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Learn More than Just School

Press Play Podcast explores the future of communication by talking to those who are building that future. In each episode, you can learn from ground breakers, influencers, storytellers, and leaders share how they are trying to change the world, and what advice they would give to students on how they can change it too!

You are able to listen to the podcast on Soundcloud, Google Play or iTunes. This allows you to choose from three different platforms to listen in on their episodes. I love when you can choose from more than one platform because there are so many out there. Choose what is best for you!

Recently, they interviewed Stefanie Asin, the director of Public Relations and Creative Services at Houston Methodist.he shared her past 22 years of work and build up to become what she is today. She also shares advice on how you can achieve your goals and gain the knowledge you need to change the world. 

What is amazing about the podcast is that you can also listen to Spanish episodes. It is diverse for everyone and anyone to listen to and get advice from. I love this about Jack J. Valenti because they always make sure not to leave anyone out of what they are doing for their students. 

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, they had Nicole Aguilar, Cuban and Spanish American producer of post production in Hollywood. For those who feel like an outcast, this is the one for you! Nicole Aguilar speaks on how she worked extremely hard to get where she is today. She went through many trials to get there, but she was able to achieve her dream with hardwork and dedication.

Fernando Pizarro was brought on to discuss what it is like as a Spanish speaking journalist. He gives his insight on where he thinks America will be years from now in the Spanish journalism world, and gives advice given he has been in the industry for more than 20 years! He has a lot of information to share on how he thinks we can change America for the better. 

All in all, Jack J. Valenti goes above and beyond to make sure students have what they need to learn about more than just their major or minor. They give students multiple opportunities to color outside the lines, and do more than just school. This is why I love being part of Jack J. Valenti school. I would recommend the school to everyone, and would also recommend the Press Play podcast as well. I believe the school gives the best opportunities to their students, and takes each student into consideration when making decisions. You can go beyond just taking classes. You can join programs, attend events, get insight on what is happening globally and nationally, and you can go to sleep at night knowing your school is taking care of your needs when it comes to your future and where you want to be!

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Set up Future

Jack J. Valenti…and the computer lab! First things first. Have you ever been to a college and you aren't able to find anywhere to sit and do homework? That has happened to me many times. I have endlessly walked around campus looking for a place to camp out and get my work done. The library is always packed too. Don’t even try to go in there and find something when you are in a time crunch. That being said, Jack J. Valenti offers something magical to students: A computer lab!

Yes! A lab on the second floor of the Valenti building. Like I just stated, I have spent hours sometimes trying to find a comfortable space to complete work. It is always too packed, too loud, one person taking up a six seater desk.. It is insane how a 895 acre college can only have so much seating area! 

Being part of the Jack J. Valenti college, I am able to use the computer lab’s computer, printer, and tables to complete my work daily. They also have staff that work at the front desk who can hep you with any technical issue you are having. When I wasn't able to log into the computers, they were the first to come help me get everything situated so I was not late on my assignment submission. They also have plugs all over the room that you are able to use to charge your personal computers, phones, and tablets. This is very convenient given everything is remote these days, and we need to always have a charging station ready. 

It is also convenient that most classes for Jack J. Valenti college participants are in that building. I am able to use the computer lab, charge my things, get my work done, and then walk downstairs to class and make it there on time. I never have to rush to any classes because they are all within walking distance from the computer lab!

I always highly recommend being in the Jack J. Valenti for obvious reasons, but this one is a not so obvious advantage of being part of it. Most students that I talk to always talk about how happy they are that Valenti included the computer lab and for the students to use. They keep it open during class time hours so you are able to stop by throughout the day. Students also appreciate the computer lab size and how it can fit a great number of students. It is not limited to the amount of people it can hold. I also can attest that the room is spacious enough to not be elbow to elbow, especially during this pandemic. 

Jack J. Valenti does its most to make sure students are set when attending the University of Houston. They make everything convenient for the students, and make sure they have the necessary tools to achieve their goals and assignments on time. Join the college if you are looking to achieve your dreams and have a set up successful future! 

