Faculty News

Tombras School Well Represented at AAA where Assistant Professor Sitan (Stan) Li Wins Best Conference Paper Award

The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations had a strong presence at the 2025 American Academy of Advertising (AAA) conference, from faculty winning the Best Conference Paper Award to ensuring the event ran smoothly. AAA supports research that is important to the advertising field and creates opportunities for academic and professional members to share…
Tombras School Student Wins American Advertising Award for Class Project

Lainie Pastoor didn’t expect her class project to win an American Advertising Award, but it did, thanks to the encouragement of her professor, Assistant Professor Minjie Li. Pastoor is a senior studying advertising at the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. Originally from just outside Chicago, Pastoor took a leap of faith when she…
Matthew Pittman: Influencing Social Media Education at the Tombras School

Associate Professor Matthew Pittman is recognized worldwide for his innovative approach to social media influence due to his viral videos that have reached upwards of 400 million views. He captures his audience’s attention in unique ways, such as dancing in class with college deans and school directors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Pittman also…
Tombras School Students and Staff Members receive PRSA Volunteer Chapter Communicator of the Year Awards

The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Volunteer Chapter recently celebrated three individuals who were honored as Communicators of the Year. PRSA is a leading professional organization that serves the communications community, with a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters. Assistant Professor of Practice Joseph Stabb, Ph.D., APR is the president of…
Tombras School Partners with Knoxville Parks and Recreation for Social Media Analytics Course

The City of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have partnered on various projects that provide students with valuable real-world experience and opportunities to engage with the local community. Recently, students in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations’ Social Media Analytics course, led by Assistant Professor of Practice Joe Stabb, conducted an…
CCI Makes Impact at NCA Convention; Iannacone Earns Top Paper Honor

Assistant Professor Jeannette Iannacone, right, receives her Top Faculty Paper award from Laura Lemon (’17), an associate professor at the University of Alabama who graduated from CCI’s doctoral program. Twenty-nine faculty and graduate students from the College of Communication and Information participated in the 2024 annual convention of the National Communication Association in New Orleans…
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…
Industry Hires Bring Expertise to CCI Classrooms

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…
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 Professor Awarded Office Of Naval Research Grants To Study Russian Disinformation Campaigns

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…