The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication offers many on-campus organizations students can get involved in. One organization, in particular, students can find within the J- School walls is the Society of Professional Journalists, also known as SPJ.
SPJ is the oldest journalism-focused organization in the nation that stresses the importance of the First Amendment. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.
Jaden Bowen, a broadcast journalism major, is the vice president for the 2023-2024 school year alongside other journalism student, Shontae Day. Their main focus is to bring more awareness of the organization to students on campus and try to get them involved.
“We’re looking for all SJGC students to join,” Bowen said.
“We want people to know that there’s room for public relations and graphic design majors to find opportunities within SPJ as well as those majoring in broadcast journalism. Furthermore, we want to grow on campus as an organization and want incoming members regardless of their major to present us with ideas of how they want their major to be represented in our group. I believe a lot of J-School clubs can be strictly journalism based leaving little opportunity for graphics and PR students.”
Jordan Forbes, a broadcast journalism major, is the secretary for the 2023-2024 school year and shared her reasons for joining SPJ.
“I was introduced to SPJ through Shontae Day, who is the current president,” Forbes said. I was at an NAACP volunteer cleanup and we all went to breakfast. We were getting to know each other and she mentioned SPJ and being in journalism. “I had never heard of it so we talked, and I got to learn a little bit more about it. I attended the interest meeting for that semester and that’s when I got a clear understanding of what it represented, what their goal was, and that’s when I learned it’s very similar to NABJ, it’s just a broader audience, not just for Black journalists.”
The diversity factor SPJ has is important when it comes to building connections throughout the journalism industry. As budding media professionals, we need to be aware of how to navigate spaces and connect with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and races.
Ashton Johnson, a broadcast journalism major, recently joined SPJ and shared what she thinks she’ll gain from this experience.
“I decided to join SPJ because of the opportunities and connections it can provide for me,” Johnson said.
“ I like that SPJ has a big community of journalists that isn’t just based on black and white. “I’m excited to work on my craft and collaborate with other journalists who don’t necessarily have the same interests as me.”
With their first general body meeting going underway, SPJ is hoping to create activities and workshops that get students aware and willing to be involved. Bowen stresses the importance of building connections in the industry and how that is one of SPJ’s goals for this semester.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Jaden Bowen, Shontae Day, or advisor Dr. Leah Hunter.