Senior Benjamin Sessoms has been selected to participate in an investigation into disaster recovery this summer, a project headed by Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Sessoms, a Kinston native, is double majoring in journalism and communication studies with a minor in English. He is one of just 24 students to be selected for the investigation, which will be led by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Jacquee Petchel.
According to Petchel, the investigation will cover how “federal and local governments have handled the billions and billions of dollars spent on disaster recovery, as well as how communities across the country have fared over the years.”
“Investigative journalism is why I chose my major. I believe that it is vital to include marginalized voices in the public discussion surrounding complex political issues. It is an honor to be a part of something that shares that mission,” Sessoms said.
Sessoms credits the communication department with helping him get this opportunity.
“Appalachian has incredible journalism professors that have challenged me to seek out opportunities beyond academics. Through previous internships and the relationships I have built with my professors I was able to capitalize on this new opportunity at Arizona State this summer.”
By Caroline Lubinsky
About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – advertising, communication studies, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism and public relations – and a minor in communication studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government and nonprofit organizations.
About Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Ben Sessoms
Senior journalism and communication studies double major Ben Sessoms has been selected to participate in an investigation into disaster recovery this summer at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Photo submitted