Chris Garff checks in equipment in the TV studio
Chris Garff: Expecting and Inspiring Excellence in JCOM
By Hannah Nelson
It’s Tuesday afternoon and the broadcast studio in the Agricultural Science Building is a flurry of activity. Students are editing and adding final touches to their weekly show, Aggie TV News, furiously typing on computers. At the center is JCOM Associate Professor Chris Garff, giving students feedback and preparing for the weekly show.
Since 2012, Garff teaches intro to video, newscast, and corporate video plus helps with multimedia bootcamp. His efforts make USU one of the top journalism schools Utah, according to College Factual. What sets Garff apart is his dedication to his students and giving them opportunities for practical experience.
"Professor Garff’s teaching style is very hands-on. He always asks people to see their work," Clayre Scott said, a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. He's very supportive of each student, going over work to see what can be improved.
Professor Brian Champagne, Garff's co-instructor for newscast and bootcamp, finds he keeps the student's standards high. "You can't work with students and raise the bar without us working hard ourselves, and Chris is right there, he takes it to another level," Champagne says.
Garff agrees that he and Champagne have high standards, but for good reason. If students work hard and follow the class standards, “you’re pretty much guaranteed a job,” Garff said.
Those aren’t just empty words. A February 2023 article in The Utah Statesman noted that USU’s broadcast journalism program has an annual job-placement rate of about 100 percent.
Garff prepares his students for professional standards by centering his classes around real clients. His corporate communications class created videos for the Conservation Corps, the USU Language Department and one of their videos for USU campus recreation, won a National Student Production Award (student Emmy).
One of Garff’s proudest moments was working a nationally televised CBS basketball game this year where eight of the crew members were JCOM alumni he had taught. He makes sure students have the tools to succeed in their careers.
Garff finds great fulfillment working in the broadcast field, but even more in being a teacher.
"My favorite part about teaching isn't grading, it's watching and enjoying their work," Garff said.
He found teaching as his passion and the position opened up at the perfect time, right after earning his master’s degree in instructional technology and learning sciences.
"I knew what the program needed," said Garff about why he felt he was the best person for the job. He strives to have the best equipment for his students that are industry standard so they are best prepared to enter the workforce.
Looking forward, Garff hopes to expand with a bigger studio and more professional equipment so the USU JCOM program will become a "beacon of journalism in Utah."