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College of Information and Communications

SJMC News

Ph.D. alumna recognized with 2025 PRSA Outstanding Educator Award

Hilary Fussell Sisco has received the 2025 Public Relations Society of America Outstanding Educator Award.

Quadruple Gamecock: Kelly Evans Grieshaber's journey back to USC

A USC graduate has returned to campus, but this time she's on the other side of the classroom. Kelly Grieshaber returned as an instructor this fall, and she is pioneering new programs and classes intended to enhance the rapidly growing sports media sequence.

Finding her voice: Q&A with Alicia Caracciolo

Senior Alicia Caracciolo looks back on her public relations studies in the CIC, noting that the combination of practical assignments, mentorship and campus involvement played a pivotal role in developing her confidence and leadership skills.

SJMC well represented at NCA 25

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications participation in the annual National Communication Association Convention stood out due to its dynamic faculty and student participation.

CreateAthon@USC produces award winning work for nonprofits

135 dedicated individuals sacrificed sleep for a night filled with purpose, passion and creativity. They channeled their talents into meaningful work —transforming ideas into impactful campaigns that would benefit communities long after the night was over.

Evans uses SEC travel grant to collaborate with University of Florida faculty

Jabari Evans visited the University of Florida, where he delivered a guest lecture titled "The Stories We Tell: Race, Media, and Cultural Power."

Exploring consumer connections through data: Meet professor Jameson Hayes

Jameson L. Hayes, Ph.D., has built a career at the intersection of advertising, data science and human behavior. Hayes leads research exploring how people form and maintain relationships with brands -- and how data can help us understand those connections more deeply.

College partners with SCETV to provide hands-on experience for students

Students at the College of Information and Communications will be practicing their media pitching skills this year in a capstone class with juniors and seniors.

Suzanne Scott, CEO of FOX News Media, headlines 2025 Baldwin Lecture

Scott, one of Forbes magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Media and Entertainment, headlined the 2025 Baldwin Lecture.

RTNDAC student awards announced

SJMC students brought home seven of the first-place awards in the 11 television categories, along with four second-place finishes — even sweeping the awards in several categories.

Broadcast journalism students receive immersive, real-world training at CNN Academy

Eight broadcast journalism students attended CNN Academy, CNN’s global journalism training initiative, held at the network’s headquarters in Atlanta Oct. 12–17.

Who is this Halloween's Ghoul in the School?

While every ghoul had its charm, only one could rise from the crypt to claim top honors in the annual Monster Mash competition.

The SJMC celebrates 2025 alumni and faculty award recipients

Alumni, faculty and friends of the college gathered to celebrate the 2025 School of Journalism and Mass Communications Alumni Awards on Thursday, Oct. 23.

USC helps students succeed through internships and experiential courses

Students from the SJMC are completing internships to gain experience and prepare for careers in their chosen fields.

Students earn national honors at MediaFest25

Staff of the SJMC's Carolina Reporter and other USC student media won top awards from the College Media Association and the Associated Collegiate Press.

Changing the script

Patrick Pianezza worked as a paramedic while earning his bachelor’s in public relations and master’s in health administration. He never imagined his career path would lead to Hollywood, or that an undergraduate creative writing assignment would inspire his first movie.

Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award: Brett Robertson

Robertson believes education goes beyond content delivery — it should challenge students to think critically, empower them to engage with real-world problems and inspire tangible impact. And the best way to do that? Appeal to students’ individual interests, abilities and learning styles.

Parks Rogers named Baldwin Business Faculty Fellow

John "Parks" Rogers has been named Baldwin Business Faculty Fellow, a position that oversees business and financial journalism initiatives while advancing industry-immersion opportunities for students.

USC experience paved the way for Pulitzer finalist Mary Ramsey

When Mary Ramsey arrived at the University of South Carolina, she was already certain of two things: she wanted to be a Gamecock, and she wanted to be a journalist.

Shirley Staples Carter reflects on a journey of leadership, community and student success

Carter has been a pillar of the CIC community since she started as the director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2003. She shares a few reflections as her time in the school comes to a close.

Faculty and students recognized by national association

School of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty and graduate students were honored for excellence in research and teaching at the 2025 AEJMC Conference held Aug. 8-10 in San Francisco.

Student spotlight: Jordan Richardson

Mass communications junior Jordan Richardson is taking his passion for USC to Student Government, serving as the 2025-26 student body vice president.

Alumnus Josh Dawsey publishes best-selling book on 2024 election

Dawsey works at the forefront of U.S. politics. He has covered the White House extensively and has twice won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting with teams from The Washington Post. His new book "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America" tells the story of the tumultuous election season.

Tepper Sports & Entertainment executive to join college faculty

Tamera Green, senior vice president and chief communications officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, will join the college as a professional track faculty member and co-director of sports media initiatives.

