Award-winning journalist and the longest serving Black White House Correspondent, April Ryan, made her way from The West Wing at The White House to the USC Dornsife Center for Political Future (CPF). The USC Dornsife Center for Political Future (CPF) Fellows Program brings in experts to lead discussion groups over ten weeks, allowing students not only to connect with these individuals but also to get first-hand information directly from the source.
Ryan has served under five Presidents and has made a name for herself in the press room and in the fight for equality and social justice as a Black female journalist.
This semester, Ryan was honored to serve as a Center for the Political Future fellow and teach the next generation of politicians, international leaders, and media trailblazers. Teaching her students not only about her experience in politics but also about how traditional news is waning, and independent media is making a name for itself.
“The people want to know about the shift in media. It was so interesting to watch everyone listen and take it in. One word in the last ten years has changed the whole dynamic, and the word is fake news. There was openness to listening and wanting to know why, as well as what we do as the division widens, and how we look for news that represents what we want. It really made me see that people want to know and they want to know that things are true.”
Each week Ryan zoomed in guests to class such as independent news correspondent and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, former MSNBC President and first Black woman to lead NBC, Rashida Jones, and former CEO of the NAACP and current President & CEO of National Newspaper Publishers Association: Black Press of America, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. to show students how much the media has switched, but is still a great field to be in. No matter how much the political climate changes, there will always be a need for journalists.
“It’s one thing to talk about it, but I wanted my students to be able to communicate with those who have had the power or still have the power.” Ryan said.
Goddess Inniss, a current junior studying Legal Studies, says that Ryan’s class was a safe space for her and that no matter how sensitive the topics got, there was always a place to use your voice and be heard.
“College is meant to be, in theory, the place you go to bring your different ideas and thoughts and be able to express them—but that’s not always the case. April Ryan’s class created a space where we could say, “I don’t really understand this, but I have a thought about it—can we discuss it more?” or “I disagree with the current administration,” without feeling shut down. A space like that is so important because it’s where you’re able to grow, question, and challenge your own understanding.”
Channing Mack, Junior, studying Political Science and serving as the Administrative Coordinator at the USC Center for the Political Future, says that, as someone who sees himself in politics, working with Political Fellows is a dream come true for a college student.
“We get so many high-profile people, Democrats and Republicans, who have been in spaces where I want to go. You get to meet so many people, work with them, coordinate, and get that experience working with such high-profile individuals.”
While some see going to universities far from places such as Capitol Hill as a disadvantage for their political futures, Mack says that the Center for Political Futures’ bringing in individuals from across the country makes it all worth it.
“Whenever you come to USC, you really don’t expect high-profile D.C. individuals in our programs, or even in the buildings. Having her here, hosting a class and bringing in so many famous people, such as Van Jones, via Zoom, is amazing.” Mack said. “Having those important people in D.C., here in Southern California, and in the Center for Political Future means everything to the center and is a great experience for students like me who want to get into politics.”
Having Ryan come to USC not only helped students see themselves in politics but also showed that no place is too far from USC to impact students’ lives as they prepare to embark on their journeys in media or politics. The Center for Political Future has brought in some amazing guests and there is a bright future for the students at USC as well as the Center for Political Future.