School of Communication Studies

Graduate Alumna Astrid Sheil Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

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When Astrid Sheil (’01, ’04) started the master’s program at the College of Communication and Information, she brought with her a wealth of experience and knowledge earned through working in the business world, including at two Fortune 500 companies and Knoxville’s own Busch Brothers. Her expertise has always been communication, but she has an ability to step back and see connections and opportunities in a way that makes her a natural leader.

“She will talk about herself as a teacher first, and I don’t see her as a teacher first, though her teaching is excellent. She’s a builder. She’ll go … Read more... “Graduate Alumna Astrid Sheil Awarded Fulbright Scholarship”

Alumni Eric and Tyra Haag Embrace the Volunteer Spirit in Their Work and Beyond

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There are Vols For Life and then there are spouses Eric (’03, ’04) and Tyra Tucker (’04) Haag, who, along with their three children, sleep, eat, and breathe Tennessee orange. While Tyra is an inductee into the Big Orange fandom, Eric was the one who pulled her into the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, fold. Both graduated from the College of Communication and Information, and now, both have established high-level careers at UT. 

Eric is the executive director of alumni relations for UT’s Office of Alumni Relations, and Tyra is the director of news and information in UT’s Office of Communications … Read more... “Alumni Eric and Tyra Haag Embrace the Volunteer Spirit in Their Work and Beyond”

Alumni Assist with CCI’s Annual Career Fair

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It was an internship that led to Pam Schmidt’s current job at MP&F, where she’s worked for a total of 25 years since she graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It’s no wonder that, as director of human resources and talent development, she’s an avid proponent of students getting internship experience before they graduate.

“There’s only so much you can learn in school. The best way to learn what this industry is really like is by getting out there and getting hands-on experience in real-world settings, which is why I feel so strongly about internships and about our intern … Read more... “Alumni Assist with CCI’s Annual Career Fair”

Four Fellows Named for CCI’s Information Integrity Institute

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Four inaugural Information Integrity Institute fellows have been selected from among the faculty at the College of Communication and Information, one from each school and all of whom are already conducting research that falls under the institute’s scope:

  • Professor Mariea Hoy, Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
  • Associate Professor Mike Kotowski, School of Communication Studies
  • Assistant Professor Ben Horne, School of Information Sciences
  • Assistant Professor Martin Riedl, School of Journalism and Media

“I wanted to have representation from the schools and also a mixture of rank from full professor, associate professor, and assistant professor. They’re all involved in research … Read more... “Four Fellows Named for CCI’s Information Integrity Institute”

PhD Student Finds the Magic in Communication Studies

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From left: Curt and Ty Anderson

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Curt Anderson’s career as a professional magician came to an abrupt stop. It was time for him to pull a new kind of trick out of his hat, and a suggestion from a professor at the University of Alabama encouraging Anderson to finish his undergraduate degree ended up being nothing short of magic.

So, while the stages were shut down, Anderson picked up where he’d left off more than 30 years before and earned his bachelor’s degree. Now, Anderson just started his first semester in the doctoral program at … Read more... “PhD Student Finds the Magic in Communication Studies”

Peyton Manning Joins First Class as CCI Professor of Practice

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After the recent announcement that Peyton Manning (’97) was named a professor of practice for the College of Communication and Information, the CCI alumnus dipped his toes into his new profession as teacher and joined a Communication Studies class for a Q&A session with his former instructor and advisor, Associate Professor John Haas, Monday. 

The former football player turned media personality and sports commentator is excited to teach and share his industry knowledge with CCI students and give back to the place that he said gave him direction and skills during his time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.… Read more... “Peyton Manning Joins First Class as CCI Professor of Practice”

CCI Welcomes 11 New Faculty this Fall

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A booklet from CCI Convocation that says

Eleven new faculty have joined the College of Communication and Information this year, ready to add their expertise, scholarship, and instruction to their respective schools, the college, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Here’s a little bit more about them:

The School of Communication Studies 

Lecturer of Practice Abigail Barnes

Barnes comes to the school in two capacities: as a lecturer of practice teaching speech courses, and as the new coach for the Tennessee Speech and Debate Society. Her area of expertise is in rhetorical criticism, critical discourse analysis, and argumentation, and she is currently studying the art of Youtube/online

… Read more... “CCI Welcomes 11 New Faculty this Fall”

CCI Celebrates Faculty Promotions at Convocation

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The College of Communication and Information honored seven of its faculty who earned promotions this year at the 2023 CCI Convocation. The work these faculty do, in their research, classrooms, and service work, will continue to make an impact on their fields and on future generations to come. Here’s a little bit about them:

School of Communication Studies 

Associate Professor Jenny Crowley

As she moves into her tenured-role as an associate professor and her sixth year at CCI, Crowley said she is continuing work on her grant-funded research exploring how the role of interpersonal communication between romantic partners plays in

… Read more... “CCI Celebrates Faculty Promotions at Convocation”

Peyton Manning Joins College of Communication and Information Faculty 

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KNOXVILLE, TENN – The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Communication and Information (CCI) has appointed Peyton Manning (’97) as a professor of practice starting in the fall 2023 term.  

Manning is a nationally recognized media personality, entrepreneur, sports commentator, and former professional athlete. As part of his appointment, Manning will join select classes during the academic year as a featured expert, bringing significant industry experience to the classroom and working alongside the college’s nationally recognized faculty to provide transformative learning experiences for CCI students. 

“There is no other ambassador for our college and university like Peyton Manning, and we … Read more... “Peyton Manning Joins College of Communication and Information Faculty ”

Tennessee Speech and Debate Society Moves into CCI, Gains New Coach and Support

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The Tennessee Speech and Debate Society has operated on the campus of University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for nearly 200 years, and for the past 14 of those, the team has been a student organization. As an organization, student members led the team in both its competitive endeavors and in fundraising to support their travels and needs, keeping it going all on their own. 

Now, Tennessee Speech and Debate Society has officially found its new home at the School of Communication Studies and will have a new faculty coach and director, Lecturer of Practice Abbey Barnes.

“The team felt that the

… Read more... “Tennessee Speech and Debate Society Moves into CCI, Gains New Coach and Support”