KRNU Campus Voices

Jay Wilkinson is a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for purpose-driven business. A 1988 graduate from the College of Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Firespring, an agency providing creative, marketing, printing and technology solutions to help businesses and nonprofits prosper. It is Nebraska’s first Certified B Corporation and was featured in Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 50 Places to Work in America. He also founded the Do More Good Movement, an organization created to educate, empower and amplify companies and business leaders doing more good for their various stakeholders. Wilkinson returned to the UNL campus in April of 2025 as the college's Alumni Master for the year. He visited Campus Voices to reflect on his time at UNL and how it prepared him for the various ventures he has pursued.

Lucinda Austin is an associate professor and the associate dean for graduate studies and research at the Hussman School of Journalism & Media at the University of North Carolina.She joined the UNC faculty in July 2016 and teaches courses in public relations and strategic communication. Her research focuses on social media’s influence on strategic communication initiatives, namely health and crisis communication, and explores publics’ perspectives in corporate social responsibility and organization-public relationship building.Dr. Austin earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was recipient of the 2011 Charles Richardson Most Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award and the 2009 Outstanding Teaching Award. She has published work in a number of academic journals.She visited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus in April 2025 to work with College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dean Shari Vail as part of a mentorship partnership through the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and the Association of Schools of Journalism & Mass Communication.

J.J. Jurgens is a broadcast producer, writer, creative director, editor and vocal performance professional. An Omaha native, she played basketball for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1994-98 while studying in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She was the first person to graduate from UNL's specialized Sports Marketing/Broadcasting Master's program in 2000 and worked for HuskerVision, UNL's athletic television production group. Following graduation, she moved to the west coast where she worked in a variety of broadcast production capacities, including 8 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 21 years with CBS. She also owns her own voice over and creative production firms. She returned to the UNL campus to visit with journalism students in late March of 2025.

Lydia Hernendez talked to Robert Russel, Center for Academic Success and Transition Director about the importance of the CAST program at UNL.

Mackenzie Noble hosts Campus Voices with guest Dr. Vernetta Kosalka, an Assistant Professor ofPractice in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr.Kosalka shares insights from her extensive career, including owning a wedding planning business andworking in various hospitality roles.

Just Diep is joined ASUN Speaker of the Senate Renata Cadena to discuss her time as a Senator and the closure of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Trevor Darnell sits down with Dylan Jurgens, the peer mentor in charge of the Press Box LearningCommunity at UNL. Jurgens talks about what it is like to be both a peer mentor and a member of alearning community and why learning communities are so beneficial. Listen in to learn more about thelearning communities at UNL!

Rex McKeeman interviewsJaiden Schilke about the UNL Esports club. They discuss the evolution ofUNL Esports and the community around it.