Maija Jenson

Headshot of Maija Jenson
Professional Title
Instructor

Education

M.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2008
B.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Art History and Studio Arts, 2002

Bio

 

I joined the Department of Communication at UMD in 2018. I previously served as the KUMD Program Director, internship coordinator, news producer and adviser to The Basement, student-run radio. In my teaching, I utilize my 20 years of public radio experience working in Minnesota and Wisconsin at KFAI, WHA, WSUM and KUMD.

For 10 years, I produced and hosted a weekly art segment on KUMD called "Radio Gallery," a program about ideas, people and artists in Minnesota. Alongside KUMD staff, students and community volunteers, I have produced and co-produced long and short-form radio, news stories, political and historical specials and arts coverage for air and the web.

My graduate work focused on independent press and media democracy and my practical journalism experience is in political news, arts coverage, investigative journalism, community reporting and multi-platform, digital journalism. I had the good fortune to study under Pulitzer Prize-winning author Deborah Blum, Director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. 

I teach Introduction to Journalism, Local Journalism, Data Journalism and other media practices classes. I am the faculty adviser to The Bark, the student-run campus newspaper at UMD. 

I believe, with the right tools, curiosity, practice and heart, any writer can become an accomplished journalist.

 

Personal Statement

I was raised in Northern Minnesota near Lake Vermilion by activist, artist hippies with no television but plenty of public radio and books. Besides art, media and teaching, I enjoy an active life in the great outdoors with my family. I am a declared food snob who cooks, gardens, hunts and fishes.

Classes Taught

JOUR 2001 - Introduction to Journalism 
JOUR 2101 - Journalist's Toolbox
JOUR 3001 - Local Journalism
JOUR 3401 - Digital Storytelling
JOUR 3555 - Data Journalism
JOUR 4102 - Newsroom Practicum

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