From Classroom to Community Impact: New JCOM Class Helps Students Change the World for the Better

Sophie Shipley, writer

Dr. Aggrey Otieno, USU professor of journalism and communication, recently added a new class to the JCOM program: JCOM 5040 - social media, philanthropy and advocacy. The course aims to equip students with knowledge of how to best utilize social media for advocacy and fundraising initiatives.

At the beginning of each semester, students select a social cause they will design a social media campaign and write a grant proposal. Students develop specific goals for their campaign, implementation plans, a budget and justification.

The first JCOM 5040 class was held in fall of 2023.

In explaining his motives for creating the new course, professor Otieno emphasizes the need for journalism students to possess more than just traditional journalism skills. "Students need to have skills that are market-driven. Some campaigns are small, others are big while some campaigns need money. So, besides developing content and creating viral social media posts, students also need skills to raise resources for campaigns."

JCOM student Leah Call participated in the inaugural class.  "While my focus is on print journalism, I anticipate encountering scenarios that demand such skills,” she said. “The knowledge base I've gained from this class is proving to be valuable, offering a versatile skill set that transcends the boundaries of my immediate specialization."

Otieno's personal journey deeply influenced the content and approach of this class. He has a history of initiating conversations aimed at addressing social issues in his community. From founding a newspaper targeting low-income individuals to establishing a community radio with a massive audience, Otieno's real-world experiences form the foundation of JCOM 5040.

He said, “With these problems, I realized that communication is key for us to have positive social change, especially behavior change in the community. That is why I specialize in social media. I've been able to combine both the practical aspect of it and the theoretical aspect of it in class. And that helped me now to be able to come up with these kinds of courses that are proposed here at USU.”

JCOM 5040 stands out for several reasons, one being the practicality of the skills taught. For some students, it has become a direct impact to the community.

Baileigh Campbell, another student in the class, wrote a high-quality grant proposal during this class, and implemented it, leading to successful funding. Campbell focuses her campaign on the post-partum experience of women in Utah and will continue to work on this campaign with Otieno into the next year.

He looks forward to working with Campbell on the campaign. "Nothing thrills me as a professor more than seeing my students apply what they are learning in class."

While not all students implement their projects outside of the classroom, the quality of thinking behind these campaigns are beneficial.

Otieno emphasizes this principle, “The critical skills that students have gained in this class are transferable in any employment that they'll get. What makes me happy in terms of impact is preparing my students for the job market. I believe whatever jobs that they'll get, they can make use of these skills in any position.”

By combining market-driven skills, real-world application, and a commitment to social justice, Otieno has crafted a class that not only prepares students for the job market but also fosters a sense of responsibility and impact.