Jasmine Smith

By Malynda Dorsey | Photos by Bobby Lacey

From the moment she made her first on-air appearance in high school, Jasmine Smith knew that mass media was the field for her. A member of her high school video production team, Smith anchored the school’s daily morning show titled, “Beef for Breakfast.”

“I began as an anchor my junior year and continued until I graduated, and I fell in love with it,” the Marietta native said. “So when deciding on colleges, I looked for those that had broadcast journalism programs.”

A visit to campus with a friend was all Smith needed to influence her decision to enter Valdosta State University’s Mass Media program. She took advantage of everything the program had to offer as soon as she became a freshman in fall 2007.

“I feel like I really made the most of the program. The mass media program has great resources like tools and software to prepare you for your career. Therefore, as an underclassman, I didn’t just take core classes; I took media classes so I could get my hands on things early. I just immersed myself in anything related to media.”

Outside of the classroom, Smith sharpened her skills in media through various internships and volunteer opportunities. Since September 2008, she has reported and produced for VSU-TV News. In October 2008, Smith also got the opportunity to work with Fox Sports in Atlanta, where she covered three Atlanta Falcons games.

“I was fortunate to participate in two internships in 2010. During the summer I interned at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the Department of Aviation public affairs office. When I returned to Valdosta in the fall, I served as an intern with Valdosta Metro Channel 17.“

Smith said that the internships allowed her to apply her skills in social media, editing, script writing and creating graphics. She was also responsible for producing and shooting news packages and assisting with press conferences and media visits.

“I especially enjoyed the opportunity to dig deep into the Valdosta and VSU community during my internship with Metro 17,” she said. “I had the pleasure of interviewing several dignitaries such as the mayor and law enforcement officials.”

Smith has worked as a student assistant and videographer in VSU’s Communications Unit since January. Smith’s responsibilities included developing and creating stories for the university’s homepage, providing the latest information through video news releases and editing and narrating videos. (To view Smith’s news videos go to http://vimeo.com/valdostastate/videos.)

Aside from media activities Smith participated in intramural sports throughout college and served as a resident assistant in Reade Hall from August 2009 to May 2010. Smith was inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary and served on the resident assistant council during her time as a resident assistant.

Smith was recently nominated for the Annie Powe Hopper Award, VSU’s highest and most prestigious academic award. She was nominated by the professors in the mass media department.

“The nomination made me feel great,” she said. “There are many times as a student that you work so hard to be successful in your courses, but it doesn’t seem like anyone notices all that work. The nomination just showed me that all the hard work I put into my classes was recognized and it is an honor.”

Smith will receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism Saturday. After graduation, she will continue her search for a position in her career field.

“My dream job is to work for a morning show. I love morning shows because they are a combination of news and entertainment. I also like to be in front of the camera and show my personality.”

Nonetheless, Smith maintains that she will keep her options open to every aspect of media in her search.
“When it comes to media, you can’t limit yourself. You have to know a little bit about everything and that’s what I have worked to do. I don’t ever want to limit myself in my career.”

Academic Year: Senior
Academic Standing/GPA: Deans List, 3.86
Expected Graduation: Spring 2011
Degree Objective: Mass Media, Broadcast Journalism

Hometown: Marietta, GA
High school: Kell High School
Parents: Mikelos and Angela Smith

Academic Achievements/Recognitions:
*HOPE Scholarship Recipient
*Annie P. Hopper Award nominee 2011
*Georgia Association of Broadcasters Scholarship Recipient 2010
*Mass Media Scholarship Recipient Fall 2010
*Most Outstanding Student in the College of the Arts 8/8 semesters
*Deans List 8/8 semesters
*National Residence Hall Honorary
*Resident Assistant Blaze Award 2010
*Magna Cum Laude Graduate

Honor Societies and Organizations:
*Golden Key
*Phi Kappa Phi
*Sigma Alpha Chi
*Alpha Lambda
*Society for Collegiate Journalists
*Women in Communications

My favorite things to do on campus are… to walk, spend time with friends and to create news videos for VSU’s Communications unit. You can always expect to see me with a camera in hand interviewing someone. I have met so many interesting people and learned so many amazing things. I was most inspired by the interviews I did of the Air Force ROTC students. Their stories were filled with such determination and humility.

When I have free time, I like… to spend the day at the hair and nail salon. With such a busy schedule, making time for myself is so important. Under the hair dryer I can just close my eyes and relax. No problems, just peace.

The three words that best describe me are… strong-willed, optimistic and faithful.

My favorite place to study is…on the floor in front of the television. I have been doing this since elementary school. WARNING: This is not recommended for everyone, but for me it turned out to be the start of my love for media and broadcasting.

My favorite professor is… more than just one. Each professor in the Mass Media Department has contributed to my success as a student. They truly believed in me and in turn they made me believe in myself. When you hear the words “You’ve got something special,” it’s the encouragement that you need to pursue the dreams you have been fighting for the past four years. I want to thank every one of them!

My favorite class was…Broadcast Performing and Announcing with Dr. Etling. I really immersed myself in learning the techniques of being in front of the camera and behind the microphone. I have a new love and interest for the voice-over industry because of this class. The best part was sitting in an audio lab perfecting your best British accent for a radio spot and thinking how crazy you must sound to those students passing by in the hallway.

If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it … reporting beside Anderson Cooper. I really admire his dedication to journalism. No matter the situation or circumstance he is fearless when it comes to telling a story.

The thing that I will miss the most about college is… the endless amount of experiences, the relationships I have built and just being a student. College is the best time in your life. It’s a chance to find out who you are and discover which path you will decide to travel. I’m going to miss it tremendously, but I will take so many things with me.

The one VSU experience I will always remember is… being a Resident Assistant in Reade Hall. Having 28 freshman girls constantly knocking on your door at odd hours of the night is quite an experience, but rewarding nonetheless. Although they call me, “ The Best RA Ever,” I know that the impact they had on me was even greater. Even after an embarrassing season of intramural flag football, we were brought close together and to this day, I call many of them my closest friends. It was amazing to be able to build such a strong community of young women and experience being a freshman again through their eyes.

After graduation, I plan to… continue striving to pursue a career in the media industry. I know that it will take hard work, dedication, and a lot of heart, but I am ready. I know that through my coursework and experiences I have gained at VSU, the world is at my fingertips.

Some unique things about me are… I am still a child at heart. Anyone can tell you that if I’m not wearing a big smile, I’m laughing. Playing kick ball with my three little cousins, or dancing with my dog Benni are just a few of things that keep my spirits up high. I have always tried to live my life by the motto, “Smile at the world, even when it refuses to smile back.”

My favorite childhood memories are… being daddy’s little girl. My mother is a flight attendant and for as long as I can remember, my father has taken on the role as “Mom.” Whether he was attempting to do my hair or lunch at McDonald’s, he always wanted to make me happy. As I got older, we would take trips to New York together and go purse shopping. I know that he will be so proud to see me walk across that stage on graduation.

My biggest supporters in life are… My entire Family! I am so blessed to have such a large support system of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My grandmother has always told me, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!” I have said this verse to myself consistently throughout college and it has given me so much strength. I know personally that love is truly the greatest encouragement.

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Jasmine Smith