When Ginny Edwards started to volunteer on different award committees, she didn’t think her vote could change the course of an author’s life. Edwards is currently pursuing her master’s degree in information sciences while working full-time as a children’s and teen librarian at Irondale Public Library in Irondale, Alabama. Her love for libraries began when…
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…
Malik Allen’s (‘21) dreams have come true since he started working at the Tombras Agency in New York City just this past year. Allen graduated from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations with a degree in advertising in 2021 and credits his classes and internships for helping him get to where he is…
Jessi Hudgins is reaching new heights as she launches a student organization on campus. A senior at the School of Information Sciences, Hudgins is double-majoring in data science and information sciences, concentrating on data, information management, and analytics. She is currently the president of the ParaVOLS skydiving club and aims to attract adrenaline enthusiasts and…
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…
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…
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…
For 30 years, the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations has provided students with invaluable networking trips to New York City. These experiences offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals and include tours of various agencies and departments. This year, 40 students—20 each from advertising and public relations—visited notable companies including Goodby, Silverstein and…
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…
Lindsay DeVore pursued her undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing at a private university. After graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic, she quickly realized she lacked the industry experience most employers desire. As her job search proved more challenging than anticipated, DeVore decided to further her education by enrolling in a master’s…