School of Communication Studies

CCI Recognizes 2024 Retirees, Students, and Award Winners

by

Every spring, the College of Communication and Information recognizes and honors those who have made significant achievements in their work, whether it be excellence in teaching, research, or volunteering, or the time that they have contributed before retiring. In 2023, CCI has had much to celebrate from its graduate students, faculty, and staff. The following are those who were recognized this spring.

Celebrating CCI Graduate Students

The CCI Graduate Student Research Award recognizes outstanding research and creative activity by a current graduate student in the college. This year’s recipient is Kibum Youn with the Tombras School of Advertising and Public … Read more... “CCI Recognizes 2024 Retirees, Students, and Award Winners”

Master’s Student Traci Lively’s Delayed Return to UT Turns into Pursuit of a PhD

by

Traci Lively entered the master’s program at the College of Communication and Information in 2004 but put it on hold when she was also accepted into the film studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Fast forward several years and Lively is back in the CCI program, with a concentration in communication studies, and she’s flourishing.

“Life happened and I decided I hated my job and I just wanted to go back and finish what I started,” she said.

As any master’s student heading into a PhD program does, Lively has thrown herself into conducting research. She recently

… Read more... “Master’s Student Traci Lively’s Delayed Return to UT Turns into Pursuit of a PhD”

TV Producer James Glover Makes an Impact with Annual Giving

by

When 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 the eponymous court television show. But that’s exactly where he landed several years after he packed up his bags and moved from Knoxville to Los Angeles after graduating.

Discovering a Career

It all started with one small job posting in the career resources center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeking someone to be a researcher and pull local court records for a court tv show in Burbank, Calif., to … Read more... “TV Producer James Glover Makes an Impact with Annual Giving”

Two CCI Schools Introduce Students First-Hand to Career Opportunities in DC

by

Whether 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, students described a recent trip they took to Washington as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Aimed at introducing students to the careers they could pursue after graduating, the annual trip has been a mainstay for the School of Communication Studies and School of Journalism and Media for several years now. While the two schools had differing itineraries to fit the interests of their respective students—with the journalism and media cohort exploring various … Read more... “Two CCI Schools Introduce Students First-Hand to Career Opportunities in DC”

Honors Communication Studies Undergrad Student Takes First Place at Research Symposium

by

When senior Isabella Mangano was settling on a major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she was immediately drawn to communication studies as the public speaking component suited her career aspirations to be a preacher or motivational speaker. As the semesters passed, she began to see the many career paths one could take with a major from the School of Communication Studies, and it made it all the more appealing to her.

“Once I started taking classes I learned what the discipline actually was and I just fell in love with it. I really enjoy communication studies as a discipline, … Read more... “Honors Communication Studies Undergrad Student Takes First Place at Research Symposium”

Communication Studies Alumna and Restaurant Owner Anna Myint is a 2024 Volunteer 40 Under 40

by

Anna 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 cuisine to generations of Nashvillians and, after closing the old relocation and opening a new one, landed on Southern Living’s The South’s Best New Restaurants of 2023. Her leadership in building the new location and pulling her brother, Arnold Myint, in as its chef, as well as her involvement in various community efforts, are just a few reasons she landed on her own lauded list: the 2024 Volunteer 40 … Read more... “Communication Studies Alumna and Restaurant Owner Anna Myint is a 2024 Volunteer 40 Under 40”

Comm Studies Alum John Tupps Comes Home to Knoxville and Lands on the Volunteer 40 Under 40 

by

Caption: John Tupps, right, works as communication director for then-Florida Governor Rick Scott as they respond to storm damage in Pensacola in 2014. 

School of Communication Studies alumnus John Tupps (’07) always knew that he’d pursue his higher education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Even though he was an Army brat who spent the first 11 years of his life in Germany, Belgium, and Maryland, Knoxville held a special place in his heart as home since so  much of his family resides in the city. He and his wife, Emily, and their two daughters moved back to Knoxville in … Read more... “Comm Studies Alum John Tupps Comes Home to Knoxville and Lands on the Volunteer 40 Under 40 ”

Communication Studies’ Emily Paskewitz Part of Grant Team Supporting Family Dairy Farmers

by

When Associate Professor Emily Paskewitz was writing her dissertation, she often called up her father as often as she did her advisor to see if the theory she was applying to her topic made sense. Her father isn’t an academic in communication studies, as Paskewitz is, but he is a dairy farmer and her dissertation centered on how families operating dairy farms communicate and deal with conflict. 

“I grew up on a dairy farm, that is my heart. The farm girl in me is a big part of my identity. So, to use the knowledge and skills I have in … Read more... “Communication Studies’ Emily Paskewitz Part of Grant Team Supporting Family Dairy Farmers”