Industry & Alumni Advisory Board

Our curriculum is shaped by the very people leading the communication industry. That's the power of our Industry and Alumni Advisory Board. This highly engaged group — made up of accomplished graduates, respected industry professionals, and a valuable current student voice — acts as our compass, guiding our programs to ensure they are always cutting-edge and career-ready.

Discover the Impact of Our Advisory Board

  • Shaping Relevant Curriculum: Our board members are on the front lines of the communication industry. They share current practices, emerging trends, and essential skills, directly informing our curriculum design. This means you’ll graduate with the skills employers are looking for.
  • Building a Strong Community: They are passionate about fostering stronger connections, opening doors to mentorship, networking events, and professional development opportunities. Our board members even come to classes to share their expertise and build direct relationships with you.
  • Boosting Career Readiness: From helping identify internship opportunities to supporting fundraising efforts that enhance program quality, the board is committed to serving the evolving needs of today’s college students and helping them thrive.
  • Exceeding Accreditation Expectations: Our board's active consultation and communication demonstrates our commitment to excellent and continuous improvement, a key aspect of our ACEJMC accreditation. Their ongoing counsel helps us maintain the highest standards in communication education.

The board meets annually and collaborates through subcommittees to achieve key objectives, always ready to lend their expertise for ad hoc support. Their dedication ensures our programs are dynamic, relevant, and highly respected.

Advisory Board Members

Name Title Organization
Lantz Croft Operations Manager WBRC FOX6 News
Birmingham, AL
Thomas Ashworth Sports Reporter AL.com
Huntsville, AL
Megan Roberts News Director WRCB TV
Chattanooga, TN
Jordan Smith Senior Interactive Producer Warner Media, Turner Sports/NCAA Digital
Atlanta, GA
Sydney Jones-Wright Director of Academic Affairs Communications Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
John Davenport Creative Production Designer- VO Talent- Iheartradio National Production team Production Director- Iheart Media
Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery, Alabama
Steve Goodman Director, MSNBC/NBC News New York, New York
Dianna Michaels Vice President of Business Development & Global Accounts GRBVU, Inc.
Matt Reed Press Secretary U.S. Senator, Deb Fischer
TBA Student Ex-Officio