School of Journalism & Media

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”

School Of Journalism and Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together 

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School of Journalism and Media alumni and faculty won several awards at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards in August. Pictured from the left are: alumna Caroline Mueller (’24), Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (’09), and alumna Nicki Marker (’24). with their trophies.

Alumna Nicki Marker (‘24) was leaving the stage at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards when the next award was announced and the winner’s name was one very familiar to the WHNT News multimedia reporter. 

Marker won the Horizon Award for Best Up-and-Coming Radio or Television Reporter or Personality but her excitement grew when … Read more “School Of Journalism and Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together ”

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”

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”

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”

CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty in Fall 2024

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Twelve faculty joined the College of Communication and Information this year, ready to add their expertise, scholarship, and instruction to their respective schools, the college, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Here’s a little bit more about them:

School of Communication Studies

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Carlson

Carlson made the move to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to be in a more research-intensive environment. Her area of expertise studies how people learn to work together, and public safety communication, including disaster-preparedness, mobile warning messages, and more. Carlson hopes to broaden her research and use that to keep her teaching fresh. 

She’s

… Read more “CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty in Fall 2024”

Scovel Named National Wrestling Media Association Journalist Of The Year 

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When Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel and her father attended the 2017 NCAA wrestling championships, it was a special moment both personally and professionally for the wrestling beat journalist.

After covering the early sessions for American University, Scovel joined her father in the stands. It had been thirty years since her father, who competed in the 1987 NCAA wrestling championships for the University of Maryland, returned to a national tournament. 

Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel and her father attending the 2022 Division I Wrestling Championships.

The announcer requested anyone who competed in a tournament before to stand and be recognized. Her dad … Read more “Scovel Named National Wrestling Media Association Journalist Of The Year ”

JEM Professor Releases New Book On Eclipses, Recounts 2023 ‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse

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School of Journalism and Media Professor Mark Littmann has written a new book with Fred Espenak called “Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024”.

School of Journalism and Media Professor Mark Littmann still recalls his first total eclipse.

The year was 1979 and a total eclipse of the sun would occur on February 26 along a path through the northwestern United States and central Canada. Given the time of year, he knew visibility from the ground was unlikely due to heavy cloud cover at that time of year, so some people wanting to experience a total eclipse were trying … Read more “JEM Professor Releases New Book On Eclipses, Recounts 2023 ‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse”

Roessner to serve as faculty senate president for 2023-24 academic year

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School of Journalism and Media Professor Amber Roessner will serve as president of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Faculty Senate for the 2023-24 academic year.

Roessner has served on the faculty senate for six years. Retired College of Communication and Information colleagues Candace White and Sally McMillan encouraged her to step into university leadership. She began her service as a committee chair and last year served as president-elect.

“In this role, I have been deeply committed to the principles of shared governance—to making certain that all Vols are represented at the table and that we engage with all voices in … Read more “Roessner to serve as faculty senate president for 2023-24 academic year”

School of Journalism & Media welcomes four new faculty members

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The School of Journalism and Media will welcome four new faculty members this fall.

Joining the team are Assistant Professors Ahmad Hayat, Martin J. Riedl, Shannon Scovel and Shiyu Yang. Interim Director of the School of Journalism and Media Courtney Childers said she is excited to welcome each of them to the school.

“We are so excited to have them join our team,” Childers said. “Their expertise will only elevate the quality instruction and hands-on opportunities students have with us from day one.”

Ahmad Hayat

Headshot of Dr. Ahmad Hayat

A former Kuwait TV producer and script analyst for Hollywood movie studios Eclectic Pictures and … Read more “School of Journalism & Media welcomes four new faculty members”