Beyond the Classroom

Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas

For more than a decade the School of Communications has served as the academic home of the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas, more widely known as RTDNAC. The nonprofit, volunteer-run organization is dedicated to supporting broadcast and digital news professionals and students in North and South Carolina. The association hosts an annual awards luncheon and convention each fall, bringing together media professionals and journalism students to celebrate the best in broadcast journalism. Elon students and alumni often have a large presence at the awards luncheon. Additionally, RTDNAC sponsors professional development opportunities, as well as a spring workshop where students can network with news managers and employers in preparation for post-graduation employment. Associate Professor Alex Luchsinger serves as RTDNAC’s executive administrator and treasurer. For more information, visit www.rtdnac.org.

RTDNA student chapter

The Elon student chapter of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has been active at Elon since 1999. The group meets for special activities and sponsors student trips to the annual RTDNA convention. It is open to all full-time students preparing for a radio or television journalism career. The cost is $50, and it includes access to a job bank, resume site and other web-based resources in addition to a one-year subscription to Communicator, the RTDNA magazine. For more information, contact Luchsinger at 336-278-4599 or aluchsinger@elon.edu.

Society of Professional Journalists

The Elon SPJ group sponsors six special events a year, hosts guest speakers and offers journalism workshops open to the Elon University community. The national organization was first known as Sigma Delta Chi when it was started in 1909. Its members are dedicated to the idea that a free press is the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. Members pay a $35 fee. In return they receive 10 issues of Quill, the SPJ magazine about journalists and journalism, and access to useful job banks and internship information offered through the SPJ website. To read more information about the national organization, visit www.spj.org. For information about the SPJ chapter, contact the group’s adviser, Kelly Furnas, at 336-278-5737 or kfurnas@elon.edu.

National Press Photographers Association

The National Press Photographers Association is dedicated to the advancement of visual journalism, its creation, practice, training, editing and distribution in all news media and works to promote its role as a vital public service. Elon University’s student chapter of the NPPA meets regularly to discuss subjects ranging from technical skills to career opportunities. For more information, contact its adviser, Randy Piland, at 336-278-5232 or rpiland@elon.edu.

Public Relations Student Society of America

The Elon PRSSA group meets with North Carolina and national communications professionals in various settings throughout the year. Elon students attend the national convention and compete in the national Bateman Case Study Competition, a prestigious and highly competitive contest. The national organization was formally begun in 1968. Elon’s first chapter was formed in 2003. The declared purpose of PRSSA is to cultivate a relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners. The student society aims to foster the following: understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession; appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles; awareness of an appropriate professional attitude; appreciation of membership in PRSA. Today PRSSA has more than 8,000 members in 248 chapters on college campuses across the country. To read more information about the national organization, visit www.prssa.org. For information about Elon’s PRSSA chapter, contact the group’s advisers: Jessalynn Strauss at jstrauss2@elon.edu and 336-278-5343 or Michele Lashley at mlashley@elon.edu and 336-278-5665.

Cinelon Productions

Cinelon Productions is Elon’s only student-run film production company. It exists to connect students through film and facilitate production of film projects at a professional level. Cinelon promotes film as a major course of study at Elon University by developing and producing film projects each academic semester, hosting workshops, and screening and critiquing student-made and professional films. Each spring, Cinelon hosts an on-campus film festival in which students can submit their best work. For more information, contact adviser Youssef Osman at 336-278-5751 or yosman@elon.edu.

American Advertising Federation

Elon’s AAF chapter is a student affiliate of the American Advertising Federation, a network of 40,000 professionals, www.aaf.org. The Elon chapter is an active one, meeting twice monthly in addition to two annual visits to regional advertising agencies. Featured guest speakers hail from prominent regional and national agencies and include presidents, creative directors, account executives, social media managers, and analytics specialists. Club activities include creative competitions and fundraisers. One benefit of this Elon club is access to Elon’s Digital Media Roundtables, directed by Dan Haygood. These sessions feature leaders and innovators in digital and interactive advertising who share their expertise and skills with the chapter membership. Membership in the Elon chapter includes access to the national organization’s Job Bank, scholarship opportunities and leadership resources. The AAF has 225 student chapters across the country; Elon’s chapter was established in 2009. Annual dues are $60. For more information, contact the adviser Bill Anderson at 336-278-5670 or banderson11@elon.edu.

Sport Management Society

The Sport Management Society is a student-run organization that allows Sport Management majors and minors to connect and network with fellow students, professors and industry professionals, and to put to use what they are learning in the classroom into practice through planning and participating in many different types of events. Whether the organization is hosting its own event, coordinating an event with another area organization, or attending a local game as a social event, you’re bound to walk away learning something new, or meet someone you didn’t know beforehand. For more information, contact the adviser Young Do Kim at 336-278-5352 or ykim4@elon.edu.