School of Journalism & Media

From Chile to UT, PR Masters Grad Valentina Gomez is Ready to Help Families Like Hers

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Valentina Gomez (‘23, ‘24) is set to receive her master’s degree in public relations in just three semesters, following her undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she majored in journalism.

She will graduate from the College of Communication and Information with a job already secured. During her time at UT, both for her undergraduate and master’s degrees, Gomez took full advantage of the opportunities available to her. She became involved in several student organizations, worked on campus, and completed multiple internships.

Pursuing her Undergraduate in Journalism

Gomez moved from Chile to Knoxville with her family due to … Read more “From Chile to UT, PR Masters Grad Valentina Gomez is Ready to Help Families Like Hers”

Journalism Alum Jim Sexton Looks Back on a Colorful Career in Content Creation

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There’s a lot Jim Sexton (’81) has recognized in hindsight about his many formative experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville—but once he recognizes the impact, he turns around and acts on it. 

When it occurred to him that working as a photographer for the yearbook and The Daily Beacon helped shape his career as a content creator, he gave to the Sellers Daily Beacon Endowment to support the student-led campus newspaper. 

When he reflected on how John Ward—the long-running “Voice of the Vols” broadcaster—mentored him and shaped the trajectory of his life and career, he wrote a piece memorializing … Read more “Journalism Alum Jim Sexton Looks Back on a Colorful Career in Content Creation”

J. Phenise Poole 2024 Recipient of the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award

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When J. Phenise Poole (’95) joined College of Communication and Information students during their global programs trip to Dublin, Ireland, this past summer, she was very excited when CCI Dean Joe Mazer said that the next Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award winner was in the room. Phone in hand with the camera ready to capture the lucky alumni winner’s face, Poole awaited the reveal. 

Luckily, School of Communication Studies Professor and Director Jon Hess had the same idea as Poole and quickly snapped a series of photos recording her reaction when Mazer said her name.

“He says my name

… Read more “J. Phenise Poole 2024 Recipient of the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award”

CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award

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The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Journalism and Media received the 2024 Equity and Diversity Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) at its annual conference in Philadelphia.

AEJMC is a prominent international organization for academics in the field, providing regional and national conferences and refereed publications. It consists of various membership divisions, interest groups, publications, and websites.

The Equity and Diversity Award is a prestigious honor recognizing academic programs in journalism and mass communication that have shown measurable success in promoting equity and diversity. The winning programs must

… Read more “CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award”

CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers 

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There are so many communication careers out there that sometimes it is difficult to share the breadth of opportunity within the field with college students. But College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) wanted to open the world of corporate events to students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so she established the LEO Events Fellows Program, which launches this fall. 

“People don’t know our jobs exist or how lucrative they are—it’s a path for journalism, for broadcast, for so many things coming out of that college,” said Brewer, who graduated from the college with a degree in … Read more “CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers ”

CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers 

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There are so many communication careers out there that sometimes it is difficult to share the breadth of opportunity within the field with college students. But College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) wanted to open the world of corporate events to students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so she established the LEO Events Fellows Program, which launches this fall. 

“People don’t know our jobs exist or how lucrative they are—it’s a path for journalism, for broadcast, for so many things coming out of that college,” said Brewer, who graduated from the college with a degree in … Read more “CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers ”

CCI Alum Gives $4.5 Million to Establish the Alan and Wendy Wilson Communication and Leadership Academy

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Alan Wilson (’80) used communication skills he learned at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, every day of his storied business career, which culminated as Chairman and CEO of McCormick and Company. 

“The most important part of my job as CEO was communicating. I spent most of my time doing that, but leadership really is about communication—it’s about helping people understand what your strategies are and bringing them into alignment with those strategies,” he said.

The importance of communication in business and leadership is why he and his wife, Wendy Wilson, are investing $4.5 million to establish the Alan and Wendy

… Read more “CCI Alum Gives $4.5 Million to Establish the Alan and Wendy Wilson Communication and Leadership Academy”

Alumna Cecelia Prewett Sees Her Study Abroad Scholarship Impact by Joining Ireland Trip

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When Cecelia Prewett (’93) was studying journalism at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she had one of the most impactful experiences of her life when she participated in a study abroad trip to the Netherlands.

“It changed my life. So, when I was asked to join the Board of Visitors and they said, ‘You can do direct giving or give to the general fund.’ I said immediately I want to help change somebody’s life like mine was,” she said.

With that knowledge, Prewett established a scholarship specifically earmarked to support students at the College of Communication and Information who want … Read more “Alumna Cecelia Prewett Sees Her Study Abroad Scholarship Impact by Joining Ireland Trip”