University of Montana associate professor Joe Eaton, a US Fulbright Specialist to Tra Vinh, is giving a series of workshops to lecturers and students to help them learn more about journalism and public relations and the steps of effective crisis communications. 

TVU, June 6 2018 – During the faculty and student workshops, Joe Eatonfocuses on media-related writing including investigative reporting. He is also working with the TVU School of Foreign Languages to assist staff writers in a number of ways, from providing individual consultations to building faculty writing skills.

“Fabulous! Really engaging,” says Dr Ho-Dac Tuc, deputy head of the school. “Joe exposes faculty, students and alumni to all aspects of journalism. He is providing fantastic insight into how to write like a professional journalist. Joe’s workshops are inspiring and informative, and his method of delivery is so easy to receive.” 

Joe Eaton teaches courses in public affairs reporting, investigative reporting and editing at the University of Montana. His writing appears in Pacific Standard, AARP the Magazine and The Washington Post, as well as the websites of National Geographic, Wired, CityLab and The Atlantic. He has worked with NBC Nightly News and the Today Show. 

At Tra Vinh University, Joe also met Dr Pham Tiet Khanh, the University Rector, who hosted a dinner in his honor. His workshops lasts until end of June. 

In his role as the Fulbright Specialist to Tra Vinh, Joe has worked beyond his formal role by putting in extra hours to introduce new ideas and media-related practices. 

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright Specialist Awards provide an honorarium and travel costs for American faculty and professionals who spend anywhere from two to six weeks overseas working with higher education institutions on a topic with which they have expertise. 

‘Staff and students in TVU are excellent,’ Joe says. ‘I wish I could teach them all the time. They are diligent and have excellent English ability. But not only that, they have a strong desire to learn and to get better.’ 

Mr. Khau Hoang Anh, deputy head of English Department, says “the classes are energetic, and Joe’s way of teaching is inspired. I see this being both rare and important because it allows students and lecturers a deep and genuine exploration of the journalistic writing style and of the various reporting beats.” 

News & Photo by Aloki Nodi