Student Experience Stories

  • Communication Studies Students Explore Intercultural Communication and Well-being in Dublin

    Communication Studies Students Explore Intercultural Communication and Well-being in Dublin

    Every year, the School of Communication Studies takes a direct approach to teaching intercultural communication to students via its long-standing annual global programs trip to Dublin, Ireland. For four weeks the students are immersed in a foreign culture all while taking two courses that dive deep into how different cultures around the world communicate. “This…

  • SIS Showcases Global Impact at LIDA 2025

    SIS Showcases Global Impact at LIDA 2025

    The Libraries in the Digital Age (LIDA) conference is an internationally recognized event that celebrated its 25th anniversary this year in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Several faculty members, students, and alumni from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) attended and participated in engaging workshops and presentations at this year’s LIDA conference, which is one of many events…

  • CCI Doctoral Student Earns GWAA Scholarship, Attends U.S. Open Golf Championship

    CCI Doctoral Student Earns GWAA Scholarship, Attends U.S. Open Golf Championship

    Golf Writers’ Association of America (GWAA) inaugural Herbert V. Kohler Jr./GWAA Scholarship recipients CCI doctoral candidate Aman Misra and Penn State’s Amanda Vogt overlooking the famous Church Pew bunkers on Oakmont Country Club’s third hole at the 2025 US Open. When Aman Misra was 16 years old, he stayed up five nights in a row…

  • SIS Alumna Earns ALA Equality Award for Transforming Hiring Practices at KSU Libraries

    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…

  • Tombras School Students Gain Career Insights During Chicago Networking Trip

    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…

  • Alum, WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry Wins 2nd in Hearst Journalism National Competition

    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…

  • From Student to Changemaker: Kayla Siddell Champions the Next Generation of Librarians

    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…

  • WUOT Shines at ETSPJ Golden Press Card Awards

    WUOT Shines at ETSPJ Golden Press Card Awards

    WUOT 91.9 FM’s focus on growing its local coverage as East Tennessee’s NPR station was validated with a slew of first-place awards won by its news team at the recent East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalist’s Golden Press Card Awards, notably winning the top Golden Press Award in the All Media category for its continuing…

  • Students, Faculty Dominate at ETSPJ Golden Press Card Awards

    Students, Faculty Dominate at ETSPJ Golden Press Card Awards

    Students and faculty from the College of Communication and Information took home top awards in several categories at the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists’ Golden Press Card Awards, including a significant second-place award that has previously never been given to student work: the Horace V. Wells Jr. Community Service Award.  This award is given…

  • SIS Graduate Reflects on Lessons, Growth, and What’s Next

    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.…