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A new hands-on course offered at Valenti

Valenti has a new course available, and it's not like your typical class.. The course investigative journalism had been introduced to the school before and has returned to educate students about the world of journalism. This class goes beyond the classroom, thanks to Professor Gheni Platenburg, who teaches her students the real world of journalism. The course focuses on the depths of becoming a good journalist, which includes developing skills like investigating, interviewing,g and making decisions.

Being a journalist comes with many responsibilities. Professor Platenburg wants to ensure that students understand how to use their critical thinking skills and apply it to not just journalism but their careers. Journalism is a particular career where you have to get the experience, and this course allows you to do just that.

Instead of learning in a classroom, students get to experience learning in different ways. The students recently had the opportunity to go to the Harris County Courthouse. This field trip allowed students to see court cases live and learn the way the legal system works in the Harris County. Students taking the class have talked about the great benefit this class has been in their college experience. Classes that are hands-on like this help students understand the importance of getting real-world experiences like internships.

I took a class similar to this where the professor made us explore Houston places to complete assignments. Although at first I wasn’t too excited about the idea of having to go the extra mile for a simple assignment, it pushed me to venture into new places and learn things I had never learned. It was an elective art class, I had never given art deep thought until this class.

Being in an outside environment and not a classroom forces students to think outside the box. Although there is nothing wrong with learning in a classroom, experiences like this can provide academic and personal growth.  Professor Platenburg’s vision for this class is to “cultivate curiosity and critical thinking,” and pushing students to learn beyond a book is part of this. 

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Behind the Scenes of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Insights from Danielle Grossman

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Texas-sized spectacle that draws millions of attendees annually, blending Western heritage, entertainment, and philanthropy. At the heart of its strategic communications is Danielle Grossman, a seasoned journalist turned public relations expert, whose leadership has helped elevate the event to new heights. Recently, Ms. Grossman shared her insights at a PRSA Houston luncheon, offering a glimpse into the Rodeo's sophisticated communications strategies and her role as Director of Strategic Communications.

Danielle Grossman’s career began in journalism, where she worked as a reporter and anchor for outlets like KPRC in Houston and CNN Newsource. Her time in newsrooms across the country taught her how to craft compelling stories and navigate high-pressure situations—skills that have proven invaluable in her current role. Before joining the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2023, she also worked as a senior media consultant at Sevans Strategy and Otter Public Relations, guiding clients on media strategy and brand credibility.

At the Rodeo, Ms. Grossman oversees all aspects of strategic communications, including public relations, media relations, crisis management, and content creation. Her work ensures that over 2.7 million attendees, 35,000 volunteers, and countless sponsors and media professionals stay informed and engaged throughout the event’s month-long run. Her innovative approach has transformed how the Rodeo communicates its mission to support Texas youth through scholarships and educational initiatives.

During her talk at the PRSA Houston luncheon on March 25, 2025, Ms. Grossman gave attendees an insider’s view of the Rodeo's dynamic communications and marketing strategies. She emphasized managing thousands of media requests and journalists during the event while maintaining year-round relevance and engagement.

Ms. Grossman highlighted the Rodeo's sophisticated crisis communications protocols and intricate internal coordination strategies. She explained how her team carefully choreographs major announcements to keep the Rodeo in the spotlight throughout the year. This strategic framework offers valuable insights for PR professionals seeking to maximize impact for time-limited events while sustaining public interest.

The 2025 Houston Rodeo was a historic success, setting an all-time attendance record with 2.7 million visitors and breaking 11 auction records. Reflecting on this achievement during the luncheon, Ms. Grossman credited the event’s dedicated volunteers and innovative marketing strategies for its success.

She also highlighted new additions like the Rodeo Houston Hall of Fame, which honors legends in Western culture. “It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about preserving history,” she noted.

As Danielle Grossman wrapped up her talk, one thing became clear: her work goes far beyond managing press releases or coordinating interviews. She plays a crucial role in shaping how millions of people experience one of Texas’ most beloved traditions while ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

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Relax, Reset and Recharge

As Spring Break approached, students needed a bit of a distraction from the stress and pressure of Midterms. One came from the Public Relations Student Society of America – UH Chapter (UH-PRSSA). The directors of the organization planned a “Paint and Mingle” event for March 6, the Thursday before Spring Break. The event was set up where you got to paint and keep a tote bag, one-half of its namesake. This was a perfect way to not only mingle with fellow members of UH-PRSSA, the other half of its namesake, but it served as a couple hours away from a computer and the assignments associated with it.

The event was held in Com 244 in the Jack J. Valenti Building. UH-PRSSA had made it feel welcoming with music and supplies ready for painting. The way the tables were arranged in the room had been changed, becoming combined, so that everyone was seated at one giant table facing each other.

One of the directors went around the room and took song requests from everyone just so that we would feel even more comfortable. Next, we all lined up to get our tote bags and start painting. The hum of excitement from what everyone was going to paint was thick in the air. Some shared their ideas while others wanted their designs to be a surprise. While yours truly is not the best when it comes to drawings; I choose to stick with something simple like my initials alongside a disco ball. Once we got to painting, it really did feel like a time of pure relaxation. Some of us mingled, while others concentrated on designing their tote bag. Overall, it felt like a really nice time where we didn’t have to think about assignments and just had to think about what color we were going to use next.

It is events like these that student organizations should be known for. Even though it is important to highlight how student organizations have events that involve networking and career preparation. It’s also important to know about the social events that these organizations provide. While our student lives are usually 95% about school, it’s that five percent that is important to dedicate to ourselves for us to relax, reset and recharge. Since I am busy trying to balance a full-time job and a full-time course schedule, painting a disco ball while listening to my chosen disco song really helped me get ready for the second half of this semester.