As an aspiring journalist, Timberly Spikes dedicates her time engaging with her community. Her goal is to unite and inform her community on pressing issues through her local television news station and educational outreach programs.
For two years, Timberly was the executive producer for GC 360, Georgia College’s television news station. In her role, she worked to provide honest and forthright coverage of the many events that have shaped our community and world.
For two years, Timberly was the executive producer for GC 360, Georgia College’s television news station. In her role, she worked to provide honest and forthright coverage of the many events that have shaped our community and world.
I want to see people's trust in the media be regained. At the end of the day, our culture begins with the media that we watch at home. I want people to know that not only are you getting the whole story, you're getting a true full story with your interest at heart as well.
Timberly Spikes
As the director, Spikes provided leadership by listening to team member’s ideas and helped the team execute those tasks with a cohesive vision. With Timberly as director, every single person on the team, and their job, matters.
“You can't just bark orders. I think a lot of people forget that you can either be a supervisor or you can be a leader. We are supposed to all be in this together,” Timberly said.
Timberly’s interest in journalism began in fifth grade with a field trip to shadow Macon’s 13WMAZ, where she watched news director Lorra Lynch Jones direct a full newscast. Inspired by Lynch’s passion and drive to serve her community, Timberly wanted to emulate her impact.
At first, Timberly decided to become a meteorologist, but as she learned more about social justice, she changed her mind. After Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012, Timberly became fascinated by how the context of a news story can shape public opinion. She wanted news coverage to offer more perspectives, especially on topics like police brutality and equal rights.
“If you're only putting the negative details out about a story, you're failing your audience, because you're not giving them the full story,” Timberly said.
“If you're only putting the negative details out about a story, you're failing your audience, because you're not giving them the full story,” Timberly said.
Timberly put her passion into motion by practicing her leadership skills at GC 360. At first, it was difficult to inspire her team, meet deadlines, pitch stories, and reach time quotas. For Timberly, to lead well as a director is to communicate efficiently with many moving parts that rely on one another.
Timberly realized that she thrived under pressure. As each team member learned and she took their needs into account, they were able to make improvements to their work and produce more quickly. Eventually, her team raised the stakes; they began producing two shows a week covering topics from university events to sports to politics. During the pandemic, Timberly encouraged her team to cover news even with little access to the newsroom and equipment. She said informing citizens on details regarding the pandemic is crucial for public health and community engagement.
Timberly’s journalistic rigor won her a nomination to GC’s Leadership Certificate Program where she was able to learn in-depth about compassion and ethical leadership - topics that she actively incorporates into her leadership practice.
Timberly realized that she thrived under pressure. As each team member learned and she took their needs into account, they were able to make improvements to their work and produce more quickly. Eventually, her team raised the stakes; they began producing two shows a week covering topics from university events to sports to politics. During the pandemic, Timberly encouraged her team to cover news even with little access to the newsroom and equipment. She said informing citizens on details regarding the pandemic is crucial for public health and community engagement.
Timberly’s journalistic rigor won her a nomination to GC’s Leadership Certificate Program where she was able to learn in-depth about compassion and ethical leadership - topics that she actively incorporates into her leadership practice.
The world isn't going to change with supervision. You have to be in the front field getting it done. You have to be compassionate, you have to be empathetic, you have to have those developmental skills to think ahead
Timberly Spikes
In the future, Timberly hopes to continue to serve as a reporter or producer focusing on topics like social justice and inclusion. She wants to elevate the way we think of news coverage and offer insights that keep people safe and informed, and that ultimately improve the quality of life in her community.
