Alumna, Advisor for College Station Student Newspaper

By Lauren Black, journalism student

Ms. Cheri Shipman has moved from the professional world of journalism to the role of editorial adviser to The Battalion, student newspaper at Texas A&M University at College Station, to Communications Director at the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

A journalism graduate of A&M-Commerce, Shipman supervised the editorial newsroom of the Battalion, taught students about the various aspects of newspaper journalism, advised them about careers, and oversaw the production of the daily campus publication.

Shipman graduated in 1994 with a degree in journalism and, before accepting the College Station position, she worked for The Dallas Morning News, designing and editing the Sunday front page, special sections, and centerpieces. While in Dallas, she taught editing/production and community newspaper journalism for A&M-Commerce's journalism major as
an adjunct instructor.

The smaller classes and hands-on experience she gained at Commerce prepared her for a newspaper career, said Shipman. A valuable course in Commerce? Media law, she said.

“Any student interested in journalism should work for the Texan and become involved in campus activities to build a resume and better prepare for the professional years after college.”

She was a staff member of The East Texan and The Special, the former magazine of the journalism program. She encourages students to work for campus publications to gain writing experience.

Shipman has earned a master's degree from College Station while advising the Battalion and said one day she may pursue a doctorate in order to advance her love of teaching and higher education.