Mass Comm Week Schedule

Monday, October 12 | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Old Main 201 | Open to all programs  | In Person

The sports media program has been growing steadily in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in recent years. Come learn about current options in sports media and how you can gain real world experience. We'll also look at projected new sports media opportunies for Fall 2027.

Monday, October 12 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. in Old Main 232 and 10 - 10:50 a.m. in Old Main 234 | Public Relations

Your professional brand is more than a polished résumé, LinkedIn profile or job title. It’s the reputation built through how you show up, the relationships you cultivate and the skills and experiences you bring with you. In this session, Saliyah M. Parker, founder and principal consultant at PR with ParkeR, will draw from her own professional journey in strategic communications and public relations to challenge students to think beyond traditional ideas of professional branding and intentionally build a professional identity that extends beyond any one job or employer. 

Students will explore how networking, intentional follow-through and strategic positioning can strengthen their professional reputation, cultivate meaningful relationships and open doors to unexpected opportunities as their career paths evolve.

Monday, October 12 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. | Live Oak Hall 105 | Electronic Media       

Texas State alum Makenzie Thuesen (2020) is in her fourth year producing newscasts at Austin's NBC affiliate KXAN. She'll share her expertise with current students.        

Monday, October 12 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. | Centennial 157 | Electronic Media       

SJMC alum Aaron Peralta returns to campus to share stories from working in social media for multiple Major League Baseball teams. He is currently the social media manager for the Houston Astros, and his background also includes seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners. Along the way, he spent almost two years with the Houston Dynamo Football Club, so he has deep insights to share about navigating a career in sports.        

Monday, October 12 | 12:30 p.m.  - 2 p.m. | Old Main 106B | Open to all programs  |  In Person    

Laura Duclos is an experienced multimedia journalist on the Visuals Team at the Texas Tribune. She trained on NBC TV's experimental Left Field program and will share her videojournalism tips.

Monday, October 12 | 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. | Old Main 232 | Open to all students

Building a strong brand today means reaching audiences across an ever-growing mix of platforms, formats and digital experiences. In this session, members of Texas State University’s Division of Marketing & Communications will share how they bring the TXST brand to life through social media, video, podcasting, influencer marketing, digital advertising, SEO and more.

Panelists: Giselle Kowalski, podcast producer; Lucero Trevino, social media videographer; Erika Costello, social media and influencer manager; and Paige Whitis, paid digital media and SEO strategist.

Panelists will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how different specialties work together to tell a consistent story while adapting content and strategy for different audiences and platforms. 

Monday, October 12 | 2 - 3:15 p.m. | Old Main 201 | Public Relations | In Person

Strong media relations is built on more than a well-written pitch. This discussion will explore how strategic communications professionals shape narratives, position executives, build credibility with media and connect organizational priorities to timely, relevant storytelling opportunities. Drawing from experience across agency and in-house roles, San’Tres Broussard will give students a look at how thoughtful strategy, strong writing and media relationships work together to elevate brands, organizations and their leaders.

Monday, October 12 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Old Main 320 | Electronic Media

Texas State students Kaden Bessent and Ben Cameron spent the majority of their summer in Palmer, Alaska. They were hired to be the play-by-play and color announcers for the Mat-Su Miners, an Alaska summer college baseball league team. Professor Mark Mederson worked with them to capture their summer experiences. 

Kaden and Ben gathered content using their phones, and Mederson traveled to Palmer and shot video of them working and playing in Alaska. Kaden and Ben will talk about their experience, the ups and the downs. Mederson will show some of the video he captured while he followed the two this summer.

Monday, October 12 | 2 - 3:20 p.m. | Old Main 234 | Public Relations

Pam Nemec helps leaders build organizations that win. Over more than two decades at Whataburger, Nemec rose to senior vice president, leading brand communications, culture and people strategies as the beloved brand grew from 350 restaurants and 30,000 employees to nearly 1,000 restaurants and 50,000 employees.

Nemec shares practical strategies for building organizations where people take ownership, work together and consistently deliver on the brand promise. Winning isn't just about hitting goals or outperforming the competition. Winning is what happens when people take care of the work, the customer and each other.

