertising strategy to tech and discuss a slew of topics including his background in engineering, introducing innovation to 70-year-old technology, building a Creative Technology offering at a large-scale agency, and landing where he is today “From Lurking to Working, (his) journey into Web3”. He’s experienced a ton of projects, talks, and other fun things that have happened along the way.
Location: ED 4005
Program: Advertising
Speaker: Robert Edwards
Moderator: Kristen Sussman
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11:00 a.m.
Living the Agency Life: Bobcats working at PR firms talk about their careers and how they got there
Want to know what it is like to work at an agency? Recent grads will share their stories and give tips about landing a job. Panelists include Carson Jones from anthonyBarnum, Blake Pousson from ECPR, Allison Jones Ralston from INK Communications, Summer Richie from Hill+Knowlton, and Lydia Crow from Bhava Communications .
Location: Old Main 232
Program: Public Relations
Speakers: Summer Richie, Blake Pousson, Allison Jones Ralston, Carson Jones, Lydia Crow
Moderator: Debra Price
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12:30 p.m.
Creativity at a National Level
Emilee Hall, an SJMC alum, will talk about her role as the social media coordinator of Chuy’s – the Tex-Mex restaurant chain based in Austin, where she creates social media content for a brand known on a national level.
Location: Online/Zoom
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speaker: Emilee Hall
Moderator: Dale Blasingame
*Email RSVP to blasingame@txstate.edu for Zoom link.
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12:30 p.m.
Education Abroad and Study in America Opportunities
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication will be offering four Education Abroad and three Study in America programs this academic year. These sessions allow students the opportunity to learn about these programs, the destinations, the courses offered, and what you will learn and experience during these transformational learning opportunities.
Location: HINES 204
Program: All
Speakers: Dale Blasingame, Harry Bowers, Ali Forbes, Jessica James, Charles Kaufman, Youjeong Kim, Gilbert Martinez, Alex Muk, Debra Price, Jennifer Scharlach, Sara Shields, Paul Villagran
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2:00 p.m.
Meeting the Moment: Navigating Complexity and Delivering Impact in Today’s World
The issues we face are complex; the solutions offered by business must be robust enough to embrace that complexity. But the opportunity for business is clear. To build trust in today’s world, business must deliver impact.
Kevval is the Senior Vice President at Edelman, focusing on social impact, sustainability, and forging trust between businesses and society, and has worked with clients like McKinsey and Stanford. Kate Brannen is the Senior Account Supervisor at Edelman. Working at Edelman’s D.C. Corporate Reputation team, Kate specializes in media relations, executive positioning, and strategic communications for Fortune 500 companies.
Location: Old Main 234 & Online/Zoom
Program: Public Relations
Speakers: Kevval Hanna, Kate Brannen
Moderator: Nandini Bhalla
*Email RSVP to nandinib@txstate.edu for Zoom link.
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3:30 p.m.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Advertising, Branding and Communications
Curious about how AI is being evaluated and used in advertising, branding, communications and design? Wonder what questions advertising agencies, creatives, researchers and strategists (oh and clients, too) are asking each other about AI in the industry? Join us for a dynamic and interesting Q&A/panel discussion about AI in advertising, branding and design. We’ve assembled a panel of industry professionals who are curious about AI and are willing to share their perspectives on this emerging and powerful capability. Q&A format, so please come with questions for our panelists!
Location: Centennial 157
Program: Advertising/General Mass Communication
Speakers: Shannon Schluz, Kellyn Rixford-Dunn, Matthew Stephens, Ryan Kitchens
Moderator: Sage Baker
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5:00 p.m.
The Path to a Digital Career
Two recent Digital Media Innovation graduates will discuss the path to their digital career. Giselle German (DMI ’22) is an IT Business Analyst for General Motors, and Lauryn Briggs (DMI ’22) is a social media manager at The Cosmos Labs. Hear from them about their job search and current responsibilities and get tips for your own career ahead.
Location: Online/Zoom
Link to recorded session
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speakers: Giselle German, Lauryn Briggs
Moderator: Cindy Royal, Professor, Digital Media Innovation
*Restricted to students enrolled in MC 4328.001
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5:00 p.m.
