The College of Communications and Information offers students the opportunity to receive a Ph.D. with the five separate concentrations, which include advertising, journalism and electronic media, public relations, information sciences, and communications studies. Students are ensured a well-rounded education, as they must complete a core curriculum before progressing on to their chosen concentration. The Ph.D. program is designed for students who anticipate pursuing a career with a research-intensive establishment.

Journalism PhD student Charli Kerns has fought her way through whitewater rapids and cascaded over waterfalls in her canoe. Knowing that adrenaline rush, she doesn’t get too stressed out over research, writing, or teaching a class.

Kerns been an action sports enthusiast since being introduced to kayaking through UT’s Outdoor Pursuits during her undergraduate days on Rocky Top. She later picked up canoeing and now considers whitewater canoeing her main sport. She’s traversed waterways across the United States as well as in Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, France, and India.