COMMENTARY |
After a nearly two-week hiatus, the campus at Missouri State University is again showing signs of life. Staff are returning to offices, but while some intersession classes begin Monday, most students won't return until Jan. 23.
While the campus was largely quiet, the staff of the Hauxeda remained at work in our offices in the lowest level of MSU’s Freudenberger House (Freddy Hall), bringing you our unique blend of in-depth reports, community affairs reporting and features reflecting everyday life in Springfield and Greene County.
Because it sometimes comes up in conversations around the community, I thought it might be helpful for me to explain our relationship to MSU.
While we are based on campus, the Daily Citizen is not officially part of Missouri State University. MSU has no control or involvement in Daily Citizen newsroom activities or editorial decisions. I don’t answer to MSU President Clif Smart. I answer to an independent board of directors, headed by Publisher and Founder Thomas J. Carlson.
We are a nonprofit, community-driven news organization that ultimately answers to you, our subscribers, and more generally to the public.
But our collaboration with MSU has been a key part of our successful launch, providing us with a home base and a partner that shares our commitment to public affairs and community outreach.
Our partnership dates to October 2021, when MSU’s Board of Governors unanimously approved a facility use agreement, providing the Daily Citizen with office space and a host of related services. We moved in about 13 months ago and have roughly 3,000 square feet of office space formerly occupied by the Multicultural Resource Center.
For MSU, the arrangement complements its statewide public affairs mission and reflects the tremendous commitment to Springfield’s future demonstrated by President Smart, his staff and the Board of Governors.
For the Daily Citizen, besides saving the cost of renting and maintaining office space, the deal offers a host of opportunities to work with staff and students. We give students a chance at real-world experience, including training alongside seasoned professionals, and opportunities to develop journalism, technical, marketing and business skills.
Student interns have been strong contributors
Managing Editor Brittany Meiling had this to say about the experience so far: “Our interns from Missouri State University have been a joy to work with in the newsroom. They’re hardworking, ambitious and eager to get out in the community. Interns have written some of our best-read stories, and not shied away from tackling in-depth articles. Our very first intern, Gianna Kelley, has recently graduated and landed her first full-time job in journalism as a news producer for KOLR10. It is gratifying to see young reporters jumping into the field and populating our local news scene.”
In addition to Gianna, other news interns from MSU include Abi Zajac (who later also took an internship in Development) and Tinsley Merriman.
A May 2022 MSU graduate, Jack McGee, came on staff as a temporary employee, and was so impressive, we created a new position for him as our business and economic development reporter.
Chief Development Officer Judi Kamien has been likewise impressed: “We’ve been fortunate in development to have an intern with drive, confidence, and creativity — and a very strong work ethic. Abi Zajac functioned at the level of an early career professional rather than that of an intern, often suggesting additional projects that complemented existing work assignments. … We’re looking forward next semester to welcoming Kaitlyn Johns to the development family; she’ll be working with us to enhance outreach to existing and prospective individual donors.”
Marketing students say Daily Citizen readers like ‘community-focused content they can trust’
In mid-December, our board and staff received a professional report prepared by three graduate students in the Marketing 796 class taught by Chrystal D. Irons, director of the MSU Small Business Development Center.
MBA students Peyton Baldwin, Evan Lassanske and Adam B. Thompson conducted original research (including a survey of subscribers and other readers) and presented detailed recommendations aimed at helping us grow the number of paid subscribers.
We hope to build on these kinds of projects and expand opportunities for student interns in the future.
Separately, the Daily Citizen has a collaboration agreement with KSMU Ozarks Public Radio in which we share certain content, and make our reporters available for interviews to better inform KSMU listeners. Those listeners have embraced the partnership. The Daily Citizen was selected by KSMU listeners on Giving Tuesday as one of their favorite local nonprofits. As the top vote-getter, the Daily Citizen will receive a $3,000 underwriting package for promotional spots on air.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the great facility support we receive from MSU staff — custodial and building services, phone and internet, safety support, package delivery and even letting us pick out some surplus furniture. While there are too many people to mention everyone individually, we are especially grateful for the help of our go-to contact: Ronda Ladd, Administrative Specialist in the Office of the Vice President for Administrative Services.
If you have question about our work with MSU, or any other questions about the Daily Citizen operations, please don't hesitate to reach out to me using the contact information listed below. Thanks for reading.
