Alumni News
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Rocky Top Business Award Alumni Feature: Eric Jackson (’90), Owner of Element 47, LLC
Eric Jackson (’90) never imagined he would own his own business when he began pursuing an advertising degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Today, he is the owner of Elements 47, LLC and a recipient of the 2025 Rocky Top Business Award. As a first-generation college student who became a successful business owner, Jackson…
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Alum, WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry Wins 2nd in Hearst Journalism National Competition
Pierce Gentry, far left, with the other contestants in the Audio category at the Hearst Journalism National Championship. As Pierce Gentry (‘25) walked through San Francisco in early June, he soaked in the colorful sights of the largest Chinatown in the world outside of China, but what he really focused on were the people and…
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From Student to Changemaker: Kayla Siddell Champions the Next Generation of Librarians
Kayla Siddell (‘13) is eager to mentor students and help them prepare for the real world, as she remembers what it is like to be in their position. Siddell earned her master’s degree in information sciences from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2013. She is currently the chief operational officer (COO) of the Atlanta…
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Emmy Award-Winning Chief Meteorologist Heather Haley to Join CCI and WUOT in Fall 2025
There is one news event that affects everyone—it can help break the ice as small talk, it can make a day better or worse, and it can devastate entire communities: it is, of course, the weather. It’s important to have meteorologists reporting on the weather who are trained in both science and journalism, which is…
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SIS Recognizes 2025 Student, Faculty, and Alumni Award Winners
The School of Information Sciences recently held its Spring 2025 Awards Reception, honoring the outstanding achievements of students and alumni in both the bachelor’s and master’s programs, along with its faculty. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff, recipients were celebrated for their academic excellence, service, innovation, and impactful contributions to the SIS community. The…
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Land Grant Films, WBIR Partnering To Share Student- Produced Documentaries On Station’s Streaming Platform
School of Journalism and Media students Carter Moore and Eliza Noell on set with WBIR anchor Brittany Bailey to discuss the Land Grant Films’ documentary Carving the Creative Vision on May 20, 2025. Land Grant Films and WBIR Channel 10 are partnering to air student-produced documentaries on its streaming platform. The first documentary—Carving the Creative…
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SIS Graduate Reflects on Lessons, Growth, and What’s Next
Graduating senior and information sciences major Jenna Muetterties’ interest in web design and information technology began at a young age. “I remember always auditing different websites and seeing how they could be improved. I came to UT and discovered they had a UX design concentration, which was perfect for my skills and interests,” she stated.…
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Spring 2025 Shelton Group Fellow Ashlyn Miller Heads to New York, Fueled by College Opportunities and Hard Work
From sports to sustainability, Ashlyn Miller is spending her senior year building a diverse background in public relations and communications. This semester, Miller was awarded the Shelton Group Fellowship, which is granted to one senior during the spring semester at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Communication and Information. The fellowship includes a $2,500…
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How CCI’s MSIS Program Helped Joseph Edgerton Launch a Fulfilling Career
After Joseph Edgerton graduates with his Master of Science in Information Sciences this May, he will begin his new role as a research data management librarian at the University of Virginia. His journey to this position was unexpected, but his experiences along the way helped him discover his true passions. “It feels really accepting and…
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Communication Studies Launches Inaugural Atlanta Networking Trip for Students
Even though junior Sydney Eyerly has five domestic trips and one study abroad trip with the School of Communication Studies under her belt, she was still blown away by her experience during the school’s newest student trip destination: Atlanta. Eyerly said learning about career options from professionals and networking with alumni in the Georgia metropolis…