Media Mentors

Media Mentors, a learning and development series hosted by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at The University of Southern Mississippi, is designed to connect students with experienced professionals in journalism, broadcasting, public relations and digital media. Each session provides valuable career advice, industry insights and an opportunity to engage directly with professionals who have been in your shoes.

If you have questions, contact Joshua Wilson at 601-266-4265 or email [email protected].

Why Join Media Mentors?

— Learn from Experts: Gain firsthand knowledge from journalists, PR specialists, broadcasters and media leaders.

— Build Your Network: Make industry connections that can help shape your future.

— Get Career Advice: Learn the skills and strategies needed to succeed in today’s media landscape.

— Engage & Ask Questions: Participate in Q&A discussions and hear real-world experiences.

Upcoming Sessions

All sessions are held from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Stout Hall, Room B on the Hattiesburg campus.

— Friday, May 2: Speakers include Sean Trcalek and Jacob Wallace. Trcalek, a veteran media executive with more than 40 years of experience, is vice president and general manager of KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has held leadership roles at multiple stations, including KADN, KLAF, KTVE and WVLT, and began his career as a morning show co-host and sportscaster for KXKW Radio. Wallace, a creative services leader with a background in journalism and marketing, is the regional creative services director for The E.W. Scripps Company, overseeing these efforts at KATC in Lafayette and WTXL in Tallahassee, Florida. He began his career as an editor and photographer and has led successful rebranding initiatives in multiple markets. To RSVP, click here.

— Friday, June 13: Melissa Scallan, director of communications and marketing at the Port of Gulfport, will be the speaker. Scallan previously worked in public relations roles at The University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. She was also the communications director for U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s 2018 campaign. Prior to her public relations work, Scallan was a newspaper reporter for 25 years, including 14 years at The Sun Herald in Biloxi. She covered education, city and county government, and state politics. The RSVP link for this session will be available on May 5.

— Friday, July 11: Nicole Ruhnke, chief communication officer for The University of Southern Mississippi, will be the speaker. Ruhnke is the spokesperson for the university and also serves as director of the Office of University Communications. This office leads the university’s marketing, media relations, social media management, video production, creative services and website development efforts. Ruhnke graduated from Southern Miss in 2008 with a degree in public relations and has held communications roles in the university’s alumni relations office as well as for international missions and tourism organizations. The RSVP link for this session will be available on June 16.

— Friday, September 12: Speaker to be announced.

— Friday, October 10: Amanda Fontaine, executive director of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters, will be the speaker. She is a nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, training and board service. She has coached countless organizations, developed leadership programs for chambers of commerce and taught business courses at Delta State University. A certified Excellence in Action trainer, she has led growth and sustainability workshops across the state. Fontaine has earned recognition from groups like the American Advertising Federation, which presented her with its Silver Medal Award. The RSVP link for this session will be available on September 15.

— Friday, November 14: Speaker to be announced.

— Friday, December 5: Layne Bruce, executive director of the Mississippi Press Association, will be the speaker. A career newspaper professional, Bruce was a reporter, editor and publisher before joining the newspaper trade association in 2006 as director of marketing. In 2007, he was named executive director and now oversees management of the association as well as Mississippi Press Services and the MPA Education Foundation. Bruce studied communications and journalism at Mississippi State University. He serves as clerk of Newspaper Association Managers and is a past president of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives. The RSVP link for this session will be available on November 17.

Past Sessions

— Friday, April 11, 2025: Emily Wagster Pettus, a journalist who has covered Mississippi-based politics and courts as well as civil rights, was the speaker. Pettus worked for The Associated Press from 2001 until 2025 and previously worked for The Clarion-Ledger, The Vicksburg Evening Post, The Oxford Eagle and The Daily Mississippian. After her retirement from the AP, she was recognized by the Mississippi Legislature for her years of reporting. View the recorded session.

— Friday, March 14, 2025: Bestselling author, public speaking coach and U.S. Air Force officer Cody Smith was the speaker.