alumni

Behind the scenes, ahead of the play: Experts alumni talk sports media careers with students

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:36:38 +0000

Behind the scenes, ahead of the play: Experts alumni talk sports media careers with students Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/13/2024 - 12:36

By Iris Serrano
Photos by Jack Moody and Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm’18)

Britney Garcia knows how hard it is to break into sports media.

The aspiring journalist realizes the competition to get work in the field is harder than ever, but took heart at last month’s Sports Media Summit at the College of Media, Communication and Information at the ��«��Ƶ.

“It's really just about trusting the process, having that thick skin and continuing to stay motivated,” said Garcia, a junior majoring in journalism.

Garcia was one of nearly 300 people to register for the daylong event, which featured 15 speakers—mainly alumni who brought extensive industry experience to the summit. Their range of careers—journalism, public relations, sponsorship, marketing and events management—showed the variety of job opportunities in the sports media industry.

‘Don’t overplan it’

Panelist John Branch (Bus’89; MJour’96), a Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter at The New York Times, showed that the path to careers in this industry is rarely straightforward. He was working as a manager at Costco before returning to CU ��«��Ƶ for his master’s degree. And his break at the Times came from a connection from his network.

“Don't overplan it—do it. Just keep your head down, and keep doing it and meeting people, and you just don't know where it's going to turn out,” Branch said. “God only knows where I'd be without serendipity and connections.”

“The speakers’ diverse backgrounds and roles hopefully helped students realize that these very successful people were, just five years ago, exactly like them.”
Marina Dmukhovskaya, teaching assistant professor and associate director, sports media minor

Many of the panelists have stories similar to Branch's, including Kate Reed (StratComm’18), a communications coordinator for the Milwaukee Bucks. Only it took her less time to get her dream job.

She said one of the ways that helped her get ahead of the competition was reaching out and keeping in touch with the right people.

“It's helped me throughout my career, which would have never happened had I not been able to put myself out there and just feel comfortable with potential rejections,” Reed said. “Anytime you have the opportunity, offer yourself up.”

Panelists took questions from the audience, which included a sizable group of high school students, members of the ��«��Ƶ community and CMCI students. During breaks in between panels, students got to engage with alumni and make one-on-one connections.

Keiran Warger, a first-year student planning to pursue a career in journalism, brought a passion for what goes on behind the scenes in sports to the event. “There are so many different occupations within the industry, not just journalism. I've always looked up to people doing that kind of work,” Warger said.

A growing force in Colorado

Luckily, for students like Warger, Colorado is becoming a bigger place for sports. With the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets both winning championships in the last two years, the industry has grown substantially—not to mention the arrival of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders to the Buffaloes football team last year.

Prime was a topic of conversation in the opening session, moderated by Ever Figueroa, which discussed how Sanders brought attention and school spirit to CU football.

“CU ��«��Ƶ is living in a special moment,” said Figueroa, an assistant professor of journalism at CMCI. “There are such incredible opportunities to get involved or invest in sports media right here at your doorstep.”

Marina Dmukhovskaya, associate director of the CMCI sports media minor, said the sports industry is only getting more competitive. But events like this one, she said, help students see and learn from success stories—oftentimes possible through hard work and the application of skills like critical thinking, content creation and writing.

“Sometimes, on-air personalities in the industry might seem to be out of reach,” said Dmukhovskaya, who covered multiple Olympics as a journalist and writer. “The speakers' diverse backgrounds and roles hopefully helped students realize that these very successful people were, just five years ago, exactly like them.”

Alumni discussed the future of the sports media industry and shared advice on how to build a career in this competitive field.

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Broadcast icon, an ‘incredible ambassador’ to CU, honored with alumni award

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:19:31 +0000

Broadcast icon, an ‘incredible ambassador’ to CU, honored with alumni award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/02/2023 - 13:19

By Hannah Stewart (Comm’19)

Kim Christiansen is no stranger to the Denver area—whether you’re watching the nightly news or listening for your train at the airport.

Her personality, commitment and service to the university are a key reason she’s being recognized with an Alumni Recognition Award from CU ��«��Ƶ.

“Kim has served as an informal but high-profile ambassador for the university, with frequent and proud mentions of her CU journalism degree during nightly newscasts on Channel 9,” said John Leach (Jour’74, MA’79), who nominated her. Leach won the Alumni Recognition Award in 2018 and currently serves on the CMCI advisory board.

