Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
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CCI Faculty Recognized for Their Commitment to Improve Online Education
College of Communication and Information faculty were recognized for their innovative approaches in online learning during the Digital Learning Faculty Recognition Lunch in October. Hosted by Digital Learning at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the event honored faculty and staff members “who demonstrated exceptional creativity and dedication in developing online coursework over the past year.” …
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CCI PhD Student Earns Top Paper Honor at PRSA ICON 2025
College of Communication and Information doctoral student Carla White received the 2025 Betsy Ann Plank Award for the Top Graduate Student Paper from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at the ICON 2025 conference in October. The Betsy Ann Plank awards recognize educators, public relations graduate students, and professionals for work that expands upon…
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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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Professor Moonhee Cho to be Next Director of Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
Years ago, when Professor Moonhee Cho decided to pursue a master’s degree to boost her career as a fundraiser and public relations professional, she didn’t know she would fall in love with academia, get a PhD, and change careers. However, her desire to explore the motivations behind donor behaviors and the opportunity to educate future…
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CCI Taking Networking Trips to the ‘Next Level’
Senior Sana Boghani always wanted to attend an industry networking trip, but there was always a scheduling conflict—until the most recent networking trip. The communication studies major joined more than 90 students and faculty from the College of Communication and Information on a two-day industry networking trip to Nashville, Tennessee in October. “As a senior…
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CCI Faculty and Undergraduate Student Paper Wins Award At 2025 AEJMC Conference
Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel loves sharing her passion for research with her undergraduate students. So, she invited students in her spring 2024 JMED 175 Introduction to Journalism and Creative Media class to contact her to learn more about and/or to work on a research project together. Senior public relations major Katy Niedling accepted that invitation.…
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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…
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Rocky Top Business Award Alumni Feature: Tanya Ickowitz (’12), Co-Founder of Patdome Promotions
Tanya Ickowitz (‘12) jokingly says that when she earned her Master of Science in Communication and Information, she didn’t know she’d be using it to “fold boxes.” But folding boxes is by far not all the College of Communication and Information alumna does at Patdome Promotions, a Knoxville-based creative agency and promotional product company she…
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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…