WKU Minority Communicators Keshia Porter North Hardin High School It's a comeback story that Western's Minority Communicators hopes will have a happy ending. Fifteen years ago, the student organization led by journalism professor Paula Quinn disbanded. But with her help, the group is "getting back on its feet," she said. The group has gone from non-existent to 131 members, and Quinn, the advisor, speaks very highly of its members. She said she's impressed by their strong foundation in academics, their ability to network and their sincere faith, noting that many of them left a meeting to attend Bible study. Quinn said the group of students and faculty is geared toward getting experience, confidence and connections for minorities seeking careers in journalism and similar fields. The disciplines include advertising, broadcast journalism, photojournalism, public relations and mass communications. In the fall semester, Quinn and the group's newly-elected student president Ameerah Cetawayo will work to inform students about scholarship opportunities, internships and jobs. Through the organization, minority students will be aided in leadership skills as well as job application, portfolio and resume development. The group is a force for change, said Quinn who has an understanding of how influential and powerful the Minority Communicators once were.  In the 1980s and 1990s, the group helped produce several journalism graduates who went on to become successful despite a climate that wasn't always conducive to minorities. Quinn recalled a time when there were token minorities in industries and equal opportunity was not found in the journalism world. Minorities were not aware of their opportunities; there was no Internet, no support and no open doors, Quinn said. School of Journalism & Broadcasting Director Pam Johnson experienced that first hand. When she was in school, there was no such assistance, she said. Louisville senior Cetawayo is determined to make things different for members of Minority Communicators. Cetawayo will collaborate with other associations that share the same interests, delegate what needs to be done and be a voice for the diverse group that she loves. "A better president you couldn't have," bragged Quinn about the ambitious student. Cetawayo knows where she's going and is absolutely excited. "It's all about leadership," she said. Quinn is the only adviser the group has ever had. She hopes to address a common misconception about the group that it is solely for minorities, African Americans in particular. This is just one of the issues that she hopes to clear up in a forthcoming alternative newsletter that would answer questions that minority students have about journalism.