NSU student journalist named Louisiana’s only SPJ student rep

Natchitoches - Lia Portillo of Galliano, a senior at Northwestern State University, has accepted a position as the sole student representative for The Society of Professional Journalists-Louisiana. Portillo, who is majoring in New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts, is editor in chief of The Current Sauce, the university's student newspaper, and engaged in other areas of student media.

"My responsibility is to unite SPJ student chapters," she said. "There are currently two in the state: one at LSU and the other at UL-Lafayette. If these chapters were ever faced with censorship or are having problems, I would be the liaison between them and the Pro chapter. Additionally, as the SPJ rep I will try to bring more awareness through social media for the chapter."

As student rep, Portillo will be in a position to receive and disseminate information on employment, grants and networking opportunities that are beneficial to student journalists and will serve as needed as organizational spokesperson to media outlets. She is tasked with establishing, facilitating and ensuring continued dialogue between SPJ-LA chapters across Louisiana.

The student representative is the first point of contact regarding any issues for student journalists in the state, according to SPJ-LA President Sergy Odiduro.

"I have been given the responsibility to uphold. I know I'm not overseeing a lot of chapters, but for Sergy to nominate me and believe in me is really special," Portillo said. "They haven't had someone serve in this role in quite some time, so this year I hope to set the standard and help the Pro Chapter grow in membership and get students to be more involved."

Portillo earned the student rep appointment due to excellence in academics, experience as an award-winning student-journalist and leadership capabilities, according to NMJCA Assistant Professor Dr. Nick Taylor, who recommended her for the appointment to the SPJ/LA board. She connected with Odiduro and other journalists from around the state at least year's Shreveport Journalism Foundation scholarship banquet where she was named recipient of the Orland Dodson Scholarship.

Portillo said that although there are many talented student journalists throughout Louisiana, they don't currently have a way to connect with each other and creating that network while they are still could be beneficial later. She also recognizes this is an opportunity for students from not only NSU but also other universities to gain greater access to SPJ/LA's core group of experienced journalists and community leaders.

"Despite NSU not currently having a student chapter of SPJ, I feel my involvement can create a connection for there to be one, or at least share my contacts with other communication students," she said.

Information on NSU's Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts is available at https://www.nsula.edu/newmedia/.