Kemp Executive in Residence for Agricultural Communication

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Kelly Kemp, executive in residence for the agricultural communication program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kelly Kemp, a local broadcasting and public relations professional, has been named executive in residence for the Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

 Kemp is the chief advancement officer for The Jones Center/Jones Trust and is a former news anchor for KFSM Channel 5 in Northwest Arkansas.

As executive in residence, Kemp will be heavily involved with the department’s agricultural communication program. Kemp will teach a special topics course in broadcast journalism, Agricultural Broadcast Media Basics, and prepare students for effective communication practices in professional positions.

“I’m very excited to share my experience of working in the television news industry,” said Kemp. “The course will provide a very hands-on experience for students as we go out into the field to produce a number of videos with subject matter relating to areas of study within the Bumpers College.”

The course will help prepare students for careers in broadcast journalism or public relations by providing first-hand experience and emphasizing common industry practices.

Kemp is responsible for securing private funding support for The Jones Center, and for creation and oversight of all external and fundraising-related communications. Also a writer for Celebrate Arkansas magazine, she worked as a news anchor, reporter and producer at KFSM from 1989 to 2004, and still occasionally works for the Fort Smith/Fayetteville station.

George Wardlow, department head for the Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Department, drafted the original guidelines for the Bumpers College Executive in Residence program.

“I am excited to be able to host such a high-profile professional with Kelly’s level of experience as she works with our students and faculty to enhance our programs,” said Wardlow. “I hope that she will be the first of many industry and community leaders with whom we can work in the years to come.”

“My goal is to provide students with a well-rounded experience and practical understanding of what to expect if they’re considering a career in broadcasting or even the public relations field,” said Kemp. “We will touch on writing in the short form, voice delivery, on camera presence, interview techniques and video production.”

In her role, Kemp expects to bridge the gap between classroom and industry by providing life-lessons and experiences not often found in textbooks. She hopes to help students in class while providing insight and guidance from a broadcast and public relations professional.

“In addition to the course she will teach, Kemp’s presence in our department adds strength to our agricultural communication program,” said Jefferson Miller, professor of agricultural communication. “She plans to work one-on-one with students on career development, networking and job-seeking. Her presence in the department will also help keep faculty and students grounded in how curriculum is used in the professional world. Having a practicing professional in our midst is a good way to keep us all grounded and thinking in practical terms.”

The Bumpers College recently instituted the executive in residence program, which was a recommendation by the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. The board agreed it would be beneficial for students to have a successful professional speak about and help prepare students for their careers. Last year, Bernie Murphy, president of Jones-Hamilton Co., an employee-owned chemical business in Walbridge, Ohio, with markets in food, pet food, poultry, steel, water treatment, oil and gas, served as the first executive in residence. Murphy, who earned his master’s degree in poultry science from the University of Arkansas in 1978, helped students learn soft skills needed in the corporate world, including negotiating and strategic thinking.