Monday, October 12 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Alkek Teaching Theater | Digital Media Innovation | In Person

For this session, we will converse with three DMI graduates who have all found digital careers right here at Texas State University! We will discuss the different ways our alums have leveraged the skills and concepts learned in the DMI program for the world of higher education.

Monday, October 12 | 3:30 - 4:50 p.m. | Old Main 232 | Journalism

Texas State alumni Amira Van Leeuwen of Community Impact Newspaper and Elissa Jorgensen of The Dallas Morning News will talk about covering local government, development and breaking news, and how student work at Texas State helped them start their reporting careers.

Monday, October 12 | 6:45 - 8 p.m. | Old Main 232 | Open to all programs

Panelists will share how they started out in social media, including their successes and learnings. They'll share with students how to connect with others in the industry and their professional goals. Students will see their successful social media campaigns, professional portfolios and LinkedIn profiles. Students will learn how to start from entry level and work into higher-level positions.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | First floor of Old Main

Explore the opportunities available to students through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Texas State University.

Stop by the SJMC Opportunities Fair to connect with student organizations and clubs, Advising Services, Career Services, Study in America, Education Abroad and other campus resources. Representatives will be available throughout the event to answer questions and share ways students can get involved, build experience, explore academic opportunities and prepare for their careers.

Students are welcome to visit at any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

What you can explore:

• SJMC student organizations and clubs
• Career resources and professional development
• Academic advising
• Study in America programs
• Education Abroad opportunities
• Additional student resources and experiences

Free pizza will be available for students while supplies last.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11 a.m. - noon | Old Main 234 | In person; speaker joining via Zoom | Advertising 

Some ad programs teach ideation and execution as separate disciplines: one glamorous and one logistical. This talk argues that's a false split. Production, done well, is one of the most creative jobs on a project. It's the discipline of solving problems in real time across every discipline simultaneously: budget, casting, timeline, creative intent, client expectations, and making the project better because you understand how all the pieces fit together. 

Guerrero will draw on experience split between agency production and in-house brand work at Patagonia, building narrative and production frameworks. The talk is for students who like having their hands in everything, who get energy from solving problems nobody assigned them and who want to know what that instinct looks like as a career.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. | Avery Building, Room 368 (Round Rock Campus) + online  | Public Relations

What does it take to build a career in PR? And what does the work look like once you get there? In this conversation, Marco Negrete and Erin Finegold White give an inside look at their journeys into careers spanning POP MART, Jordan Brand, Nike, the Dallas Mavericks, and beyond. 

From celebrity gifting campaigns to executing NBA Finals activations to launching your own consultancy, this session brings two seasoned professionals together to share their insights about the industry, the hustle, and what students need to know to forge their own paths to success.

Tuesday, October 13 | 9:30 - 10:50 a.m. | Trauth Huffman Hall 310 (third floor) | In Person | Open to all programs

In a few years, Joey Gonzales has called the action in 11 sports, but mostly in baseball. Calling baseball means understanding the action, the chess-like moves and the excitement and joy of triples, inside-the-park home runs and no-hitters.

Like a hot prospect, Gonzales is enjoying progress leading to a promising sports broadcasting career, a life-long journey. He's off to a fast start. With good knowledge and solid instincts, Gonzales is quickly refining his craft and, meanwhile, enjoying the ride.

Tuesday, October 13 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Old Main 234 | Advertising

Carter Pagel will draw on his decades of experience to walk students through the many steps in a typical commercial production, highlighting the various roles from the production side and how advertising professionals interact with them. Students can expect to walk away with a high-level understanding of how commercials are taken from script to screen so they can be better prepared for actual productions.

