Journalism and mass communication department

The Finish Line of Student Life: Motorgrad

"Motorgrad. The Story of Blagoevgrad Motorsport" tells about professional racing in Blagoevgrad. A collaborative Capstone project between seniors Viktor Kharyton and Yenlik O'Neill, Motorgrad resulted in a 25-minute documentary coupled with a multimedia digital story. The film had its premiere at the Dr. Carl Djerassi Theater Hall on Feb. 8.

Yenlik is from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Her major is Journalism and Mass Communication, and she is also going to graduate with minors in Literature and Integrated Marketing Communications. She is the Vice President of TEDxAUBG, a club she has been devoted to throughout her AUBG journey. Viktor, who comes from Odessa, Ukraine, is majoring in Political Science and International Relations and Journalism and Mass Communication. He is also Head of the Marketing department of the Rock Jamming Club. His first ride on a professional motorcycle for kids was when he was 10 years old. He then spent seven more years as a professional racer.

We talked to both students to learn more about the filming process, the challenges, takeaways and rewarding moments following the four months of hard work.

AUBG Senior Nikol Peeva: ‘I want people to know that Bulgaria has so much to offer'

9, 189 kilometers. That’s the estimated distance between Jupiter, Florida and Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Two places AUBG student Nikol Peeva calls home. Having spent a big part of her life in the United States, Nikol chose to pursue the American dream in Bulgaria and applied for AUBG. In an interview for AUBG Today, she shared more about growing up on two continents, graduating from an American high school and experiencing four life-changing years at AUBG.

JMC Professor Laura Kelly Wins at OSUN Connected Learning Contest

Professor Laura Kelly, who teaches Journalism and Mass Communication at AUBG, was selected winner at the Open Society University Network (OSUN) Connected Learning Contest for her Video Reflection class assignment. In addition to a $200 winning prize, a description of her teaching method will be included on the OSUN website as a good idea for teachers worldwide.

AUBG student Hristina Tsonkova: At AUBG, ‘everyone is eager to help you’

Hristina Tsonkova, who is a multiple time poetry reciting champion, a passionate aero yoga practitioner and a high-school theatre actor, has recently become part of the AUBG community. The first-year student plans to major in Economics and Journalism & Mass Communication and has already joined two student clubs - the Business Club and the Better Community Club. Hristina says that her participation in a number of competitions -- such as “Bulgaria in My Heart,” Able Mentor Blagoevgrad, Darbi’s Quiz “Education for Future” and the AUBG Multi Talent Quest -- have helped her master her skills, enrich her knowledge and make true friendships. In this interview, she tells us more about her personality, hobbies and interests and first impressions of AUBG.

Thrive and prosper in a fast-paced, hyper-connected world.

Agile. Fluid. Always-on. Cross-platform. Transmedia. Mulitmedia. Social Media. There has been a revolution in journalism and communication over the past decade, and the only certainty in this fast-paced world is that things will continue to change. That’s why our primary focus is to challenge our students to think on their feet. To hone their craft. To practice, write and rewrite, design and deliver messages that speak to their intended audiences and reach them via the most suitable platform.

JMC students learn how to relate to other people, how to ask questions and tell stories. They also learn how to understand and apply ethical principles in design, photography, videography and digital editing. Expect to contribute to democracy via the art of persuasion and representation, and to practice your skills in real-life settings. At AUBG we have a wide variety of student media, including the De Facto newspaper, AUBG DAILY online news publication and several student magazines. We also have a student-run radio station, and opportunities to create TV programs as well as direct, produce, shoot and edit documentaries.

Our documentary club hosts weekly film screenings and talks by film professionals, and students take trips to film festivals, competitions and workshops. Placement in media organizations is a crucial part of the JMC major, and we help students find the ideal internship whether in Bulgaria or abroad. Being connected to journalists around the world is possible through our AUBG Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) club, the first student-run SPJ chapter in Eastern Europe.

A major track in Journalism & Mass Communication is available, as well as a minor in the department.

Did you know that:

AUBG students practice journalism in a variety of student media: Defacto (online and print), AUBG Daily (online), Verve magazine (print), Radio AURA, AUBG TV, Defacto TV, and the academic journal Thoth (online).
AUBG students organized the University’s first ever short film festival in November 2011, screening shorts by both established and aspiring filmmakers. A special guest at AUBG Film Fest was Scott Hillier, cinematographer and director of photography of the Academy Award-winning short documentary Twin Towers. (photo JMC2, JMC2a)
AUBG’s Documentary Club hosts weekly film screenings and talks by professionals in the film production industry.
The Department supports trips to film festivals, competitions, and journalism simulations.
The annual student-organized party JMC Rocks celebrates the Department’s achievements over the academic year.
The Departments sponsors practical workshops and lectures with professionals from the media world.
Award-winning journalists have coached JMC students.
The Department helps students get internship placements in media organizations around the world.
The Department hosts annual exhibitions of student work.