CHASS Student of the Month – October 2009

Crystal Clark

• Home Town: Raleigh, NC
• Class: Senior
• Major(s):
  • Communication Media
  • Minor: Journalism
• Sample Courses:
  • Principles of News Article Writing
  • Communication in Political Campaigns
  • Interviewing
• Activities:
  • News Production Intern, News 14 Carolina
  • President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
  • Vice-President, National Pan-Hellenic Council
  • Writer, Nubian Message
  • Radio Reader, Triangle Radio Reading Service
  • Student Affairs Representative, NCSU University Housing
  • Counselor/Tutor, NCSU Upward Bound
  • Student Body Representative, Student Media Board of Directors, 2008-09
  • NCSU Multicultural Student Association Peer Mentor, 2007-09
• Honors:
  • Dean’s List, Fall 2006-present
  • Lambda Pi Eta, National Communication Honor Society
  • NCSU Union Activities Board Pan-African Scholarship, Spring 2008
  • Multicultural Student Association Freshman Honors Convocation Award, Spring 2007
• Postgraduate Plans: Employment in news production and reporting
• Career Goals: Television anchorperson

Why did you select CHASS?

I have always been interested in media, and I was impressed right away with the student newspapers produced here. There is so much offered here in CHASS; so many different types of courses – from Psychology to English. It is all-encompassing, and gives you a broad background that enables you to understand and work in today’s complex world. I also got a good vibe from this campus from the first time I visited – the students and faculty were very welcoming.

Which courses and instructors have been most influential?

Introduction to Editing with Professor Sylvia Adcock truly helped me to refine my writing and interviewing skills. Media Relations with Professor Dean Phillips is also teaching me what other constituencies expect from the media, and looks at the public relations issues that media face. These courses will be essential as I look toward a career in communication.

What has been your biggest challenge at NCSU?

Not knowing anyone on campus. You would think that being from Raleigh, adjusting to this campus would have been easy. But only two people from my high school came to NCSU, and I’ve only bumped into them a couple of times over the years. Being from this area didn’t prepare me for the fact that the campus is a whole world unto itself – a new environment you have to adjust to. Making new friends and getting involved was crucial for me. Now sometimes I forget to go home, even though I live close by – NCSU has become my home!

What advice would you give to incoming students?

Jump headfirst into things related to your major. Do not wait until your last semester of senior year and see that you have nothing on your resume to show off to a graduate school or potential employer. Doing this is easier than you think. There were so many things I was interested in from the start – I was probably involved with 7 groups in freshman and sophomore year, which was great for exploring my interests. I then began to narrow things down a bit as an upperclassman and truly focus in depth on several activities.

Nominate a student for CHASS Student of the Month.