New Media Production Degree

Naugatuck High School graduate Steve Yablonski began his college career as a theater major at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. At the time, he really didn’t want to go to college or even know what to study, but he gave it a try.

To avoid mounting student loan debt, Steve continued his studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Though he majored in general studies, he discovered an interest in journalism and broadcasting. He even landed an internship at MSNBC when it was located in New Jersey and drove there from Connecticut three times a week. A professor at NVCC suggested Steve visit Middlesex Community College in Middletown to consider transferring into their broadcasting program.

Steve said he met with MxCC professor Rich Lenoce, coordinator of the New Media Production programs at the MxCC Center for New Media. “At that moment, I knew Middlesex was perfect,” said Steve.

As Steve reflected on why he entered a journalism program, he said, “I remember sitting on my couch in the summer of 2006, and there was a war between Israel and Lebanon. I remember thinking, all the reporters are talking about is the political problems that led to the fighting. But what about the normal people who are living with air raid sirens going off all hours of the day and rockets landing in neighborhoods around the region. I knew I wanted to be there and tell those stories. That’s when I realized journalism was my passion.”

Steve attended MxCC as a full-time student while also working full-time. He said he appreciated the online classes during this busy time, but also cherishes the special friends he made with classmates and professors.

“Every professor I had at MxCC was amazing, especially in our department. But I really learned a lot from Patience Hettrick, who taught our final class before graduating. She was also he assistant news director at WFSB at the time, and I learned so much from her about the business. I will forever be grateful to her for her knowledge. She really helped launch my career,” said Steve.

Professor Lenoce recalls, “Steve came to Middlesex with experience in TV news, having done an internship with MSNBC at Joe Scarborough’s [‘Scarborough Country’] program. Immediately I could tell that Steve was intelligent, inquisitive and ambitious and would go far in the broadcast news and social media business. His success shows the doors that are open for students with the kinds of hands-on program Middlesex provides for those passionate about their work.”

In 2009, Steve earned his associate degree in broadcast communications from MxCC. He first worked as a web intern at WFSB in Hartford, just as the digital producer or digital journalist roles became more common in the industry. After covering several major, national stories (including the Annie Le murder; the trial and sentencing of the Cheshire home invasion killers; the Boston Marathon bombing; the mass-shooting at Sandy Hook, and countless snowstorms), Steve went to the powerhouse station in Boston, WCVB, to advance his career as a digital content producer. After about two years, he headed over to Boston 25 News.

At his social media producer job at Boston 25 News, Steve said he checks in with the TV and digital producers about the stories for the day. From there he works to figure out what elements can be beneficial to viewers, who is looking for extra content in web articles, or get creative and make some graphics and videos to push people to watch newscasts. He then works on strategic angles for target audiences based on geographic areas and/or specific interests that will most likely show up in someone’s social media feed.

“I like the rush of breaking news. Doing the same thing day after day can get boring, but working in news is great because things can change in a matter of seconds. You need to constantly be on your game to keep people informed about what’s going on in their neighborhoods, state, country and around the world,” Steve added.

2019 is a memorable year for Steve’s accomplishments at Boston 25 News. He and his team were recognized with two distinguished journalism awards, the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and National Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Social Media for their coverage of a series of deadly gas explosions in Massachusetts last year. (Watch Boston 25 News Murrow award promotional video.)

“A few heavily populated communities in northeastern Massachusetts were told to evacuate immediately because homes and businesses were exploding and catching fire without warning. It was madness. No one knew what was happening at the time and no one had been in a situation like this before. [We] knew that our [regular] TV viewers were no longer in front of their televisions. They were watching live video in our app or Facebook Live. It was our job to relay important information to those viewers who would otherwise not know important safety information. Like where to evacuate to, how to manually shut off gas valves, and even how to know if their home was affected by color-coded tags the fire department was leaving on homes. We were on the air for hours trying to get important information out to people who weren’t directly affected and pushing people who were affected to our website, news app and social media accounts where they would find more important, potentially life-saving information,” explained Steve.

Steve has some advice for prospective MxCC students. He said, “It’s worth it, and you’ll get an amazing education at Middlesex. When you’re a senior in high school, figuring out which college to go to and what to major in can be really tough. If you don’t know right away, then don’t sweat it. You have plenty of time. I didn’t figure it out until my mid-20s. It took me a while, but I’m so grateful that I figured it out and got to work. You’ll know right away when you found what you want to be doing for the rest of your life.”

He said working hard is important during studies at Middlesex. “You’re heading into a college that cares about you and your future. You’re more than just a social security number to professors in your department. Because class sizes are much smaller than at other colleges and universities, it’s so easy to get the one-on-one time with your professors and advisors that you need. I appreciated that so much and treasure the friendships I made with my former classmates and professors,” added Steve.

