Student Media Center hires new director Dr. Jason Beverly
SM2 Staff
As the fall semester gets underway, the Student Media Center (SM2) welcomes its new director, Dr. Jason Beverly. After being away from the University for ten years, the higher education veteran and former media professional is excited to return to his alma mater.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to come back to Southern Miss and work with students inside and outside the classroom to ensure they become successful media and communication professionals after they graduate,” Beverly said. “And the added bonus is being able to finish out my career here in the place where it began twenty years ago. And it’s going to be a fun ride because the sky is the limit for the center. There’s so much we can do here to help our students grow.”
The Student Media Center consists of five divisions, all led by students. Anchored by its oldest unit, The Student Printz newspaper, the center also operates Southern Miss TV (SMTV), WUSM 88.5 radio station, The Creative Division, which focuses on live streaming, production, and graphics, and The Strategic Communication Division, which focuses on advertising, public relations, and social media.
“SM2 is such a comprehensive operation,” Beverly said. “Not only is it the voice of Southern Miss students, but it’s also where students collaborate with professional staff and faculty advisers to create, inspire, and inform.”
While Beverly directs the overall operations of SM2, he works hand in hand with faculty and experienced media and communication professionals to ensure the center runs smoothly.
“We have a wonderful team,” Beverly said. “And we rely on each other to ensure our students get a great experience working in SM2. Professor Jonathan McGowan is an experienced media and technical professional who advises SMTV and The Creative Division. He’s so talented and student-oriented. Dr. Wilbur Martin, general manager of WUSM, advises the radio station, also does a heck of a job preparing our students. And Professor Joshua Wilson excels in his advisement of the center’s Strategic Communication Division.”
There are several ways for students to get involved with SM2. They can be a part-time worker, volunteer, or sign up for practicum hours.
“Regardless of how students get involved, we would love to have them,” Beverly said. “When they come work with SM2, we’re going to push them to be perfect. And when they fall short of that perfection, they will have at least achieved greatness if they gave it their all.”
Over the past few years, SM2 has launched several careers. And Beverly is looking to build upon that.
“We want students to come work with us in SM2 to help us fulfill our role of being an effective voice for the Southern Miss community,” he said. “And in return, we’re going to ensure they get the hands-on training and experience needed to become successful media and communication professionals after they graduate.”