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A Students Dream

Jack J. Valenti school has been accommodating everyone since COVID-19. I had gotten the coronavirus at the beginning of the 2021 school year, and all of my professors were accodiating during that time frame. I had to be out of class due to my body aches and how sick I was. At the time, my classes were online, and they still did not expect me to join my online class zooms because of how terrible I was feeling. Knowing the college is hiring such accommodating teachers shows that the college is looking for the best interest of the student. 

Faculty and staff at the Valenti School of Communication continue to adapt their classes and teaching styles to ensure students are taken care of in the online learning environment. I love this! Being able to have a teacher who has changed their teaching methods to what is going on in the real world is amazing. Dr. Youmei Liu is a professor at Jack J. Valenti school who has learned to change his teaching ways due to COVID-19. He responded to this challenge by pushing back deadlines, granting students extra time to complete projects and even rearranging tests to be taken at the convenience of students. His motto is to “release students from stress”!

Another profesor, Philip Emery, has also shown grace to his students during the pandemic. Not only did he switch classrooms in the beginning of the semester to give us more space to sit apart, but he also changed his classwork assignments to make sure students were able to work alone and at home in a safe environment. This has ensured students safety while also being able to teach them the material they need to learn. 

Professor Jan Uhrick has gone above and beyond to allow students to work from home if needing to. In the beginning of the semester when my household had a COVID-19 breakout, I was able to quarantine at home while doing my school work so I was not falling behind. She trusts her students to get everything completed at home and to not fall behind. 

Professor Stuart Staney, one of my favorite professors I have ever had, was affected by COVID-19 in the worst ways possible. Before he passed away, I was lucky enough to have taken his class online for a semester. He was loving towards his students, and also made us feel like we were sitting in a classroom instead of over a computer. He switched his entire teaching dynamic so that students were able to get used to doing online schooling. He left a legacy on this campus. 

Jack J. Valenti has done an amazing job hiring trusting professors who care for their students' safety. Join the college to see for yourself!

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Teaching Makes a Difference

Who doesn’t like mixing work and pleasure? Imagine, being able to learn from a top dog himself. Jack J. Valenti school gives you this opportunity! This takes learning to a new level. Hollywood director Micheal Grossman and media production professor Keith Houk are marking their ninth year of working together with Jack J. Valenti students. 

The professor and director work closely with their students to direct films created by the class. Not only has this given students the ability to learn what it takes to actually direct something, but they are learning from an actual director! Micheal Grossman has directed and produced big name films and shows such as Drop Dead Diva (my favorite) and a house favorite Pretty Little Liars. These shows, and many more he has directed, have skyrocketed into huge shows known by everyone. He has also directed many boxoffice movies like The Invisible Man and Fixing Pete. 

This kind of exposure in the film industry is wonderful for students to learn from. They are able to get first hand experience in the film world, and what it is like to try to be successful in the industry. Michael Grossman still makes time for the students considering how busy he is filming and directing big time shows and movies. It teaches the students drive and dedication which is hard to teach people if you aren't doing it yourself. 

Jack J. Valetnti gives students the opportunity to work in real life instances. This is something that not most colleges do. I have been a part of many colleges before this one, and I am able to notice a significant difference in teaching strategies that they perform. Giving students these kinds of opportunities is what allows students to reach their full potential. I think that this is more beneficial than just lecturing in a classroom and taking tests over material. What is that going to teach your students? How to cram material in a short amount of time? That is not what students need to be learning. 

Waking up in the morning and being excited to go to school is the best thing a college can do for their students, and that is what Jack J. Valenti does. They give their teachers the ability to teach what they want, and find ways to allow their students to collaborate what they are learning to real life events and assignments. Michael Grossman and professor Keith Houk give that drive to their students, and it is wonderful to watch. 

Come be a part of Jack J. Valenti and see how your education will be pushed to the test! Not only will you gain knowledge of your degree, but you will do so in a way that is fun and worth it. Paying for an education that is getting you nowhere is the worst thing you can do to yourself. Make the change, and see the difference! 

