Assistant professor Brett Robertson in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications has been honored with the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award. This prestigious university-level award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to undergraduate education, innovative teaching methods, and a profound impact on student learning.
“His innovative approach to course design, his focus on accessible education, and his exceptional mentorship embody the highest standards of teaching at the University of South Carolina,” says CIC Dean Tom Reichert. “Receiving this award just four years into his academic career shows just how exceptional of an educator he is.”
Robertson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in experiential, student-centered learning that empowers students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges. His courses, which include Media and Society, Environmental Communication, and Crisis Communication, go beyond traditional lectures, integrating hands-on projects, community partnerships, and real-time crisis simulations that prepare students for the demands of the communication field.
In his Crisis Communication course, Robertson has redefined classroom learning by designing high-pressure tabletop crisis simulations in collaboration with campus safety officials. These exercises challenge students to craft crisis response materials under tight deadlines, mirroring real-world media demands. In another applied exercise, students developed press releases and spokesperson statements in response to real-time crisis scenarios and received direct feedback from professionals who had managed the actual events.
Robertson has developed partnerships with organizations such as the City of Columbia’s Office of Sustainability, where his students conducted an audience analysis to identify and engage “climate-hesitant” groups. The city now actively uses these findings to shape public outreach strategies, demonstrating the real-world impact of Robertson’s courses.
Robertson’s commitment to student success is evident not only in his teaching methods but also in the way he inspires his students. As one student wrote in a course evaluation:
Dr. Robertson is the kind of professor who doesn’t just teach — you can tell he genuinely cares about making sure students walk away with knowledge they can use in their careers. His passion and enthusiasm make learning exciting, and he pushes us to think critically and apply what we learn in meaningful ways.
Robertson’s ability to merge academic rigor with practical application has made him a standout educator and mentor in the College of Information and Communications. His passion for teaching, commitment to student success, and innovative curriculum design have rightfully earned him the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award.