BY GRAHAM DUNCAN

Communication is a vital function of the world we live in. Whether you’re a news organization trying to tell a compelling story, a small business trying to roll out a new product, a non-profit organization trying to raise awareness for your cause, or a corporation looking to efficiently train new employees, you need effective communicators on your team.

You need fresh graduates who understand the advantages and obstacles of traditional and new media. You need specialists who can pick up a microphone, a camera or a notebook, and start rolling on day one. You need professionals who are up-to-date on best practices according to your specific industry.

Those are exactly the graduates we prepare in Lander University’s Media and Communication program.

Lander’s Media and Communication alumni work in a variety of fields. Some work in television and radio. Some work for major daily newspapers. Some work in hospitality and entertainment, and some work for international companies. Yet, no matter where they end up, our alumni say their Lander education gave them the in-demand communication skills that they use on the job every day.

Recently, four of these alumni returned to their alma mater to share their experiences with current students. Here’s a closer look at their stories:

Austin Landers is the program director at Sunny 103.5 FM and Magic 102.7 FM in Greenwood, SC, right down the road from his alma mater! He’s also the host of his own afternoon drive show, “Austin in the Afternoon,” which can be heard Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m., on Sunny 103.5 FM. He served as production/traffic manager prior to his promotion to program director.

While Landers has 18 years of experience in radio, he first got his start with Sunny 103.5 FM through an internship he completed while still a student at Lander. That real-world experience, along with his coursework, proved to be the right combination for a rewarding career in the radio business. “The radio and television classes taught me valuable information that I still use to this day,” said Landers. “Those classes were enjoyable and very critical to my growth as a production/traffic manager.”

Aimee Crouch is the news director for South Carolina ETV, the public educational broadcasting network for the state of South Carolina. She originally aimed for a career in front of the camera. Yet through her Lander classes, she found her passion behind the scenes. “I realized the real power is not someone sitting behind a desk and reading someone else’s words on a teleprompter,” she said. “It’s the producer.”

With decades of experience in television and radio production, Crouch credits Lander for preparing her for the future. “For over twenty years, I’ve produced many programs, and wrote the words for more journalists than I can count,” she said. “And here I am, as the news director of a statewide TV and radio public broadcasting network, making bigger decisions, and still writing words.” She said these skills came directly from her “journalism classes, English classes, public relations classes and many others that shaped not only my career, but my life.”

Raven Favor is another Lander alum working at South Carolina ETV, where she serves as the network’s social media manager. While the realm of social media is ever-evolving, she believes Lander trained her to be a patient, adaptable industry professional. The curriculum of Lander’s Media and Communication program also creates well-rounded graduates who learn from experiences in a variety of different concentrations.

“Whether it was graphic design, video production or journalism, I was encouraged to be a versatile and competent media professional,” Favor said. “This comprehensive approach has made me an asset in the industry, capable of tackling diverse challenges with confidence.”

Adam Myrick has over 18 years of experience in media and public relations, and currently serves as the public information officer for the Lexington County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Department. In this role, Myrick is the primary spokesperson and media liaison for the department. As a strategic communication professional, he uses his Lander education every day, adding that the concentrations of Lander’s Media and Communication program have “mirrored” what he’s experienced working in the field.

“I’m drafting, producing and delivering messages on and for multiple platforms just as the degree plan has trained hundreds of students,” Myrick said. “Lander was ahead of its time in designing and implementing its communication degree program, and I’m so proud of the current faculty members for their commitment to keep the degree’s courses on the cutting edge of communication trends and best practices.”

Flexibility Meets Affordability:

While a college education is a game-changer in long-term career success, it shouldn’t burden you with loads of student debt. That’s why Lander University is proud to offer a world-class education at a price students and their families can afford. We’ve kept our tuition frozen for eight consecutive years, and most students qualify for state and federal scholarships and grants that make the total cost of their Lander education even lower.

In Lander’s Media and Communication program, you’ll get a rewarding education, acquire essential communication skills that will make you a competitive candidate for a rewarding career, and increase your earning potential with a four-year baccalaureate education. And at Lander, you’ll be able to do it at a price-tag you can afford.