The Association for Women in Sports Media welcomed four new student chapters this week: Clemson, Susquehanna, Virginia and Wisconsin.

“All four chapters made it through a highly competitive application process and have proven capable of spreading the mission of AWSM,” said Katie McInerney, vice president/student programs.

“It’s so exciting for us to bring these campuses into the AWSM family,” McInerney added. “There’s so much potential for collaboration and growth, and I know all the chapter leaders can’t wait to get started.”

McInerney said the campuses chosen will complement the other established chapters and help to “continue the great work our student members do to expand the diversity and inclusiveness of our industry.”

Clemson’s chapter will be led by President Amy McKenna, a junior studying communications and minoring in athletic leadership, and will be advised by Dr. Angela Pratt, an assistant professor of sports communication.

Susquehanna, located in Selinsgrove, Pa., began its sports media major just three years ago. The SU chapter will be led by Alexa Gonzalez, a senior studying communications and Spanish, and advised by David Kaszuba, an associate professor of communications.

Virginia has co-presidents: Nikki Ferris, a sophomore majoring in psychology and media studies; and Theresa Matthews, a junior studying media studies and American studies. Their adviser will be professor Anna Katherine Clay.

Wisconsin also has co-presidents: Junior journalism major Kassie Dunnihoo and senior journalism and gender/women’s studies major Noa Rubnitz. Wisconsin’s adviser is Pam Garcia-Rivera, the Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication career adviser.

The newest chapters are already in the process of planning their first meetings and figuring out how to disseminate the word on their respective campuses, said McInerney.

Virginia, Clemson, Susquehanna and Wisconsin join 17 established chapters: Alabama, Arizona State, Florida, Georgia, Ithaca, James Madison, Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Quinnipiac, Samford and West Virginia.

AWSM’s student chapters work on a campus level to bring aspiring sports media professionals together to learn about the industry and figure out how to succeed in it, while also working to grow awareness to the issues women face in pursuing careers in sports media.

“The students in these chapters are the next generation of sports media professionals,” McInerney said. “It’s so rewarding to see this program grow and know that AWSM is doing what it can to help young women succeed in this difficult industry.”

More information on the student chapter program can be found here. Professionals interested in speaking with chapters should contact Katie McInerney (k.n.mcinerney@gmail.com), Meghan Montemurro (mmontem2@gmail.com) or Sarah Scrivens (sarahescrivens@gmail.com).