Impact Stories
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From Classroom Curiosity to Published Research: SIS Faculty and Alumni Explore How Museums Manage Their Collections in the Age of AI
From left to right: Sidney Gavel, Professor Wade Bishop, and Emily Chapin When Professor Wade Bishop from the School of Information Sciences began studying how museums organize and digitize their physical collections, he did not anticipate that a class assignment would evolve into a multi-year research project. This unexpected journey would involve three SIS master’s…
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Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations Announces 2025 Alumni of the Year
2025 Alumni of the Year: Patrick Tice (’15), Public Relations Alumni of the Year, and Lynne Jansons (’05), Advertising Alumni of the Year. The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations is proud to recognize its 2025 Alumni of the Year: Lynne Jansons (’05), Advertising Alumni of the Year, and Patrick Tice (’15), Public Relations…
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CCI PhD Student and Faculty Member Participate in United Nations Summit
Nadia Khalique, a PhD student at the College of Communication and Information, had the unique opportunity to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City along with Assistant Professor of Practice Joe Stabb from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. Their participation came through Stabb’s work with the GIRL…
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The Daily Beacon Hosts Biannual Behind the Bylines Event
This article was written by Drue Hamlet More than 50 students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Ed Engle Theater on November 1, 2025, for The Daily Beacon’s biannual Behind the Bylines event. This exclusive opportunity offers the community a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it takes to publish the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s student-led, editorially…
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Student’s Creative Idea Leads to On-Set Experience with Food City Commercial
UT Lady Vols Basketball Coach Kim Caldwell (left) with Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations School Student Erin Emmick (right) on the set of a Food City Commercial. When advertising major Erin Emmick enrolled in a creative strategy course this semester, she didn’t realize one of her class projects would land her a speaking…
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Communication Studies Associate Professor Jenny Crowley Recognized for Innovative Research and Dedication to Service
Caption: Associate Professor Jenny Crowley at a networking reception during the 2025 National Communication Association’s Doctoral Honors Seminar in Knoxville. The past year has been a whirlwind of career accolades and leadership opportunities for School of Communication Studies Associate Professor Jenny Crowley, who came to the College of Communication and Information in 2017 and achieved tenure…
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Coming Home to Rocky Top: SIS Alumna Jordan Kaufman Returns as Research Data Librarian
Jordan Kaufman (‘18) has returned to Rocky Top after graduating from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) master’s program in 2018. She is now a research data librarian at Hodges Library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With a passion for data and community service, Kaufman is eager to bring her volunteer spirit back to…
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MSIS Alumna Celebrates Full Circle Moment After Becoming Lead Librarian at the College, Where She Held Her First Higher Education Teaching Role
Sara Beth Coffman (‘23), an alumna of the School of Information Sciences, is fulfilling her dream job as the lead librarian for Information Literacy and Instruction at Chattanooga State Community College. Even before joining a library system, Coffman had a passion for teaching. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Emory & Henry College,…
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From Pigeon Forge to Los Angeles, Tombras School Students Interned Across the Nation this Summer
From the bright lights of Los Angeles to the scenic hills of East Tennessee, Tombras School students are acquiring practical experience in industries that align with their passions and future goals. The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations encourages its students to pursue internships around the world. Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students…
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Associate Professor Minjie Li Wins AEJMC Advertising Division Early Career Teaching Excellence Award
Associate Professor Minjie Li was recognized with the Early Career Teaching Excellence Award from the Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) at this year’s conference in San Francisco. This award honors outstanding undergraduate teaching and is given to individuals who have completed at least two full academic years…