Office Hours

SJGC Bldg., Room #4003

Virtual office hours upon request.


Current Semester Schedule

JOU 1040E, Language Skills for Media Professionals: Online
JOU 3101CE, Reporting and Writing II: Online


About Me


Valerie D. White, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University and is chair of the Black College Communication Association. The Fort Valley, Georgia, native has advised three college newspapers and has worked in all areas of the media. She has been a public relations practitioner, a television news producer, a newspaper general assignment reporter, sportswriter and photographer, a magazine editor, and a copy editor. Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, traveling, and crafting, particularly cross-stitch and jewelry making.

 


Areas of Interest


  • News writing and editing
  • Media criticism
  • Traveling
  • South African history

Education


  • University of Georgia • Summer 2000
    Ph.D. in Mass Communication
  • University of Missouri-Columbia • Fall 1988
    M.A. in Broadcast Journalism
  • Hampton Institute • Spring 1981 
    B.A. in Mass Media Arts (summa cum laude)

Work History


  • Associate Professor • August 2006 - Present
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Interim Director, Journalism Division • May 2017 - May 2018
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Director, Journalism Division • September 2012 - June 2013
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Director, Journalism Graduate Program • 2010 - 2013
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Assistant Professor and Member of Graduate Faculty • 2000 - 2006
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Adjunct Professor and Adviser, The Peachite • 2008 - 2010
    Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
  • Co-Adviser, The FAMUAN 2006 - 2007
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Editorial Adviser, The FAMUAN • 2005 - 2006
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Adviser, The FAMUAN • 2000 - 2003, 2013 - 2014
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Adviser, Journey Magazine • 2003
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Instructor and Research Assistant • 1995 - 2000
    Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
    University of Georgia, Athens
  • Visiting Assistant Editor • 1996 - 1997
    EBONY South Africa magazine, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Instructor, Journalism (tenured) and Adviser, The Campus Voice • 1989 - 1995
    Florida Community College at Jacksonville
  • Editor, Center for Independent Study • 1987 - 1989
    University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Research Assistant, College of General Studies • 1985 - 1987
    University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Producer and Teaching Assistant, KOMU-TV • 1985 - 1987
    Columbia, MO
  • Reporter/Photographer, KOMU-TV News • 1983 - 1984
    State Capitol Reporter, Missouri Radio News Reporter, KBIA-FM Public Radio, Columbia, MO
  • Administrative Assistant, College and Community Relations • 1981 - 1983
    Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
  • Sports Editor/Reporter/Photographer • 1981
    The Leader-Tribune, Fort Valley, GA

Academic Accomplishments


  • Peer reviewer, Kendall Hunt Publishing Journalism” textbook, 2019
  • Writer, E-Quest Newsletter, Office of Sponsored Programs, Fort Valley State University, 2019
  • Associate producer, “Donald L. Hollowell: Foot Soldier for Equal Justice,” documentary on the Georgia Civil Rights attorney, who was also the attorney for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featured on Georgia Public Television, 2010
  • Editor and designer, Singles: Strengthened, Secured and Spirit-Filled, published by the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, 2007
  • Author, “Starting a Singles Ministry” in Singles: Strengthened, Secured and Spirit-Filled, 2007
  • Producer, documentary on Civil Rights Attorney Donald L. Hollowell, Foot Soldier Project, 2006
  • Producer, Hamilton Holmes: Foot Soldier for Equal Justice” documentary, 2003
  • Reviewer/judge, Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication Research Symposium, 2001
  • Dissertation,EBONY South Africa magazine: A case study in organizational structure,” 2000
  • Researcher, Foot Soldier Projectfor Civil Rights study and research at the University of Georgia, 1998-2008
  • Script development, “Foot Soldier for Equal Justice,” a two-part documentary about the desegregation of the University of Georgia, which premiered on Georgia Public Television on February 28, 2000, 1996-1998
  • The relationship between Roy V. Harris and Ralph McGill,” paper, 1996-1997
  • Thesis: “The Kerner Commission Report as it relates to newspaper coverage of Blacks in a small city with competing newspapers,” 1988

 


Awards


  • Fellow, Solutions Journalism HBCU/Black Press Academy + Lede, inaugural cohort (grant $7,500), 2023
  • Fellow, Dow Jones News Fund Multimedia Training Academy, 2022
  • Recipient, Pacesetter Award from Center for Disability Access and Resources, Florida A&M University, 2021
  • Finalist, FAMU Advanced Teacher of the Year, 2019
  • Fellow, IRTS Faculty Seminar, “Freedom of the Press & Journalism in Changing Times,” 2017
  • Fellow, IRTS Faculty/Industry Seminar, Media Insiders: Today's Opportunities & Tomorrow's Challenges,2016
  • Fellow, Dow Jones Multimedia Workshop for HBCU Faculty, Western Kentucky University, 2009
  • Distinguished Adviser Award (College Media Advisers), 2007
  • Barry Bingham Sr. Fellowship, National Conference of Editorial Writers, award for faculty members who have shown great initiative in mentoring minority college students, 2007
  • FAMU Teacher of the Year, 2007
  • Fellow, Society of American Business Editors and Writers, 2006
  • Recipient, Cox Center Scholarship for International Study - $10,000 awarded to one student annually, 1997
  • Invited participant, 25 Years Since Kerner, Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 1994
  • Teaching Fellow, College Newspaper Advisers, Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 1992
  • December Employee of the Month, Downtown Campus, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, 1990

Courses Taught At FAMU


  • JOU 1040E, Language Skills for Media Professionals
  • JOU 3101CE, Reporting and Writing II