Since graduating from CU, Christiansen (Jour’84) has served Colorado with 9News for more than 30 years. She is the lead anchor of their broadcast station, responsible for the 4, 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts. Additionally, in 2018, Christiansen became the female voice of Denver’s airport train and since 2016 has emceed CU ��«��Ƶ’s Alumni Awards ceremony.

Now it’s her turn to step back into the CU limelight this fall at the 94th awards event.

“I am so incredibly proud of CU and to be a graduate,” Christiansen said. “You connect with people that you work with professionally and it’s a source of pride to say, ‘Yeah, we were CU grads.’”

The university takes incredible pride in her accomplishments, as well.

“Kim is such an incredible ambassador for CMCI,” said Lori Bergen, founding dean of the college. “She exemplifies the traits—reliability, enthusiasm, critical thinking—that we want all our students to emulate in their studies and as they go out into the world. We take pride in all she’s accomplished and are thrilled to celebrate this honor alongside her.”

Because Christiansen regularly emcees the event, she didn’t think twice when she got the email. In fact, “I literally read it three times” before the news sunk in that she was being honored, she said. “It was great news.”

She’s an avid fan of the Colorado Buffaloes, regularly attending football games and amplifying their successes on social media. And she remains a fixture of CU ��«��Ƶ, like when she interviewed fellow alumna Savannah Sellers (Jour’13), the 2019 commencement speaker. And Christiansen’s son, Tanner Feith, continued her legacy by completing a marketing degree this year.

Colorado news legend Kim Christiansen has been an icon at CU’s annual alumni awards—and now she’s one of the stars. This year, she was recognized with the Alumni Recognition Award.

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Communication department celebrates 12 national awards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:10:39 +0000

Communication department celebrates 12 national awards Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/12/2022 - 12:10

Congratulations to the CMCI Department of Communication for receiving 12 awards from the National Communication Association.

NCA is a professional organization dedicated to advancing communication and serving the scholars, teachers and practitioners in the field. During the NCA 108th annual convention held in New Orleans in November, CMCI faculty, graduate students and alumni served as panelists, presented academic research and more.

“These awards provide evidence that CU graduate students and faculty lead the communication field,” said Tim Kuhn, department chair. “Looking across the dozen awards, it’s clear that we’re attracting the very top PhD students to our program—and those students are able to work with some of the most innovative and devoted mentors the field has to offer.”

Doctoral students Sean Kenney and Nancy Maingi Ngwu win awards for top student paper and top published article, respectively, 2022 NCA convention.
Photo by Tim Kuhn, CMCI

Associate Professor Phaedra C. Pezzullo and Godfried Asante, an assistant professor of communication at San Diego State University, pose for a photo at the 2022 NCA Convention in New Orleans.
Photo by Constance Gordon, San Diego State University

Doctoral students Warren Cook and Mikayla Torres win a top paper award in environmental communication at the 2022 NCA Convention in New Orleans.
Photo by Constance Gordon, San Diego State University

During the convention, the Department of Communication received the following recognitions and awards:

The Department of Communication takes home 12 awards from the 2022 National Communication Association Convention.

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Assistant Professor Danielle Hodge builds bridges through anti-Black racism course

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:09:44 +0000

Assistant Professor Danielle Hodge builds bridges through anti-Black racism course Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 06/24/2022 - 00:09

During the racial reckoning that rose in 2020, Assistant Professor Danielle Hodge launched a new course, Race, Anti-Black Racism and Communication. Two years later, her work continues to bridge disciplines and change the lives of students.

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Local journalism legend Dusty Saunders dies at 90

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 20:21:16 +0000

Local journalism legend Dusty Saunders dies at 90 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/01/2022 - 14:21

Walter “Dusty” Saunders, a much-celebrated sports and entertainment critic in Colorado, died Sunday, May 29, at the age of 90.

Born Sept. 24, 1931, and raised in the Denver metro area, Saunders began his newspaper career as a copy boy for The Rocky Mountain News in 1953. Saunders worked as a reporter and editor until the paper’s closure in 2009, a 54-year stint during which he became the most-decorated columnist in the paper’s history. After the closure, Saunders continued his work in a weekly sports column for The Denver Post.

"Dusty truly was a Colorado journalism icon—a ‘must read’ in his day, when Colorado newspapers were at their peak,” said Neill Woelk, a current sports reporter for CU ��«��Ƶ athletics.

