School of Communication Studies

Alumnus Andraya Carter accepts an award from UT, with the Lady Vols banner in the background.

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.

Tell us about your latest success

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.

Rayla Maurin

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.”

James Glover

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