RAYMOND – She’s a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a full-time guard at the Jackson airport. She’s also Tay2.0, a radio personality for WHRU-FM, Hinds Community College’s radio station, and a full-time student on the college’s Utica Campus.
Shannon Brown-Jeans, 43, for years dreamed she could be a part of Hinds’ Radio and Television Production & Broadcasting Technology program. When her brother and mother died in 2021 and 2023 from medical issues, she decided it was time to go to college.
Hinds CC Utica Campus sophomore and multimedia personality Shannon Brown-Jeans of Jackson is the Mississippi Association of Broadcasting Radio Student Broadcaster of the Year.
“I wanted to do something in their honor, so this is for them,” said Brown-Jeans, of Jackson, who recently was named Radio Student Broadcaster of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters, (MAB) the first Hinds student to win the annual award. “I know she would be so proud.”
Brown-Jeans will graduate from the 40-year-old program in May with an associate degree. The nontraditional student has a bright future in the radio industry, said MeKiyla Brown, chair, advisor and instructor for the program.
Hinds CC Utica Campus broadcast students work in the studio control room during a show as program Chair, Advisor & Instructor MeKiyla Brown (standing) directs.
“She blows us out the water with her unique personality and her outstanding radio show. It’s always a pleasure to hear her get on the radio and do her little intro,” said MeKiyla Brown.
Brown-Jeans’ award was one of many the program earned during the school year. Freshman broadcast major Tyler Dotson of Byram was a finalist for MAB’s Television Student of the Year Award. MeKiyla Brown said Dotson can direct entire news shows by himself with no instruction.
Hinds CC Utica Campus anchor/student reporter Kamaria Seaton of Greenville and anchor/student reporter, Nicholas Lofton of Utica host the news on WHUC News 7.
In addition to the individual awards, Hinds’ WHUC News 7, also located on the Utica Campus, collected two first place awards, two second place awards and one third place award at the broadcasting association’s March gala. At MAB’s student conference in November, WHUC News 7 won four first place awards and three second place awards.
Timothy Crisler, Dean of Technology – Career and Technical Education, said the students arrive early and stay late, sometimes until 9 p.m. During a typical school day, students head out into the field to cover events on Hinds’ six campuses after an hourlong morning lecture, then return to produce news stories in the evening for airing the same day or later.
“This is one of the hardest working groups we have had,” said Crisler, previously the program’s chair, advisor and instructor and a longtime producer with Jackson’s WLBT-3. “It pays off. A lot of our students go on to work in the industry. They get internships, they work in the Jackson market. We have former students in stations in Meridian, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.”
Hinds CC Utica Campus student reporter Evan Stewart of Ridgeland and sports anchor Jakobey Johnson of Gulfport talk sports on WHUC News 7.
During the two-year program, students focus on multiple aspects of the broadcast news business. They must learn 21 skills so that if they land a job in the business, they understand the role of each newsroom position, from talk show host, technical director and teleprompter to audio controller, graphic generator and reporter.
“It makes them more marketable. I would love for them to be proficient in each, but I always say, if they put their mind to it, they can be proficient in six or seven,” said MeKiyla Brown, an alumnus of the program.
Hinds CC Utica Campus freshman broadcast major Tyler Dotson of Byram was a finalist for the Mississippi Association of Broadcasting Television Student of the Year Award.
Sophomore Ky Beard, a multimedia journalist/student reporter from Jackson, was a music major and videographer for sports teams at Gulf Coast Community College when she met Crisler, who convinced her to join the Utica Campus program. Her grandfather worked in the news business, she said, which is one reason she decided to try it.
Beard said she loves telling the stories of alumni who graduated from the Utica Campus and relaying the history of the people who live in Utica.
“So, I’m following in my grandfather’s footsteps,” said Beard, who will attend Jackson State University in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.
Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.
Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.
Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.
To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.