As a young adult, Saunders launched a basketball career at Holy Family High School, Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa College. He transferred to the ��«��Ƶ and completed his undergraduate degree in journalism in 1953. Saunders was later honored with the school’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

Saunders’ career extended beyond the Colorado newsroom. He was a founding member and past president of Television Critics Association, a national organization made up of critics and columnists from major newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Canada.

Additionally, as the Denver Press Club’s president in the 1970s, he abolished the rule that forbade women to join. Today, hundreds of women journalists are members and serve on the board of directors, The Denver Post reported.

In 1993, Saunders was named the Colorado Journalist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists, and in 2011, he published an autobiography, Heeere’s Dusty: Life in the TV & Newspaper World.

His son, Patrick Saunders (MJour’87), followed in his father’s footsteps as a current Rockies reporter for The Denver Post.

"What a long, incredible life,” Patrick wrote on Twitter. “We will miss him dearly, even as we celebrate his life.”

Photo provided by Patrick Saunders via Twitter

Walter “Dusty” Saunders (Jour’53), a Colorado journalism icon, provided the Front Range with more than 54 years of service at The Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post. On May 29, he died at age 90.

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Celebrating a century of journalism at CU

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 21:59:31 +0000

Celebrating a century of journalism at CU Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/18/2022 - 15:59

One hundred years ago, the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted to form the Department of Journalism and create a four-year journalism degree program. Visit the Department of Journalism’s centennial celebration website to learn more about the history of journalism education at CU and to share your own story!

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Competing in the Winter Paralympics: Meet CMCI Alumnus Spencer Wood

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:17:28 +0000

Competing in the Winter Paralympics: Meet CMCI Alumnus Spencer Wood Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/04/2022 - 11:17

In the weeks leading up to the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Spencer Wood (StratComm’21) spent his days training on the ski slopes, traveling around the globe and meeting some of the best athletes in the world.

Wood never imagined he'd become a Paralympian as a sophomore at CU ��«��Ƶ. Now, as a CMCI alumnus, he’s competing as an alpine skier for the second time in the Paralympic Winter Games, which take place March 4-13. He'll join about 730 athletes, including CU ��«��Ƶ student Kyle Taulman, competing on the international stage across 78 medal events.

“I’m so excited,” Wood said. “It is the greatest honor to me to be in the position that I am.”

Skiing—a family tradition

Growing up in Vermont, Wood began skiing at about 2 years old.

“I grew up at Killington Resort,” he said. “My parents met there, and my grandparents met there. It’s in the blood. I think it’s just something that I’ve always ever loved.”

Wood, who had a stroke before he was born, did not know he had a disability when he first started skiing.

“I have cerebral palsy. I didn’t know until I was in the fourth grade when my parents had to tell me,” he said. “I have limited motor function on my right foot—I can’t move it side to side—and there are some spasticity issues there as well.”

It took some time for Wood to accept having a disability, he said, but now he knows it does not define who he is.

“I’m disabled, but I don’t need to live inside the barriers that people think it needs to be,” he said. “I’m still the same guy, but now I get to do this amazing life path that I never expected would happen.”

Wood never imagined he would become a Paralympian, he said, but this year marks his second time competing in the Paralympics. Photo provided by Wood.

The first time Wood proudly shared that he is an athlete with a disability was in an Instagram post in 2014 after attending the Hartford Ski Spectacular, which introduces snow sports to anyone with a disability, he said.

“That was a major turning point. That was a really big point in my ski career and my emotional state,” Wood said.

Becoming a Paralympian

Wood didn’t plan to become a Paralympian. In fact, he had considered ending his competitive skiing career during his freshman year at CU ��«��Ƶ. But after his coach asked if he’d compete in one more race to see if he could qualify for the 2018 Paralympics, he thought, “Fine, one race.”

Then, at the end of his freshman year, the unexpected happened—he received a letter inviting him to compete in the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“Going to your first Games is overwhelming. There’s a lot of emotion, anxiety and stress you put on yourself because it’s the big show—it’s the one that every kid has ever wanted to go to,” he said.

Wood competed in two alpine skiing races, but the results were not what he hoped for: He placed 25th in the giant slalom and fell three gates from the bottom in the second round in the slalom, he said.