Pearls of Wilson: Gamecock basketball great shares life lessons

Before she ever picked up a basketball, A’ja Wilson dreamed of becoming a writer, and the onetime mass communications major definitely has a way with words.

Pipeline to success for former women's soccer managers

Kheron Alston (Broadcast Journalism '21) and Caroline Barry (Vis Com '21 and MMC '22) are two SJMC alumni finding success in the professional world thanks to their education and experiences behind the scenes of our Gamecock teams.

New book by Jabari Evans examines hip-hop's influence in the classroom

A new book by the CIC assistant professor of race and media, “Hip-Hop Civics: Connected Learning in the Rap Classroom,” details how educators can use hip-hip to teach civics in more engaging ways to students — especially those of color.

Global strategic communications experts convene in Sardinia for 2025 GSCC Conclave

The Global Strategic Communication Consortium held its 2025 conclave — an exclusive event that brings together top scholars to explore the future of strategic communication through the lenses of ethics, technology, and public engagement — from March 9–13 in Sardinia, Italy.

Journalism students win Mark of Excellence awards

School of Journalism and Mass communications students received five first-place awards and four finalist awards in the 2024 Region 3 Mark of Excellence competition sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Participants in photojournalism workshop celebrated

A group of 60 gathered to celebrate the photography created by students participating in the Talmadge Moore LeGrand Photojournalism Workshop led by instructor Renée Ittner-McManus.

From code to community: How one CIC instructor harnesses AI for good

Marcia Purday doesn’t renounce AI, she embraces it. She is using her love of technology to teach generative artificial intelligence skills to students and small businesses.

USC public relations student elected PRSSA international president

University of South Carolina student, Alicia Caracciolo, was elected international president of the Public Relations Student Society of America at the organization's leadership assembly in March.

From SEC Network to USC stage: Paul Finebaum's thoughtful campus conversations

SEC Network and ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum paid a whirlwind visit to campus on April 23 that culminated in the 2025 Buchheit Family Lecture.

Outstanding students honored at SJMC awards ceremony

Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and service at the annual SJMC Honors and Awards Reception, held in the school’s atrium on April 17.

Journalism students honored by BEA Festival of Media Arts

The Broadcast Education Association recently honored the work of two USC journalism students, Zane Heinlein and Jase Leonard, at its annual Festival of Media Arts.

Brett Robertson awarded the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award

Assistant professor Brett Robertson in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications has been honored with the award, which recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to undergraduate education, innovative teaching methods and a profound impact on student learning.

Carolina News students win Student Production Awards

The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored four USC students for work created in the broadcast capstone course, Carolina News.

Students capture Carolina Cup's essence in unique workshop

WLTX reports on 20 photojournalism students who documented the Cup under professional mentorship — building portfolios and confidence at one of the state's biggest events.

AEJMC announces 2025 VIM Fest winners

Students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications garnered 10 awards at the AEJMC internationally competitive Festival of Visual & Interactive Media or "VIM Fest" awards on March 13, 2025.

Professor explores intersection of AI, advertising and public perception

As AI’s rapid evolution and adoption reaches further into advertising, professor Linwan Wu is studying its implications, impact and national public perception.

Carolina News & Reporter writers, photojournalists take top SC honors

Seven students from the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications took top honors in a recent statewide contest for collegiate journalists.

SJMC students win 25 ADDY awards

Advertising and visual communications students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications earned 25 American Advertising Federation ADDY Awards from the Midland's Chapter. The awards were presented at the chapter's "Under the Stars" gala on Feb. 22.

Michael Harriot to keynote Media & Civil Rights History Symposium

South Carolina native Michael Harriot will give a free public lecture on Thursday, March 27, at Allen University, Chappelle Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

Finding her calling

Paulia D. Williams (Journalism '12) won the 2024 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students Award. Here she talks career, TRIO and first generation-college students.

Love, Honors

Though Jenni Knight, ('13 journalism) and Brad Williams ('11 finance and management) knew each other during their undergraduate studies at USC and shared many mutual friends, their love story didn’t begin until after graduation.

Drawing on experience

Sumner Bender credits a movie with inspiring her first true career choice. It seems only fitting, then, that the 2007 public relations graduate now leads Columbia’s art house cinema, The Nickelodeon Theatre.

Brett Robertson appointed associate director at HVRI

Assistant professor Brett Robertson has been named associate director of the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute, bringing years of expertise in risk communication and climate adaptation to the role.

Gamecocks Take Manhattan: Eva Pilgrim

You’ve seen alumna Eva Pilgrim in the co-host seat on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘GMA3,’ but the broadcast journalism alumna has a rich life beyond TV.

Gamecocks Take Manhattan: Chris Rosa

Alumnus Chris Rosa is high energy. Talks fast, writes faster. As a senior editor at NBC Entertainment whose job is to drive web traffic with a steady diet of pop culture candy, he doesn’t have a choice. As a lifelong pop culture junkie, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.