Alumni Excellence
As our alumni move on and grow in their careers and find success, the School of Communication Studies continues to celebrate their accomplishments and find ways to keep them connected to their Vol roots.
Communication Studies Alumni Spotlights
Our alumni have proven success in their careers, and we have alumni in positions at organizations such as Chase Bank, the Tennessee General Assembly, U.S. Department of Defense, PepsiCo, and many more esteemed institutions and businesses.
Owner/Executive Coach
Rayla Maurin (’07), Maurin Coaching & Consulting
“The CMST Program taught me how to effectively communicate in the workplace, a skill that has helped me advance into leadership positions. There is a direct correlation between the curriculum and thriving in the workplace. For example, practicing active listening, engaging with networking opportunities, and collaborating with my classmates prepared me to read the room, build relationships, and bring a team-player mindset to work. Now, as an Executive Coach helping others navigate career changes, job interviews, salary negotiations, and human resources issues, I’m grateful for the transferable skills I gained in the program.”
Sales Leader
Andrew Griggs (’12), State Farm
“I received two degrees at UT. One in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). The other in Communication Studies. My business degree taught me a lot about numbers, valuations, marketing plans, and taxes… My CS degree taught me how to think about these things, how to talk about these things. The learning how to learn, think, and speak has been invaluable in my professional journey these past eleven years.”
Co-Executive Producer & Owner/CEO
James Glover (’00), CBS and JamesVG3 Inc.
“My time in the Comm Studies program taught me how to communicate and navigate interpersonal, organizational and managerial situations throughout my career. I often refer to and use what I learned from studying speech, persuasion, negotiation and organizational communication during my time at CMST. All of it has been key in helping me maneuver my way through the entertainment business and in life.”
Analyst, Reporter, Host
Andraya Carter (’15), ESPN
“When I was in the communication studies undergraduate program I had no idea how much I would use and appreciate every class that I was in. All I knew at the time was how much I enjoyed my professors, assignments, courses and classmates. In hindsight, there are COUNTLESS concepts, lessons, communication strategies, and methods that I am so thankful to have learned because I use them every single day in my role on air. Communicating to an audience through a TV screen and camera lense can be difficult at times. The communication studies program helped me develop the confidence to communicate efficiently and effectively.”
Alumni News
- TV Producer James Glover Makes an Impact with Annual GivingWhen James Glover (’00) was a speech communication major at the College of Communication and Information, he had no idea that one day he’d work for legendary Judge Judy of… Read more: TV Producer James Glover Makes an Impact with Annual Giving
- Two CCI Schools Introduce Students First-Hand to Career Opportunities in DCWhether it was seeing U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in the tunnels beneath the United States Capitol, touring the White House, or meeting with numerous College of Communication and Information alumni,… Read more: Two CCI Schools Introduce Students First-Hand to Career Opportunities in DC
- Communication Studies Alumna and Restaurant Owner Anna Myint is a 2024 Volunteer 40 Under 40Anna Myint (‘08) owns and manages International Market, a business her parents opened in Nashville in 1975—the first Thai restaurant and market ever in the city. It has introduced Thai… Read more: Communication Studies Alumna and Restaurant Owner Anna Myint is a 2024 Volunteer 40 Under 40