Dennis McCarty is beginning his fourth year as a student in CCI’s doctoral program and is a graduate teaching assistant in the School of Communication Studies’ Public Speaking Center. McCarty earned his bachelor’s degree in print journalism and his master’s degree in education from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. What made you choose to get…
Mark Willoughby is no stranger to Rocky Top. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Haslam College of Business and has been working full time for the college since 2007. He is currently the Director of Student Engagement for the Haslam College of Business. After contemplating a PhD for several years, he enrolled…
Lily Crosby was drawn to strategic communications after working for the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a housing non-profit that works with people in Central Appalachia. She returned to school to improve those skills, graduating in May 2021 with her master’s degree in Communication and Information with the concentration in public relations. Crosby wants to use…
After four years of full-time copywriting work, Philip Servello was drawn back to college to pursue a degree that would help him pivot to a sports production career. He recently completed his master’s degree with a concentration on journalism and electronic media. He took full advantage of the student media programs that CCI offers, serving…
Jessica Barfield is pursuing her PhD in the College of Communication and Information with a concentration in information sciences and recently completed her first year of studies. She is an active member of the CCI Graduate Student Association and served as vice president during the spring semester. She is a graduate research assistant working with…
After being inspired by his wife simultaneously working and earning her Master’s degree, Scott Sikes looked to Rocky Top for his return to higher education. He earned his Master’s degree in Information Sciences in 2018 and recently completed his PhD with a concentration in Information Sciences in 2021. He successfully defended his dissertation, “In Our…
In a few months, Ciera Noe will earn her second degree from CCI as she completes the Master of Science in Communication and Information program with a concentration in Strategic and Digital Communication. The second one will definitely be a first. Noe completed her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Electronic Media in 2020 and is…
After more than 15 years away, Dania Sarelska returned to Rocky Top in 2018 from her home country of Bulgaria to pursue a PhD in Communication and Information with an emphasis in Journalism and Electronic Media. She was part of two Journalism and Electronic Media non-degree exchange programs in 2000 and 2003 while studying at…
The College of Communication and Information has recently introduced a flexible and convenient master’s degree program, which includes fully online, asynchronous courses. The program combines elements from each of the four concentrations offered within the college, allowing students the opportunity to receive a well-rounded education. Asynchronous courses are a great way for students to pursue…
Asynchronous course formats allow for greater flexibility and are a convenient way for students to further their education without having to put their lives on hold. These courses allow students to work on their own schedule while permitting them to work a job, complete internships, or even be a parent, just to name a few.…