Winthrop Senior Writing This Semester as USA TODAY College Correspondent

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Ryan Brooks, a Winthrop University senior mass communication and political science major from Bamberg, South Carolina, has spent the spring semester writing about key issues as a USA TODAY college correspondent.

He has written about the push for building name changes at different institutions, on President Donald Trump's attempted immigration ban and protests, and a new Netflex film about fraternity hazing.

"It's been a great experience," said Brooks, who wants to go into print journalism and cover politics. "I'm writing national stories and have talked to experts in the field all over the country. This is what I want to do after I graduate in May."

He tried out for the correspondent program last semester and underwent a rigorous selection process. He was selected on the basis of his application, clips, references, interview and writing tryout, said his supervisor, Holly Epstein Ojalvo, senior director for USA TODAY's Digital Content and editorial director at USA TODAY College.

"Ryan is a strong and ambitious young writer and reporter with enormous potential," Ojalvo said. "He has a keen eye for story ideas that are important for and will engage our readership. Ryan brings to bear his knowledge of and interest in politics and social issues on his work as a journalist in smart, sharp ways."

She added that his perspective as a young man of color is a valuable asset. "His is a much needed perspective that is often not a prominent enough part of newsrooms," Ojalvo said, adding that her employer is committed to diversity. "We are thrilled to have Ryan as part of the collegiate correspondent group this semester and to be able to both help him continue to grow as a journalist and provide a platform for his work."

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.