Interview with Lorraine Pepo: Director of Student Publications at Southeastern Louisiana University

Professional Profile and Career Trajectory

  • Name and Title: Lorraine Pepo is the Director for the Office of Student Publications at Southeastern Louisiana University.
  • Foundational Experience: Her journey with student publications began during her own time as a student worker. Her initial role involved assisting the administrative assistant at that time.
  • Academic and Professional Progression:     * She moved through her academic career into a graduate assistant (GA) position.     * She served as the editor for The Lion's Roar during her student tenure.     * She transitioned into a full-time professional career as a Coordinator while finishing her master's degree.     * She was eventually named the Director of the department, a role she assumed a couple of years ago.

Operational Workflow of The Lion's Roar

  • Seasonal Variability: A typical work week varies depending on the time of the semester. Major events like Homecoming and the end of the semester result in significantly busier schedules.
  • Weekly Routine:     * Mondays: The primary focus is preparation for the email newsletter, which is distributed every Tuesday. This involves gathering and finalizing all content to be included.     * Tuesdays: This day is dedicated to the distribution of the newsletter, ensuring the content is polished and ready for the readership.     * Wednesdays: This is considered a "catch up day" but also includes the editors meeting. During this time, student editors discuss campus events, trending topics, and internal office issues that require attention.     * Thursdays: Work is shifted toward the "sister publication," which is a souvenir yearbook.     * Fridays: The full staff meets to distribute assignments, discuss upcoming events, and engage in training sessions regarding policy, procedure, and general practices.
  • General Administrative Duties: Outside of specific publication tasks, Lorraine Pepo manages professional duties associated with the Division for Student Affairs.

Desired Qualities for Student Journalists

  • Curiosity: Reporters must be inherently curious about the world around them and campus events.
  • Confidence: Students must be comfortable stepping out of their comfort zones. This includes interviewing individuals they do not know, including high-level administrators which can be intimidating.
  • Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changes in the environment and "pivot" when circumstances require a change in direction is essential.

Student Mentorship and Growth

  • The Editor-in-Chief Role: Lorraine Pepo works very closely with the Editor-in-Chief (EIC). This role involves two primary levels of responsibility:     1. Management: overseeing content creation, making assignments, and meeting deadlines.     2. Peer Leadership: Guiding fellow students who may be struggling academically or dealing with personal issues that impact their work quality.
  • Development of Confidence: Significant growth is observed when editors gain the confidence to lead their staff and navigate difficult conversations. Pepo notes that witnessing an editor implement the leadership values she has instilled in them is a marker of success.

The Role and Evolution of Student Media

  • Purpose of Student Media: It serves a dual purpose as an information source for the campus and an experimental learning environment. It provides a space for students to engage in "hands-on learning" and make mistakes before entering the professional workforce.
  • Technological Shift: While the core principles and goals of journalism have remained constant, the tools have changed dramatically over the last 20 years:     * Past Tools: Literal tape (voice) recorders, notepads, pens, and exclusively face-to-face interviews.     * Modern Tools: Digital platforms like Zoom and Google Meet for remote interviews, and smartphones (iPhones and Androids) equipped with specialized apps.
  • Transition to Digital: The publications have transitioned from being print-based to being "solely digital."

Ethics, Standards, and Credibility

  • Ethical Framework: The department follows the ethical guidelines established by the Society for Professional Journalists.
  • Professional Alignment: The publication strives to mirror the practices of professional news organizations and strictly adheres to AP (Associated Press) style.
  • Credibility Building: Proper training and a firm sets of ethical guidelines are used to build trust and credibility with the readership.

Legacy and Future Goals

  • Adaptation: Pepo hopes her legacy will be defined by an openness to change and the successful integration of evolving technology.
  • Continuity: Her goal is to ensure the person who follows her in the Director role feels confident picking up where she left off and can continue to improve the department beyond its current state.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "Can you state your name, occupation, and description of your title here at the line drawer?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): Pepo identifies herself as the director for the office of student publications at Southeastern Louisiana University.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "What inspired you to work in a student publication, and how did you your journey lead you to this role?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): Pepo recounts her journey from student worker to graduate assistant, editor, coordinator, and finally director.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "What does a typical week look like for you working with the lion's ruler?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): Pepo provides a detailed Monday-through-Friday breakdown of newsletter production, team meetings, and yearbook work.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "What qualities would you like to see from students and reporters and editors in the line drawer?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She emphasizes curiosity, confidence, and adaptability.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "Can you share a moment when you saw a student grow significantly under your guidance?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She discusses the growth of editors-in-chief in their peer leadership roles.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "Why do you think student student media is important to a college campus?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She highlights it as a learning environment that allows for mistakes and hands-on preparation for the professional world.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "How has student journalism changed since you started your career?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She contrasts the old tools (tape recorders) with modern digital technology (Zoom, smartphones).
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "How do you help students navigate issues like misinformation or ethical reporting?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She explains the use of Society for Professional Journalists guidelines, AP style, and administrative training.
  • Question (Audience/Interviewer): "Finally, what legacy do you hope to leave at the Lions' Roar?"
  • Response (Lorraine Pepo): She expresses a desire to have been a leader who adapted well to technology and left the office better than she found it.