W&L's Abah Wins Scripps Howard Foundation/AEJMC Grant
Adedayo (Dayo) Abah is one of six recipients of the 2014/15 social media externship grants awarded by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
Abah is associate professor of journalism and mass communications at Washington and Lee University and teaches courses in media law, media and society, crisis communication and global communication. The grant will enable her to visit the advertising agency Zero Dot in Chicago for two weeks this summer to experience first-hand how media outlets are using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Spotify to deliver and enhance their communications.
The grant will also fund the visit of a representative from Zero Dot to W&L’s campus.
According to a press release from the AEJMC, the selection process was very competitive this year with a panel of judges evaluating 43 applications from AEJMC members. The panel scored applicants based on the value and need of the program to the applicant, the impact of the visit on the applicant’s campus and the strength of the ideas behind the application.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Professor Abah to keep her skills current in the rapidly changing communication fields,” said Pamela Luecke, the Donald W. Reynolds professor of business journalism at W&L. “We are delighted that she was selected and know the experience will help ensure that our students are prepared to use the latest technology responsibly and effectively.”
“I didn’t think I would be selected, but I applied because I was intrigued by the opportunity and how it might impact the students in our new strategic communication degree program. I am excited at the prospect of having the executive of Zero Dot on campus to work with our students next year,” said Abah.
The Scripps Howard Foundation is the corporate philanthropy arm of the E.W. Scripps Company which operates newspaper and television stations throughout the United States. AEJMC is a nonprofit, educational association of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals.
