Denish to co-teach NMSU course this fall

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish will co-teach a course at New Mexico State University this fall on women leaders in public service and the journalists who cover them.

The course, “Women, Politics and the Media,” will be co-taught by Mary Benanti, a former reporter, editor and public relations professional. The weekly course, which will meet Tuesday evenings beginning Aug. 28, will explore the role of women in politics and media coverage of them.

“As more young people consider public service, it’s important that they understand the political arena and the significance of 24/7 media coverage in shaping the debate,” Denish said in a news release. “As elected officials work to take on the challenges of the 21st century – and for us, that means making New Mexico safer, expanding access to health care and bringing opportunity to every community – this class will provide budding public servants with the ability to analyze media coverage of women in office and better prepare their own messages on issues important to them.”

The course is especially relevant as the United States has its first woman speaker of the House and a woman running a full-fledged campaign for the presidency, Benanti said.

“The United States clearly is poised to join other nations in the world that have overcome the gender barrier in politics,” said Benanti, who reported on politics from Washington, D.C. for seven years during parts of the Reagan, George H.W. Bush. and Clinton administrations.

Denish will focus on policy-making and issues in which she has been involved, according to the news release. Benanti will emphasize the need for solid and clear political reporting that is gender neutral and encourages transparency and accountability in government.

“This is not a class for women students only,” Benanti said. “Anyone interested in public service will get an insider’s view of all the issues involved in service in today’s world, and a key perspective on the dynamics that women leaders face and create.”

A speaker series featuring high-profile political leaders is planned in conjunction with the class. The speaker series will run one evening a month and will be open to the public, while members of the class will have the added advantage of in-depth discussion with the speakers.