Hands-On experience
The Media Center
Students can immerse themselves in hands-on experiences at The Media Center outlets by taking on the same roles they’ll find in real-world workplaces. The Media Center offers free workshops and lectures featuring industry and academic experts, giving students additional exposure to knowledge and skills they’ll use in their future careers.
Wednesday Workshop Series
In the Spring Semester of 2025, The Media Center is hosting a hands-on, student-focused Wednesday Workshop Series. The sessions are open to all students and are held in 011 Communication and Information Building from 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays. The interactive workshops will be led by a mix of industry professionals, CCI faculty and staff, and other university staff. No advanced knowledge is needed to attend.
Here are some of the upcoming workshops:
- 2/19 – Broadcast News Production with Will Dowling (DELAYED DUE TO WINTER WEATHER COVERAGE)
- 2/26 – Portrait Photography with Steven Bridges
- 3/5 – Investigative Reporting with Melanie Faizer
- 3/12 – Sports Radio Broadcasting with Jose Lopez
- 4/9 – Photojournalism with Brianna Paciorka
Coordinated Coverage
The Media Center launched its first coordinated coverage program, The Election Project, in fall 2024. Student and professional journalists from the Daily Beacon, The Vol Channel, WUTK, WUOT, and courses within the School of Journalism and Media curriculum reported on all aspects of the 2024 election, with a special eye toward how the election was understood by and affects the younger generation (e.g., 18-25).
The Election Project produced numerous pieces of original reporting, a special issue of the Daily Beacon, and an hour-long live television program, produced by The Vol Channel and simulcast on WUTK. Among other awards, The Election Project was awarded 1st place in Public Service Journalism at the Southeast Journalism Conference.
This semester, we are continuing our coordinated coverage with Covering the Opioid Epidemic. Partnering with Metro Drug Coalition, students across The Media Center and the School of Journalism and Media’s master’s program will be reporting on this important issue.
The Media Center News
The Election Project, Student Journalists Win Big at 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference
Students in the School of Journalism and Media earned several awards for their reporting coverage including Best Public Service Journalism for The Election Project and Best TV Station at the 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference
Alumnus’ Paralympic Coverage Earns Top 10 Spot in Hearst Journalism Awards Competition
School of Journalism and Media alumnus Lukas Vysniauskas’ (‘24) reporting on US Paralympian Carson Clough at the 2024 Paralympic Games has been recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards Program.
CCI Faculty Brittany Tarwater 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40
WVLT Anchor and Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (’09, ’13) was named to the 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40 list, joining seven other CCI alumni in the class. The former UT swimmer’s multiple Emmy-winning career in the newsroom and her work in the classroom and The Volunteer Channel are just part of the reason why she was selected.
Read about Brittany Tarwater’s induction to the 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40 class
Recent work from The Media Center outlets
School of Journalism and Media Students Produce Documentary on Vol Baseball Star Hunter Ensley
The 45-minute documentary, produced as part of a School of Journalism and Media Video Sports Production and Performance class last fall, tells the inspiring story of Tennessee baseball outfielder Hunter Ensley and his journey from humble beginnings in Alaska and small-town West Tennessee to becoming a Tennessee baseball star during the program’s historic national championship run.
Remembering first Black man to attend UT: How his fight for equal opportunity tore his family apart for generations
Gene Mitchell Gray Sr. was the first Black man to attend the University of Tennessee as a graduate student. While he never graduated from UT, his legacy persists and spirit continues on through his great-granddaughter, Arnashia Gray, a current student at UT.
WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry Nationally Recognized
TVC News Reporter Aubree Curran recently sat down to talk with WUOT radio reporter Pierce Gentry about how his unique approach to reporting led him to take home a second-place award in the National Hearst Award Competition.