A glimpse into the life of the new journalism professor
Professor Jennette Lovejoy answers a question that one of her journalism students has. (Scott Chia -- The Beacon)
By Caitlin Yilek, Staff Writer -- yilek12@up.edu
Who: Jennette Lovejoy, assistant professor of journalism
Teaches: CST 352 Writing and Reporting
Education and professional background: Attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. during her undergraduate years. Attended Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism for graduate school.
In 2009 she was awarded ‘Most Promising Professor' by the Mass Communication and Society division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Why she decided to become a professor rather than work for a media outlet: To understand how the media affects health decision-making.
Why the Communication Studies Department hired her: "Much of Professor Lovejoy's application caught our eye, including her stellar teaching evaluations, recommendation letters, and interdisciplinary research in media and health communication – supported by multiple grants from the American Cancer Society, no less," Jeff Kerssen-Griep, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication studies. "She's right on top of trends and opportunities as they're happening within that quickly evolving field – and she's able to engage her students in those developments, not just talk at them."
What a student in her class says: "My first impression of Dr. Lovejoy was very positive," junior Danielle Bibbs said. "She seems like someone who is eager to teach and interact with future journalists. I think her techniques include getting us involved in actual writing and reporting. She likes interaction between students and the topics so there are a lot of student discussions."
What she wants comm majors to know: "I want communication majors to know how to use salient technology; be critical, savvy, and quick thinkers; be both eloquent and concise writers; read and talk about a diversity of news outlets; be an expert in a chosen area of content; and be able to navigate theoretical contributions to their field as well as be able to articulate how those theories drive and contribute to real-world practice."
What she does in her free time: Ultimate Frisbee, reads, hikes, gardens and spends time with her husband and 4-month-old daughter.
On balancing work and being a new mom: "Being a mother is the absolute best challenge and experience I have ever had.
Calling something tough implies a level of hardship that I do not feel in my dual role as mother/professor, rather a wonderful opportunity. Every day I challenge myself to do each role to the best of my ability and be fully present when I am a mother and then be fully present when I am engaged in academia.
Our little girl makes us laugh more than ever before, and I am learning to juggle and utilize my time wisely when she naps!"
Favorite music: Folk, bluegrass and rap.
Favorite food: Grass-fed beef burgers from her family's ranch in eastern Washington.
Dr. Lovejoy lectures to her CST 352 (Scott Chia -- The Beacon)
