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College of Information and Communications

2021 News

Alumni Spotlight: Christine "Lizzie" Howell discusses running the social media platforms of the oldest engineering society in America

The social media presence of the oldest and one of the most prestigious engineering organizations, the American Society of Civil Engineers, is in the hands of University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna Lizzie Howell.

Screening for effect — Study finds correlation between smartphone usage, well-being

When Robert McKeever and a colleague launched a smartphone usage study in 2017, they timed it to coincide with an update of Apple’s iOS that for the first time tracked weekly screen time.

How do viewers feel about broadcasters working from home? They don’t hate it, a study finds

In a Poynter interview, assistant professor Kirstin Pellizzaro discusses an experiment she conducted to determine whether stations should consider letting journalists report from home.

CreateAthon@UofSC wraps up its seventh year

While pulling a late night is an all-too-familiar feat for many college students, J-school students participating in this year’s CreateAthon@UofSC proved themselves to be caffeine-fueled, all-nighter experts.

Saving lives through social media

Dr. Brett Robertson, new to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, is definitely not new to the field of communication. His research aims to serve a greater purpose — to aid those impacted by natural disasters and encourage people to prepare for them.

Studying the dangers of health misinformation

With misinformation concerning the COVID-19 vaccine swirling on social media, it’s important to find the best ways to communicate health risks to the public. Associate professor Jungmi Jun is researching just that at the College of Information and Communications.

Chief Keef changed the music industry – and it’s time he gets the credit he deserves

A lot could be gained by not overlooking the creativity and ingenuity of teens and young adults like drill music vanguard Chief Keef. Journalism and mass communications professor Jabari Evans writes for The Conversation that drill subculture arose out the ways Chicago's Black youth navigate violence and poverty by innovating within social media.

To social media and beyond

Technology changes at lightning speed, and SJMC assistant professor Kirstin Pellizzaro is working to better understand how journalism is evolving to keep pace with it. Read more about Pellizzaro’s research in this profile by Honors College freshman and broadcast journalism major Griffin Goodwyn.

Sophomore vis comm student named Freeman-ASIA Scholar

Visual communications sophomore Chloe (Hui) Penaflor will be seeing classes in a totally different light next semester when she exchanges the J-school halls for that of Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea.

Students receive awards from two professional organizations

University of South Carolina students and recent graduates once again swept the annual South Carolina Press Association collegiate awards and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas awards.

New faculty spotlight: Jabari Evans

Jabari Evans is an assistant professor of race and media in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He earned his doctorate in media, technology and society from Northwestern University after a 10-year career as a hip-hop artist.

Podcast bridges the gap between students, real-world opportunities

Visual communications instructor Jason Porter knows his students are deserving of the dream jobs they’ve worked hard to prepare for. That’s why he makes careers more accessible to them by welcoming guest speakers into his classroom. When the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to in-person classes in spring 2020, Porter launched his Let’s Get a Job podcast as a way to continue sharing guest speakers with students.

Journalism through numbers: Alumna tells stories with statistics

If you turned to the internet for insights leading up to the 2020 presidential election, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with vis comm alumna Anna Wiederkehr’s work.

What goes into a disaster kit and go-bag?

Mass communications assistant professor Brett Robertson offers guidance in The Conversation on preparing for hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.

SJMC announces search for data journalism professional-track instructor

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications at University of South Carolina invites applications for a professional-track Instructor position starting immediately.

A leg up

For first- generation college graduate Emily Chavez, '19, being one of the first of three University of South Carolina students to earn the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations has given her resume an invaluable edge.

Reaching more patients in need

SJMC alumnus Murray Howard worked with The Carolina Agency, the school's student-run PR agency, to create a strategic communications plan for UofSC's Aphasia Lab.

A chance on education

Alumnus Larry Thomas says he could have done a lot of things with his gifts to the university, but that there was no doubt he wanted to invest in underrepresented students.

In memoriam: Jarvis "Jay" Latham

Jay Latham trained journalists for 25 years as a member of the broadcast faculty of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

From the city of dreams to the city that never sleeps

SJMC alumnae Jordan Grimmesey and Kathryn Stoudemire brought a piece of the University of South Carolina with them by moving together to New York City.

