• First Tombras ADPR Future Educator Fellow Learns from Tombras Agency

    First Tombras ADPR Future Educator Fellow Learns from Tombras Agency

    Kibum Youn, pictured with Justin Estrada, vice president media director at Tombras Agency The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) is committed to forming well-rounded educators, who can speak confidently to the practice and bring innovative learning opportunities to the classroom. In the ever-evolving landscape of advertising and public relations, potential employees need…

  • Student Journalists Travel to Omaha to Cover College World Series

    After a nail-biting series against the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Tennessee Vols baseball team advanced to the 2023 College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the team’s sixth trip in school history, second in the last three seasons, but for two team members of The Daily Beacon,…

  • Undergrad Comm Studies Student Lands Research Award

    Ava Franzoy is constantly searching for ways to improve as a writer. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville rising junior recently submitted a class project that discussing how she wants to get more experience interviewing people. Jessica Frampton, an assistant professor in the School of Communication Studies, read Franzoy’s submission and provided feedback. Frampton thought Franzoy…

  • Online Master’s Student Heads to Kyrgyzstan for Russian Immersion Program

    Online Master’s Student Heads to Kyrgyzstan for Russian Immersion Program

    Some people binge-watched television shows during the pandemic. Others took up baking or DIY projects. Gage Taylor (‘19) decided to learn how to speak Russian. Taylor is a science writer at KBR, Inc., a third-party contractor at NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO).  He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with an English degree…

  • Comm Studies Alum Works To Increase Tennessee’s Higher Ed Attendance

    Comm Studies Alum Works To Increase Tennessee’s Higher Ed Attendance

    Graham Thomas (’08) may not have his name on any yard signs during election season, but his travel itinerary is similar to most aspiring politicians.  Thomas is the chief community and government relations officer for tnAchieves, a nonprofit that exists to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing financial scholarships alongside…

  • Students Gain Extra Skills Via PBS ‘JobPop’ Project

    Students Gain Extra Skills Via PBS ‘JobPop’ Project

    Nick Geidner was searching for a way to help his students develop the fundamental skills needed to work on bigger documentaries. He wanted to give them a soft entry into Land Grant Films, a production company he leads at the School of Journalism and Electronic Media. Geidner found the perfect solution with a project that…

  • Eyes on LaFollette PhotoJournalism Project Celebrates 30 Years

    Click here to see a video about the Eyes on LaFollette Project The inspiration came from the “Day in the Life” books that were popular at the time. Robert Heller, School of Journalism and Electronic Media professor, wanted to find a project for his advanced photojournalism class at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  As he…

  • ADPR’s Pittman Deploys AI vs. Human Challenge in Social Media Course

    ADPR’s Pittman Deploys AI vs. Human Challenge in Social Media Course

    Matthew Pittman noticed how much buzz artificial intelligence was creating last spring, especially on college campuses. Some professors worried that generative AI systems like ChatGPT, which use vast pools of online data to mimic human work, would lead to students cheating. “I try to be curious instead of fearful,” said Pittman, an assistant professor at…

  • Graduating Senior Makayla Crawford Found a Home at UT and CCI

    Graduating Senior Makayla Crawford Found a Home at UT and CCI

    Makayla Crawford had no connection to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville when she began her college search. She had offers to play lacrosse at the Division I level from some schools but knew there wouldn’t be a future for her in the sport after college. The Raleigh, N.C. native decided to make a visit to…

  • Mother, Online Student Perseveres Through Hurricane Ian

    Meaghan Smith handed a plastic bin to her 11-year-old daughter, Mira, and told her she had five minutes to fill it with everything she wanted to save in the house. Hurricane Ian was bearing down on southwestern Florida and Smith knew their lives may be in danger if they didn’t evacuate their Cape Coral home…