Alumni News

  • Malik Allen’s Path from UT, Knoxville’s Tombras School to the Tombras Agency in the Big Apple

    Malik Allen’s Path from UT, Knoxville’s Tombras School to the Tombras Agency in the Big Apple

    Malik Allen’s (‘21) dreams have come true since he started working at the Tombras Agency in New York City just this past year. Allen graduated from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations with a degree in advertising in 2021 and credits his classes and internships for helping him get to where he is…

  • Tombras School Celebrates 30 Years of Networking Trips to New York City

    Tombras School Celebrates 30 Years of Networking Trips to New York City

    For 30 years, the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations has provided students with invaluable networking trips to New York City. These experiences offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals and include tours of various agencies and departments. This year, 40 students—20 each from advertising and public relations—visited notable companies including Goodby, Silverstein and…

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

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

    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…

  • Celebrating 50 years of the PRSSA Sammie Lynn Puett Chapter at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

    Celebrating 50 years of the PRSSA Sammie Lynn Puett Chapter at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

    The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Sammie Lynn Puett Chapter at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. This milestone event honored the legacy of Sammie Lynn Puett, a beloved professor and influential figure in the field of public relations. The celebration brought together past and present members, reflecting on…

  • Tombras School Alumna Honored for Her Work in DEI Shares Encouraging Message with Student

    Tombras School Alumna Honored for Her Work in DEI Shares Encouraging Message with Student

    Christie Sithiphone (’09) calls herself a lifelong learner. Even as the vice president of inclusion and engagement for Marina Maher Communications (MMC), Sithiphone says she’s not above any task. In October, Sithiphone returned to her alma mater to speak to University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students about the skills they need in the real world that…

  • Tombras School Students get the chance to learn from industry professionals at PRSA Southeast District Conference

    Tombras School Students get the chance to learn from industry professionals at PRSA Southeast District Conference

    The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations was proud to be an Education Sponsor for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Southeast District Conference along with Western Carolina University. The three-day conference was held at the UT Conference Center in downtown Knoxville.  PRSA Volunteer Chapter along with the Public Relations Student Society of…

  • CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award

    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…

  • Tombras School Alumna Earns IRTS Fellowship in New York this Summer

    Tombras School Alumna Earns IRTS Fellowship in New York this Summer

    Autumn Murphy (’24) is a recent graduate from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and completed a fellowship in New York with The International Radio and Television Society Foundation, Inc. (IRTS). She is currently interning at Streamlined Media and Communications as a research analyst and marketing intern.  Murphy was born and raised in…

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

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

    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…

  • Tombras School Alumnus Pierce LaMacchia Brings Local Coffee Business to Alma Mater

    Tombras School Alumnus Pierce LaMacchia Brings Local Coffee Business to Alma Mater

    K Brew is a local staple in Knoxville known for its top-notch coffee, espresso, and handmade bagels. When you walk into a K Brew location you’ll notice the sense of community as each coffee shop is created to make everyone feel at home. Owner and CEO of K Brew Pierce LaMacchia (‘12) says this is…