The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Mid-America has selected Dr. Deborah Larson, professor and interim head of the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (CMJF), to serve on its Board of Governors.

Larson will serve a two-year term. She will work on the Education Committee in addition to her regular board member duties.

According to its website, the NATAS Mid-America chapter was chartered in 1962 and represents television markets in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Louisiana.

Larson sought out by Emmy board

Because they were looking for an education committee person to serve, NATAS Mid-America sought out Larson specifically to serve on its board of governors.

“Our media students have been very successful with winning multiple college Emmy awards – regionally and nationally – for ‘Epilogue,’ ‘Show-Me Chefs’ and ‘Co-Op’ TV shows, so I was on their radar,” Larson said.

The board was aware of Larson’s successful efforts in teaching television production courses at MSU for over 20 years.

“We strived to create content that was at least Emmy submission worthy,” Larson said about her teaching. “It’s a bar that is high, but it is a prestigious recognition that everyone knows.”

Committee role will promote college and high school media programs

Larson was excited to be asked to join the board of governors in part because of the enormous prestige associated with the Emmys.

“I was thrilled about being asked to serve because we all know that the Emmys are the pinnacle for television recognition by our peers,” she said.

Larson’s role on the Education Committee will include promotion of the organization, identifying competitive categories and judges, and developing outreach efforts to keep high school and college level students involved.

“One of the things I do hope to bring [to the position] is even more active engagement from high schools and universities in the area for the competition with categories that reflect where we are in the television business today with digital content, while helping keep the quality of the Emmys prestigious,” she added.

Appointment will bring benefits to MSU media students

Larson sees immediate benefits to CMJF students with her appointment. Students will be motivated to produce even higher quality work for competition.

“For CMJF students, we should take a careful look at [the] categories and see what we can do in our classes to submit,” Larson explained. “Our students do quality work, and we can engage even more. We’ve done it multiple times and we can do it again.”

“And while winning an Emmy is exciting, it’s really about creating standards for your work that is worthy of a nomination,” she continued. “What this also does is get [students] thinking early in their career about the type of work they are capable of doing when they get out into the work force.”

Students will also benefit from widespread and influential networking opportunities, Larson believes.

“Just to have more information and visibility with NATAS, while connecting Missouri State University and networking for the CMJF department is great,” she said. “Many of the members are news directors, public relations professionals, educators and industry people who are active in the industry now. They have a handle on television and what is happening.”

“This is an excellent networking opportunity for MSU. It will help the Emmy board members know more about who we are and how talented our CMJF students are.”

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Photos provided by Deborah Larson.