College of Communication and Information faculty were recognized for their innovative approaches in online learning during the Digital Learning Faculty Recognition Lunch in October.
Hosted by Digital Learning at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the event honored faculty and staff members “who demonstrated exceptional creativity and dedication in developing online coursework over the past year.”
School of Journalism and Media Professor of Practice Melanie Faizer was named a 2025 Jumpstart Faculty Honoree for her innovative approach to teaching the JMED 200 Multimedia Writing course.
The Jumpstart Online Course Design and Development Program is a cohort-based opportunity for UT faculty interested in creating or converting a course to an online format with the help of an assigned instructional designer and access to the full media team at Digital Learning. Of the more than 60 Jumpstart courses developed with UT faculty between summer 2024 and spring 2025, Faizer was one of nine faculty members to receive this honor.
“By continuously learning and sharing their expertise, CCI faculty have elevated the standard of online instruction in the college and at UT,” CCI Assistant Dean for Online Learning Alexis Anderson said. “Their work strengthens our commitment to expanding access, supporting student success, and fulfilling our land-grant mission, ensuring that high-quality education reaches learners in every community we serve.”
Executive Director of Online Learning and Course Production Jason Johnston said Faizer’s course, developed with the assistance of Instructional Designer Lee Ann Stonehouse, excels in the areas of instructional design, with an emphasis on guided practice, and the integration of interactive media activities.
“Every great Jumpstart course starts with good design and structure, and professor Faizer’s course is a prime example,” Johnston said. “The course is well-organized and easy for students to navigate. Overall, the Canvas design is very clean.”
Other CCI faculty recognized for their support in advancing online learning at UT include:
- Assistant Professor of Practice Joe Stabb, Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
- Assistant Professor Christina Najera, Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
- Associate Professor Michelle Violanti, School of Communication Studies
- Lecturer Felicia Slattery, School of Communication Studies
- Distinguished Lecturer Kristin Haun, School of Communication Studies
These faculty members were recognized for leading professional development webinars and for their significant contributions to the Online Learning Community of Practice Series, which connects faculty and digital learning staff interested in working collaboratively on improving online instruction at UT.
CCI’s innovative approaches to online education include the recent launch of a new online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information program. The online BSCI program is asynchronous, which allows students to complete coursework at their own pace and does not require them to attend an online class at a specific time.
The new program expands CCI’s online offerings, which for many years included the American Library Association (ALA)-accredited Master of Science in Information Sciences program. The college also supports busy working professionals seeking to advance their career through its online strategic and digital communication master’s degree program.
To learn more about the college’s online offerings visit cci.utk.edu/online-programs/.