A journalism school launches itself into the future

Last week, the University of Syracuse announced its brand-new Center for the Creator Economy, “the first academic center of its kind on a U.S. college campus.”

The center plans to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in creative content, audience engagement and digital strategy, along with experiential opportunities, speakers, incubators, makerspaces, research and thought leadership.

Especially interesting is its partnership with Syracuse Athletics and their sports college to “help student-athletes and the University compete in the changing athletics landscape.”

This move by Syracuse telegraphs something significant about the future of journalism education. The question is whether or not we're willing to receive that message.

Of course, the easiest way to teach something you know nothing about is to avoid teaching it at all. Many times when I'm speaking to adult professionals, including journalism professors, they sheepishly admit they are not on social media much.

I am not here to shame you. For those of you who are light years ahead and already embrace every technology under the sun, kudos to you. Your grasp of the topic is going to make you a more valuable professor in the long run.

For the rest of you (OK, rest of us) still struggling with digital concepts, I offer you a challenge and some resources.

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