SJMC Insider – Spring 2026
Read the Spring 2025 issue of Vilas Insider and learn about updates from SJMC students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Comedy With Heart: Six SJMC Alumni Making Their Mark in Comedy and Entertainment
From stand‑up to screenwriting, meet six SJMC alumni in comedy and entertainment who are shaping how humor bridges divides and shapes the human experience.
Sharon Stark Establishes $1 Million Investigative Journalism Professorship
Long-time SJMC supporter Sharon Stark gave $1 million to create the Sharon Stark Professorship, strengthening investigative journalism education and supporting future reporters.
Students
Inside J450: 2026 FIFA World Cup provides students with valuable skills
Students in J450: Sports Reporting course will learn to cover the excitement and culture of sports with the help of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
June 29, 2026
Graduate Student Appreciation Week Q&A with SJMC Graduate Students
Meet some of the passionate graduate students who help make the SJMC a vibrant and collaborative community.
April 7, 2026
WSUM Named Best College Station in the Nation
WSUM was named Best College Station in the Nation by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS), the program's highest honor.
March 30, 2026- See More
Faculty & Staff
Exploring the Digital Evolution of the Black Press
In her new book, Assistant Professor Miya Williams Fayne explores the changing landscape of digital Black news and the questions shaping its future.
July 29, 2026
Professor Mike Wagner to become SJMC Director
Professor Mike Wagner will become the 16th director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication on July 1, 2026.
June 29, 2026
Professor Dhavan Shah Awarded 2026 AEJMC Paul J. Deutschmann Award
Professor Dhavan Shah receives the 2026 AEJMC Paul J. Deutschmann Award for his contributions to political and health communication and computational social science.
June 29, 2026- See More
Alumni
Three Questions for Sadie Dorf
Meet SJMC alumna Sadie Dorf, a social media and earned media leader behind Hidden Valley Ranch’s Ranchbassador program, as she shares career insights, advice for students, and memorable experiences at UW-Madison.
August 3, 2026
Comedy With Heart: Six SJMC Alumni Making Their Mark in Comedy and Entertainment
From stand‑up to screenwriting, meet six SJMC alumni in comedy and entertainment who are shaping how humor bridges divides and shapes the human experience.
June 29, 2026
Sharon Stark Establishes $1 Million Investigative Journalism Professorship
Long-time SJMC supporter Sharon Stark gave $1 million to create the Sharon Stark Professorship, strengthening investigative journalism education and supporting future reporters.
June 29, 2026- See More
Research and Insights
Exploring the Digital Evolution of the Black Press
In her new book, Assistant Professor Miya Williams Fayne explores the changing landscape of digital Black news and the questions shaping its future.
July 29, 2026
Assistant Professor Ross Dahlke Launches CODE Lab
UW–Madison’s CODE Lab, led by Ross Dahlke, uses large‑scale digital trace data to study how real online exposure shapes human beliefs and behavior.
June 29, 2026
UW-Madison Survey Assesses Changing Public Attitudes Since Trump’s Election
A study from the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal examines changing public attitudes since the 2024 presidential election.
June 18, 2026- See More
Events
Public Tech Media Lab hosts first Digital Investigations Bootcamp
SJMC's Public Tech Media Lab launched the Midwest's first Digital Investigations Bootcamp, training journalists and students in OSINT and digital verification.
July 20, 2026
Day of the Badger 2026: By the Numbers
Day of the Badger 2026 was a smashing success. See how the SJMC did by the numbers.
June 22, 2026
2025–2026 Academic Year in Photos
As we wrap up the 2025-2026 academic year, we're reflecting on the achievements of our students, faculty and staff, numerous events and other important moments that made this year so special.
June 10, 2026- See More
SJMC Insider
SJMC Insider, SJMC’s quarterly alumni newsletter, is shared digitally three times per year and in print in the spring.
Read our latest issue.
SJMC Insider: Spring 2026
The latest print edition of the SJMC insider features six alumni using comedy to build community, multiple generous alumni gifts pushing the SJMC forward, faculty awards and updates and a new research lab focused on AI and human behavior.
Weekly Department Updates and Announcements
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