University of Utah Communication Department

Congratulations to Dr. Avery Holton, professor and chair of the University of Utah Department of Communication, on being named one of two national finalists for Administrator of the Year in the 73rd Annual Scripps Howard Journalism Awards.

This recognition celebrates Dr. Holton's leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for students, faculty, and staff and reflects the incredible growth and momentum happening across our department.

Please join us in congratulating Avery on this national honor!

Read the full story: https://attheu.utah.edu/announcements/avery-holton-national-finalist-for-scripps-howard-administrator-of-the-year/

Avery Holton national finalist for Scripps Howard Administrator of the Year - @theU Widely regarded as among the most prestigious honors in the field, the award recognizes the U professor as a standout among impactful leaders in journalism...

The Office of the Vice President for Research has announced Professor Jakob Jensen has been promoted to Senior Associate Vice President for Research!

This promotion recognizes his leadership in strengthening the University of Utah’s research enterprise and expanding support for faculty across disciplines. Congratulations, Dr. Jensen!

Clinical Associate Professor Marcie Young Cancio has been selected as a 2026 Medill Solutions Journalism Educators Academy Fellow at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

As part of the program, she will attend a two-day residency at Medill’s downtown Chicago campus on June 24-25 for an intensive, all-expenses-paid professional development experience focused on rethinking how journalism is taught for the 21st century. Congratulations!

Associate Instructor Jeremy Lipschultz has a new chapter in the Lutrell and Bowman Routledge open source book Provoking Generative AI Futures titled, "Beyond Senriment: AI and Social Media Measurement." Congratulations!

Our Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter was nominated for three awards at this year’s Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Awards: Best Marketing Strategy and Community Impact for their work with the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, and RSO of the Year. While they did not take home an award, earning multiple nominations is a significant achievement and we are so proud of all the students involved!

The Tanner Humanities Center is hosting a free symposium on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City TOMORROW!! This is a time for scholars and fans alike to gather for lively discussion, appreciation, and spectacle. 👠👗💅

Reserve your spot at the link in our bio!

P.S. If you were wondering why Prof. Cancio has wigs in her office… now you know why!

Professor Danielle Endres released a new article in Environmental Communication called "Speculative Feasibility: Future Narratives and Discursive Infrastructure in Puerto Rico's Nuclear Alternative Project," with two Department of Communication doctoral alumni, Nico Hernandez and Brian Cozen.

Read the article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2026.2631454

Are you interested in the future of journalism?

Attend the 2026 Parry D. Sorensen Distinguished Lecture next week with special guest Bill Grueskin, called "What's working in journalism?" This annual event is made possible by the generosity of the Sorensen family and is hosted by the Edna Anderson Taylor Communication Institute.

Learn more: https://institute.communication.utah.edu/events/2026/sorensen-lecture.php

Associate Professor Leandra Hernandez and PhD Candidate Ellie Estrada are part of the site committee for the upcoming Association of Jotería Arts, Activism & Scholarship Conference titled, "Rooted in Love, Blooming through Refusal, Rising in Resistance: 15 Years of Jotería Memory & World-Making."

📅 March 19-22, 2026
📍University of Utah

All are welcome! Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPx9CTHWTO50MScp1h3PW4mFluZ8JCW_B4cTfZz7-IJWIQ-A/viewform

Meet the Department of Communication leadership team... just a little smaller 🥹🫶