Mobile Fall Regional Workshop Program 2016

MEREDITH CUMMINGS DIRECTOR, ALABAMA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION

JESSICA TALONEY

Jessica is an award-winning journalist who was named Alabama’s Best Reporter by the Alabama Broadcasters Association in 2011 and named Best Investigative Reporter three years in a row by readers of the Lagniappe, a local weekly publication. Jessica has been part of the WKRG team since 2007, briefly taking a break from television news to start her family from 2012-2015. Jessica graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi where she is in the Ole Miss Hall of Fame and pictured next to Eli Manning. She loves living on the Gulf Coast with her husband, two children and their adorable cocker spaniel.

GEORGE DANIELS Dr. George Daniels, assistant dean for the College of Communication and Information Sciences, has been a member of faculty in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media, since 2003. An associate professor, Dr. Daniels worked as a television news producer in three media markets including Richmond,Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio and his most recent station in Atlanta.

He also served briefly as radio news anchor and producer. Dr. Daniels is certified by Journalism Education Association as a Master Journalism Educator (MJE). He’s a native of Richmond, Va. and a cum laude graduate of Howard University. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. in mass communication from The University of Georgia. You can follow his updates on Twitter at @ BamaProducer.

CINDY TODD

Cindy Todd retired in May after advising yearbooks at (Austin) Westlake High School and (Canyon) Randall High School for 25 years. Her students earned CSPA Gold Crowns, NSPA Pacemakers and Best of Show and top state awards. A frequent workshop speaker, Todd received the 2012 H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year, 2008 Max Haddick Texas Journalism Teacher of the Year, 2010 TAJE Trailblazer, 2013 CSPA Gold Key, 2013 NSPA Pioneer and 2013 JEA Medal of Merit. Todd will become the Texas Association of Journalism Educators Executive Director in June 2017.

MEREDITH CUMMMINGS Meredith Cummings has over 20 years of experience in print, web and multimedia reporting. She is Immediate Past President of the Society of Professional Journalists Alabama Professional Chapter, President of Alabama Media Professionals and adviser for the Capstone Association of Black Journalists. She is a member of SPJ’s Journalism Education Committee and is lead organizer for TEDxTuscaloosa. Cummings currently writes for al.com where her blog won first place in the 2015 National Federation of Press Women contest. In 2016 she won first place in the same contest in the writer-photographer category. Cummings has worked at newspapers and websites in Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York and Florida. She directs the National Elementary School Press Association, the Alabama Scholastic Press Association and the Multicultural Journalism Workshop at The University of Alabama. In that capacity, she works with K-12 students around the country to help them start and improve broadcast, newspaper, magazine and multimedia journalism through training, workshops and a mentoring programs for teachers.

ALEX HAUSER

Alex Hauser is a senior at The University of Alabama majoring in visual journalism. Hauser is ASPA’s visual coordinator. She participated in ASPA throughout high school. She works as a graphic designer on campus and started her own photography and design firm with her fiancé. She’s getting married in December and consumed with planning her wedding. When not working she can be found watching Disney movies and playing with her dog, Buzz Lightyear.

Dean Mark Nelson and the C&IS Dean’s Office Dr. Cory Armstrong, and the Department of Journalism and Creative Media Crechale Stevens and Judy Davis Department of Advertising and Public Relations Department of Communication Studies

The C&IS Graduate Program Steve Diorio and the staff of WVUA-TV 23 Paul Wright, Mark Mayfield and the Office of Student Media Miller Fitts Lauren Meadows Cara Walker

Alabama Press Association Alabama Broadcasters Association Center for Community Based Partnership

Jessica Taloney Mia Long Cindy Todd

George Daniels Meredith Cummings Alex Hauser

President Connie Nolen; Pelham High School, Pelham Past President Melissa Dixon; Oak Mountain High School, Birmingham Vice President Renee Quaife; Sparkman High School, Harvest Secretary Capri Day; Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa Member at large, Mobile; Barbara Bateman, Murphy High School Member at large, Montgomery; Susanne Harrison, StanhopeElmore High School

Member at large, Auburn; Beth Antoine, Auburn High School Member at large, Birmingham; Melissa Dixon, Oak Mountain High School Member at large, Huntsville; Michelle Sisson, Lee High School Director Emeritus Marie Parsons Director Meredith Cummings Program Assistant Caroline Gazzara Visual Coordinator Alex Hauser