True grit

MMC and health communication certificate alumna Sara Sinclair wants to help people live a healthy lifestyle and improve their food mindset through her business, Get Gritty Nutrition. 

Public relations to politics

When she graduated in December 2019, public relations major Claire Robinson jumped into the political big leagues — and The Carolina Agency played a part in helping her get there.

A lasting impact

After 20 years of teaching, Lisa Sisk has proven that she will leave not only a lasting impact on her students but also on the university. The SJMC and many alumni made the decision to honor Sisk by naming her office after her.

CreateAthon@UofSC announces 2021 nonprofits

Six deserving nonprofits and about 100 students are gearing up for the eighth annual CreateAthon@UofSC, a 24-hour event where Gamecocks donate their time and talent to help deserving nonprofits.

A promising future

Advertising alumnus Johnathon Fuerte's future looks bright. Fuerte, who graduated in May, was named one of the American Advertising Federation's Most Promising Multicultural Students for 2021.

Tori Richman scores big at the Super Bowl

Nearly 6 million Americans gathered to watch the 2021 Super Bowl as Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought home the title. But as most people watched from their TVs, SJMC alumna Tori Richman watched through her camera lens on the sideline.

Her Adidas: Global marketing executive Vicky Free talks diversity, equity, inclusion

Broadcast journalism alumna Vicky Free was named vice president for global marketing at Adidas in 2020. Free focuses on marketing strategies, but the ethos of diversity, equity and inclusion informs her thinking every step of the way.

In memoriam: David Weintraub

Former School of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty member David Weintraub died Aug. 25, 2021.

How public health partnerships are encouraging COVID-19 vaccination

The SJMC’s Brooke McKeever and other researchers explain how they’re teaming up with nonprofits and other organizations to encourage more people to get these potentially lifesaving shots.

Student Spotlight: Alli McCraw

Senior Alli McCraw is building her resume one internship at a time. And in the process, she’s learning skills that will help her hit the ground running when she graduates.

Visual communications students recognized by international organization

School of Journalism and Mass Communications visual communications students will be honored for excellence in design at the 2021 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication virtual conference on Aug. 4.

Alyssa Lang is a rising star at ESPN. Her time in Columbia helped her get there

The State newspaper spotlights 2015 J-school alumna Alyssa Lang, who is making a name for herself in sports broadcasting.

Fulfilling a childhood dream

As a child, Meg O’Malley worked in a chocolate shop. Now, this 2016 public relations graduate is using her marketing and social media skills to promote her own sweet business.

High-flying photography

Van Kornegay is teaching visual communications students how to fly without ever leaving the ground. The new course will teach students to operate camera-equipped drones that have become a go-to tool in documentary making, news gathering, infrastructure inspection, real estate marketing and more.

The winning shot

Getting published is par for the course in our visual communications program. Check out award-winning photography from Van Kornegay's portfolio class. Students focused on Gamecock sports for the Columbia Metropolitan Magazine photo contest, sponsored by the Talmadge Moore LeGrand Photojournalism Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Robertson wins top dissertation award

SJMC assistant professor Brett Robertson has won the 2021 W. Charles Redding Outstanding Dissertation Award from the International Communication Association’s Organizational Communication Division.

Free speech wasn’t so free 103 years ago, when ‘seditious’ and ‘unpatriotic’ speech was criminalized in the US

Media law and ethics assistant professor Eric P. Robinson writes for The Conversation about the continuing conflict between patriotism and free expression.

College mourns former dean of journalism school

The college mourns the death of Judy VanSlyke Turk, the eighth dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, who died in Richmond, Virginia, on May 2 after a long illness.

Taking risks and following dreams

Public relations major Contessa Davis will graduate from the University of South Carolina a whole year early, but the impact she’s had through her many leadership roles will leave a mark long after she’s gone.

Back on the cutting edge: Scott Farrand re-embraces Apple technology

Scott Farrand is no stranger to innovative technology. The visual communications instructor beta-tested and helped develop the first version of MacDraw, Adobe Illustrator and FreeHand drawing programs for the Macintosh. But after spending some time on the cutting edge, he decided to disappear. Now, he's back.

