The veteran journalists who advise Centennial's journalism program + Press Freedom winner

We are very lucky at Centennial College's three journalism programs (Fast Track post graduate, undergraduate joint program with University of Toronto, and the three year diploma for post secondary students). 
Why? 
Because our Program Advisory Committee -- the folks who volunteer to make sure we are doing a good job delivering the right mix of training and opportunities for our students -- is made up of dedicated, committed professionals from the journalism industry.  
I don't think many people realize how much time and thought the members of our PAC put in to keep Centennial Journalism on the cutting edge of journalism education, and combined with the energy and vision of the faculty and staff, and the talented students, it was a very rewarding opportunity for me to attend the most recent meeting, to share what we are doing, and ask them for advice and input. 
Some of the discussions ranged around telling Centennial Journalism's story more effectively on the web, and about possible new courses or future speakers and panel discussions for the students, especially about the ethics of online corrections. 

The members of the PAC are:



  • Eric Morrison, former head, The Canadian Press
  • Marci Ien, Canada AM host
  • Jennifer McGuire, editor in chief CBC News
  • Sam Donkoh, freelance journalist and p.r. professional
  • Michael Brooke, Concrete Wave magazine publisher
  • Bert Bruser, media lawyer
  • Georgia Balogiannis, the Etobicoke Guardian, (Centennial grad!)
  • Chris Boutet, deputy editor (digital) the Globe and Mail
  • Heather Evans, CBC National News Health Unit 
  • Alexandra Ward, student
  • Jesse Mirsky, student
  • Sarah Taguiam, student 
  • Jeffrey Dvorkin, former CBC Radio News chief, NPR ombudsman, now U of T Journalism director



Alex Ward (student), Lindy Oughtred (faculty) and Nate Horowitz (Dean) at the program advisory committee meeting for Journalism

Stephen Cogan, Centennial College Journalism Coordinator, and Marci Ien, CTV Canada AM

Eric Morrison, former head The Canadian Press, committee chair, and Bert Bruser, media lawyer Toronto Star

Jeffrey Dvorkin, U of T Journalism director

Marci Ien, CTV Canada AM
Georgia Balogiannis, The Etobicoke Guardian
Really bad and blurry photo of Heather Evans (sorry!) , CBC National News Health desk, executive producer (bottom right)
Jennifer McGuire, CBC News editor in chief

*****
Yemeni journalist Khaled al-Hammadi, with Al Jazeera, won the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression International Press Freedom award here in Toronto in November. We were lucky to have him visit journalism students at Centennial College during his whirlwind trip to the city for the ceremonies. Students asked him how he got interested in journalism, what dangers he has faced, how he gets stories when in Yemen only the government is permitted to speak on the record, and other aspects of his courageous career trying to cover the Arab Spring and its effects in Yemen.


Khaled Al Hammadi with Centennial/U of T joint journalism program coordinator Ted Fairhurst


Khaled Al Hammadi talks to Centennial Journalism students 

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Where are they now?


Jennifer Phillips at Toronto City Hall, December 2011

Jennifer Phillips' profile on Bleacher Report
Jennifer Phillips, Centennial Journalism grad from 2005 or 2006, now works in communications at Toronto City Hall in the office of Mayor Rob Ford, in the protocol section. She is also an avid sports fan, and has written for the Bleacher Report, covering the Leafs, Marlies and other local sports teams.


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