MTSU alumna shares how real-world media training led to campus career on ‘Local on 2’ [+VIDEO]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and full-time employee Karli Sutton is True Blue… like really True Blue. MTSU is the place she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and where she’s wrapping up her master’s degree in media and communication.

Dr. Katie Foss, professor of media studies and director of MTSU's School of Journalism and Strategic Media (2019) — Dr. Katie Foss

Karli Sutton, multimedia specialist, News and Media Relations — Karli Sutton

And it’s the place of her first job as a multimedia specialist after gaining years of invaluable hands-on experience on the Blue Raider campus through its world-class School of Journalism and Strategic Media and experiential learning opportunities like working with Middle Tennessee News where she learned the ins and outs of shooting video, editing, interviewing, producing and more.

On Friday, June 20, Sutton and Director of School of Journalism and Strategic Media Katie Foss appeared on the “MTSU on 2” segment from the studios of WKRN-TV News 2, the ABC affiliate in Nashville to talk about the opportunities and experiences offered in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment and its College of Graduate Studies.

You can watch the segment, part of the station’s Local on 2 programming, with co-host Stephanie Langston below.

Sutton grew up in Nashville, about 45 minutes away from the Murfreesboro-based university. When it came time to decide where she was going to attend college, the decision was easy.

“You never really know what you have in your own backyard until you explore it, and MTSU really was that close-to-home experience for me. I had no idea who I wanted to be when I started my time at MTSU, but through the different experiences and guidance I was given here, I truly was able to come out of my shell,” she said.

After graduating with his bachelor’s in 2022, Sutton immediately enrolled in the media and communication master’s degree program. She’s currently finishing up her thesis and will graduate in December.

But before she even walks across the stage in Murphy Center for her second degree from MTSU, she recently landed a job in the Office of News and Media Relations at the university she loves so much thanks to her skills, expertise and experiences learned in her classes along the way.

“If you would’ve asked me where I would see myself in five years when I first started my freshman semester, I would’ve never expected the answer to still be at MTSU. Not only has this school taught me all the skills I would need in my career, but it also opened pathways for me to apply that education on the very campus where I learned it. I live and breathe True Blue, and I really am proud to always be a Blue Raider,” Sutton said.

Foss has been at MTSU since 2008, and she knows the opportunities journalism students have are unmatched. With access to free tutoring, professional equipment and doing things like covering games for ESPN+, working at the Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival and the CMA Awards and attending events like the Grammy Awards and more, these things are often just steppingstones for students.

From left, Katie Foss, professor and director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Karli Sutton, multimedia specialist for MTSU News and Media Relations and graduate student, and Stephanie Langston, MTSU alumna and co-host of WKRN-TV News 2's "Local on 2" program, are shown in the station's Nashville studios Friday, June 20, where Sutton and Foss were interviewed about the university's various hands-on opportunities to prepare media students for their professional careers. (MTSU photo by DeAnn Hays) — From left, Katie Foss, professor and director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Karli Sutton, multimedia specialist for MTSU News and Media Relations and graduate student, and Stephanie Langston, MTSU alumna and co-host of WKRN-TV News 2’s “Local on 2” program, are shown in the station’s Nashville studios Friday, June 20, where Sutton and Foss were interviewed about the university’s various hands-on opportunities to prepare media students for their professional careers. (MTSU photo by DeAnn Hays)

“We really focus on giving students as many hands-on, engaging experiences as possible. Students don’t just watch or observe — they are the ones creating media. Under the guidance of our faculty, students report on Bonnaroo, the CMA awards, and other events, call games and matches for ESPN+, develop advertising and public relations campaigns for real clients and tell stories abroad,” said Foss.

She continued, “With all of these real opportunities, our students are ready to be hired as media professionals.”

Besides preparing its students for their future careers, MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media begins building relationships with high school students who may be interested in the field by offering camps where students can learn about journalism, content creation, social media and more.

“So many high school students are already doing amazing work at school, through design classes, broadcasting clubs, sports photography, and other activities. For these students and for those who don’t have such opportunities, we offer media-related hands-on workshops during the College of Media and Entertainment’s High School Day held twice per year,” Foss explained.

“We also run a Digital Media and Content Creation camp for high school students, bringing them to campus to learn photo, video, audio, design, and other skills. We love teaching the next generation of storytellers to become both literate in media concepts and technology.”

For more information on MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media, visit https://journalism.mtsu.edu/.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)