SU's Cox Named Society for Professional Journalists Member of the Month

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Jennifer Brannock Cox, assistant professor of communication arts at Salisbury University, has been named the Society for Professional Journalists’ (SPJ’s) Member of the Month for September.

In addition to advising SU’s SPJ chapter, she is president of the Maryland Professional Chapter.

“SPJ has had an important role in my life since I was an undergraduate at Appalachian State University,” Cox said. “As a member and later as a working journalist, SPJ provided valuable opportunities for me to network with professionals and learn about important journalism issues. When I became a journalism professor at SU in 2011, I knew I wanted to launch a chapter to provide my students with the same formational experiences I had.

“We began with a group of six dedicated student journalists, who worked diligently to form our chapter during the 2012-13 school year. Since then, we have received awards for best new student organization, adviser of the year and chapter president of the year from the university. We have hosted diversity in media forums, conducted successful fundraisers and hosted workshops aimed at giving students hands-on media experiences. We took 10 students to the national conference in Orlando last year, and our group will head to New Orleans this year.

“As the new president of the Maryland Professional Chapter, I hope to convey my commitment to SPJ by connecting journalists and educating them in unique, exciting ways. As it always has been, SPJ will continue to be a driving force in my life for years to come.”

SPJ Region Two Director Andy Schotz praised Cox as “a strong force in keeping the campus chapter vibrant each year. The chapter’s latest annual report shows a mix of programs, fundraising activities and service projects. Members of her chapter show en masse and enthused to regional and national conferences, even when they have long distances to travel.”

He also lauded her past duties as treasurer of the Maryland Professional Chapter, calling her recordkeeping “a model for transparency.”

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.