School of Journalism & Media

Students Encourage Voter Participation Through the Election Project 

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With messages such as “Voting is Key” and “Rock the Vote,” students in Professor Rob Heller’s class once again designed billboards in partnership with Lamar Advertising to encourage Tennesseeans to vote this November.

Heller said six billboard designs shared with Lamar Advertising began running on digital billboards throughout Tennessee on October 4 and the company plans to keep sharing them until the day before the election.

Heller’s graphic design class is just one example this election season of students gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the industry while also educating audiences on civic topics. 

That is the purpose of the Election … Read more “Students Encourage Voter Participation Through the Election Project ”

Industry Hires Bring Expertise to CCI Classrooms

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The College of Communication and Information welcomed four industry professionals this past year to the college faculty.

Among the hires are Professor of Practice Gene Wojciechowski  (‘79), Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (‘09), Professor of Practice Peyton Manning (‘97), and Professor of Practice Dustin Thomas.

From ESPN to CCI

Wojciechowski joined the college in August 2024 and holds the Edward J. Meeman Distinguished Professorship, which recognizes his outstanding contributions to industry and supports bringing nationally recognized industry leaders to the classroom.

Wojciechowski will teach a variety of topics including sports reporting, feature writing, and video production, and he will … Read more “Industry Hires Bring Expertise to CCI Classrooms”

CCI PhD Candidate Uses Platform To Introduce Students To Adaptive Sports

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When College of Communication and Information doctoral student Aman Misra invited Indian para-badminton star Manasi Joshi to his class, he could not have predicted the response they got.

Off the badminton court, Joshi is an activist and spends her time introducing and expanding disability awareness around the world. Misra had the students research Joshi and prepare a few questions for her ahead of class.

Once class started, it became more of a mock press conference, Misra said. Students eagerly raised their hands in hopes to get their questions answered from a patient Joshi.

As a sports journalist and individual with … Read more “CCI PhD Candidate Uses Platform To Introduce Students To Adaptive Sports”

Renovated TV Studio Enhances Students’ Experiential Learning Experiences at CCI

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Students producing Rocky Top Rundown as part of Professor Guy Harrison’s course in the newly renovated TV studio.

While interning with WVLT-News over the summer, School of Journalism and Media senior Ella Grey Macnicoll had the opportunity to produce news packages and work on the production side of the newsroom.

As part of her experience, she worked with Electronic News Production Systems (ENPS), which is a software system media organizations use to manage editorial content and production workflows. 

Macnicoll said there was a learning curve but she was glad to have the opportunity to get to know this type of … Read more “Renovated TV Studio Enhances Students’ Experiential Learning Experiences at CCI”

CCI Professor Awarded Office Of Naval Research Grants To Study Russian Disinformation Campaigns

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The Department of Defense Office of Naval Research has awarded nearly $1.7 million across two grants to School of Journalism and Media Professor and Director of the Information Integrity Institute Catherine Luther to research Russian disinformation campaigns and their influence on Russian diasporas.

Luther is the principal investigator for both grants with several College of Communication and Information and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, faculty from various departments making up the research teams.

Luther and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jahara Matisek of the U.S. Naval War College created a proposal for a Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership … Read more “CCI Professor Awarded Office Of Naval Research Grants To Study Russian Disinformation Campaigns”

CCI Launches The Media Center to Boost Real-World Experience for Students

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School of Journalism and Media student Eliza Noell shooting at Macmillan Publishers office in New York City for Land Grant Films’ Shooting for an A: Video Games and Education documentary.

The College of Communication and Information officially launched The Media Center this summer as an initiative to provide more high-quality, real-world experiences for students. 

“Working at the student and professional outlets in CCI during college is an invaluable experience for students,” said School of Journalism and Media Professor and The Media Center Director Nick Geidner. “They gain real-world experience in a supportive learning environment, where they are able to grow … Read more “CCI Launches The Media Center to Boost Real-World Experience for Students”

Coffey Honored With 2024 AEJMC Robert Picard Book And Monographs Award For Media Analytics Book

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Pictured is School of Journalism and Media Director Amy Jo Coffey (left) accepting the 2024 Robert Picard Book and Monographs Award on behalf of both authors, as Ann Hollifield was not present at the annual AEJMC conference. Holding Hollifield’s copy of the award above is Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship division vice chair Dr. Min Xiao (right).

School of Journalism and Media Director Amy Jo Coffey received the prestigious 2024 Robert Picard Book and Monographs Award for a book she co-authored on media analytics.

The Association of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship Division … Read more “Coffey Honored With 2024 AEJMC Robert Picard Book And Monographs Award For Media Analytics Book”

Gentry Explored Election Intimidation, State of American Democracy During News21 Fellowship

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Getting someone to open up about election intimidation and the death threats they received as a result of their commitment to ensure fair and just elections is no easy task.

However, that was what School of Journalism and Media (J&M) senior Pierce Gentry was tasked to do as he spent his summer conducting in-depth field reporting on the state of American Democracy as part of the Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellowship.

Gentry was one of twenty-nine journalists from across the country that participated in the ten-week reporting fellowship at the Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

The … Read more “Gentry Explored Election Intimidation, State of American Democracy During News21 Fellowship”

Students, First-Time International Travelers Report In Prague Over The Summer

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It’s not every day a college student gets to report in a foreign country.

That’s how School of Journalism and Media junior Alexa Durben viewed the opportunity to participate in this summer’s Going on Assignment in Prague study abroad program. 

It was also the aspiring newscaster’s first time traveling outside the United States.

“I’ve never been to Europe, so the fact that this was my first experience, it definitely was a treat to be able to go,” Durben said. “I would recommend Prague to anybody, and I would recommend this program to anybody.”

Going on Assignment in Prague provides students … Read more “Students, First-Time International Travelers Report In Prague Over The Summer”

Students Produce Documentary On Red Dead’s History, Popular UT Class, Book

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Students and faculty advisors with Lumos Media Services and Land Grant Films pose for a group photo following Red Dead Redemption series actors Roger Clark and Rob Wiethoff after they surprised students in one of Associate Professor Tore Olsson’s Red Dead History course this past spring.

Alumnus and Lumos Media Services advisor Austin Orr (’22,’24)  recalls signing up for Associate Professor Tore Olsson’s inaugural Red Dead History course.

Olsson uses the popular Red Dead Redemption video game series as part of the course to introduce students to different events, people, and themes of American history in the West, deep South … Read more “Students Produce Documentary On Red Dead’s History, Popular UT Class, Book”