XU NEWS: Xavier’s Mass Comm. Dept introduces new broadcast show for students by students
By Kaleb Huggins, Staff Writer
January 30, 2025
The cameras roll, the lights flicker on, and an anchor takes a deep breath before delivering the day’s top stories. This isn’t a professional newsroom in New York or Los Angeles: it’s Xavier University’s very own student-run news broadcast, XU News.
XU News is where students create, captivate, and broadcast content that informs and empowers their peers. They operate by one moto, “for students by students” ensuring the news shared applies specifically to Xavier students.
XU News is relatively new to Xavier’s Mass Communication Department. They aired their introduction segment for the spring semester on January 17, 2025, announcing their co-anchor duos, segment names, and publish frequency.
“I am relieved and happy because we got our first one out the way,” said Annie Johnson, the Multimedia Projects Coordinator and advisor for XU News said, “Now, we know the standard and what our capabilities are every time we publish.”
Although XU News is fresh on the scene, this is not the Mass Communication Department’s first broadcast for Xavier affiliated news. Before XU News, there was a magazine-style broadcast called “The Spotlight”, which covered various on-campus topics and news. XU News is more thorough and innovative than past programs regarding communicating on-campus information in a broadcast news style.
Relatability from students is another reason to why XU News is flourishing.
“Students receive Xavier News openly because XU News is so accessible and prides itself on being for students by students. It’s a platform that emphasizes all the need-to-know of student life.” said Tashia Hogen, the executive producer and advisor assistant.
While the intention is to serve the student body, another purpose of the show is to equip students with confidence, interpersonal skills, and other skills needed for the media profession. Each segment is hosted by co-anchors who must work together weekly to pitch story ideas, research, write, and perform cohesively.
“XU News has grown my communication skills. I’ve been able to explore my social skills and speak to a huge amount of people. I know that I am positively impacting the Xavier campus,” said Demarquis Milton, one of the anchors for What’s New with XU.
To positively impact, educate, and inform is the mission of XU News, and this is not just for viewers but participants as well.
“The number one skill I hope that my anchors take away from this experience is confidence. Confidence in themselves. Confidence in embracing the challenge of this business. Even when presented with something unexpected, they should be ready to overcome anything,” exclaimed Johnson.
