Pictured Above: Janet Keeler is credited with inspiring, educating and guiding a generation of mass communications students.
Courtesy of Janet Keeler
By Catherine Hicks
After ten years of teaching in the Journalism and Digital Communications department of USF St. Petersburg, Dr. Janet Keeler announced her departure on Feb. 5.
“I have accepted the position of Senior Assigning Editor for the Freelance Team at thepennyhoarder.com…” Keeler said in an announcement to her classes. “I have resigned my position as an instructor and my last day working… is Feb. 19.”
Keeler will continue to teach only her online classes for the remainder of the semester, including freelance writing and editing and food in communication.
“For the better part of a decade, Dr. Keeler has educated, nurtured, inspired and supported students at USF with generosity and dedication,” said Casey Frechette, the department chair, in an email to The Crow’s Nest. “She has left an indelible mark on our department, and we look forward to an ongoing connection for many years to come.”
Keeler has worked in the Journalism and Digital Communications department since 2011. Her first position was as an adjunct professor while she worked as the food and travel editor at the Tampa Bay Times. Then, Keeler got a three-year visiting appointment from 2014 to 2017 and in 2017, she was hired as a full-time instructor.
“This was not a decision I made lightly and that’s mostly because of (the students),” Keeler said. “The best part of the job has been working with students.”
She echoed the sentiment in her interview with The Crow’s Nest.
“I am not sure how I will cope when I stop getting midnight (or later) emails. It’s been a joy to be part of their lives even for the brief time they’ve been in my classes,” Keeler said. “A lot of emotions have been poured out in PRW107, and what was learned in that classroom was as much about life as journalism. I will miss those authentic conversations.”
Frechette shared in an announcement to department faculty that Keeler will continue to teach as an adjunct professor in future semesters.
“We’ll miss Janet terribly and can’t begin to calculate the contributions she has made to the Department over the years… she founded the Food Writing Certificate Program,” Frechette said. “She has led innovative study abroad programs in Europe. She has advised student clubs and overseen applied research projects.
“She’s taught across our curriculum and has been a pillar in our undergraduates’ experiences as they progress through the program. And she’s been a trusted and beloved mentor to so many students.”
Mass communications senior Courtney Amos had three courses with Keeler throughout her time at the university. Amos also serves as a Student Instructional Learning Assistant for Neighborhood News Bureau, which Keeler is teaching this semester.
“She is such a kind, funny, understanding instructor and I feel like she’s been an integral part to my positive experience at this campus,” Amos said.
Amos cited Keeler as serving “as a sympathetic ear, guiding voice or facilitator of countless opportunities for me,” and is happy that Keeler has been given a new opportunity.
“Still, I am so excited for Dr. Keeler on this new opportunity she’s been given, and I hope she knows we’re all rooting for her,” Amos said. “I just want Dr. Keeler to know how valuable she has been in this pivotal moment of my life. I know many students who feel the same. In fact, I can’t think of a single person who has ever had a bad thing to say about her, either as an instructor or a person.”
Sophie Ojdanic contributed to this report.
I am Janet’s high school journalism teacher from Lincoln High in Stockton, CA. Janet graduated in 1975 and I remember her being in my journalism class and on the yearbook staff. I am glad she is passing it forward and enjoyed reading about her teaching career a new media position. The story was passed along by another former student and retired high school journalism teacher Wayne Thallander. Thanks for sharing.