After more than 15 years away, Dania Sarelska returned to Rocky Top in 2018 from her home country of Bulgaria to pursue a PhD in Communication and Information with an emphasis in Journalism and Electronic Media.

She had been a part of the Journalism and Electronic Media program in 2000 and 2003 on different non-degree exchange programs while studying at Sofia University. Since graduating, she has been a news producer and director in Bulgaria.

What made you decide to pursue your PhD at UT?

The College of Communication and Information has recently introduced a flexible and convenient master’s degree program, which includes fully online, asynchronous courses. The program combines elements from each of the four concentrations offered within the college, allowing students the opportunity to receive a well-rounded education.

Asynchronous course formats allow for greater flexibility and are a convenient way for students to further their education without having to put their lives on hold. These courses allow students to work on their own schedule while permitting them to work a job, complete internships, or even be a parent, just to name a few. It can help relieve the stress associated with balancing schoolwork with outside priorities.

Social media is one of the many indicators of how different life was 5, 10, even 20 years ago. The first social media platform was launched in 1997, and opened the doors for an entirely new method of communication. People were suddenly able to speak to their friends (and some strangers) without having to leave their home or tie up the landline. 

Alex Carter is working towards his Ph.D. in advertising, while also working for the School of Advertising and Public Relations as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Prior to his time at the University of Tennessee, he worked with Eastman Chemical Company and Creative Energy. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication.

Balancing a career while also completing a graduate degree can be difficult. The College of Communication and Information recently introduced an online master’s degree program which allows students to receive their graduate degree on their own schedule. The program consists of asynchronous courses which incorporate all four of the college’s concentrations into one program, including courses in public relations, advertising, journalism and electronic media, communications studies, and information sciences.

The College of Communications and Information offers a master’s program in Communication and Information with four different concentrations: advertising, public relations, communication studies, and journalism and electronic media. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in both professional and management positions. Students gain knowledge in each concentration, regardless of which they choose to pursue, to ensure a well-rounded education. The program also provides students with opportunities to study abroad, receive scholarships, and to participate in research projects.

Senior journalism and electronic media major Kate Luffman had a dream of one day
photographing college athletics, and her dream became a reality when she started volunteering for Vol Photos, the photography team of the University of Tennessee Athletic Department. Luffman began as a volunteer student photographer in 2018 and has since been promoted to a staff student photographer.

You may also recognize Luffman through her creative game day paintings on The Rock, which often gather social media attention.

As part of his journey to becoming a news anchor after graduation, senior journalism and electronic media major Ford Sanders has gained experience with news stations on the local and national level. During his time as a UT student, he has worked with WVLT-TV and the UT Today program in Knoxville and with CBS’ New York City-based programs.