The news never stops, especially on Wednesday

Sarah Bernstein is in her first semester as executive producer of the Q30 Newscast and is embracing the challenge of a news environment

Quinnipiac University junior Sarah Bernstein spends her Wednesday’s crouched over a computer screen in the Ed McMahon School of Communications. But it’s not for class.

Bernstein is the executive producer of the Q30 Newscast, the campus television station’s news program.

“Being an executive producer has allowed me to become more of a student leader,” she said. “It has opened me up to new viewpoints.”

The Livingston, N.J.-native typically spends most of her week working on the show’s rundown and coordinating with the other producers on her staff. The show shoots on Wednesday in the McMahon Center, with work on the next week’s episode beginning not even 24 hours later.

“It’s a fast-paced job but I like it,” Bernstein said. “I think it will definitely help me get ready for the real world.”

But even as she prepares for the broadcasting business, she is learning to lead through her Wednesday shoots. This is where her abilities to set a standard are showcased.

Bernstein begins Wednesday by checking over any video that may need to still be processed

The weekly rundown is essential to Bernstein as she prepares for what is ahead on the episode

Even in crunch time, she manages to teach others how to properly use the equipment in the studio

She carries around a checklist of things that her staff must complete before showtime

Things change rapidly in a news environment, as associate producer Elijah Westbrook runs a new idea by Bernstein an hour before the broadcast

Tensions flare with just minutes to go, as co-executive producer Kristen Campeta and Bernstein debate whether something in the script should be revised

The lights are on, and the cameras are ready as the Q30 Newscast is about to go live

She plays facilitator as the show rolls on, making sure all are on their feet

Bernstein addresses her staff minutes after the broadcast ends, giving them positive reinforcement for a job well done

She and her fellow producers meet immediately after the shoot, and begin the next week’s gameplan

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Kreating for others

Quinnipiac University junior Katie Uricchio is studying for a career in the health field, but her artistic abilities are providing her with an opportunity to showcase her creativity on a university scale.

Katie Uricchio has thrived with her business despite being a full-time student

Uricchio started “Kreations For You By Katie” in April. The one-woman-band business sees her create crafts for customers, ranging from artistic canvases to sorority letters. The Glastonbury, Conn.-native said that it was her own sorority sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta that encouraged her to start the project.

An example of one of Uricchio’s products

“It was kind of my sorority pushing me to try new things,” she said. “They really supported me after I painted things for events and got a positive feedback.”

Initially, Uricchio started by making small-scale projects for friends and colleagues. But after joining aboard with Etsy, an e-commerce website, she turned into something unique. Unlike most other students her age, she is also a businesswoman.

Uricchio has sold products to nearly 30 states so far

First it was an order in North Dakota. Soon enough, Uricchio found herself making and shipping crafts to 26 different states, alongside Washington D.C. Most of the products go to college students or parents of college students, and many to other chapters of Kappa Alpha Theta and even Alpha Delta Pi. Uricchio is the lone employee of her business, and personally makes each individual item.

Uricchio offers several different products. This chart summarizes the amount of orders she has received for each one in 2013.

“Kreations” has become so busy that she has had to put her website on vacation as she studies for midterm exams.

“It’s hard finding a balance with nursing work and this, but it has gotten a lot easier to know when to take a step back,” she said.

Most importantly, she is establishing herself as a person of admiration both in her sorority and around campus.

“I wanted to be someone who would volunteer my time to help people,” she said. “Everyone supported me and came to me with ideas or questions, and it’s been great.”

To view both charts listed above in Infographic format, click here!

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Students and the political purpose

The United States government has shutdown, but have students even noticed?  Mike Neminski, vice president of the Boston University College Republicans, believes they have.

“I would say there is a reasonable amount of college students with a decent idea of what is going on,” Neminski said. “They get up and read the news about what’s going on.”

A majority of college students surveyed said they are mildly in touch with politics

Student Leader Stories polls conducted earlier this week revealed that nearly fifty percent of surveyed students are mildly interested in politics. Alongside, more than 62 percent said they are current with government happenings. But Quinnipiac University student Trevor Ensign feels the results aren’t representative of the truth.

“I think that the majority of the time they really aren’t [in tune with what is happening],” he said.  “A lot of us will only really pay attention to [politics]  when there’s something major going on like an election or the shutdown.”

Mike Neminski, first row on right, is actively involved in Massachusetts politics. Courtesy Boston University College Republicans

That is where Neminski comes in. Not only is he involved with political engagement on the BU campus, but he is also the eastern regional vice chairman for the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans. His goal is to encourage political interest for college students.

“I try to spread the message that we are not junkies, and we just try to get people involved with events,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican, Moderate or Democrat. We encourage open conversation.”

The Boston University College Republicans have more than 40 members, and Neminski will soon run for organization president. For now, he will take what he has learned and continue to encourage student involvement in politics.

“I’ve learned the professional side of things,” he said. “How to keep in touch with people and promote. And that’s what important in all of this.”

