If you’ve attended Coahoma Community College events lately, you might have seen a few new faces serving as photographers, videographers, and content capturers.
Dubbed the Student Media Team, the group’s efforts are geared toward showcasing a more authentic CCC experience and perspective.
Already a staple at the institution’s sporting events, the student-led program has rapidly expanded from a modest broadcast team to an all-encompassing media group that produces photos, videos, and other content in support of CCC’s strategic goals.
Marriel C. Hardy, chief communications officer and branding identity, is overjoyed to welcome a talented and enthused student team. He hopes to ultimately enhance and enrich student experiences at the 73-year-old HBCU.
“The OCM team has fully committed ourselves to create an all-encompassing student media entity,” said Hardy. “Our fast-paced office will send student media interns to cover institutional programs, student life happenings, & sporting events and capture other content that will better display and promote the Coahoma experience to a broader audience.”
The program added elevated social media coverage and will include event recaps and other promotional elements in support of the college.
Lyn Moore, a sophomore Art major, is excited to bring her passion full center for mass audiences to view.
“As an Art major, I have a big passion for media. Joining just felt like the right choice to make. It’s given me an outlet for my creativity ever since,” said Moore.
Moore, a Clarksdale native, enjoys working with her peers. She believes the group will be able to accomplish great feats in the future.
“The people make the heart of this team. Being able to feel welcome while also surrounded by great minds is what I like most about it,” added Moore. “I admire our teamwork and our want for greatness. Everyone is truly an inspiration to me.”
The students have been paired with OCM staffers and work collaboratively amongst themselves to get the job done, a factor that Moore enjoys.
“This experience has done a lot for me, and I’m happy to be able to share it with my peers,” Moore said. “If I learned anything, I know to always make a way for yourself to learn more about the things you love to do.”
As Coahoma’s communications and marketing lead, Hardy is more than thrilled to see the newfound energy within his unit. He shared that he knows that the initiative will make an impact on the CCC campus.
“It’s just blown up in a relatively short amount of time,” said Hardy. “The visibility is up. The interest is high. It’s a beautiful thing to see because it’s student work, but it’s good work that they’re doing, and it’s worth it to the other students on campus.”
The group offers a hands-on experience for students that allows them to heighten their photography, video, and journalism skills and add to their personal portfolios by being published via Coahoma’s print, electronic, and social media platforms.
Hardy shared that plans are underway to expand the group, offering more opportunities to students.