Steve clearly appreciates his Middlesex education. “I will never forget the skills I learned that helped me get to where I am today. Without my time at MxCC, I don’t know where I would be today,” he said.

November 2019

When Cody Buffinton was in high school, he took a trip to Middlesex Community College as part of a class visit. Little did he know this little trip would lead to even bigger adventures.

Having already taken some TV classes, Cody graduated from Killingworth-Haddam High School in 2012. At the time he wanted to attend college in California, but that didn’t work out. Since he had been to the Middletown campus, Cody and some other friends from high school decided to attend Middlesex Community College.

Cody earned his associate degree in 2014 and discovered his potential as a digital media production and broadcast communications student at MxCC. In fact, Cody credits his internship and production work experience while attending college as being enough to propel him in his current career as a “travel creator.”

Cody’s favorite classes at MxCC were those that involved broadcasting, especially learning how to be a news anchor. For a digital production class, he prepared a short film called “Daydreamer,” where the stories featured what three kids want to do when they grow up: be a doctor, an actor, or live in a fantasy world.

For hands-on learning, Professor Rich Lenoce helped Cody get an internship with the well-known TV show, The People’s Court, filmed in Stamford, Conn. His duties included making calls to recruit audience members, handling defendants, and even appearing in the audience a few times himself.

His favorite Middlesex memory is when he participated in the Center for New Media’s annual media festival. Cody also enjoyed the digital editing class with Professor Rick Eriksen, where he learned how to use important software skills such as Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects—both programs he continues to use now.

Working for a production company for almost two years, Cody researched other jobs and started to freelance after college. He filmed plays, weddings, and anything else to save enough money to start producing his own YouTube videos. For one of his first big adventure trips, he traveled to Thailand, noting that these films are popular with young people in their twenties in that country. He spent 30 days there, filming everyday. The videos became some of the top viewed within a couple months.

In 2016, Cody and some friends traveled together and began to market and promote their videos by posting to other websites, news sites, and social media, including Reddit. At least two videos were posted a week with trending topics—sometimes shocking—to gain attention. Another way Cody promotes his videos is through Right This Minute, a TV show and website where videographers can upload videos to try to get them to go viral.

To further market his videos, Cody says boosting shorter versions of his videos on Facebook can then be shared and linked to YouTube for the full versions—and then promoted again on YouTube with an ad.

After a popular video he did at Skulls Island in Bali, Indonesia, Cody’s audience started growing, and he was able to charge more, get more work by people finding him, as well as secure sponsors. He also attends YouTube’s annual Buffer Festival held in Toronto. Cody also took a stab at a TV pilot and will soon debut a show on Insight TV, a Netflix-style venue which claims to be the “most adventurous TV channel in the world!”

Reaching back to his college days, Cody said, “Middlesex was a good place for me to start and get more professional in what I am doing.” To other broadcast/media students, his advice is “to not just do the work while at school, but to continue to hone your craft at home. To do really well, you should be willing to work the long hours beyond just in class.”

While the media industry is constantly changing, this doesn’t intimidate Cody’s future plans. “I would just create content specific for that platform,” he said.

To discover your potential at MxCC, click here to get started.

And thanks to Cody for appearing in some of MxCC’s recruitment materials!

December 2018

When Ryan Nicholson graduated from Xavier High School a few years ago, he first headed for the University of Connecticut to study biology. While there, he felt the bio route didn’t really work for him, so the Middletown native enrolled at Middlesex Community College to explore other educational options.

As a full-time MxCC student and while working full-time, Ryan took general studies classes and eventually landed in an art class with Professor Judith DeGraffenried. During this period, he discovered a genuine interest in graphic design. Little did he know it at the time, this became the point where his future career and his lifelong enthusiasm for baseball would intersect.

In his final semester at Middlesex, Ryan accepted a graphic design internship with the locally popular sports team, the New Britain Bees. The Bees organization is a member of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (not affiliated with Major League Baseball) and hosts 72 home games during the season.

Meanwhile, despite some initial doubts from his family about studying art, Ryan went on to graduate from MxCC with an associate degree in graphic design and new media in 2017.

After completing his internship with the Bees, Ryan’s front office opportunity bee-lined into a full-time gig starting in May 2017. However by November that year, he was laid-off by the team.

But Ryan’s hopes were not completely dashed. Growing up a Boston Red Sox fan, baseball was always a passion for him, and next came his chance to break into the Major League affiliated minor league program. He decided to attend the MLB’s Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando last December to seek better opportunities. This annual event is the perfect place to get face time with professional baseball management, especially for internships and entry-level roles.

Ryan soon found himself moving to North Carolina to begin a graphic design position with the Winston-Salem Dash, a Class A Advanced Minor League affiliate with the Chicago White Sox. As part of the Carolina League, the Class A Advanced teams play a longer season than Class A or Class A Short teams. (Opening day is April 12 at the BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem.)

