Alumni News
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Tombras School Alumna Honored for Her Work in DEI Shares Encouraging Message with Student
Christie Sithiphone (’09) calls herself a lifelong learner. Even as the vice president of inclusion and engagement for Marina Maher Communications (MMC), Sithiphone says she’s not above any task. In October, Sithiphone returned to her alma mater to speak to University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students about the skills they need in the real world that…
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J. Phenise Poole 2024 Recipient of the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award
When J. Phenise Poole (’95) joined College of Communication and Information students during their global programs trip to Dublin, Ireland, this past summer, she was very excited when CCI Dean Joe Mazer said that the next Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award winner was in the room. Phone in hand with the camera ready to…
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MSIS Alumna Publishes Third Edition of Her Book, Winning Grants, with the American Library Association (ALA)
Stephanie Gerding (‘93,‘97) considers herself a person who is 100-percent committed to the success of librarians. She spent the past several decades ensuring librarians have the resources they need to create a thriving environment within their communities. Gerding spent half her time growing up in Tennessee and the other half in California. When it was…
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School Of Journalism and Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together
School of Journalism and Media alumni and faculty won several awards at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards in August. Pictured from the left are: alumna Caroline Mueller (’24), Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (’09), and alumna Nicki Marker (’24). with their trophies. Alumna Nicki Marker (‘24) was leaving the stage at the…
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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…
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Non-Traditional BSIS Student Finds Her Passion After Pursuing Second Degree
Catlin Rehders (’23) works as a financial intelligence analyst at Navy Federal. She completed her bachelor’s in information sciences in 2023 and now loves what she does for work, but that wasn’t always the case. Rehders describes herself as a non-traditional student as she did not find her true passion until seeking her second bachelor’s…
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CCI Alumna Cierra Burdick Wins Olympic Bronze for USA 3×3 Basketball
Olympic bronze medalist and former Lady Vols star Cierra Burdick (’15) rarely slows down, on and off the basketball court. Between traveling to play internationally, visiting with family, and making appearances, the personable power forward made time to give an interview with her alma mater just weeks after winning a bronze medal at the 2024…
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CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award
The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Journalism and Media received the 2024 Equity and Diversity Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) at its annual conference in Philadelphia. AEJMC is a prominent international organization for academics in the field, providing regional and national conferences…
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CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers
There are so many communication careers out there that sometimes it is difficult to share the breadth of opportunity within the field with college students. But College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) wanted to open the world of corporate events to students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so she established the…
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Lady Vol Basketball Player Jewel Spear Gains Leadership Skills in Rwanda
When Lady Vol basketball player and School of Journalism and Media alumna Jewel Spear (`24) first learned about the Tennessee-Rwanda Leadership Experience, she knew almost instantly she wanted to take advantage of this program. During a routine visit to meet with her academic advisor last year, Spear met with Senior Associate Athletics Director and Associate…