BY MIKE LAVIN DBJ Contributing Writer

Dr. Kingsley Harbor, chairman of the department of Mass Communications at Miss Valley State University, is extremely pleased with his job these days. The campus’ new television station is aiding him tremendously with teaching his students the latest trends in the field
Broadcasting journalism newest concentration is in the mass communications department, includes print journalism, public relations, speech communications.
“The television studio is our attempt to provide a facility for students who will be graduating in broadcasting,” Dr. Harbor says.
Also getting ready to be accredited by national accrediting agency in communications. This accredidation will, in part, will depend on graduates ability to “apply tools and technologies appropriate for communications professions in which they will work,” Dr. Harbor says.
The studio will “Help us to get our students trained in the state of the arts and broadcasting,” Harbor notes.
The studio will also provide linear and non-linear, or digitally computerized, training facilities.
Students are required to successfully complete two computer classes before graduation, which are separate from communications, but certainly aid. These are in addition to the television production classes.
Dr. harbor says the studio will compliment the full-degree program offered which includes two degrees offered in department, B.A. in Mass Communications and Speech Communications.
“Students are very excited,” says Harbor. “In fact, the first group of students who took courses utilizing the studio completed last spring, and some of them are already doing internships.”
“Fortunately, we have a good relationship with the media around the area,” says Harbor. “Our students do internships with media organizations in the region.”
How will the new studio assist school, and more specifically the program, in attracting prospective students? “In many ways,” Harbor says.
One way is through Scholastic Journalism – a journalism program developing a relationship with high schools in the area, bringing them to campus for various activities, such as summer camp, seminars, and workshops.
“This will expose them to what we do in journalism, and thereby create some motivation to perhaps become journalists in the future, Harbor says.
Completion of the television studio was a vital element in enhancing that program. “We now have a television studio, and an updated radio studio under construction which should be complete by the end of the summer,” Harbor reports.
With that, MacIntosh computer lab with 19 stations, digital photo lab, degree in Speech Communications. Bring high school students in, options available.
Approximately 90 students enrolled in Mass and Speech Communications, which is impressive for the growth of a department only seven years old, and started with only 48 students.
“We are really looking forward to an exciting future for the department,” Harbor says. DBJ