Faculty/Staff Directory

James

Ford

fordja1@gvsu.edu

Assistant Professor

275 LSH

616-331-8731

Journalism, Broadcasting, and Digital Media

Professor Ford is an award-winning producer and director who has spent 35 years in the video production and broadcasting industries. He has been active in broadcast television, film production, corporate and industrial video, educational video, and multiple camera live production. Since 2001 he has split his time between freelance video production and teaching. 

Professor Ford has worked extensively in broadcast productions for PBS. He spent 9 years working on the Michigan Out-of-Doors Television show as a shooter, editor, writer, and on-camera talent. In 1998, he became the executive producer of the program. Professor Ford is also the creator and producer of West Side Stories Television program on PBS. West Side Stories TV is an award-winning, student-produced, weekly news magazine show that airs on WGVU. 

Professor Ford has been teaching at Grand Valley State University since 2014. His research interests include exploring the evolution/intersection of technology in journalism, broadcasting, and education. His latest work involves research on student media consumption and best practices in using video platforms for online instruction.

He has 2 children (who are both Lakers) and a wife who, he says, should be sainted for putting up with him. When he's not teaching in a classroom or on a video shoot, you will find him in the woods or on the waters of Michigan's great outdoors.

Fall '22 Office Hours

Tuesday - 4:15 pm-5:15 pm
Wednesdays - Via Zoom
Thurs. – 10:30 am-Noon
Please make an appointment

 

Introduction to Multimedia Production, Broadcast News 1 & 2, Producing for Broadcast, TV News Workshop (co-curricular West Side Stories), Issues in Journalism.

M.S. in Communication, Grand Valley State University

M.Ed., Grand Valley State University

B.S., Michigan State University

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