Dr. Mark Giese, associate professor of mass communication, embodies the spirit of UA Little Rock’s commitment to “walk the walk” of service to the community.
“He has worked tirelessly and successfully, going far beyond the bounds of UA Little Rock to engage students in educational experiences, to help secondary teachers broaden their technical expertise, and to aid community organizations,” said colleague Carlton M. “Sonny” Rhodes.
He enlisted McClellan High School students in writing and producing a public service announcement promoting healthy habits for teens. As part of the grant-supported project, he wrote the curriculum for McClellan’s first media production course.
He conceived the idea for UA Little Rock’s Summer Media Camp, a one-week residential experience for Arkansas high school students. He has directed the camp for the last two years and has overseen every aspect, from fundraising to producing promotional material, teaching seminars, and chaperoning campers to tours of local television stations. To ensure students could attend the camp at no cost, Giese raised more than $9,000 in 2010 and $15,000 in 2011.
His ability to raise money to provide scholarships to all the campers for both years has made it possible for the School of Mass Communication to host students from every corner of the state.
“These opportunities (to attend two summer camp sessions) changed my life,” said Alexis McCalman, who received two $750 scholarships to attend the summer camps. “Because of these experiences and Dr. Giese, I will gladly be attending UA Little Rock in the fall.”
He has served on the advisory board for the Metropolitan Career-Technical Center and Accelerated Learning Center and presents talks to middle school students in the Duke TIP program. He served as a judge for the 48-hour Film Festival that not only helped establish the national competition in Little Rock but engaged UA Little Rock students in intensive movie making in the community.
Giese came to UA Little Rock in 2003. He earned a B.A. degree in radio, television, film in 1981 and an M.A. degree in radio, television, film from the University of North Texas in 1991. He earned a Ph.D. in the Interdisciplinary Program for Mass Communications at Pennsylvania State University in 1996.