two students sit in front of a computer screen and a wall full of WUTK and music posters and memorabilia inside of a WUTK station studio.

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

In the Spring Semester of 2025, The Media Center will continue 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. 

Here are some topics we plan on covering:

  • Photography
  • Motion Graphics
  • Videography
  • Video Editing
  • News Storytelling
  • Reporting

Coordinated coverage: The Election Project

This fall, The Media Center and the School of Journalism and Media joined forces for The Election Project. This was an incredible opportunity for students to cover the 2024 general election, but also 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 focused on how the election is understood by and affects the younger generation (e.g., 18-25). As part of this effort, we collaborated with the Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs and local media partners to report on the election, which culminated in a live broadcast on Election Day. 

In addition to the student and professional media within CCI, numerous classes within the School of Journalism and Media were involved in this initiative.

The Media Center News

Students are visited by University Chancellor Donde Plowman as they produce the live election show

Live Election Day Special Helped Students Hone Skills, Milestone for TVC

Three weeks before Election Day, School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater reached out to the student leadership at The Volunteer Channel (TVC) with an idea to produce an Election Day live special.

a poster for the Batmite documentary film, featuring a man doing a trick on a skateboard

Student-Produced Documentary Batmite Set to Premiere at Film Fest Knox

The Film Fest Knox poster for Batmite, a student-produced documentary about the Knoxville skating community. The film premiered at the Film Fest Knox Festival on Nov. 17, 2024 in the Regal Riviera movie theater.

W-U-O-T reporters Jacqui Seiber and  Pierce Gentry interview a man outside of a brick building on the sidewalk

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds For The Region In Partnership With East Tennessee Foundation

WUOT embodied the University of Tennessee’s land-grant mission by serving the community with coverage of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath by partnering with East Tennessee Foundation to raise more than $43,000 for relief efforts with on-air drive.

Recent work from The Media Center outlets