New Director Named for University of Arkansas Student Media

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Robyn Starling-Ledbetter has been named the director of Student Media at the University of Arkansas, taking over supervision of the student media on Monday.

Ledbetter, who has been an instructor in the Lemke Department of Journalism, is a product of the area she began overseeing this week.

"I've been a part of student media as a faculty advisor for almost 10 years and to now move over as director is such a huge honor," Ledbetter said. "I have enormous pride as an alumna of the University and the Lemke Department of Journalism, and to see student media grow and thrive is exciting."

Ledbetter earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in 1996. She spent several years working in television news and teaching high school journalism. In 2006, she earned her Master's Degree in Journalism from the U of A and was hired as an instructor in the program, where she has been advisor to UATV, the television station for Student Media.

"I have been blessed to work with the best of best. It's a joy to work with colleagues who are always in search of what's best for our students and who are incredible educators," Ledbetter said. "As a product of the department, many of them have played a huge role in my life. I'm so excited to continue to work with the journalism faculty and grow student media. "

The Chair of the Journalism Department, Larry Foley, is excited about the energy that Ledbetter brings to the position.

"Robyn has some great ideas about how to bring all components of student media together in a digital age," Foley said. "Her enthusiasm is contagious. As a teacher, she has displayed a talent for encouraging students to work together and she knows how to coach them to get the most out of their abilities. I believe she will excel in this partnership with journalism and Student Affairs."

Student Media, which is a co-curricular program of Student Affairs and Journalism, consists of the Arkansas Traveler newspaper, Razorback Yearbook, The Hill magazine, UATV and KXUA radio station.

"I'm very happy to have Robyn in the director's role," said Scott Flanagin, executive director of communications for Student Affairs, Ledbetter's direct supervisor.  "Together, the student media outlets are a large news gathering and reporting organization. Robyn will help the students understand this and encourage them to work collaboratively and tell the best stories possible through their multiple outlets."

"I'm thrilled to work with student leaders and their advisors. I see a huge push for digital media and evolving the program that mirrors how the industry is changing," Ledbetter said. "Student media is a teaching lab for our students, and I want to continue that for the Lemke Department of Journalism and to help guide the student leaders to be professionals in training."