22-23 College of Communication and Information ViewBook

Shaping Passions into Professions

What are you passionate about?

Writing, telling stories, making movies, taking pictures, designing, developing your social media presence, exploring cutting-edge technology, connecting with people, leading, answering big questions, looking at data, finding meaning in messages, analyzing the world around you, changing the world?

If your passion is on that list – CI can show you how to take that passion and turn it into a career. While at CI, you will shape your passion through innovative courses with award-winning faculty. You will work side by side with our industry partners through internships and professional experiences. You will serve real-world clients and participate in outreach through our student organizations. And you’ll work with our career services team to find a job in a career you’re wildly passionate about.

On the following pages, you’ll learn about the five undergraduate majors and other opportunities CI has to offer. Our advisors will help you find the path that’s right for you as you explore the possibilities of where your UK degree can take you. We cannot wait to welcome you to the CI family.

Jennifer D. Greer, Dean College of Communication and Information University of Kentucky

UK Men’s Basketball Coach John Calipari speaks to COM 327 Communication and Sport students.

COMMUNICATION

A COMMUNICATION major provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, manage and evaluate communication processes involving individuals, groups and the public. Available tracks are business and organizational communication, digital and mass communication, human communication, health communication and sport communication.

Karleigh Hollis

What’s possible with this major?

Communication Manager, Campaign Developer, Talent Agent, Operations Manager, Media Critic, Media Researcher, Communication Analyst, Consultant, Project Manager, Public Information Officer, Corporate Trainer, Crisis Communication Specialist, Sports Information Director

Communication, 2020 Project Manager, Apple Information Security

Also available

Communication minor, 18 credit hours

Degree completion program in communication (online only)

“My CI degree has taken me further than I could’ve imagined. I started working at Apple Retail my sophomore year at UK (thanks to a CI faculty member who referred me)! Working my way up through Apple was only possible because of my CI degree. The skills my degree gave me centered around building connections, forming and maintaining relationships and understanding the impact that your words have on people. These exact skills are what created the trajectory of my career and have been what I get most recognized for at my workplace.”

Spring 2022 ICT 305 Data Detectives students partnered with iFixit, a how-to website and online community which offers repair parts and step-by-step manuals to guide individuals in fixing their technology rather than disposing of it.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Trenton Upchurch

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

students can expect to work in areas where they are the communication link between people, organizations and the technologies used to support information infrastructures. Paths include commercialization and technology management. A professional internship is required.

What’s possible with this major?

Cybersecurity Risk Consultant, Information Architect, IT Developer, Application Support Specialist, IT Business Analyst, Web Marketing Manager, Digital Media Strategist, Usability Analyst, Internet Site Architect, Privacy Coordinator

Information Communication Technology, 2021

Director of Programming, WRFL/Gen.G Esports Partnerships

Also available

Information Studies minor, 18 credit hours (online option)

Degree completion program in information studies (online only)

“ICT came out of nowhere as an option for me. I was exploring campus during orientation, and they had a booth set up in White Hall where I met a few professors who explained to me what ICT was for, how it differed from traditional CS degrees and why it was a good fit. It made sense, and by the end of my first semester I was committed. Graduating with a CI degree, especially in such a technologically-driven era, is something I never expected when I came to UK. I can’t be more grateful to have found my life’s calling through a chance meeting in the summer of 2017.”

ISC’s 2022 National Student Advertising Competition Team finished fourth in the nation, UK’s highest-ever finish. The team also won the AdMall by SalesFuel Best Research Award, given to the national finalist team deemed to have demonstrated the best marketing research in their presentation and plans book, for the second year in a row.

INTEGRATED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Students who major in INTEGRATED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION learn

persuasive and creative approaches to communication initiatives and presentation. Students master a range of digital and traditional communication skills through courses addressing public relations, direct response, creative advertising and account management. A professional internship, portfolio and minor are required.

Nia Brown

Integrated Strategic Communication, 2021

Brand Social Coordinator, MTV and VH1

What’s possible with this major?

Account Executive, Media Buyer and Planner, Advertising Copywriter, Event

Planner, Public Relations Specialist, Direct Marketing Manager, Social Media Campaign Coordinator, Brand Manager, Creative Director, Digital Strategy Manager

“My ISC degree has allowed me to explore my loves of storytelling, music/ entertainment and building authentic connections. In my past and current roles, I’ve had the joy of helping find unique ways to tell stories of brands, artists, etc. in a way that people can connect with on deeper levels. Whether that helps with the end goal promoting an album or show, or selling a product, the messaging in between makes all the difference. It’s awesome to be able to learn so much and explore producing and writing in the process of publishing content to our brands’ social platforms.”

