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”

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation

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Caption: WUOT Reporter and All Things Considered host Jacqui Sieber (center) and WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry (right) interview Carter County Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders (left) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The reporters traveled to Carter County to report on the city of Elizabethton and nearby towns, which saw some of the worst of the flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Helene. (Justin Hicks/Kentucky Public Radio)

Pierce Gentry never imagined he’d be covering one of the region’s largest natural disasters just weeks after becoming a part-time reporter at WUOT 91.9 FM. A Knoxville native and senior majoring in journalism and media … Read more “WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation”

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 ”

Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics”

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”

Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics”

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”

‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY

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The School of Journalism and Media partnered with the USA TODAY Network to cover the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France this summer.

School of Journalism and Media junior and sports writer Gabriel Jackson was sitting in the press box at the Place de la Concorde reporting on the 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Paris, France.

He was taking notes for his story when the French national team walked in and the crowd erupted in cheers and song.

He stopped.

“I just wanted to enjoy it,” he said.

That was the moment it all sunk in for Jackson. He … Read more “‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY”