FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Shantell Lucas
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Center for Performing Arts
Acclaimed Sports Broadcaster and News Correspondent James Brown Visits Prince George’s Community College for Intimate Conversation with Mass Communications Students
Students gain access to valuable insights that position them for career and lifelong success
LARGO, Md. (April 12, 2022) – The Center for Performing Arts at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) welcomed acclaimed CBS broadcaster and distinguished faith leader James “JB” Brown to campus last month, as part of its Mass Communications Speaker Series hosted by Emmy Award-winning Professor of Communications Lou Holder. Participating students had an opportunity to interview Brown alongside their professor and discuss a variety of topics, including journalism, sports, faith, and purpose. Register today for this free virtual event, which airs on April 22, at 7 p.m.
During the segment, Brown engaged in conversation with Holder, covering all bases from his roots at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, to Harvard University, where he was a three-time All-Ivy selection in basketball, and nomination to the Harvard Basketball Hall of Fame. The discussion then shifted to Brown’s distinguished career in journalism and the intersection of faith throughout all of his work. Seven students joined Brown and Holder on stage, each posing their own questions.
Second-year student Shanza Asif presented data on the lack of diversity in the NFL among coaches and executives, and another student Alistair Berry asked Brown about the strategies he used to navigate successfully between distinct networks CBS and FOX. In response to a question from mass communications student Amara Banya about ethics in journalism, Brown responded, “People will show personality when the camera is on. When the camera is off, you find out if they have character and integrity.”
Each semester, Professor Lou Holder invites celebrity guests into his classroom, providing students with insider access that positions them for success in their respective careers. “Professor Holder brings in new professionals every week to discuss their jobs,” Asif shared, adding that the transformative experiences “make it so that you can see yourself in the position even if you didn’t originally intend to.”
Mass communications major Silvia Gomez-Rosales experienced the event from behind the scenes as part of the student public relations team. “Today is motivation that there is hope for me and I can actually succeed in this career if I put my foot first,” she reflected. Additional students supported hospitality and other backend production components.
Prince George’s Community College, the leading institution in training employees for the Prince George’s County workforce, serves nearly 25,000 students annually, from new high school graduates, to individuals looking to retool and retrain, to seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their skill sets.
“There are so many amazing things happening at Prince George’s Community College,” said Holder. “Events like the Mass Communications Speaker Series elevate the student experience by extending learning outside of the classroom and connecting students to the best practitioners in their fields. I want prospective students to know that this is the PGCC experience. When you enroll in our programs, you become part of our dynamic College community, where faculty are deeply invested in your success and ability to thrive in whatever you’re passionate about.”
The Mass Communications Speaker Series with James “JB” Brown airs on Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m. EST. Reserve your spot for this free virtual event.
Registration for the fall 2022 term is open. Learn more about Prince George’s Community College’s mass communications program here. To view the full lineup of in-person and virtual events sponsored by the Center for Performing Arts, visit pgcc.edu/arts.
About the Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts
Prince George’s Community College’s Center for Performing Arts is a premier, state-of-the-art facility that nurtures and develops students’ passions for dance, music, theater, and communications. The Center also provides public access to some of the most renowned, star-studded national productions in music, dance, and theater. For more information and tickets, visit pgcc.edu/arts. Follow the Center for Performing Arts on Facebook and Instagram @PGCCArts.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 25,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands. For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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