EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATION Dedicated Leadership But where would these students be without the stellar faculty and advisors who lead them into the world of communication? Take Joe Michaels, for example. He’s a seven-time Emmy Awardwinner and former 23-year director of NBC’s “Today” show. Michaels recently joined the School of Communication as HPU’s artist-in-residence. Prior to HPU, millions of fans watched his work on The World Series, The Super Bowl, Wimbledon Tennis, the Olympics, the Orange Bowl and more. “It has always been a dream of mine to help to develop world-class leaders in the media space,” says Michaels. “The opportunity to work with such a diverse group of students and professionals makes this challenge a perfect fit. In my own career, I have always reached for total excellence, and High Point University is an institution devoted to being extraordinary.”
The Emmy Connection Many HPU graduates, faculty and staff share ties with Emmy Award recognition. Here are a few ways HPU shares an Emmy connection:
Or take Charisse McGhee-Lazarou, assistant professor of communication. Before HPU, McGhee-Lazarou served as vice president of Primetime Programming at NBC, where she created and oversaw production for shows like “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “ER” and “For Your Love.” She also served three years as vice president of Scripted Programs at Lifetime Television. “Thousands of communication students graduate from colleges all over the country, and the vast majority have no clue how ‘the biz’ actually works,” says McGhee-Lazarou. “Our graduates know who the key players are, what the jobs are and what’s on the bleeding edge.”
Advisory Council In addition to inspiring faculty, an advisory council helps guide the School of Communication. Led by Neal, members include Steve Mitchem, publisher of US Airways Magazine; Dave Goren, executive director of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association; Pamela Brown, CNN correspondent; and other leaders of award-winning broadcasting companies, public relations agencies, television stations, consulting firms and more. Many of these appointments stemmed from Dr. Qubein’s personal connections in the world of communication, consulting and public speaking. The council exists to guide the curriculum, exemplify industry best practices and provide input on how HPU can continue to offer an innovative communication program.
DAVID NEAL
JOE MICHAELS
• Chair of the HPU School of Communication Advisory Board • Fox Producer — Olympics, Super Bowl, World Cup • 34-time Emmy Award-winner
• HPU artist-in-residence • 23-year former director of NBC’s “Today” show • Seven-time Emmy Award-winner
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“NIDO QUBEIN: A LIFE OF SUCCESS AND SIGNIFICANCE” • HPU President, 1970 alumnus • Documentary aired on the Biography Channel • Emmy-nominated • Directed by three-time Emmy Award-winner Nick Nanton