While designing sales collateral and season ticket books for the Dash, Ryan reflected on the courses he took with MxCC instructors Pat Rasch and Rick Ericksen. Impressed with Instructor Rasch’s freelance work in book publishing, Ryan now appreciates the diligence of her Adobe InDesign class. He also admires the extensive experience Professor Ericksen brought to the new media classes, especially in the area of troubleshooting, something Ryan didn’t expect from a community college.

Ryan looks at the progression of his career this way, “If you’re not happy doing something you don’t want to do, you won’t magically become happy. I’d rather be doing something that makes me happy to begin with, and for now it’s baseball and design.”

February 2018

MIDDLETOWN’S FRAMER

Noah Golden MxCC ’10

Noah Golden, a life-long resident of Guilford, Connecticut, earned his Associate’s Degree in Broadcast Communications from MxCC in 2010  and, in 2013, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Quinnipiac University.  He is a video producer for the Yale School of Medicine where he has produced over 30 videos.  On the side, Noah is also an actor/singer/drummer both onstage and behind the scene with multiple local productions including Long Wharf Theatre, Vista Arts Center, and Swing Bridge Arts Alliance.

“Middlesex provided a nurturing environment throughout my work in the BC Studio with Rich Lenoce, Pete Galgano, and Patience Hettrick; in acting class with Dic Wheeler; and on the Flying Horse Newspaper under the guidance of Terry McNulty and Dale Griffith.”

Bill Flood, MxCC ’89

Portland resident, Bill Flood received his associate degree from MxCC in Broadcast Communications in 1989 and now produces for Connecticut’s public access network, “the CSPAN of the Constitution State,” with events designed to encourage civic engagement.

“At MxCC, I enjoyed the small class size, the diversity of ages and experiences among my fellow students, and the teachers. When I took John Shafer’s Media Aesthetic course, something clicked. I started hanging out in the studio, where we got to play with all sorts of toys—tools, I should say. The same tools the professionals were using in live broadcasting at the time. That’s important. MxCC was a part of the real world. We were constantly encouraged through internships and other ways to work on real projects.  People on the staff and fellow students had work and world experience they were living every day. MxCC connected me with WTNH where I got a job as a broadcast journalist. And I was off!”

MxCC Alum and Parent

Laura Krueger earned her associate degree in Broadcast Communications from Middlesex Community College in 1989 and is currently the director of public relations and marketing for The Salvation Army, Southern New England Division.

“It is that unique experience, learned at MxCC, that has made me marketable to one of the largest charitable organizations around—and I owe it all to my wonderful college experience,” said Laura, who is originally from Middletown and lives in Meriden.

Laura’s superb experience at MxCC also made Middlesex her family’s top pick when choosing a college for her son Kevin. “I knew he would enjoy taking classes there, especially in the digital media production program,” Laura said. “There’s a supportive feeling of community, and the faculty is top notch!” Kevin just finished his first year at MxCC and plans on graduating with his associate degree in 2018.

“I am continuously surprised at the ways in which MxCC has given me the tools needed to span the course of multiple careers, “ Laura explained, reflecting on her time at the College. “As a dance studio owner for 21 years, the broadcast training helped me put together the technical side of dance recitals. Everything from sound, lighting, video and rigging, to directing, technical cues and show production. I had all of these things in mind during the course of the year as I choreographed routines.”

“This enabled me to produce events and marketing at Westfield Shoppingtown in Meriden. As performing groups came in, I could speak the lingo of the equipment needed, and if the sound system needed phono jacks or 3-pin XLRs. I was able to work with radio and television stations for commercial advertising, news pieces, telethons and radio-thons,” she added.

As a production manager for cable, Laura knew the ins and outs of putting together television commercials and programs—even creating and teaching a television production course for public access users, using one of her favorite books at MxCC. Having learned all the positions of broadcast news, she could easily jump from floor director, to camera operator, to teleprompter while working at FOX 61.

One of the things Laura enjoyed most at MxCC was her time as the president/station manager and disc jockey at the College’s radio station. She continued doing this for Silver City Sound and Video for oldies cruises, weddings, car shows and events, and was a videographer for these and corporate productions as well. Having worked with the media, she was asked to manage national advertising and media for Cecchetti USA, a classical ballet organization.

Along with her MxCC degree, this extensive background has prepared Laura for her work with The Salvation Army. She has a connection to television and radio technicians, reporters and anchors. She knows what they need on their end to make their news pieces come together because she’s been there.

Laura also is an active member of the MxCC Alumni Network and is interested in supporting the MxCC Foundation’s efforts in strengthening the College’s presence in the community and beyond.

August 2017