Students and faculty at the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) have a front row seat to history and this year was particularly up close and personal as an unprecedented presidency unfolded just a few blocks from campus. Here are some of the top SMPA news stories of 2017.
Two White House Press Secretaries Came to Campus
SMPA engaged the campus, political leaders and the media in a conversation on changes in media and politics. These conversations included a discussion with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer just 10 days after the presidential inauguration ceremony and a panel with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and journalists that cover the Trump administration.
Two Washington Post Front-Page Stories by Students
SMPA students landed on The Washington Post front page, not once but twice this year co-authoring investigative reports with Professor Debbie Cenziper. The first article, by Lillianna Byington, BA ’18, and Robin Eberhardt, BA ’17, exposed the D.C. housing department's mismanagement of federal funds and the second, by graduate student Scott Nover, told the story of the fight to expel a 94-year-old former Nazia guard from the United States.
New SMPA Fellows Included a Member of Congress
A member of Congress and distinguished journalists, diplomats and media professionals joined SMPA as fellows in 2017. New additions to the SMPA community included Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), White House correspondent April Ryan and former Voice of America director David Ensor.
Sixteen Students Attended the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner
Sixteen SMPA students were selected to attend the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner including the recipient of a coveted scholarship who took the stage and students invited as guests of CNN and Yahoo! News.
SMPA Welcomed Three New Projects
SMPA welcomed the American Communities Project, Project for Media and National Security and the Media and Peace Building Project to a new home in Foggy Bottom.
Students and faculty at the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) have a front row seat to history and this year was particularly up close and personal...