Tuesday, October 13 | 3:30 - 4:50 p.m. | Centennial Hall 157 | Open to all programs | In Person

Have we mistaken an experience gap for a character gap? Is Gen Z just less resilient? Those are the wrong questions. The moments that used to rehearse us for adulthood are disappearing — early jobs, family dinners and in-person social interactions.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11 a.m. - noon | Old Main 320 | Advertising

A human look at building a career in advertising through a people-first approach. As a first-generation Mexican American, Guerrero will share how relationships, consistency and cultural perspective matter more than perfect portfolios. He will show how to turn opportunities into connections. This talk reframes what actually drives success based on his experiences — and why the most rewarding part of the industry is the people you build with.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Online | Open to all programs  

Texas State alumnus Dane Phillips explores how communication skills can lead to careers far beyond traditional media. Drawing on work with international organizations, corporations, financial institutions, universities and social enterprises, he will show how storytelling, perspective, interviewing, editing and audience awareness are used to solve problems, build trust, influence decisions and create opportunities. 

Through examples from his own career—including work across Southeast Asia and with organizations such as UNICEF, IOM and major companies—students will see how the skills they are developing in mass communication can transfer into consulting, international development, business, talent development and other fields they may not yet know exist.

Tuesday, October 13 | 11 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Online | Open to all programs

Influencer marketing has grown into a major part of how brands reach audiences, build trust and create content. In this session, two recent Texas State graduates working in the industry will provide a look inside the rapidly evolving creator economy. Representing both the talent management and brand sides of influencer marketing, panelists will discuss how creators and brands find the right partnerships, what goes into executing influencer campaigns and the strategy behind successful collaborations.

They’ll also share how they broke into the industry, what they’ve learned working with creators and brands and advice for students interested in pursuing careers in influencer and creator marketing.

Tuesday, October 13 | 2 - 3:20 p.m. | Old Main 201 | Journalism

Learn how an audience journalist works with a metro newspaper’s staff to maximize readership.

JJ Velasquez, managing editor of audience for the San Antonio Express-News, will discuss the role audience journalism plays in a modern newsroom and how audience professionals work with journalists to connect stories with readers.

Tuesday, October 13 | 2 - 3:10 p.m. | Round Rock Campus (Avery Building, Room 368) + online | Public Relations

Crystal Carroll has spent nearly eight years leading PR at Ulta Beauty, but her career started in retail as a PR Assistant at Urban Outfitters. So, how did she build a path to leadership at the largest specialized beauty retailer in the country? For students curious about a career in PR, Carroll will share more about her journey, the day-to-day of brand-side PR and the career moves that got her to this level. 

Tuesday, October 13 | 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. | Old Main 212 | Electronic Media | In Person

Wednesday, October 14 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. in Old Main 232 and 10 - 10:50 a.m. in Old Main 234 | Public Relations

Twister Marquiss is a strategic leader with more than 30 years of experience in higher education communications, marketing, media relations and academic affairs.

From 2021 to 2026, he served as the first-ever director of marketing and communications for the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Access: Private event. Not open to the general public.

The D.D. Hachar Visiting Hispanic Media Professionals Program welcomes students from Laredo to Texas State for a day of media-focused activities during Mass Communication Week. Students will tour SJMC facilities and student media, hear from Texas State students and media professionals, and experience campus life.

Location: Various locations across the Texas State campus
Program: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
 

Wednesday, October 14 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. | Live Oak Hall 105 | Electronic Media

An experienced Electronic Media graduate who is now in his second TV news job will share his tips for newsroom success.

Wednesday, October 14 | 11 - 12:20 p.m. | Round Rock Campus, Avery Building 357  | Open to all programs | In Person

As brands consider strategies for owned media, email is an important tool in a communications strategy often overlooked by students seeking to jump into digital media. Lauren shares her insight as an Email Marketing Associate with ExpertVoice, and previously with NBS Sports, detailing how brands like Stanley and Crocs utilize targeted messaging and strategic email marketing to drive customer engagement and boost revenue with target audiences.

Wednesday, October 14 | 9 - 9:50 a.m. | Old Main 320 | Public Relations

What does it really take to plan a successful event? Join us for A Series of Fortunate Events, a panel discussion featuring three experienced professionals from across the event industry: a wedding planner, a higher education event planner and a hotel event services coordinator.

Hear firsthand how these professionals built their careers, what happens behind the scenes and how they navigate the unexpected challenges that come with planning events.

Panelists will share memorable experiences, essential skills, industry trends and practical advice for students interested in pursuing careers in event planning, hospitality and related fields. Come hear their stories, learn from their experiences and discover the many possibilities a career in events can offer.

