JMC Students Produce Nature Documentaries, Photography in Costa Rica

Kent State's School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) and Department of Biological Sciences hosted a three-week study abroad trip for biology, digital media production and photojournalism students during the 2015 winter break. Students spent three weeks in Costa Rica, with biology students collecting research on the country's native plants and animals, while JMC students documented the trip. Students created mini-documentaries and photo galleries that were presented to the public on Friday, May 6 during 'A Night in Costa Rica' in Franklin Hall's First Energy Auditorium.

"The gallery and showing of the documentaries are an important opportunity for us to display the work that we did while studying in Costa Rica. We spent weeks in the jungle and different ecosystems around Costa Rica and it's all culminating at this event," said senior visual journalism major Melanie Nesteruk, who attended the trip.

Watch the documentaries the JMC students produced below:

JMC students accompanied biology students collecting specimen in San Ramon.

Biology students studied the relationship between Acadia Ants and the Acadia Tree in Costa Rica, documented by JMC students.

POSTED: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 02:52 PM

UPDATED: Sunday, June 14, 2026 09:21 PM

WRITTEN BY:

Erin Zaranec, '17

Thank You for Making Second Edition a Success

Thank you to everyone who attended the Second Edition Alumni Banquet. About 150 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate Kent State Student Media—past, present, and future.

We especially thank alumni who returned to reconnect, share experiences, and support the next generation of student media professionals. We also thank the many student leaders who organized the event and presented updates on current Student Media activities. Their passion and dedication showed that Student Media continues to thrive.

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Sophia Sainato intended to major in fashion, but Student Media knocked on her door—and she answered. This Digital Media Production alum now manages social media for a toy company, using the skills she honed on campus through KSTV, the classroom, and learning abroad.

Show, Don't Tell

Graduating senior Joe Conti's documentary pulls back the curtain on Kent State's Digital Media Production major. His behind-the-scenes look at DMP follows students and faculty from the classroom to the field to the editing booth, offering incoming students and curious viewers an authentic taste of what the program delivers.

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