Conversations with COJO

Mary Jo Nesmith

Student hosts Coryn Wolff Tessa Henderson talk with COJO faculty member Dr. Mary Jo Nesmith, who has designed and taught the online SPCM 101 course for over 10 years.

Lura Roti

Student host Anna Poull talks to COJO alum Lura Roti. Lura is an agriculture journalism and Master of Mass Communication graduate of SDSU. She grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota but today she calls the Cathedral Historic District of Sioux Falls home.
Lura has worked as a freelance journalist and media relations specialist for more than two decades. She loves telling the stories of agriculture and rural life – and engaging with the people, places, science, culture, businesses and organizations that make up South Dakota agriculture. Utilizing diverse platforms to share these stories, Lura’s work can be found in print publications, on the radio, TV and web.
Since 2020, Lura has had the opportunity to share her knowledge with the next generation as an adjunct professor. 

Kevin Kling

Student hosts Coryn Wolff and Tessa Henderson talk to playwright, actor, author, storyteller and cultural advocate Kevin Kling. Kevin visited SDSU on October 16th, and Coryn and Tessa talked with him prior to his visit.

V.J. Smith

Student host Anna Poull talks with V.J. Smith, a 1978 graduate of SDSU. V.J. worked as an assistant athletic director and then executive director of the SDSU Alumni Association. He is a motivational speaker and author, including a book entitled "Jackrabbit Tales."

Jon Bakken

Student hosts Coryn Wolff and Tessa Henderson talk with Jon Bakken, who is the elementary 4th and 5th grade orchestra teacher in Brookings. He is also the author of the book Tiger Meat: The Stories Behind South Dakota’s Best Music, which will be featured at the South Dakota Festival of Books on campus this weekend.  Jon is also hosts the website Tiger Meat: South Dakota Music.

Dr. Hye Soo Chang

Our rebranded “Conversations with COJO” podcast starts off the fall 2024 semester with graduate student host Anna Poull talking with Dr. Hye Soo Chang.
Dr. Chang is a new assistant professor of advertising, and was most recently a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Florida, where she completed her Ph.D. in 2023.
Her research deals with how people psychologically process strategic communication and advertisements and how emotions help behavior changes. 
Dr. Chang teaches advertising principles, research and planning and digital promotions, as well as advising and teaching in the Master of Mass Communication program. 

Makenzie Huber

Our student host Demetria Gilkey talks with Makenzie Huber, a COJO alum and reporter for South Dakota Searchlight.

Baylee Peterson

Student host Anna Poull talks with Baylee Peterson. Baylee is an news anchor for Dakota News Now. Baylee is a COJO alum with a bachelor's degree  in Communication Studies with a minor in Political Science and Marketing.

Erica Summerfield

Student host Anna Poull talks with Erica Summerfield, who will be joining COJO this fall as an assistant professor of agricultural communication. Summerfield is completing her Ph.D. in agricultural communication, education and leadership at The Ohio State University. 

Her research focuses on the intersections of agricultural and communication education. She will teach digital promotions, public relations writing and science writing. In addition, she will assist with curricular revisions and develop new courses in agricultural communication. 

Jim Berman

Student host Anna Poull talks with Jim Berman, President and General Manager, Dakota News Now (KSFY/KDLT).  Jim also serves on the boards of Junior Achievement, Make-A-Wish and Family Services, Inc, and The Children’s Home Society of South Dakota. Jim has been on the board of SEBA youth baseball and coached local youth teams.