Faculty News
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UT’s MSIS Program Ranks 13th Among Public Institutions Nationally in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s School of Information Sciences master’s program has been ranked 13th in the nation among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. This is a significant achievement for the university, the College of Communication and Information (CCI), and the School of Information Sciences (SIS). These rankings highlight the growing strength…
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Land Grant Films Team Produces Award-Winning Short Documentary on Blind Woodworker
Senior Carter Moore interviewing Greenville, Tennessee native and woodworker George Wurtzel for the Land Grant Films short documentary “Carving The Creative Vision”. In small-town America, there always seems to be that person everyone knows who perfectly reflects what that community is all about. This phenomenon is what prompted Nick Geidner, School of Journalism and Media…
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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…
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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…
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UT Faculty Research Shows Dramatic Shift In Ukrainian Attitudes After Invasion
UT Faculty Research Shows Dramatic Shift In Ukrainian Attitudes After Invasion written by Randall Brown and originally published on the College of Arts & Sciences site. A new study published by an interdisciplinary team of Tennessee researchers sheds light onto the dynamics of national unity experienced by Ukrainians following the 2022 Russian invasion. While a…
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Rachel Fleming-May Associate Professor: Empowering Students and Alumni
Associate Professor Rachel Fleming-May’s passion for libraries didn’t originate from a family member or a past teacher; rather, it was inspired by a comic series she loved during her childhood. “If I’m being completely honest, I idolized Batgirl as a child. I watched Batgirl on the old Batman television series after school. Barbara Gordon, who…
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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…
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Scovel Hosting AEJMC Podcast on Sports Communication
Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel presenting at the 2024 AEJMC Conference. Scovel is the host of a new AEJMC podcast on sports communication. For School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel, podcasts have been a useful resource during her academic career. So, she has always been interested in offering a similar service for others.…
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Tombras School Student and Staff Member 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…
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CCI Faculty Brittany Tarwater in Class of 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40
From the moment Brittany Tarwater (‘09, ‘13) stepped into the College of Communication and Information to where she is today in her career, there’s been a network of supportive faculty pushing her to succeed. She didn’t realize when she arrived at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus on her 18th birthday that CCI and UT would…