Impact Stories
-
Journalism & Media Alumni Team Up to Create Bonnie Hufford Endowment
From left: School of Journalism and Media Professor Emerita Dorothy Bowles; Lisa Hood Skinner (’80), Mack Hufford (Bonnie’s brother), and Fatima Hyder (’94). Bonnie Hufford put her all into what she did, whether she was teaching students proper grammar and Associated Press style or fundraising for the American Cancer Society. Before she passed away after…
-
SIS Alumna Earns ALA Equality Award for Transforming Hiring Practices at KSU Libraries
When Kristina Clement (’18) took on her current role as assistant director of academic engagement and instruction for collegiate librarians at Kennesaw State University, she quickly began having informal conversations with library employees that inspired her to approach a colleague with an idea. It wasn’t long before Clement and her coworker, Karen Doster-Greenleaf, had a…
-
Rocky Top Business Award Alumni Feature: Mike Maddux (‘83), Owner of Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company
From lemonade stands to national recognition, Mike Maddux (’83) has achieved remarkable success with Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company. His entrepreneurial journey began long before the company was founded. As a child, he sold Kool-Aid and mistletoe. Now, as the owner of Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company, he’s earning national recognition from USA TODAY. Maddux’s career has…
-
Tombras School Students Gain Career Insights During Chicago Networking Trip
For many students who participate in a Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations networking trip, it represents either their first or last major experience with the Tombras School and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. These trips can inspire students’ career paths and enlighten them about opportunities and environments in their industry they would never…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…