Michigan rises to No. 1 in College Sports Social Pulse rankings
With Ohio State and Alabama enjoying a bye week, the online conversation belonged to the Michigan Wolverines, marking the first time this season the Wolverines have taken the top spot.
Looking forward: Welcoming new faces
We are excited to begin the new academic year by welcoming new faculty to our vibrant college community. From expanding the instructional capabilities in our fast-growing sports media major to enhancing our expertise in AI, they bring new depth and breadth to the college.
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.
Georgia, Notre Dame Surge in College Sports Social Pulse Rankings
Between the hedges and across the feeds, Georgia is king of college football this week Oregon's Dan Lanning Leads Coaches, Ducks Move Up In Team Rankings
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.
John Mateer, Oklahoma surge in latest College Sports Social Pulse rankings
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer didn’t just lead the Sooners past Michigan last weekend — he led them to the top of the national online conversation.
New course focuses on the history of Black librarians
Public libraries in America are open to all today, but for decades they were segregated. A new summer course from the School of Information Science explored the 150-year history of Black librarians and their impact on the profession.
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.
Tracking shifts in public trust, use and perceptions of AI
The third wave of the AI Global Public Opinion Tracker reinforces earlier findings, aligning with other U.S. surveys and highlighting clear trends for communication, journalism and workplace AI.
Garnet Apple Award: Vanessa Kitzie
Asking why is an integral part of Vanessa Kitzie’s personality. As a 2025 winner of the university’s Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, Kitzie is putting the question to her students in ways that force them to consider emerging technology from every perspective.
College to partner with The Post and Courier on unique student opportunity
Each semester, 10 students will be selected for the “The Post and Courier Experience” to prepare them for future work in the communications industry.
Ohio State Remains No. 1 in Social Swagger
Ohio State's performance on the field is matched only by its dominance online. Passionate fans kept the Buckeyes at No. 1 for the second week in a row. Ohio State upset Texas and Arch Manning in Columbus.
Charles Bierbauer obituary
Charles Johann Bierbauer, journalist and educator, died at age 83 on Aug. 29, 2025, at his home in North Carolina. His generous heart gave out after a good, long life.
College mourns death of founding dean
For his students and colleagues, Charles was not just a dean or professor — he was, in every sense, a teacher. The tributes reflect this deeply.
Grow with Google teaches AI skills to small businesses and nonprofits
Grow with Google collaboration brings AI training to local small businesses and nonprofits
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.
Farmageddon goes global but doesn't move the needle
Ohio State Surges to No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse. Notre Dame, Penn State and Auburn make first entries into the Top 10.
Bama back on top: Alabama leads nation in preseason college football fan chatter
The Tide is rolling again — this time on social media. Alabama fans have powered their team to No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse preseason rankings, proving that when it comes to online chatter, nobody beats Bama Nation.
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.
Recognizing the bias in AI
Assistant professor Alamir Novin conducted a volunteer-based study on user interaction with AI systems and how user bias evolves. Among the 200 participants, he found evidence of four basic types of cognitive bias.
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.
Alumna Tamara King to lead Richland Library
King, who holds degrees from both the School of Information Science and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, will become the first African American to lead the nationally recognized library system.
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.