Education
B.A., Journalism and Government, Indiana University
M.S., Journalism, Columbia University
Background
Randy Covington joined the faculty in 2001. He previously worked in television news
for 27 years, serving in management positions for stations in Houston, Louisville,
Boston, Philadelphia and Columbia. His awards include a du Pont Columbia Citation,
four Emmys and an Ohio State Award. The Radio Television News Directors of the Carolinas
(RTDNAC) has honored Covington as its news director of the year.
As the college’s Director of Special Projects, he oversees the Social Media Insights
Lab, scholastic journalism and several other initiatives.
Research
Covington's research interests include digital media and how news organizations must
change to compete in a new media world.
Grants and Funded Research
Developing enterprise and investigative reporting in the Baltics. Under a $500,000
grant from the U.S. State Department, Newsplex organized and oversaw investigative
reporting collaboratives in Estonia, Latvia and Estonia. Such collaboration had never been done before in these countries and the journalists
produced significant work.
Journalism training in Russia. Newsplex led six workshops in cities across Russia.
$150,000, funded by the U.S. State Department. 2014.
Teaching new media skills in Russia. Working with Professor Scott Farrand, Newsplex
developed an online training program in Russian focusing on new media skills. $75,500,
funded by USAID and IREX. 2013.
BG TIME, an innovative program in which college students trained in new media skills
and then were paired with senior citizens to produce multi media content for a website
done in conjunction with The State newspaper in Columbia. $195,000, funded by the
Central Carolina Community Foundation and the John S. Knight Foundation. 2009-2011
Teaching
Since joining the school, Covington has taught J501, Freedom, Responsibility and Ethics.
This course in media ethics is highly interactive and requires critical thinking, as students wrestle verbally
and in writing with issues such as privacy, racial sensitivity and online harassment. From
time to time, Covington teaches International Mass Communications, drawing upon his
extensive experience working with overseas media organizations. Covington developed
and has taught the school’s introductory course on social media. He also has taught
multimedia journalism.
Service
Co-founder, Family Promise of the Midlands
Session moderator, 2013 World Newspaper Congress, Bangkok
Co-chair, 2012 World Association of Newspapers Middle East Conference, Dubai
Keynote speaker, 2007 IFRA Digital Trend Day, Amsterdam
Former faculty, L'Universite d'Ete (Summer University), France
Former South Carolina freedom of information coordinator, Radio Television Digital
News Association
Former president, South Carolina Associated Press Broadcasters
Former board member, South Carolina Broadcasters Association
Personal
Covington is married and has two sons and two step daughters. He enjoys traveling,
bicycling and reading.