Wednesday,October 14 | 12:30 - 1:30 pm | Hines 204 | Advertising | In Person    

Kyle Mitchell, ACD at USAA, will cover creative life and what branding is like at both big, in-house agencies and at the smaller, scrappier shops. 

Having worked and led teams at both kinds of places, students can expect to learn from the discussion, what options lie out in the marketplace and hopefully what style of company they feel is the most interesting to them.

Wednesday, October 14 | 12:30 - 1:40 p.m. | Avery Building, Room 204 (Round Rock Campus) + online | Public Relations

Claire Walsh has built a PR career across agencies and major brands, but how did she do it? What does the journey to becoming a PR executive at one of the most recognized recruiting brands in the country look like? She's built PR functions from scratch, managed multi-million-dollar brand budgets and navigated crisis communications in real time. In this conversation, she'll share how she forged a path to leadership, what she'd do differently and what students coming into the industry need to know right now.

Wednesday, October 14 | 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. | Old Main 106B | Electronic Media | Online

Paul Livengood (Electronic Media, class of 2016) has spent a decade producing digital content (website and social media) for television news stations and consistently creates some of the most-viewed content each year on WFAA.com.

Wednesday, October 14 | 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. | Online | Open to all students

Digital media has transformed how sports organizations connect with fans, tell stories and deliver live experiences. In this session, Texas State alumni working with the Denver Broncos, Fox Sports Digital and Spurs Sports & Entertainment will share what it’s like to build a career at the intersection of sports and digital media.

Panelists will discuss their work in social media programming, digital content and technical production, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people and skills that power today’s sports media. They’ll also share their career paths, lessons learned and advice for students hoping to turn a passion for sports and digital storytelling into a profession.

Wednesday, October 14 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Old Main 320 | Journalism | Online and In Person

Sevilla will share how he broke into journalism after graduating from Texas State and built a career that led to newsroom leadership and nationally recognized coverage. Students will hear practical insight on standing out early in their careers, earning responsibility and developing the judgment needed to work on major breaking and investigative stories.

Wednesday, October 14 | 2 - 3:20 p.m. | Hines 204 | Electronic Media

The local newsroom is no longer just about putting together the evening newscast. KENS 5 primetime producer and digital journalist Jakob Rodriguez takes students inside today’s evolving newsroom to explore how journalists are rethinking what they cover, how they tell stories and where those stories reach audiences.

From breaking news and the nightly newscast to social media and digital-first storytelling, Rodriguez will show how the demands of the job are changing. Students will leave with a clearer understanding of the storytelling, production and digital skills today’s newsrooms expect from the next generation of journalists.

Wednesday, October 14 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Alkek Teaching Theater (ALK 250) | Digital Media Innovation

Join us as we dive into the broad range of careers our DMI graduates have found. From web design to social media, we will discuss day-to-day activities, how the DMI degree has helped prepare students for positions in communication and technology and answer student questions along the way.

Wednesday, October 14 | 3:30 - 4:20 p.m. | Old Main 212 | Digital Media Innovation

The creator economy is transforming the way audiences consume media, discover products and connect with brands.

This session explores the evolution of influencer marketing and the growing role of digital creators in today’s media landscape. From building personal brands and engaged communities to developing brand partnerships and creating new career opportunities, Erika Costello will examine how creators are reshaping marketing and what communication professionals need to know to work effectively in this rapidly changing space.

Wednesday, October 14 | 12:30 -  01:50 p.m. | OM 234 | Public Relations | In Person

When every company is talking about AI, what actually makes a technology story worth covering? In this session, Texas State alumni Mariah Simank and Cheyenne Wells will give students an inside look at what a career in B2B technology PR actually looks like. 

They’ll break down how PR professionals determine what is truly newsworthy, find differentiation in crowded markets and build compelling narratives around technical products and trends. The session will also explore how AI is changing both the companies PR pros represent and the way PR teams work. Students will leave with a clearer understanding of B2B tech PR as a career path and the skills that will matter as they enter the industry.

Wednesday, October 14 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Online | Public Relations  

In January 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, and Jack Evans served as the airline’s primary spokesperson in the days and months that followed. 

