Impact Stories

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 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 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…
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…
Master’s Student Lindsay DeVore Credits Tombras School for Professional Development Journey

Lindsay DeVore pursued her undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing at a private university. After graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic, she quickly realized she lacked the industry experience most employers desire. As her job search proved more challenging than anticipated, DeVore decided to further her education by enrolling in a master’s…
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…
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

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…