Center for Community Media Welcomes New Leaders
Governors State University (GSU) welcomes Summer Fields Hayda and Julie Keck as co-chairs of the recently launched Center for Community Media.
Hayda and Keck, who were recently elected by CCM’s Advisory Board, bring vital experience to effectively lead the new production, teaching, and research center, which is touted to be the broadcasting hub of the Southland.
Their leadership adds to an already powerful board of directors which includes Steve Edwards, former Chief Content Officer of WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Emmy award winning journalist Micah Materre of WGN News, Julian Green, Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Chicago Cubs, Investigative Journalist Mago Torres and more.
The co-chairs will help guide and inspire the center to deliver high-quality programming, support local stories and diverse storytellers, build an engaged audience, develop media skills across the curriculum, and open industry gateway opportunities for students, said Dr. Novia Pagone, Interim Director of the CCM Steering Committee.
“Summer and Julie bring expertise and energy the center needs,” Pagone said. “I’m looking forward to the great things the CCM is able to accomplish under their leadership.”
Hayda, Senior Account Executive at Movable Ink, previously served as the Engagement Manager and Growth Lead at Hearken, an audience and community engagement company. She has deep roots in the Southland, having grown up in Richton Park and attended Marian Catholic High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Chicago. Her professional background spans sales, revenue leadership and client success in startups. In her capacity as a CCM Advisory Board member, she served as a facilitator at the Red Summer community discussion.
Keck is a filmmaker and communications consultant, serving as a Consulting Producer for the storytelling initiatives of Nia Tero, a global nonprofit supporting Indigenous land guardianship. She is also a co-founder of Breaking Light Studio, an incubator for intersectional artists seeking sustainable careers in the film and TV industry. She has produced over 20 web series and two features, and is the co-author of Social Media Charm School, a guide to film marketing for creative entrepreneurs.
The new leadership comes amid the successful launch of the center, which kicked off with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Jelena Radovic-Fanta, Associate Professor of Anthropology at GSU. At the long-awaited event, special guests Moustafa Bayoumi and Oswaldo Zavala gave important insights on democracy, inclusion and the media.
During a moving speech, President Cheryl Green told audience members that the CCM is a result of GSU’s faculty, staff and students working together for the benefit of the campus, the region and beyond.
“The CCM is a direct outflow of GSU’s vision of stimulating the public square and promoting the quality of life for our campus community and Chicago’s Southland region that has long been neglected by many media sources,” Green said.
The center is slated to launch a radio station in fall 2023 and is in need of student volunteers. Those who are interested can learn more by reaching out to Dr. Pagone at communitymedia@govst.edu.