UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media

06/01/2026

Commencement, national recognition and a strong finish to the academic year. This eCommunicator features achievements, moments and people across the UNC Hussman community.

📬 Note from Dean Reis
🎓 Commencement 2026 + Bryan Tucker’s commencement address
🏆 Hearst national championship + Pulitzer-winning alumni
🌆 NYC career trek + classroom activities
🏅 Faculty and staff excellence awards

Read the latest edition of the Hussman eCommunicator ➡️ go.unc.edu/eCMay2026

05/30/2026

The connections you make at Carolina stay with you long after graduation. 🩵

Bryan Tucker, senior writer for Saturday Night Live, returned to share that message with UNC Hussman’s Class of 2026, reflecting on finding community, committing to what you love and leaning on the people who sustain you.

go.unc.edu/unc26ca

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Alumni

05/29/2026

🚨 Registration for the North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute is open to school groups through June 1!

Hosted June 16-18 at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, the residential program brings together journalism teachers, media advisers and students in rising grades nine through 12 to build skills in news, design, broadcast and more.

Learn more and register: ncsma.unc.edu/institute/

North Carolina Scholastic Media Association

05/29/2026

After arriving at Carolina in 1989, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandfather, Gwendolyn Bounds built her foundation in journalism and mass communication at UNC Hussman. With support from mentors like Phil Meyer, she launched a career that has included more than 20 years at The Wall Street Journal and leadership roles at Consumer Reports.

Years later, she embarked on a journey unlike anything she had done before: mastering the sport of obstacle course racing. Despite little athletic experience, she pushed herself to compete — and in 2024, became a Spartan Race champion.

“I think my ability to be like a multitool has served me well,” Bounds said. “And that was something I got from my time at Carolina.”

Learn how resilience has defined her journey and the habits she says will serve students well beyond Carolina: go.unc.edu/GB


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

05/28/2026

Congratulations to UNC Hussman students Sachi Akmal, Gitzelle Enciso-Ramirez and Allison Royal, who were among nine Tar Heels selected as Phillips Ambassadors for study abroad programs in Asia this summer.

Akmal is studying through UNC Phillips Summer in Taiwan, Enciso-Ramirez is studying through Yonsei University in South Korea and Royal is participating in a UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School internship program in Singapore.

Learn more about the Phillips Ambassadors Program: go.unc.edu/phillipss2026


Carolina Asia Center, UNC College of Arts and Sciences

05/27/2026

At the end of the spring semester, Carolina Week, a student television news program at UNC Hussman, presented a half-hour special examining how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping everyday life.

Led by Professor of the Practice Leyla Santiago, the program features perspectives ranging from a humanoid robot in London to a farmer in Roxboro, as well as police officers making high-stakes decisions and leaders of an AI-powered elementary school, highlighting a technological shift redefining how we live, work and learn.

Watch the full special and view the accompanying website: go.unc.edu/CWFTI


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This half-hour special by Carolina Week reveals how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping everyday life. The program features perspectives ranging from a humanoid robot in London to a farmer in Roxboro, as well as police officers making high-stakes decisions and leaders of an AI-powered eleme...

05/26/2026

Still thinking about the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Class of 2026.

📸 This year's commencement photo gallery is now available at https://www.yorkwilsonphoto.com/Hussman-2026.

05/26/2026

Congratulations to four UNC Hussman alumni recognized by the Pulitzer Prizes earlier this month!

Brian Cassella ’05, Alex Kormann ’19 and Emmy Martin ’25 were part of Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting teams, and Jason Armond ’19 contributed to a finalist team.

Learn more about the work behind the recognition: go.unc.edu/2026pulitzers

📝 Carolina Alumni


Pulitzer Prizes, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

05/22/2026

🗽 Earlier this month, 11 UNC Hussman students took part in the master’s program’s inaugural career trek in New York City, meeting with agencies and companies across the communications and marketing industry.

At LinkedIn, Deloitte, Wieden+Kennedy, Ogilvy, Omnicom and Sony, students connected with industry leaders, explored workplace cultures and gained insight into career paths.

Led by faculty members Gary Kayye and Renee Mitson, the trek also connected students with Tar Heel alumni who shared their experiences and advice.

See highlights from each stop, featuring the people and places that made this trek a memorable experience.


UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School, Gary Kayye

05/21/2026

Congratulations to UNC Hussman alumna Erin Matson, who received the Distinguished Young Alumna Award presented by Carolina Alumni. Established in 1971, the award honors alumni for outstanding contributions to humankind.

A field hockey phenom from the moment she first picked up a stick, Matson returned to Carolina at just 22 to lead the same program she once starred in, guiding the Tar Heels to ACC and NCAA national championships in her first season as head coach

Read more about Matson’s path from player to championship coach and what drives her success: go.unc.edu/dya26

📸 Carolina Alumni

UNC Field Hockey