SJMC Insider – Spring 2026 - School of Journalism and Mass Communication

SJMC Insider Spring 2026 banner featuring the School of Journalism and Mass Communication name in large white and red text on a red and light gray background with curved graphic elements.

Letters from the Directors

Outgoing Director Katy Culver reflects on her three year tenure and Incoming Director Mike Wagner shares his excitement for the future of the SJMC.

A split image with a woman with white hair wearing a red sweater with a black cardigan over it on the left and a man with glasses wearing a light peach button up shirt with a brown blazer.

Feature Story

A microphone on a stand with lights shining up at it

Comedy with Heart

Meet six SJMC alumni who are building bridges through comedy and entertainment despite a world determined to build walls.

More Than a Game

Students in Teaching Faculty Matt Hermann's summer sports reporting course will explore the stories, culture and journalism behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Award-Winning Airwaves

WSUM named Best College Station in the Nation by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.

A group of men and women pose outside with a cardboard cutout of Bucky Badger and holding up their hands in a "W" shape

Day of the Badger 2026

Day of the Badger 2026 was a record-breaking 1848 minutes of giving with over $79,000 raised. See how we did by the numbers.

Awarding Excellence

Professor Dhavan Shah receives the 2026 Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research, the highest research honor from AEJMC.

"Once a Badger, Always a Badger"

Distinguished Teaching Faculty Debra Pierce retires after 20 years,

Warm Welcome

Recent Stanford University PhD graduate Angela Lee will join the SJMC faculty in Fall 2026 as an assistant professor and teach courses in media psychology and digital wellbeing.