UT College of Communication & Information

06/03/2026

One of our first study abroad trips of the summer wrapped up last week in the United Kingdom! 🇬🇧

Over the past few weeks, our students immersed themselves in British sports culture, touring iconic venues, connecting with local clubs, and exploring the UK. Through this global experience, they sharpened their skills in sports journalism, storytelling, and digital media production, while gaining a deeper understanding of the global media landscape and experiences that will last a lifetime.

UT School of Journalism and Media

05/27/2026

Already counting down the days until our students are back hanging around campus 🧡

05/22/2026

As the semester came to a close, CCI had the honor of celebrating our graduating PhD students, recognizing outstanding faculty, staff, and graduate student award winners, and honoring the remarkable career and retirement of UTK Communication Studies Associate Professor John Haas.

We are so grateful for the dedication, excellence, and impact of our faculty, staff, and graduate students who continue to shape our community and support student success at CCI!

See the full list of our award-winners: tiny.utk.edu/foSsF

05/20/2026

Earning her degree from University of Tennessee, Knoxville has always been the dream for Halei Lamb.

The 33-year-old Georgia native never thought it would be possible at this stage in her life, but through the new online BSCI program at CCI, she is fulfilling her dream.

She is especially grateful for CCI making her feel at home at UT as if she was physically on campus. This past spring, with the college’s support, she was able to join her peers and professors on a CCI networking trip to Atlanta, allowing her to make connections she wouldn't have before and gaining hands-on experience. She met her classmates and faculty members, and she brought back knowledge she could apply to her day job.

Her advice to anyone like her considering UT: “To students like me, I know life is full. I know it gets overwhelming. There will be moments where you question why you signed up for one more thing. But keep going. It will be worth it. And to anyone considering the BSCI program: chase the dream, especially if it leads you to Rocky Top.”

Read more about her experience: tiny.utk.edu/zIPMu

Vols Online

05/19/2026

For decades, the Charles J. McClung Speech Contest has given students in CCI's public speaking courses the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and discover their voices through public speaking.

Open to students from across campus, the competition creates a supportive space to try something new, develop critical communication skills, and share ideas that matter.

Read more about the history and impact of the largest public speaking competition in the Southeast: tiny.utk.edu/jILrH

05/19/2026

Still feeling the joy from graduation weekend 🎓 We’re so proud of our newest graduates and grateful for the moments we shared celebrating you. Here’s to what’s next as UT Knoxville Alumni !

Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations
UT School of Information Sciences
UTK Communication Studies
UT School of Journalism and Media

05/16/2026

Class of 2026, you’ve made an incredible impact on CCI. We’re sad to see you go, but we can’t wait to see all you accomplish as the newest members of the family. Congratulations and Go Vols!

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Graduating CCI PhD candidate and first-generation student Carla White never predicted she would go to college, let alone earn her doctorate degree, as she did this spring.

As the North Bay, Canada, native prepares for her first professional academic job as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia this fall, she hopes her story inspires others like her who felt a college education was out of reach.

White feels blessed to have chosen University of Tennessee, Knoxville as her academic home these past four years and will miss the people the most. She is especially appreciative of her Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations professor and her faculty advisor Beth Foster. As she prepares to start her tenure-track faculty career at Foster’s alma mater, she hopes to make her proud by paying it forward and supporting her own students with the same warmth and dedication Foster has always shown her.

Congratulations, Carla. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to watch you shine as you continue to share your passion for communication, teaching, and research beyond Rocky Top!

Read her full story: tiny.utk.edu/D3Maj