Sustained Excellence
The power of storytelling: The School of Media and Journalism, one of five schools in Kent State’s College of Communication and Information, helps students discover the power of storytelling – the news story, the feature story, the multimedia story, the client’s story and the short film. And in the process, we help students discover their own brand stories: who they are, what unique skills they offer and what they want to do with their professional lives.
Tour Our Spaces in 360
Explore Franklin Hall — home to the School of Media and Journalism — in this immersive 3D Matterport experience.
Black Squirrel Entertainment students hosted a 16-hour livestream marathon on Nov. 8, raising $3,344.14 for Akron Children's through their annual Extra Life fundraising event — 165% of their original goal. Students from BSE, KSTV and Production & Film Distribution managed every aspect of the broadcast, from concept to production, demonstrating the creative freedom and community impact of fully student-run media. The event showcased how student media combines entertainment, collaboration and service to make a real difference for local families.
Thanks to donor support, 17 Kent State Student Media students attended three national conferences this year, gaining hands-on experience in broadcasting, journalism and media leadership. At the CNN Academy Atlanta Bootcamp, Kent Stater reporter Ari Collins helped produce a "Best Report" winning news package, while at College Media Association MediaFest '25, Adriana Gasiewski earned top honors in an AP-style quiz. These transformational experiences, made possible entirely through donor funding, help students return to campus with fresh skills and industry insights.
Regina Garcia Cano, a 2011 graduate of the Journalism program and former KentStater editor, was named "Best of AP – First Winner" in the week of November 14 for her coverage of the sinking of Venezuelan boats by the U.S. military. Garcia Cano traveled to Venezuela and spoke to locals to learn more about the men on the boats who died in the attacks.
From campus studios to the Cannes Film Festival, Kent State alumnus Tyler Piña has turned his passion for storytelling into an award-winning career.
All of MDJ’s undergraduate programs are accredited by ACEJMC.