Taco Tuesday with AAF TXST
Come enjoy some tacos and camaraderie with AAF TXST. For every taco you purchase AAF TXST gets a share of the profits. Not only can you enjoy great tacos, you are also helping support AAF TXST!
Location: Torchy’s Tacos at 301 N. Guadalupe Street, San Marcos
Program: Advertising
Sponsor: AAF TXST
Host: Clay Craig
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6:30 p.m.
From Texas State to CNN: Alisha Ebrahimji’s Digital Writing Odyssey and the Impact of MC1313
lisha Ebrahimji, who works at CNN and is also a Texas State University graduate, talks about her journey from Texas State to CNN. She will share how MC1313 Media Writing prepared her as a digital writer for one of the country’s signature news organizations.
Location: Online/Zoom
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Alisha Ebrahimji
Moderator: Lorna Stafford
*Email RSVP to lms216@txstate.edu for Zoom link.
9:00 a.m.
Embracing Culture and Diversity in Public Relations
Professionals discuss how diverse cultures can build effective PR teams and how you can leverage your unique background, experiences, and strengths to be a stronger PR professional. The panel includes pros from Refuerzo Collaborative, a Latina-owned communications agency; the City of Austin; Edelman Chicago; and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce.
Location: CENT 157
Program: Public Relations
Speakers: Fabiana Melendez Ruiz, Saul Gray, Marianna Ruiz, J.R. Gonzales
Moderator: Paul Villagran
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9:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
D. D. Hachar Visiting Hispanic Media Professionals Program hosting Laredo’s Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications & Fine Arts
Students visit campus for the day to participate in presentations by mass communication professionals and visit campus facilities, including campus media and residence halls. For many of the students, this is their first visit to a college campus. More than half of the students indicated they would be the first in their family to attend college.
See the D.D. Hachar Program page for more info and to view the complete schedule.
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9:30 a.m.
Digital networking for your PR job search
Did you know that there’s a correlation between your LinkedIn presence (how long you’ve had an account + how many connections you have) and the number of interviews and job offers you may receive? Hear from Dr. Prisca Ngondo about findings from her recent research on digital networking and from Mel Pearce, a Texas State alumna who works for the job search site Handshake.
Location: Old Main 232
Program: Public Relations
Speaker: Mel Pearce
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Education Abroad and Study in America Browse
Do you want to learn more about School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) Education Abroad and Study in America programs but can’t attend a scheduled session? You are in luck. Faculty representatives from all our SJMC Education Abroad and Study in America programs will be available to answer your questions and provide information about the programs.
Free pizza while it last!
Location: Old Main first-floor lobby
Program: All
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12:30 p.m.
Digital Marketing and Production in Professional Sports
Two recent Texas State alumni – one from Electronic Media and one from Digital Media Innovation – will join us to talk about their work with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Texans, including how they apply the skills they learned here at Texas State.
Location: Old Main 106B
Program: Digital Media Innovation & Electronic Media
Speakers: Kate Connors, Tatiana Torres
Moderator: Kelly Kaufhold
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12:30 p.m.
Digital Content with a Cause
Dyhanara Rios, a multimedia communications specialist with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and SJMC alum, will talk with students about working in the nonprofit realm and creating content with a purpose.
Location: Old Main 232
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speaker: Dyhanara Rios
Moderator: Dale Blasingame
*Students enrolled in MC 4326.006 get priority seating. There will be limited seats for students not part of this class.
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2:00 p.m.
Podcasting – Telling Stories with Sound
Three professors – two from Texas State and one from Sam Houston State (a member of the Texas State University System), will share their experiences producing their own podcasts and researching the important and growing role of podcasts in society.
Location: Hines 204
Program: Electronic Media
Speakers: Dan Seed, Dr. Marcus Funk, Jillian Ament
Moderator: Kelly Kaufhold
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3:30 p.m.
From Old Main to City Hall: Building your Career in Digital Media and Public Service
Join us for an inspiring discussion with Gab Herrera, an SJMC alumna and now Senior Communications Advisor for the Office of Mayor Ron Nirenberg in San Antonio. Gab will share her journey from a Texas State student to a key figure in local government communications. During this session, she will delve into the various roles she has held throughout her career, as well as offer practical career advice for current students looking to carve out their own paths in a digital world.
