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| EDUCATING LEADERS OF FAITH & CHARACTER |
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UST Freshman Stephanie Madrid Finds Field of Study
 Stephanie Madrid is always looking for a good story, and this 2008-2009 University of St. Thomas freshman said a school located in the heart of the city, near downtown Houston and in the museum district is ideal for a budding broadcast journalist on the beat.
“Montrose is a part of town that has a lot of activity,” Madrid said. “It’s so alive down here. I won’t have any trouble going out and finding a story.”
A fortuitous high school internship helped Madrid solidify her career goals and choice in universities. Madrid worked as a teen reporter for KHOU Channel 11 as a junior and senior at Cypress Ridge High School. With the help of KHOU reporter Jeff McShan, three of Madrid’s news segments have appeared on the 10 p.m. news and online.
Despite being a first-time reporter, Madrid did not shy away from covering challenging stories. She tackled tough topics such as dating violence, homeless teens and illegal immigration in higher education. Her stories garnered attention and she was awarded the 2008 Hispanic Heritage Youth Award in journalism in the Houston region. She won the top prize, a $3,000 scholarship.
Madrid plans to hone her reporting skills as she majors in communication and minors in Spanish at UST. Madrid said she was drawn to UST because of its low student-to faculty ratio. Madrid said she is also eager to study under UST communication professors who have been professionally active in their fields of study.
“I want to learn from professors with real-world experience in the media because I think I can benefit and learn from their experiences.”
Dr. Robin Williamson, professor and chair of communication, said all UST communication majors benefit from the expertise of communication professors who have immediate past professional experience in journalism, public relations and broadcast media. Many of the professors are still working in the field. Williamson said UST graduates have gone on to become news anchors, television sports reporters, own their own public relations firms, work in public relations for nonprofit organizations and write for the Houston Chronicle.
“Our students get theoretical background and understand the impact of what they are doing in their profession, and they get the skills from talented professors that will enable to be to be successful in their chosen field.” Williamson said. “We have a very active internship program which helps students to secure professional jobs. Our students never have trouble finding internships. ”
To keep up with the evolving technological nature of the media industry and the digital age, the University is continually upgrading facilities to better serve the students, Williamson said.
UST communication majors are required to take courses including public speaking, communication theory, mass communication law, and must complete an internship in communication. They may also choose from concentration courses in journalism/public relations such as newswriting and reporting, news editing, public relations, investigative reporting: The Innocence Project and feature writing. Courses in radio/television include radio and television production, broadcast journalism, videotape editing, and broadcast programming. Courses in communications studies include forensics, persuasion, nonverbal communication, the social impact of the media and small group interaction.
While in school, Madrid plans to continue reporting for KHOU. The University’s proximity to the news station was yet another reason why she was attracted to the UST.
“This is my passion; this is what I was meant to do,” Madrid said of reporting. “I tried music; I tried sports, but this is what makes me happy. There is that old saying, if you choose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life. ”
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