NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University students learned about the work produced by NSU Student Media and ways to become involved during the Student Media Open House Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Kyser Hall.
NSU Student Media consists of four student-led organizations: The Current Sauce, the student newspaper; KNWD 91.7 FM, the campus radio station; Potpourri, the university yearbook; and Argus, the literary magazine.
About 70 students currently work across the four organizations in writing, photography, graphic design, radio broadcasting, sports broadcasting, podcasting, social media, interviewing, editing, event planning and other areas of media production. Students can also hold leadership positions, receive scholarships for certain staff roles, attend professional conferences and build portfolios of their work.
“Students gain a tremendous amount of hands-on experience through NSU Student Media. They can write and edit stories, conduct interviews with coaches, students, university leaders and community members, take photographs, create graphic designs, produce podcasts and work both in front of and behind the camera,” said Matthew Craig, student media coordinator. “Our students are not simply learning about media. They are actively creating and publishing content while developing practical skills in a real-world environment.”
Students do not need previous media experience or need to be enrolled in a particular major to participate. NSU Student Media is open to all full-time NSU students, with positions available in writing, photography, editing, graphic design and other areas.
Kallie Bourgeois, editor-in-chief of The Current Sauce, oversees the newspaper’s editorial operations and staff, including editors, reporters, photographers, designers and multimedia staff.
“As a member of The Current Sauce, you are guaranteed to have a fast-paced, real-world newsroom experience,” Bourgeois said.
Bourgeois, a communication major and aspiring investigative journalist, said she has gained most of her reporting and editing experience through The Current Sauce.
“I have applied a lot of my skills learned in the classroom to my time with the newspaper,” Bourgeois said. “I have learned how to form interview questions, gained effective communication skills, learned the ethical side of reporting, filed public records requests, searched for and analyzed historical text and improved my writing abilities.”
Bourgeois said her four years on staff have also helped her become more confident when approaching people and covering difficult subjects.
“Today, I can ask questions that some tend to avoid or are sensitive to the general public,” Bourgeois said. “I think something that this organization has taught me is how to be empathetic, intentional and aware of how we interact with those in our community who are often overlooked, and I think that is special in itself.”
Last spring, NSU Student Media earned eight awards in eight categories at the College Media Association conference. More recently, students were named finalists in seven Pinnacle Award categories for work produced through the Hispanic Student Journalism Association, The Current Sauce and Potpourri.
Craig said working in Student Media also requires students to develop professional habits, including meeting deadlines, communicating professionally, working as part of a team, managing their time and taking on leadership responsibilities.
“Students should be involved in student media because there is no other experience like it,” Bourgeois said. “Not only do you work with talented individuals, but you also gain hands-on experience that will set you apart from others in your future careers.”
Students interested in NSU Student Media can contact Craig at craigm@nsula.edu. Openings are available this semester for writers, photographers, editors, graphic designers and other contributors. Applications for spring staff positions will open later this semester.