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Valenti Takes on COVID-19

COVID-19. At this point, everyone in the world has heard about it and are still working to adjust their everyday lives because of it. Since the vaccine has been released, there has been a lot of controversy on whether or not you need to have it. Many health professionals have advised people to receive the vaccine, and many hospitals and organizations have done what they can to share information regarding the vaccine to those who do not know much about it. It has become a mission to share awareness about the vaccine, and the advantages of getting the vaccine. 

With all of this going on Fort Bend County’s Health & Human Services has decided to work along Valenti School of Communication  students to raise awareness about becoming vaccinated. Dr. Jennifer Vardeman, interim director of the Valenti School of Communication who specializes in strategic communication, created a group of students and UH alumni to help create a public service announcement (PSA) to incentivize Fort Bend County residents to get their vaccine shot. 

Not only has this been something that has positively helped residents at Fort Bend County, but it has also taught Valenti School of Communication students how to raise awareness on such an important matter. The students worked rain or shine, day or night to ensure everyone was able to receive the correct information regarding the vaccine. 

The project was broken into three parts: the research and production work, led by the eight graduate students and alumni; the filming and post-production of the PSA, led by media production professor Craig Crowe’s Valenti Production House students; and raising awareness about the PSA, led by strategic communication students in Valenti Integrated. This gave each group direction on what they were to focus on, and kept things organized. Announcements regarding the vaccine focused on togetherness — messages on how getting the vaccine could reunite friends and family together.

The group looked at other videos regarding the vaccine to compare what type of message they wanted to convey. They ended up with two big themes: One of the videos would be about misconceptions, and the other would be about togetherness. What was awesome is they used real people in their videos and announcements, which allowed viewers to hear real and honest stories. This also allowed everyone to relate to them since they had a diverse community they used. No one was left out!

Senior media production student Charles Bergman, camera operator and editor for the PSA, states, “I do recommend this kind of experience to other students because this is a great way to get to know other students you work with. It is also an opportunity to work on bigger electronic field productions that you may not be able to get through regular classes... personally found it to be a way to explore outside of my video comfort zone, which may also be the case for other students.”

This goes to show the kind of drive Valenti students have to think outside the box, and help change the future!

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A School That Cares

Drumroll please.. Rodeo Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is back! And for students at the Valenti School of Communication pursuing careers in media production, this is a fun way to help improve your education while attending the University of Houston. 

For those who are not Houstonions and need a little more information on the Rodeo Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, this is the one month where everyone around Houston comes together to enjoy a night of live concerts, greasy food, crazy rides, and the best bull riding shows in town! They say everything's bigger in Texas, and this rodeo sure does solidify that. The Houston Livestock Rodeo is considered one of the largest rodeos in the world, and it happens yearly at NRG Stadium in downtown Houston. After not having the rodeo for two years because of COVID-19, Texan’s are ready to put their boots on and boot-scooch-boogie their way to Houston. 

The Valenti School of Communication does an amazing job teaching incoming students everything they need to know to be successful with their future jobs, giving them every opportunity to try different things, and think outside of the box. 

The Valenti School of Communication gives students the opportunity to work with the Houston Livestock Show during the month they are here in Houston. Not only is the rodeo a fun event for University of Houston students to attend but being able to work it as an internship for school adds icing to the cake. Students are able to work as part of the media crew, filming the large livestock rodeo concerts. Not only does it teach the students how to work with a team, but they are also learning what it is like to work for a large company, and making sure steps are taken to successfully reach the end of each performance. 

Students from the University of Houston have expressed their gratitude for the opportunities that the Valenti School of Communications have given them. Being able to connect with the Houston Livestock Rodeo is one of many opportunities the Valenti school gives students. Even during the pandemic, Valenti was able to still make it happen for their students. They connected with the rodeo to still allow the students to work for them in a safe environment. By allowing the students to go online, they were able to learn a new way of working for a huge and busy company. The students thought their learning was coming to an end, but the college went above and beyond to make sure their education was mastered one way or another. The school sets up each student for success and gives them multiple ways to reach their goals. 

Being a student at the University of Houston, and being a part of the Valenti School, I have seen the school go above and beyond for their students to allow them to take real life opportunities and use them to their advantage. It is an honor to be able to say that I attend the University of Houston and am in the Valenti school.