School of Journalism & Media

Doctoral Student’s Research Seeks to Improve Health Information Messaging in Rural Communities

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Doctoral student Kristin Schrader won first place for best doctoral student research presentation at the 46th Annual College of Communication and Information Research Symposium on Feb. 8.

While rates of colon cancer are pretty similar across rural and urban areas, research shows rural residents typically find the cancer at a much later stage.

This can lead to them experiencing higher rates of death and severe acute illness related to colon cancer. This occurs despite both rural and urban populations receiving similar messaging from public health agencies encouraging routine preventative screenings.

In an effort to understand this disparity and encourage more … Read more “Doctoral Student’s Research Seeks to Improve Health Information Messaging in Rural Communities”

40 Under 40: Alumna Erin Exum Finds Passion and Success Through Sports Communication

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As a child, alumna Erin Exum (‘10) dreamed about becoming a sideline reporter.

This dream brought the Florida native and fervent Tennessee Vols fan to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to study journalism. However, not long after, she realized being a reporter was not her calling after all.

But, that didn’t deter her from finding a way to still tell impactful stories from the sidelines. 

For eight years, Exum worked for different NFL organizations leading their media relations and communications efforts. She later took her communications expertise to Electronic Arts (EA) Sports where she currently leads efforts to grow their … Read more “40 Under 40: Alumna Erin Exum Finds Passion and Success Through Sports Communication”

CCI Announces New Director of the School of Journalism and Media

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After a national search, the School of Journalism and Media will have a new director starting in July, Amy Jo Coffey, a former broadcast journalist who found her calling in higher education. Coffey comes to the College of Communication and Information to lead the school after serving as program manager for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ online audience analytics master’s program, and as graduate coordinator for one of the college’s residential master’s degree programs in mass communication. 

“Dr. Coffey’s exceptional record of scholarly and industry success speaks volumes to her commitment to excellence and building for … Read more “CCI Announces New Director of the School of Journalism and Media”

40 Under 40: Alumna, Award-Winning Broadcaster Heather Waliga Proud To Serve East Tennessee

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Alumna Heather Waliga (‘06) co-hosts 10News Today for WBIR-TV and Fox43 News This Morning in Knoxville. She joined the team in March 2018. Pictured, from left to right are: Morning News Anchor Abby Ham, Meteorologist Rebecca Sweet and Waliga.

Knoxville native and alumna Heather Waliga (‘06) was thrilled to accept the anchor position at WBIR-TV in 2018.

“I love doing this job in the community that I grew up in because I feel even more connected and invested in the people who live here and it’s really fun to tell the stories of people here in East Tennessee,” Waliga said.… Read more “40 Under 40: Alumna, Award-Winning Broadcaster Heather Waliga Proud To Serve East Tennessee”

Students Participate In Tennessean Journalism Academy

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The Tennessean from Jan. 9-11, 2024, hosted 13 college students for an inaugural Journalism Academy. From left to right, the students who attended were Stevie Paige from the University of Memphis, Garrett Bland from Tennessee State University, Symone Maxwell from University of Memphis, Marisa Sardonia from East Tennessee State University, Braden Simmons from Belmont University, Ella Grey MacNicoll from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Jennifer Lindahl from Austin Peay State University, Charlotte Mauger from Vanderbilt University, Riley Haltom from the UT Knoxville, Alayna Simons from Trevecca Nazarene University, Hannah Cron from Lipscomb University, Shamani Salahuddin from Middle Tennessee State … Read more “Students Participate In Tennessean Journalism Academy”

JEM and ADPR Students Learn About Careers in New York City

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The week before classes started this spring, a cohort of College of Communication and Information (CCI) students packed their bags and headed to New York City to visit agencies and media outlets to gain insight into their future careers. This year’s trip included students from the School of Journalism and Media and the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations.

“Providing students with unique opportunities to network with industry professionals—especially our own alumni who want to support the next generation of Volunteers—will set them up for success after graduation,” said CCI Dean Joe Mazer. “Giving our students a chance to … Read more “JEM and ADPR Students Learn About Careers in New York City”

UT Alum, Award-winning Reporter Brittany Tarwater Brings Industry Experience to the Classroom

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Caption: Award-winning reporter and alumna Brittany Tarwater (’09) working for WVLT News. Tarwater is the School of Journalism and Media’s newest full-time assistant professor of practice.

One of alumna Brittany Tarwater’s (‘09) favorite classes as a student was Journalism and Electronic Media 460—colloquially known to students then as UT Today.

The class operated similarly to a newsroom while students worked on their writing, editing, and broadcasting skills. Professor Emeritus Sam Swan taught the course. Tarwater said Swan “fanned the flames” for her when it came to pursuing a career in broadcasting. She added his patience, advice, and guidance helped her … Read more “UT Alum, Award-winning Reporter Brittany Tarwater Brings Industry Experience to the Classroom”

Graduating Senior Sarah Grace Kennedy Hopes To Reflect The Volunteer Spirit In Her Work

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Learning about the Volunteer spirit convinced graduating senior Sarah Grace Kennedy to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“Tennessee stood out to me from most of the schools I got into because I liked the Volunteer spirit,” Kennedy said. “Helping the community is really important to me and I like that we are the Volunteers. That was something special to me.”

Kennedy has been volunteering from a very young age. She and her family raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society through its Relay for Life campaign. She also recalls working with Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit organization … Read more “Graduating Senior Sarah Grace Kennedy Hopes To Reflect The Volunteer Spirit In Her Work”

Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols

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Alum Steve Hamer (’20) speaks to adjunct lecturer Phil Kaplan’s JREM 475 Sports Writing class during the fall 2023 semester.

Growing up in Grand Junction, Tennessee, there were two things School of Journalism and Media alumnus Steve Hamer (‘20) wanted to do as a kid: play basketball and commentate on basketball games.

Throughout his career Hamer accomplished both of those things. The former University of Tennessee, Knoxville college basketball standout and NBA player has not only played the game at the highest level but also routinely shares his expertise as a sports commentator for basketball games on the SEC Network … Read more “Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols”

Students Document UT Alum, Medal of Honor Recipient Larry L. Taylor’s Story For Future Generations

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Above: School of Journalism and Media student Sarah Grace Kennedy interview UT Alum and Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Larry L. Taylor in Chattanooga.

Twenty years ago, the total number of living Medal of Honor recipients was in the hundreds.

Today, fewer than 100 living recipients remain.

For the past decade, students with the School of Journalism and Media have been documenting the stories of these American heroes as part of the Medal of Honor project — a student-led program produced by Land Grant Films and The Volunteer Channel.

Most recently, junior Carter Moore and senior Sarah Grace Kennedy traveled … Read more “Students Document UT Alum, Medal of Honor Recipient Larry L. Taylor’s Story For Future Generations”