Hands-On experience
The Media Center
Students can immerse themselves in hands-on experiences at The Media Center outlets by taking on the same roles they’ll find in real-world workplaces. The Media Center offers free workshops and lectures featuring industry and academic experts, giving students additional exposure to knowledge and skills they’ll use in their future careers.
Wednesday Workshop Series
Launching in fall 2024, The Media Center is hosting a hands-on, student-focused Wednesday Workshop Series. The sessions are open to all students and are held in 011 Communication and Information Building from 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays. The interactive workshops will be led by a mix of industry professionals, CCI faculty and staff, and other university staff. No advanced knowledge is needed to attend.
Upcoming sessions:
- Oct. 16 – On-air talent presence with Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater
- Oct. 23 – Gain hands-on experience with lighting equipment for photography and videography with video lighting specialist Steve Staley
- Oct. 30 – Learn how to develop audio stories or podcasts with WUOT General Manager Jody Hamblett
Coordinated coverage: The Election Project
This fall, The Media Center and the School of Journalism and Media is joining forces for The Election Project. Not only is this an opportunity for students to cover the 2024 general election, but to educate audiences—including the student population on campus—on civics topics related to elections (e.g. voting, the Electoral College, polling).
Specifically, our coverage focuses on how the election is understood by and affects the younger generation (e.g., 18-25). As part of this effort, we are collaborating with the Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs and local media partners to report on the election, culminating in live coverage on Election Day.
In addition to the student and professional media within CCI, numerous classes within the School of Journalism and Media are involved in this initiative.
The Media Center News
WUOT, JEM Faculty Win Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
WUOT 91.9 FM, Knoxville reporter Jacqui Sieber, Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater and the WVLT news team won Radio Television Digital News Association regional Edward R. Murrow Awards this year for their reporting.
Receiving an Edward R. Murrow Awards is an honor reserved for those who have shown outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism.
WUOT, The Daily Beacon, JEM Faculty Win Big At East Tennessee SPJ Awards
College of Communication and Information media outlets and faculty won big at the East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ (ETSPJ) Golden Press Card Awards in May 2024.
The annual awards honor the most outstanding journalism produced in East Tennessee from the previous year.
Land Grant Films, East Tennessee PBS JobPop! Series Wins Four National Telly Awards
Land Grant Films and East Tennessee PBS raked in awards for JobPop!, an innovative video series targeted at third through sixth graders focused on workforce development.
Recent work from The Media Center outlets
Knoxville and Knox County Leaders Finalize Alternative Response Task Force
WUOT reports that Knoxville and Knox County are experimenting with alternative response programs—the idea is to de-escalate mental health emergencies and not address those situations with police force.
The Daily Beacon Releases Special Edition for Tennessee Baseball’s 2024 National Championship
Tennessee baseball took home its first national championship and The Daily Beacon was in Omaha to chronicle the entire journey and made a special College World Series print edition.
The Volunteer Channel Does a Feature About Joe on the Strip, a Knoxville Busker
Learn more about Joe, a local busker in Knoxville who plays guitar and sings around downtown Knoxville.