Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee recently celebrated SJMC staff with a Bulldog Applause. Read the spotlight below to learn more about the team.

Spotlight: SJMC Staff

How many staff members are in the department?  3

What is the primary function of the team? The SJMC educates strategic, global thinkers with diverse media and communication skills and a solid ethical underpinning who are prepared to respond to a rapidly changing media culture.   Empowering voices since 1919, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication is celebrating its centennial this year.

Who has been with the team the longest? Mallory Quinn, Assistant to the Dean, has been with the team since February of 2016.

Who is the newest team member? Denise Ganpat, joined the SJMC team a year ago in October 2018.  She has worked at Drake since September 2011.

What campus buildings do your team members “live” in? Our team “lives” in Meredith Hall – designed by internationally famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

What are some recent challenges and accomplishments of note that others in the University might not know about?Ray recently led efforts to remodel and re-engineer the TV studio, podcast rooms, radio station, and other resources in the lower level of Meredith Hall.  Mallory works with faculty on an SJMC curriculum that allows students the flexibility to customize their education.  Starting in Fall 2020 it will include an online undergraduate BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, targeted to students with associate’s degrees who want to complete their bachelor’s degrees.  Denise works on a variety of SJMC tasks.  A new aspect of her position is supporting faculty advisors and student leaders on Board of Student Communication activities.