Tamara Buck, J.D.
Chair / Professor, Member of Diversity Committee — Mass Media
I'm a former journalist and public relations practitioner and proud native of the Missouri Bootheel. I'm also a teacher, scholar and author who has been recognized for my work as faculty adviser to the Arrow student newspaper. I have been highly called upon as a presenter and trainer on the need for improved media diversity and inclusion inside newsrooms and within news content.
My mission is to inspire and encourage both my students and residents in the region to learn and experience all they can, then share their gifts to improve the region, the state, and the world.
My mission is to inspire and encourage both my students and residents in the region to learn and experience all they can, then share their gifts to improve the region, the state, and the world.
“ My goal as a professor is to produce innovative media professionals who are ethically grounded and have a full understanding of the power and influence they wield as the creators of the first draft of history. ”
WHAT AREA DO YOU TEACH?
Multimedia Journalism
EDUCATION/DEGREE(S)
BA, Mass Communication-Journalism, Southeast MO State University
MSA, Public Administration, Southeast MO State University
JD, University of Memphis
YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING:
My goal as a professor is to produce innovative media professionals who are ethically grounded and have a full understanding of the power and influence they wield as the creators of the first draft of history. To achieve this goal, I strive to continually develop my understanding of modern media platforms, applications and devices and to seek training in how these may be utilized for journalistic storytelling. As a result, I update my curriculum every semester so that it reflects trends in the industry, and I use examples from modern news whenever possible to demonstrate relevancy.
Additionally, I am deeply committed to ensuring my students are attuned to the issues of diversity they will encounter professionally. These issues are ingrained in every class that I teach, because my intent is for my students to understand they unique role they will play in shaping societal viewpoints of marginalized groups and perspectives. I want them to understand the world only gets better once we (media professionals) become better at representation.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TEACH?
Becoming a journalism professor was never my plan -- I planned to spend my life as a newspaper journalist. It was only after a lunch with a former department chair that my interest was sparked. He allowed me to try on the career as an adjunct professor first, and then the opportunity to explore the career further was offered. Now, I'm lucky enough to be able to talk about a subject that I love every day with people who feel the same.
CREDENTIALS/CAREER PATH
Instructor, Southeast MO State University, 2001-2009
Assistant Professor, Southeast MO State University, 2009-2015
Associate Professor, Southeast MO State University, 2015-present
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHT
I've served as multimedia journalism coordinator for this department since 2015. In this role, I am responsible for coordinating the 7-course curriculum and academic advising for some 65 students.
Faculty adviser to the Arrow, the university's award-winning student-run newspaper.
AWARD/HONOR/RECOGNITION
2017 Missouri College Media Association Adviser of the Year finalist
2016 College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award
ORGANIZATION WITH WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED
Associated Collegiate Press
College Media Association
National Association of Black Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
Southeast Missouri Press Association
MOST RECENT/NOTABLE PUBLISHED WORK
2015 Shar’ia Law and the International Free Expression Ideal, 8 MLLL 54 (2015)
2018 Exploring Campus Diversity: Case Studies and Exercises. (3 chapters)
BEST ADVICE FOR STUDENTS
Roll up your sleeves, open your eyes, ears and mind, and get to work!
Multimedia Journalism
EDUCATION/DEGREE(S)
BA, Mass Communication-Journalism, Southeast MO State University
MSA, Public Administration, Southeast MO State University
JD, University of Memphis
YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING:
My goal as a professor is to produce innovative media professionals who are ethically grounded and have a full understanding of the power and influence they wield as the creators of the first draft of history. To achieve this goal, I strive to continually develop my understanding of modern media platforms, applications and devices and to seek training in how these may be utilized for journalistic storytelling. As a result, I update my curriculum every semester so that it reflects trends in the industry, and I use examples from modern news whenever possible to demonstrate relevancy.
Additionally, I am deeply committed to ensuring my students are attuned to the issues of diversity they will encounter professionally. These issues are ingrained in every class that I teach, because my intent is for my students to understand they unique role they will play in shaping societal viewpoints of marginalized groups and perspectives. I want them to understand the world only gets better once we (media professionals) become better at representation.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TEACH?
Becoming a journalism professor was never my plan -- I planned to spend my life as a newspaper journalist. It was only after a lunch with a former department chair that my interest was sparked. He allowed me to try on the career as an adjunct professor first, and then the opportunity to explore the career further was offered. Now, I'm lucky enough to be able to talk about a subject that I love every day with people who feel the same.
CREDENTIALS/CAREER PATH
Instructor, Southeast MO State University, 2001-2009
Assistant Professor, Southeast MO State University, 2009-2015
Associate Professor, Southeast MO State University, 2015-present
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHT
I've served as multimedia journalism coordinator for this department since 2015. In this role, I am responsible for coordinating the 7-course curriculum and academic advising for some 65 students.
Faculty adviser to the Arrow, the university's award-winning student-run newspaper.
AWARD/HONOR/RECOGNITION
2017 Missouri College Media Association Adviser of the Year finalist
2016 College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award
ORGANIZATION WITH WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED
Associated Collegiate Press
College Media Association
National Association of Black Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
Southeast Missouri Press Association
MOST RECENT/NOTABLE PUBLISHED WORK
2015 Shar’ia Law and the International Free Expression Ideal, 8 MLLL 54 (2015)
2018 Exploring Campus Diversity: Case Studies and Exercises. (3 chapters)
BEST ADVICE FOR STUDENTS
Roll up your sleeves, open your eyes, ears and mind, and get to work!
Audience Links
Southeast Missouri State University