Drawing on that experience and three decades in public relations at some of the world's best-known companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Roku, he shares what he has learned about communicating with honesty and credibility when facts are still emerging and the stakes are high.

Wednesday, October 14 | 3:30 - 4:50 p.m. | Old Main 201 and online | Advertising

Former Cable One chair and CEO Julie Laulis brings more than four decades of media industry leadership into the classroom for a candid look at what happens inside the executive boardroom. Drawing on her experience leading a major publicly traded media company and serving on corporate boards, Laulis will explore how executives turn strategic ideas into organizational action. Students will learn how successful leaders communicate recommendations with clarity, build credibility with decision-makers, anticipate difficult questions, manage competing priorities and earn support when the stakes are high. The conversation will also examine executive presence, strategic decision-making and the leadership skills required to move an idea from a strong proposal to an organizational commitment.

Wednesday, October 14 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Old Main 320 | Digital Media Innovation

Join Digital Media Innovation alumni, students and faculty to mark the major's 10th anniversary at Texas State University.

Reconnect with old friends, look back on the program's first decade and celebrate the people, ideas and experiences that shaped it.

Keynote Discussion:
From Classroom to Career: Working on the Web Team at Blackhawk Digital Marketing 
Join three Texas State Digital Media Innovation alumni from the web team at Blackhawk Digital Marketing for a conversation about turning classroom skills into a career in digital media. Breanna McMurray (DMI '19), Juan Garcia Jimenez (DMI '20) and Wren Valles ('21) will share insights on launching a web management career, digital agency life and the evolving skills needed to succeed in today’s digital marketing industry.

Wednesday, October 14 | 5 - 6:20 p.m. | Old Main 201 | Electronic Media

What makes television news writing work when the words actually have to be delivered on the air? Award-winning former sports and news anchor Greg Kerr brings more than 40 years of local television experience into the classroom to share lessons learned both in the field and behind the anchor desk. 

Drawing on nearly three decades in sports broadcasting and another 14 years in television news, Kerr will discuss writing for the ear, crafting compelling packages and sound bites, reporting live, telling stories under deadline and adapting copy for effective on-air delivery. A Lone Star Emmy winner who has worked in television markets across the country, Kerr will give students a firsthand look at how strong writing, sound news judgment, compelling visuals and authentic delivery come together to tell great television stories.

Thursday, October 15 | 9:30 - 10:50 a.m. | Old Main 232 | Journalism | Online and In Person

Thursday, October 15 | 11 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Online |  Open to all students   

What is the job search really like after graduation? Hear directly from recent Texas State mass communication graduates who have successfully made the transition from college to the professional world. 

Panelists 

Panelists will share their experiences navigating the job hunt, including what worked, what they wish they had known and the challenges they encountered along the way. The conversation will cover topics such as resumes and portfolios, networking, interviews, finding opportunities and standing out in a competitive job market. Whether you’re graduating soon or just starting to think about your career, this session will offer practical advice and an honest look at what to expect when it’s time to begin your own job search.

Thursday, 10/15 |  12:30 - 1:50 p.m | Online and In person |  OM 238

Calzada will take students behind the scenes of a career spent documenting major news events, professional sports and everyday life through photography. He will discuss visual storytelling, gaining trust in sensitive situations and adapting to new tools such as video and drone journalism.

Thursday, October 15 |  2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. | Old Main 201    

Learn about the role of nonprofit news organizations like the San Antonio Report and Texas Public Radio in the Central Texas region. Munsil has experience in legacy media (including at the Dallas Morning News) and more recent experience at the San Antonio Report. This summer she assumed her new title when the Report and TPR announced a merger.

Friday, October 16 | 9 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. | Live Oak Hall 105 | Electronic Media

Recent Electronic Media graduate Ava Gibson will talk about how to land a job in TV news and what to expect in the first year.

Friday, October 16| 11:00 am - 12:30 p.m. | Old Main 232 | Electronic Media | In person

Newsroom leaders and recruiters from around the state of Texas will be here in Old Main, anxious to meet with students who will be looking for work after graduation.