The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications recently announced new student leaders for the fall 2022 semester.
More than 120 students are participating in the college’s Experience Lab, a learning program that allows students to gain real-world experience by working on content for the public and clients. Students work with faculty and professional mentors to build their skill sets while exploring professional interests in one of the college’s media outlets: Buoy, Jacht, KRNU, Nebraska Nightly, UNLimited Sports, Heartland and the Nebraska News Service.
The lab’s student leadership team oversees the day-to-day operations of the programs. The fall 2022 team — listed alphabetically by hometown with year in school, major(s), title and media outlet — consists of:
Nebraska
Bellevue:
- Nathan Hawkins, senior, sports media and communication, student lead, UNLimited Sports.
- Mark Thayer, senior, broadcasting, student lead, KRNU.
Douglas:
- Hanna Christensen, senior, journalism and psychology, student lead, Nebraska News Service.
Elkhorn:
- Michael Coonce, senior, broadcasting, student lead, Heartland.
Gretna:
- Sydney Wagner, senior, advertising and public relations, director of public relations, Jacht.
Lincoln:
- Odelia Amenyah, senior, advertising and public relations, and journalism, student lead, Heartland.
- Paige Brophy, junior, advertising and public relations, student lead, Buoy.
- Bailey Horky, junior, advertising and public relations, director of account strategy, Jacht.
- Helen Howard, junior, journalism, student lead, KRNU.
- Marko Jerkovic, senior, sports media and communication, student lead, Nebraska Nightly.
- Zach Wendling, senior, journalism and political science, political lead, Experience Lab.
Nickerson:
- Lance Vie, senior, broadcasting, student lead, Nebraska Nightly.
Omaha:
- Sam Alessandro, senior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, student lead, UNLimited Sports.
- Hannah-Kate Kinney, senior, advertising and public relations, broadcasting and journalism, director of multimedia, Jacht.
Elsewhere in the U.S.
Parker, Colorado:
- Lauren Penington, senior, journalism and political science, student lead, Nebraska News Service.
Brookhaven, Georgia:
- Ethan Burger, junior, advertising and public relations, student lead, Buoy.
Rapid City, South Dakota:
- Gabrielle Becton, senior, advertising and public relations, and broadcasting, director of communications, Jacht.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
- Zoe Matheson, senior, management, director of business development, Jacht.
The Experience Lab’s co-directors, Jemalyn Griffin and Jill Martin, said they are looking forward to working with students who are passionate about journalism, broadcasting, sports communication, advertising and public relations.
“We are thrilled to see these student leaders uphold the college’s mission of nurturing creativity and curiosity in every student from the first day they join the CoJMC family,” Martin said.
The Experience Lab began meeting Aug. 23 and will meet regularly through early December.
