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CO Connection: Olivia Beck

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews WTVY News 4's Morning Show producer Olivia Beck. Beck reflects on her undergraduate experience at Mississippi State University and her time in Take 30 News and as the president of the MSU chapter of the Broadcast Education Association Club and how her participation helped shape her into the professional she is today. Beck is an award-winning journalist. She talks about what it takes to receive those honors. Beck offers advice for Broadcast and Digital Journalism students before graduation and talks about the importance of storytelling.

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CO Connection: Quentin Smith

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews WLBT "On Your Side" Multimedia Journalist Quentin Smith. Smith reflects on his undergraduate experience at Mississippi State University and his early career as a news reporter in Columbus Mississippi. Smith talks about transitioning into teaching Journalism and his current role as a state capital reporter. Smith offers advice for Broadcast and Digital Journalism students ahead of graduation and talks about the importance of storytelling.

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CO Connection: Laken Laird

Mississippi State University's Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews Laken Laird, who reflects on her early time as a Mississippi State University student, transitioning into public relations, and her current role as a graduate assistant to the award-winning student-led newscast, Take 30 News. Laken is also an instructor and works on Ph.D.-level courses. Laird is also the Communication Department's Graduate Assistant of the Year for 2024. Laird offers advice to journalism and PR students ahead of graduation. Laken also discusses how communication, accepting all challenges, and storytelling are vital to any profession.

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CO Connection: Greg Thorn

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO assistant teaching professor, Greg Thorn, who shares information about the season for TheatreMSU which features a wide array of performances such as Charlotte’s Web, Medea – a classic Greek Tragedy, A Piece of My Heart, and She Kills Monster with a theme from Dungeons and Dragons. Thorn discusses his role as lighting designer, accolades he has earned for performances such as Legally Blonde and how plans to pass along this knowledge to students via experiential learning opportunities.

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CO Connection: Mary Kathryn Kight

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews Mary Kathryn Kight, who reflects on her early career as a Magnolia State reporter, transitioning into public relations and her current role here at Mississippi State University. Kight is the Senior Communications Manager for the Vice President's Office, Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. Kight offers advice for journalism and P.R. students ahead of graduation, and she talks about how important communication and storytelling are a vital part of any profession.

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CO Connection: Wendy Roussin

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO associate professor, Wendy Roussin, who shares how one can take a picture and turn it into an art form. Roussin discusses her recent work, which was selected for display at an international juried exhibition. In this program, viewers will see a selection of Roussin’s images and gain insight into how these came about and what impressed the jurors.

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CO Connection: Khristie Edmonds

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO alumnae, Khristie Edmonds, who is currently the Division Chair of Humanities and Fine Arts at East Mississippi Community College. Edmonds discusses her experience in television and broadcast meteorology, teaching at MSU full-time, including with the Shackhouls Honors College, her work in student ministry, and now part-time at MSU. Edmonds explains her role in giving back via the Miss Mississippi Scholarship organization and offers advice for students today.

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CO Connection: Katie Corban

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO alumnae, Katie Corban, the MSU Associate Director for Career Services and Programs. Corban discusses the vital role Career Services can play as students seek employment after graduation. Corban studied Public Relations as an undergraduate, holds a Masters’ degree in Counselor Education, and has won several awards for her work on campus including the Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award.

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CO Connection: Dr. John Forde

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews Dr. John Forde, who reflects on his 37 years of teaching and leadership at MSU. Forde will retire May 2024 and discusses his years as head of the department and the many accomplishments, hiring of faculty, his love of teaching, mentoring current and former students, his faith and family, and what his future plans include.

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CO Connection: Danielle Moss

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews Memphis ABC 24’s Chief Meteorologist Danielle

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CO Connection: George Dunn

Marcus Hunter engages in a conversation with Shackouls Honors College Assistant Dean, George Dunn, exploring the core of the Honors College.

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CO Connection: Dr. Pete Smith

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews associate professor, Dr. Pete Smith. Smith discusses his new book, “Birddogs and Tough Old Broads: Women Journalists of Mississippi and a Century of State Politics, 1880s-1980s (Women in American Political History).” The evolution of the modern-day political journalist can be seen in the struggles and accomplishments of these women. Smith is a past president of the American Journalism Historians Association. He was named MSU’s 2023 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year and was a 2021 recipient of MSU’s inaugural Humanities Fellowship Award from the Institute for the Humanities.

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CO Connection: David Hintz

Mississippi State University Broadcast & Digital Journalism Instructor Victoria Bailey interviews Junior Theatre Major David Hintz. Hintz discusses his experiences as co-director of Pants on Fire, the Theatre Department Children's Show, and serving as stage manager on the production Puffs. Hintz talks about his time in MSU’s comedy improv group, Lab Rats, the inspiration behind his comedic style, and the importance of learning the craft of improv. Hintz talks about what we can expect from the Theatre Department in the Spring and the hard work it takes to get these various shows up and running.

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CO Connection: Marcus Hunter

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews associate professor of practice, Marcus Hunter. Hunter discusses his career in television news and sports that has spanned nearly 20 years working professionally in Columbus, Memphis, and Jackson. Hunter talks about his transition from the newsroom to the classroom and offers advice for students seeking a media career.

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CO Connection: Victoria Bailey

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews instructor of Communication, Victoria Bailey. Bailey discusses her career in television news, why she transitioned to higher education, and how she strives to keep up with industry trends and technology. Bailey is working on her doctorate, offers advice for students, and shares a story about a pending program on A&E for which she was recently interviewed.