Faculty/Staff Directory

James

Ford

fordja1@gvsu.edu

Assistant Professor

275 LSH

616-331-8731

Journalism, Broadcasting, and Digital Media

James is an award-winning producer and director with 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. 

James 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. He is also the creator and producer of the 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. 

James 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 '24 Office Hours

Mondays - 3 pm - 4:30 pm via Zoom
Wednesdays - 1:30 pm - 3 pm, 275 Lake Superior Hall, GVSU Allendale campus

Please contact me for an appointment

 

Introduction to Broadcasting

Broadcast News I

Broadcast News II

Producing for Broadcast

TV News Workshop (co-curricular with 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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