Cumberlands Student Journalists Gain Industry Experience at BEA Vegas 2026

At University of the Cumberlands, students don't have to wait until after graduation to gain professional experience. Through hands-on learning opportunities, industry conferences, internships, and leadership roles, students regularly engage with the fields they plan to enter.

One recent example took place in April when several student journalists from The Patriot, Cumberlands' student newspaper, traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend BEA Vegas 2026, one of the nation's largest conferences for media students, educators, and industry professionals.

The experience provided students with opportunities to learn from journalism leaders, explore emerging trends in media, build professional networks, and discover new ways to strengthen student journalism on campus.

What Is BEA Vegas?

Hosted annually by the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), BEA Vegas brings together more than 1,000 professors, researchers, media students, and industry professionals from more than 300 colleges and universities.

The conference features workshops, presentations, networking events, technology demonstrations, and discussions on topics shaping the future of journalism, broadcasting, digital media, and communications.

Attendees include newsroom leaders, recruiters, content creators, studio technologists, and corporate partners who share industry insights and best practices with the next generation of media professionals.

Among those representing University of the Cumberlands was then Patriot Editor-in-Chief Filippa Malmström '26.

Learning About the Future of Journalism and Artificial Intelligence

For Malmström, one of the most impactful sessions focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in journalism.

"The one that really stood out to me focused on AI and journalism," she said. "Since AI has become such a major topic, with many people even claiming that journalism is 'dying,' I found the discussion especially relevant."

During the session, industry professionals discussed how artificial intelligence is changing newsroom workflows while emphasizing that quality journalism still depends on human reporting, critical thinking, ethics, and storytelling.

"It was incredibly interesting and opened my eyes to responsible and effective journalism," Malmström said.

The discussion reinforced an important lesson for aspiring journalists: technology can enhance the reporting process, but it cannot replace the human judgment and credibility that define trustworthy journalism.

Building Professional Connections in the Media Industry

Beyond educational sessions, networking opportunities played a significant role in the conference experience.

Students interacted with professionals, organizations, media companies, and universities from across the country, gaining valuable insight into potential career pathways in journalism, communications, and digital media.

"It was incredibly valuable to speak with media professionals across the country throughout the convention," Malmström said. "There were many booths and networking areas where we could connect with different companies, organizations, and colleges, making it a great chance to build connections within the journalism and media industry."

These conversations helped students better understand industry expectations while expanding their professional networks before graduation.

Alumni Connection Highlights Career Possibilities

The trip also included a special opportunity to connect with University of the Cumberlands alumna Kristina Medina '14, director of employee culture and communications at Wynn Resorts.

Medina, who previously served as a design editor for The Patriot, welcomed students and shared lessons from her own professional journey in communications and media.

"She shared her career journey with us and gave insightful advice about working in media and communications," said Malmström. "It was inspiring to see someone who once walked in our shoes go on to have such a successful career. Hearing her story made me feel more confident and excited about the opportunities that journalism and media can provide in the future."

Her visit demonstrated how Cumberlands graduates continue to support current students while showcasing the diverse career opportunities available to communications and media professionals.

Bringing New Ideas Back to The Patriot

When the conference concluded, students returned to campus with new perspectives on both their future careers and the future of student media at Cumberlands.

"The experience gave us a much bigger perspective on journalism and the direction The Patriot can take in the future," Malmström said. "Attending BEA Vegas 2026 showed us that journalism today is about much more than producing a newspaper. It inspired us to consider expanding The Patriot through video storytelling, podcasts, social media content, and other digital platforms to reach a wider audience and connect with students in new ways."

Malmström graduated this spring with a bachelor's degree in communications and media and has since returned to her home country of Sweden to begin her professional career. As she looks ahead, she remains confident in the future of the publication she helped lead.

"I am confident that the students who attended the trip alongside me will bring fresh ideas, creativity, and modern journalism practices back to the newsroom next year," she said.

Preparing Future Journalists Through Experiential Learning

Experiences like BEA Vegas reflect University of the Cumberlands' commitment to career readiness, experiential learning, and student success. By connecting classroom knowledge with real-world industry experiences, students gain practical skills, professional confidence, and valuable networking opportunities that help prepare them for careers in journalism, communications, media production, and beyond.