Location: Alkek Teaching Theater – Alkek 250
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speaker: Gabrielle Herrera
Moderator: Jon Zmikly
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3:30 p.m.
Digital Content Producer – Reporting Behind the Scenes in TV News
A number of graduates from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication now produce journalism for television stations but don’t appear in traditional on-air roles. Instead they work as Digital Content Producers, creating original journalism for TV-station websites and social media platforms. You’ll meet a couple of recent graduates who are Digital Content Producers at major market TV stations.
Location: Old Main 106B
Program: Electronic Media
Speakers: Sammy Turner, Paul Livengood II
Moderator: Kelly Kaufhold
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8:00 a.m.
50 Years of Hip-Hop & a Lesson in Journalism and Life
Kiana Fitzgerald is a TXST alumna (B.S. Journalism & M.A. Mass Comm) who recently published her first book: Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music, and she has learned a few things along the way. She will talk about her career as a music journalist, podcaster and DJ as well as share her path to becoming an advocate for mental health.
Location: Centennial Hall 157
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Kiana Fitzgerald
Moderator: Laurie Fluker
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8:00 a.m.
How to Build a Successful Radio Career in Today’s Business
Navigating your way to, and through, your first job can be challenging in any field, and in broadcasting that can be the case as well. Andrew Zimmel, a Texas State alumnus in the first years of his career in sports radio, joins us to help students navigate that winding and, at times, challenging path from campus to career. Andrew has written a book, “The Sports Radio Bible: How to Build a Successful Radio Career in the 21st Century,” that offers advice from radio professionals and his own experiences with students in mind.
Andrew will be appearing via Zoom from North Dakota where he currently works as sports director for KBMW 1450AM. Andrew hosts a sports talk show and covers the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, North Dakota Bison and local high school teams.
Location: Old Main 201
and Online at Zoom Meeting ID# 82294636935
Program: Electronic Media
Speaker: Andrew Zimmel
Moderator: Dan Seed
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9:30 a.m.
Sports and Showtime: The Changing World of Obsessed Audiences
Learn how the world of media, all media, create and attempt to satisfy the appetite of sports-adoring audiences; and how audiences can influence that coverage. On the “Hot Seat” to discuss a variety of issues are faculty members Dan Seed and Dr. Ali Forbes. In an opening segment, senior Joey Gonzales will break down his epic call of two runners getting tagged out almost simultaneously for the Visalia Single-A (Diamondbacks) team after relay throws from the outfield.
Location: Old Main 234
Program: All
Speakers: Ali Forbes, Dan Seed
Moderator: Charles “Chuck” Kaufman
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Education Abroad and Study in America Browse
Do you want to learn more about School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) Education Abroad and Study in America programs but can’t attend a scheduled session? You are in luck. Faculty representatives from all our SJMC Education Abroad and Study in America programs will be available to answer your questions and provide information about the programs.
Free pizza while it last!
Location: Old Main first-floor lobby
Program: All
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11:00 a.m.
Texas State PR Pros Talk Social Media Careers
PR grads will share information about their social media careers and how they got there. Panelists include Novalie Gomez, a current Bobcat, content creator and college influencer; Alex Hartman, digital strategies coordinator at City of New Braunfels; Raegan Haggard, account executive at Giant Noise; Morgan Perry, social media coordinator at Nike Communications; Shayla Rose, influencer marketing specialist at bread & Butter; and Christina Rodriguez, marketing and social media manager at Caster Studios.
Location: Online/ Zoom Meeting ID# 84021451900
Program: Public Relations
Speakers: Shayla Rose, Alex Hartman, Raegan Haggard, Morgan Perry, Christina Rodriguez, Novalie Gomez
Moderator: Debra Price
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12:30 p.m.
Swing for the Fences: Sports and Social Media
Amanda Weaver, an SJMC alum, has what many students consider a dream job with a professional sports team. She’ll share insights from her time with the Winston-Salem Dash, a high-A farm team of the Chicago White Sox, and how her career allows her to highlight the connection between sports and community.