More excerpts from Neminski’s interview:

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College students and the government

In the midst of capitol chaos, the state of United States politics is peril. Networks like CNN and Fox News are constantly locked on continuous coverage of the happenings around the White House, and political divide is stronger than it ever has been.

Courtesy WhiteHouse.gov.

However, college students often get generalized as indifferent towards what the government is doing. Regardless of this, some students decide to be actively involved in their university’s political programs. Still, it is important to gauge the perspective of college students. If you are a college student, let Student Leader Stories know about how concerned you are about politics.

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Entertaining and breaking ground

Thousands of Quinnipiac University students descended upon its Mount Carmel campus for the school’s first annual Fall Fest on Saturday afternoon. And while it may have been an afternoon of music and friends for some, it was an opportunity to cover news for others.

Neliana Ferraro assigned a team of reporters to go out and cover the event. The sophomore is the art director for Q30 Television, the university’s closed-circuit television station. She is also the station’s first art director to be directly in charge of covering entertainment events on and off-campus. Ferraro took the position in late-August and already believes she has learned a lot.

Ferraro, second from right, and other Q30 Television members. Photo courtesy Sam Plourde

“I really enjoy this position,” she said.  “I’ve done a million packages so far, and so much editing. I think this is the most amazing opportunity.”

Previously, her position only consisted of editing commercials for the station’s promotional usage. Instead, Ferraro now finds herself in the field shooting packages or teaching others how to do so. She enjoys that the job has allowed her to teach others, even in such a short period of time.

“I think people are really stepping up,” she said. “I already see that people are really capable of writing stories and doing packages. I can’t wait to see what they are able to do later on in the year.”

Ferraro has also received high marks for her performance by a Q30 veteran and current vice president, Sarah Violette.

“Her dedication is impeccable,” Violette said. “And what’s even greater about it is that she is gaining us tons of more views, which makes our channel even better.”

Ferraro says she looks to continue to push towards a career in journalism.

“It’s been fun so far,” she said. “And I can’t wait to do more with it.”

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Colonizing colleges

Courtesy AOII Ramapo

Sororities are a staple of most academic college institutions, hosting events and promoting a sisterhood that is unique and serviceable. Sometimes, sororities go beyond their own school’s barriers, however.

Jillian Cener is the vice president of communications for the Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi at Ramapo College. Alpha Nu consists of 52 sisters and was installed in April of 2011, making it the newest sorority at the school. As part of her duties, she is in charge of managing the chapter’s website, alongside its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Despite joining the organization in Spring of 2012, Cener has already been a vital part of growing the presence of AOII after she and he sisters went down to Monmouth University to help colonize a new chapter.

“It was a really cool experience because my chapter is so new, so I got to see what it was like to start another new chapter,” she said. “It was an honor to be able to be a part of creating this new legacy.”

But Ramapo and Monmouth are intertwined with other schools through the Alpha Omicron Pi organization. Wagner College representatives came to Ramapo to assist the chapter as it was beginning in 2011.

Courtesy Google Maps

As Alpha Nu was in the middle of preparing for its first formal recruitment in 2012, members of the Lehigh chapter invited the sisters to a recruitment workshop at their chapter house. And after some time, the chapter president of Alpha Nu helped the recolonization of Alpha chapter at Columba University, originally AOII’s first chapter.

“It’s such a blessing to be able to help other chapters and know what other chapters are willing to help you in return,” Cener said.

She also said that she is considering running for chapter president this November.

“AOII has made me who I am, and has made me realize my leadership capabilities.”

Courtesy Google Maps

Courtesy Google Maps

Courtesy Google Maps

Courtesy Google Maps

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Coasting to Catholicism

Photo courtesy Coastal Carolina Catholics

By day, professional golf management student Drew Agey hits the links outside the green terrain of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. By night, he sits outside his apartment serenading by-passers with a guitar.

But come every Sunday night at 5:30, he is at Lackey Chapel helping lead the Coastal Carolina Catholics in mass.

Agey is the vice-president of the 15-person organization, and is primarily in charge of relaying instructions from the club’s president to its members. He became involved with the CCC during his freshman year.

“I found a great group of friends and a great group of people,” he said. “We all just started wanting to learn and find out more about ourselves and what we worship.”

Located just minutes from tourist attraction Myrtle Beach, the school intakes a large number of out-of-state students. Forty-seven percent of its students come from primarily Catholic areas of states like New Jersey or Massachusetts. Even so, South Carolina consists mainly of Protestants or Southern Baptists.

Agey and his members devote time and faith into charity work

“About five percent of South Carolina is actually Catholic, so overall, we’re in the minority here,” the college junior said.

Despite this, Agey’s group is active in the community through charities and organizations like Habitat For Humanity. He feels that being in a position to delegate has opened his mind about his peers.

“It’s definitely impressive how much students love to accomplish things,” he said. “When you have people with a common goal, you can get them together to get things done.”

Agey will run for president of the club at year’s end, and looks forward to continue making a difference through his faith.

“It’s a very rewarding experience,” he said. “I’ve definitely taken a lot out of it.”

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