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”

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”

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”

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 Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award

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Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations Assistant Professor Jeannettee Iannacone was honored with the James E. Grunig and Larissa A. Grunig Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award at the 2024 International Communication Association Conference (ICA).

Iannacone was part of a group of College of Communication and Information doctoral students and faculty members from the Tombras School and the School of Journalism and Media (JEM) representing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the prestigious conference in June.

JEMa Assistant Professor Mustafa Oz said ICA is a highly important conference in the communication field, attracting thousands of academics and scholars from around … Read more “CCI Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award”

CCI Recognizes 2024 Retirees, Students, and Award Winners

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Every spring, the College of Communication and Information recognizes and honors those who have made significant achievements in their work, whether it be excellence in teaching, research, or volunteering, or the time that they have contributed before retiring. In 2023, CCI has had much to celebrate from its graduate students, faculty, and staff. The following are those who were recognized this spring.

Celebrating CCI Graduate Students

The CCI Graduate Student Research Award recognizes outstanding research and creative activity by a current graduate student in the college. This year’s recipient is Kibum Youn with the Tombras School of Advertising and Public … Read more “CCI Recognizes 2024 Retirees, Students, and Award Winners”

UT Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society Initiates New Members

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Nine students from the School of Journalism and Media and the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations were initiated into the Willis C. Tucker chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society on Monday.

Friends and family gathered in the College of Communication and Information lobby on Monday to celebrate the newest cohort of students to be inducted into the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society chapter.

“Our Kappa Tau Alpha initiation ceremony welcomes nine students this year, all of whom are among the best of what we have to offer from the Tombras School of Advertising … Read more “UT Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society Initiates New Members”

Bishop and Childers Appointed to CCI Associate Dean Roles

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Two internal searches for associate deans who will further the strategic vision for the College of Communication and Information’s continuing growth have been concluded with exceptional candidates being appointed to each. 

Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations Professor and Interim Director of the School of Journalism and Media Courtney Childers will step into the new role of associate dean for academic affairs and student success; and School of Information Sciences Professor Wade Bishop will step into associate dean for faculty development. Childers and Bishop will begin their appointments on July 1, 2024. 

“Both Dr. Childers and Dr. Bishop have … Read more “Bishop and Childers Appointed to CCI Associate Dean Roles”

UT Alumnus Teaching Course in Sports Promotion and Branding while Working for UT Athletics

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Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations adjunct lecturer Josh Lively (‘16, ‘19) holds many roles at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to teaching, he serves as an assistant director for strategic communications at Tennessee Athletics, where he’s responsible for overseeing the media relations of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and volleyball programs. Additionally, he oversees the student intern program for the media relations office.

Lively spent his childhood in Harriman, Tennessee, which is located around forty-five minutes away from UT’s campus. With the university in his backyard, there was only one place he wanted to … Read more “UT Alumnus Teaching Course in Sports Promotion and Branding while Working for UT Athletics”