Not 4 Credit

What does it take to break into NASCAR journalism at just 17 years old? For Noah Lewis, it took persistence, passion, and a willingness to take “no” as a challenge. In this episode of  Not 4 Credit , Heather Vaughn and John Mims sit down with Noah, a 2023 High Point University graduate who is now an instructor of multimedia journalism and sport media at his alma mater. Noah shares how a childhood...

What do you get when you combine a college dropout, a veteran television journalist, a Fulbright Scholar, and a surfing enthusiast? You get Professor Alan Buck! In this episode of  Not4Credit , John and Heather sit down with Alan Buck, Professor of the Practice in Journalism and Sports Media at High Point University. Alan shares his unconventional journey from flunking out of college to working hi...

Dr. Sarah Vaala has built a career around curiosity—about how people learn, how media shapes us, and why a cartoon penguin might make a bowl of cereal taste better. In this episode of  Not 4 Credit , John and Heather sit down with Sarah, Associate Dean of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, to talk about the unexpected path that took her from studying child development to earning her Ph. D...

A law school waitlist helped set Ken Medlin on the path to a career in sports broadcasting—and eventually the classroom. To kick off Season 2 of  Not 4 Credit , John Mims and Dr. Heather Vaughn welcome Professor Medlin, Chair of Journalism and Sports Media at High Point University, for a conversation about unexpected opportunities and always being ready. From a memorable encounter with ESPN’s Stua...

In this season finale of  Not For Credit , we’re bringing you a true “twofer” with High Point University basketball power couple Flynn and Katie Clayman. From the electric moment of HPU’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win to the quieter, deeply personal moments that define their journey, this episode blends high-stakes competition with heartfelt reflection. Flynn and Katie take us courtside during th...

In this episode of  Not For Credit , we sit down with Dr. Jennifer “Jenny” Lukow, Associate Professor of Sport Management, to explore a career shaped by resilience, passion, and a lifelong love of sports. Jenny shares the remarkable story of how Hurricane Katrina unexpectedly redirected her path—from teaching in New Orleans to finding a long-term home at High Point University. Her firsthand accoun...

In this episode of  Not for Credit , we visit with Dr. Kristina Bell, Associate Professor of Game Design at High Point University, for a fun and insightful conversation about games, creativity, and the evolving role of interactive media. Dr. Bell shares her unique journey—from a childhood filled with video games (including a hilarious journal entry defending Nintendo as a full-time activity) to st...

In this episode of  Not For Credit , we sit down with Professor Harvest Bellante, a screenwriting and media production expert whose journey spans California, Virginia, and now High Point University. Harvest shares how her background in both filmmaking and life-skills education shaped her path into academia—and why storytelling remains at the heart of everything she teaches. The conversation dives...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Mary Kay “MK” Campbell for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about resilience, purpose, and finding your path—no matter the obstacles. Through meaningful objects like a willow tree angel symbolizing courage and a self-painted phoenix rising from the ashes, MK shares how her life experiences have shaped both who she is and how she teaches. MK op...

In this episode of  Not for Credit , we sit down with Assistant Professor of Journalism Dean Smith—yes,  that  Dean Smith (well… not exactly). After clearing up the name confusion, we dive into a career that spans music, journalism, law, and nearly two decades in the classroom. Dean shares how growing up between a journalist mother and a music-loving father led him from studying music performance...

In Episode 3 of  Not 4 Credit , Mims and Heather talk to Dr. Stefan Hall, chair of the Game Design program at High Point University, for a conversation that explores the creativity, storytelling, and culture behind games. Dr. Hall takes us inside the world of tabletop role-playing games—especially  Dungeons & Dragons —and explains how games that began as war simulations evolved into collaborat...

In Episode 2 of  Not 4 Credit , we sit down with Dr. Bobby Hayes, chair of the Department of Journalism and Sports Media at High Point University. Before leading one of the university’s most popular programs, Dr. Hayes spent years in the trenches as a sports journalist, covering everything from high school athletics to the NFL. The conversation begins with a special show-and-tell item—a print of t...

We’re kicking off  Not 4 Credit  with a conversation that sets the tone for everything this podcast is about—real stories, unexpected paths, and the people who shape our School of Communication. In our first episode, we sit down with Dean Nahed Eltantawy for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that begins with a simple show-and-tell and unfolds into a global journey. From growing up in Cairo and a...

It's coming! Get ready for Not 4 Credit the podcast that does a deep dive into the lives of the faculty at High Point University's Nido R. Qubein School of Communication.