As a new academic year begins, the School of Media and Journalism is pleased to welcome two new faculty members. Meet Peter Bobkowski and Andrea Lorenz!
Peter Bobkowski
Peter Bobkowski joins the faculty as the new Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism and Professor. He is an expert on scholastic journalism and most recently was professor at the University of Kansas. He will be teaching Media, Power and Culture during Fall 2023.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to getting to know our students in the Media, Power and Culture class. Our field—media and journalism—is so dynamic, I’m excited to have the opportunity for our students to teach me about their media.
What was your favorite class as an undergrad?
I took a religious studies course in my sophomore year called Shamanism, in which we learned about individuals across cultures who served as connections to the spiritual world. I was fascinated by the ethnographies we read in that class. Media serve as modern-day shamans for many, connecting them to realities beyond the here-and-now. I continue to be fascinated by that dynamic, and it continues to shape my research and teaching.
What's something that currently excites or intrigues you related to your professional expertise?
A key goal for the Knight Chair is to support journalism students and teachers in high schools and middle schools. I am intrigued by how we can better help high school students understand the breadth of careers in media and journalism, and how to support them in their transition to college.
What's something you want the Kent community to know about you?
I love biking and I’m excited to discover all of the beautiful bike paths in the region. I’m open to suggestions about where I should bike next, and how to stay active once it gets too cold for biking.
Andrea Lorenz
Andrea Lorenz joins the Kent State Media and Journalism faculty as Assistant Professor. She researches interactions between media and democracy, especially those related to local news, gender, technology and political communication. She will teach Writing for Media and Ethics and Issues in Media and Journalism this semester.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to spending time getting to know Kent students—and to enjoying a beautiful fall on campus.
What was your favorite class as an undergrad?
My favorite class was in Peace Studies and focused on the U.S. decision to use nuclear weapons in Japan during World War II. It shaped my worldview more than my future career, but it’s a class that has stuck with me for decades.
What's something that currently excites or intrigues you related to your research?
One topic I’m intrigued by is how innovations in local news are aiming to create information systems that improve how all people experience democracy.
What's something you want the Kent community to know about you?
Years ago as a new high school journalism teacher, I attended the ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute at Kent State. The community and student focus at the School of Media and Journalism stood out to me then, and I’m excited to now be a part of the community.