He had taken off the second semester of his sophomore year to compete, he explained. When he came back to school he felt more committed to putting forth his best, both on the slopes and in the classroom.

Discovering new passions in CMCI at CU ��«��Ƶ

When Wood started college in 2016 he was unsure of what major to choose, but that changed after he took an introductory course in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design (APRD). He learned a great deal from his professors, he said, because many are still working in the strategic communication field.

During his sophomore year, both of his Introduction to Branding Strategy instructors worked for Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CPB).

“They were the coolest people,” Wood said. “We got to present in CPB and that was so exciting. And I just remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is totally something I want to do.’”

One of the most formative classes was his capstone course, which matches students to real-world clients. Wood’s group developed an action campaign to help the Children’s Treehouse Foundation, a nonprofit that trains people how to emotionally support children of cancer patients, roll out its program in more hospitals.

“I remember thinking, ‘I need to save these notes on how we did everything.’ Because this is definitely one of those classes that I’m going to refer to when I try to do something in the work world,” Wood said.

Spencer Wood, who graduated in May 2021, always wanted to come to CU, he said. He even discovered during a campus tour that his great uncle is William Duane, the namesake of the Duane Physics building. Photo provided by Wood.

Wood’s hard work paid off. He graduated with a major in strategic communication and a minor in communication in May 2021.

After the Paralympics, he said he hopes to pursue a creative position such as working at a small advertising agency. In the meantime, his main focus is the 2022 Games.

Gearing up for the Winter Paralympics

Wood has spent the last four years competing in a variety of international competitions, preparing for this year’s Paralympics. A career highlight, he said, was when he earned third place on his 22nd birthday in the Zagreb 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Last summer, he stayed at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to prioritize his physical training, and compared to 2018, he feels more mentally prepared.

“Going into this season, I’ve felt just so calm, so relaxed, so focused,” he said, saying he has tunnel vision on his goals.

Wood will compete in all five Alpine Ski events this year: downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom and super-combined. He does not want to compare himself to other competitors in the Paralympics, he explained, but rather to himself—his biggest competitor.

While Wood stayed at a training camp in Sun Valley, Idaho, 17 days before the start of the Paralympics, he paused and reflected on his skiing journey thus far. He expressed his eagerness to compete and the honor he felt to represent the U.S.

“I never thought I’d be here,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to trying to represent my country the best I can.”

Wood (StratComm’21) is competing as an alpine skier for the second time in the Paralympic Winter Games, which take place March 4-13.

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Taulman, Wood To Compete At Paralympics In Beijing

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Taulman, Wood To Compete At Paralympics In Beijing Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/17/2022 - 00:00

The official Olympians count for the Colorado Buffaloes at the Winter Olympics in Beijing grew to 10 after the United States Olympic Committee announced the Paralympic alpine teams, a list that includes sophomore Kyle Taulman and former student Spencer Wood.

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CMCI Now: Payden's Passion

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 23:00:12 +0000

CMCI Now: Payden's Passion Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/22/2021 - 16:00

Journalist Bill Payden (Jour'57) created the William R. Payden Faculty Excellence Award, the largest faculty award given at the college level at CU ��«��Ƶ, to recognize superior teaching, research or creative work.

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CMCI Now: Leading Forward

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 22:53:52 +0000

CMCI Now: Leading Forward Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/22/2021 - 15:53

Jess Clifton (Advert’03) is thriving in her digital advertising career. Always one to use innovation to solve a problem, Clifton realized young women needed female mentors in the field—so she came up with a solution.

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alumni

Behind the scenes, ahead of the play: Experts alumni talk sports media careers with students

‘Don’t overplan it’

A growing force in Colorado

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Broadcast icon, an ‘incredible ambassador’ to CU, honored with alumni award

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Communication department celebrates 12 national awards

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Assistant Professor Danielle Hodge builds bridges through anti-Black racism course

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Local journalism legend Dusty Saunders dies at 90

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Celebrating a century of journalism at CU

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Competing in the Winter Paralympics: Meet CMCI Alumnus Spencer Wood

Skiing—a family tradition

Becoming a Paralympian

Discovering new passions in CMCI at CU ��«����Ƶ

Gearing up for the Winter Paralympics

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Taulman, Wood To Compete At Paralympics In Beijing

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CMCI Now: Payden's Passion

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CMCI Now: Leading Forward

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Discovering new passions in CMCI at CU ��«��Ƶ