In March, the UK Student News Network celebrated their first live broadcast when they aired live from the SEC Tournament more than 800 miles away in Tampa.

JOURNALISM

JOURNALISM students develop skills in information gathering, analysis and production to communicate with audiences across new and traditional media platforms. Courses focus on writing and reporting, ethics, media law, history and the media’s role in an increasingly diverse society. Students have the option of following multimedia/print, multimedia/broadcast or sports journalism paths. A professional internship, portfolio and minor are required.

Neha Yousuf

Journalism, 2021 News Producer, WTDN Dayton, OH

What’s possible with this major?

News Reporter, Sports Reporter, Editor, Photographer, Videographer, Producer, Multimedia Journalist, News Anchor, Social Media Content Manager, Editorial Writer, Policy Analyst, Social Media Director

Also available

Journalism Studies minor, 18 credit hours

“My journalism degree from CI has given me the chance to work in production for the SEC Network and at Keeneland while still in school. I was able to land a news producer job in Dayton because I already had the skills and education they needed to get started right after graduation. I knew I wanted to go into sports and entertainment and my JOU degree was the gateway.”

MAS 342 Live Streaming students take a hands-on approach to learning live streaming platforms such as Twitch in the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union’s Esports Lounge located inside The Cornerstone.

MEDIA ARTS AND STUDIES

The MEDIA ARTS AND STUDIES major prepares students for careers across creative digital media. Courses focus on getting hands-on, skills-based instruction in the production of video, audio and other digital media.

Jade Garnett

Media Arts and Studies, 2021

Students also learn how to analyze the cultural, societal and institutional aspects of the television, music, film and video game industries. Paths include digital media production, multimedia design and development, media management, media studies and video game studies. A professional internship and minor are required.

Creative Marketing Production Assistant, NBC News Marketing

“I chose CI because I knew that I wanted to contribute my creativity and passion for media, and to be a part of the conversation.

What’s possible with this major?

Video Producer, Director, Editor, Technical Supervisor, Multimedia Designer, Audio Producer, Videogame Designer, Audience and Content Researcher

Also available

Media Arts and Studies minor, 18 credit hours

Video Game Design and Development minor, 18 credit hours

I’ve always loved everything about the media industry, whether it be working in news or entertainment. Additionally, I wanted to combine my creative brain and analytical perspectives. Here I am four years later, honored to have a BA in Media Arts and Studies from the UK College of Communication and Information. Being a first-generation student, this is an incredibly huge accomplishment for me and I am just so grateful. I would not be where I am today without CI.”

Shaping passions into professions.

Come find what inspires you, discover what ignites you and uncover what drives you.

We will help you along your journey with a staff of professional advisors to guide you, dedicated faculty to challenge you and cutting-edge curriculum and industry internships to give you the hands-on, real-world experience you need to graduate world-ready.

Here you will find your passion. Here we help you make it your profession.

PASSIONATE ABOUT SPORTS?

COMING TO RUPP ARENA IN 2024:

A 20,000-square-foot studio, production center and learning/ research laboratory in Rupp Arena at the Central Bank Center in the heart of downtown Lexington.

The state-of-the-art facility – a partnership with the College of Communication and Information, UK Athletics and JMI Sports – will create a high-tech collaborative space where students can learn alongside professionals in broadcasting and media production.

CI offers a full range of courses focusing on all aspects of sports including analytics, reporting, broadcasting, live streaming, eSports, video game design, promotion, sponsorships and more.

We also offer major tracks in sport communication, sports broadcasting and sports journalism and a minor in video game design and development.

LIVING LEARNING PROGRAM

The CI CONNECT LIVING LEARNING PROGRAM provides first-year students who have declared a major in the College of Communication and Information the opportunity to “connect” with other students, college faculty and staff, all from the comfort of Jewell Hall. LLP students enroll in a connected course specifically designed for CI students. CI Connect students have access to dedicated peer mentors, who are alumni of the LLP, year-round engagement with their academic advisor and participate in unique opportunities such as employer site visits and alumni networking. www.uky.edu/housing/living-learning-program

For more information about the CI Connect LLP: Dr. Schyler Simpson, Director of Retention and Student Engagement schyler.simpson2@uky.edu