Location: Online/Zoom
Program: Digital Media Innovation
Speaker: Amanda Weaver
Moderator: Dale Blasingame
*Email RSVP to blasingame@txstate.edu for Zoom link.
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12:30 p.m.
50 Years of Hip-Hop & a Lesson in Journalism and Life
Kiana Fitzgerald is a TXST alumna (B.S. Journalism & M.A. Mass Comm) who recently published her first book: Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music, and she has learned a few things along the way. She will talk about her career as a music journalist, podcaster and DJ as well as share her path to becoming an advocate for mental health.
Location: Hines 204
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Kiana Fitzgerald
Moderator: Laurie Fluker
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3:30 p.m.
50 Years of Hip-Hop & a Lesson in Journalism and Life
Kiana Fitzgerald is a TXST alumna (B.S. Journalism & M.A. Mass Comm) who recently published her first book: Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music, and she has learned a few things along the way. She will talk about her career as a music journalist, podcaster and DJ as well as share her path to becoming an advocate for mental health.
Location: Old Main 201
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Kiana Fitzgerald
Moderator: Kym Fox
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4:00 p.m.
Telling True Stories Through Star Stories
The University Star’s live storytelling event “Star Stories” is in its fifth year at Texas State. Come hear about where this idea originated, how it has affected our storytellers, and what it takes to put on an event like this.
Location: LBJ Student Center 3-21.2
Program: Journalism
Speaker: Jakob Rodriguez, Jessica Soukup, Jordan Stern
Moderator: Laura Krantz
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6:30 p.m.
Living the Broadcast Life
Writing for broadcast is different from print and online; it’s fast-paced and presented with a more pronounced sense of timeliness but audiences are tiring of pseudo urgency. We get tips from a veteran professional on how to write in a clean, bright style that draws in the viewer but tells a true story.
Location: Online/Zoom
Program: Journalism
Speaker: David Elizondo
Moderator: Diana Fuentes
*Email RSVP to drf94@txstate.edu for Zoom link.
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9:30 a.m.
Artificial Intelligence: The Precipice of a New Era in Digital Engagement
The impact of artificial intelligence on the digital landscape and the ripple effect it is having in on customer relations management and customer data platforms with regard to data privacy, data management, future engagement and the impact on professional communicators. A futurist perspective.
Location: Centennial Hall 157
Program: Public Relations
Speakers: Tim Hayden
Moderator: Paul Villagran
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11:00 a.m.
From Old Main to the NBA2K League, a Chat with Andrew McNeill
This is a Q&A with Andrew McNeill the Vice President of Esports at Wizards District Gaming. Andrew is from San Antonio and a graduate from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication program here at Texas State. He is now living and working in Washington D.C. as the VP the NBA2K League team at Wizards District Gaming. He credits his time working with SXSW in jump starting his career in Esports.
Location: Alkek Studio B
and Online at Zoom Meeting ID# 9295427135
Program: Digital Media Innovation/ Electronic Media
Speaker: Andrew McNeill
Moderator: Ali Forbes
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1:30 p.m.
Build A Chatbot: Workshop
Build your own working AI chatbot, and learn how AI and automation can be used in a mass communication career.
Location: Old Main 106-B
Program: TXST Innovation Club
Speaker: Jon Zmikly
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Thursday, October 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Dealing with the Media: A Conversation with Reid Ryan
Reid Ryan has dealt with media matters in baseball on so many levels, from rebuilding the Astros to controversies related to the 2017 World Series. He’s also played a major role in helping all of Minor League Baseball navigate business and management issues related to economic challenges in the Covid years. He’s grown the Express into one of the best organizations in baseball.
Mr. Ryan will be interviewed by faculty member Dan Seed in what promises to be a lively session.
Location: Old Main 234
Program: All
Speakers: Reid Ryan, Dan Seed
Moderator: Chuck Kaufman
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Tuesday, October 17th at 8 a.m.
A Talk with Texas State University’s President – Dr. Kelly Damphousse
Location: Centennial Hall Teaching Theater
Program: All
Speakers: President Kelly Damphousse
Moderator: Dr. Laurie Fluker
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