In a bid to elevate its journalism program, Texas A&M University is boosting its academic roster with the addition of three experienced journalists. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the university has hired CNN's Mariano Castillo and Flora Charner, along with Paul O'Donnell from the Dallas Morning News. The trio is expected to bring a real-world edge to a program looking to deepen its roots in journalistic principles and ethics.
The revival comes after Texas A&M's journalism program faced flak over hiring practices, notably the controversy surrounding Black journalist Kathleen McElroy. Amidst a backdrop of resignation and a $1 million settlement, the school is now steadfast in its course correction. According to KBTX, Dr. Nathan Crick, a professor integral to the program's launch, emphasized that new hires will strengthen the connection between theoretical understanding and journalistic practice.
With these professional appointments, Texas A&M is aiming to stand out on the national stage in terms of its journalism department. Castillo, director of news standards and practices, and Charner, CNN's weekend director of coverage, bolster the program’s focus on ethical reporting. O'Donnell, as the senior business editor, introduces expertise in multimedia and precise news writing. These professors of practice are set to guide about 80 journalism majors toward storytelling integrity.
Speaking to KBTX, Crick put forth the school's aspirations, "We want to be one of the premier departments in journalism in the coming years." The timeline toward this goal may have faced obstacles, but the school's determination is apparent in these strategic hires and the expanded academic routes now available to students, including Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism, featuring specializations leveraging A&M’s strengths.
The setbacks have not dulled Texas A&M University's resolve to dust off and press forward. With a redefined outlook and fresh talent on board, both students and faculty look forward to contributing to a chapter where journalistic integrity and academic freedom hold sway. As Hart Blanton, head of A&M’s Department of Communication and Journalism, told the Houston Chronicle, there is an optimism that cuts through former controversies, noting that "they’re not a real fear-prone group," referring to journalists.