It was an award-winning week

It was a very good week for journalism and mass communications students competing in regional competitions. Teams and individual students racked up a variety of awards from advertising, public relations and journalism organizations.

Broadcast senior wins first place in BEA hard news contest

When broadcast journalism major Ward Jolles tied for first place in the Broadcast Education Association's Faculty Festival of Media Arts in March, he didn't expect to win. That's because he didn't even know he was nominated.

COVID-19 impact: Navigating communications during the pandemic

Brooke McKeever, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, discusses how we have worked through the communications challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UofSC students win creative awards

Students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications were honored with 14 awards at the virtual American Advertising Awards gala. Check out our winners in print, interactive and broadcast media.

Multimedia journalism students win 10 awards from the SCPA

Carolina News & Reporter multimedia students won 10 awards in the 2020 South Carolina Press Association collegiate competition. The students took the Senior Semester capstone course in the spring or fall of 2020.

From NABJ to USA Today

Analis Bailey landed a reporting job during one of the craziest times a newsroom has ever seen — 2020. But Bailey is succeeding in her new role thanks to the tools, lessons and experiences she acquired at the SJMC.

The path to Twitter

Nya Simone ('19 public relations) paved a path for herself during her undergraduate years at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and continues to do so. Now she's landed one of her biggest roles yet -- customer success specialist for Twitter. Read our spotlight on Simone to learn more.

A woman's place is in politics

Powerful women in politics are responsible for some of the world’s greatest accomplishments and innovations. And two of our alumni, Lauren Harper and Amanda Loveday, are among those leaving their mark and paving the way for others.

Learning from the pros

You might have heard that the SJMC launched a new sports media concentration this fall, but did you know students are being taught by seasoned sports media professionals?

A little push goes a long way

Lee Wardlaw almost changed his major — until he met professor Michelle LaRoche. Her class and a "push" prepared him for challenges he would face later in his career.

Congress still shall make no law

J-school alumnae Miranda Parnell experienced violence firsthand while reporting for WIS News at a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Columbia. It prompted discussions on how to balance the importance of covering these events with the safety of those covering them.

And the winner is ...

There was just a tenth of a point difference between the first and third place ads. But when the voting closed, Cheetos "It Wasn't Me" tallied the highest score with the Super Bowl of Advertising Class.

Softball partners with journalism school to provide broadcasts for first seven home games

With help from Director of Content Brad Muller, Dillon Clark, Nik Klos, Zach McKinstry and Connor Lomis will team up to call the first seven home games of the 2021 season on SEC Network+.

Cocky's Super Ad Poll goes virtual

Most classes have gone virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications’ Super Bowl Commercials class is no exception. This year’s class — and the 18th annual Cocky’s Super Ad Poll — will be online.

Empowering excellence: Ken Baldwin

Ken Baldwin always wanted to help budding journalists excel in business and financial reporting. After a successful career in journalism, he is finally able to do it.

How growing up in Aynor prepared one of the nation’s top reporters to cover Trump

Years before he would be covering the most powerful people in the world, SJMC alumnus Dawsey began his journalism career in Aynor, his hometown where his parents still have a farm today. Read more about Dawsey in this story from The Post and Courier.

An immense love of people

Broadcast journalism alumna Rosalyn Durant is now senior vice president of operations at Walt Disney World Resort supporting Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports — a long way from Columbia. But the lessons she learned at South Carolina have guided her through her career and still push her forward today.

Making it through MAIP

Three students from the University of South Carolina were chosen as 2020 MAIP fellows, and two more participated in the Virtual Engagement Program. The annual program is a world-class professional development opportunity for young talents of diverse backgrounds to launch their careers.

Paving the path

To some, the NFL may seem like an industry dominated by men, but photographers Kara Durrette and Tori Richman have a different thought.

Free speech issues abound after Capitol Hill riot

Assistant Professor Eric Robinson discusses the riot at the Capitol building on Jan. 6 and the serious questions and concerns it raises regarding First Amendment law and freedom of speech generally.

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