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
                        
                                                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    Lantz Croft
Operations Manager
  WBRC FOX6 News
 Birmingham, AL
                
                     
                
        
                            
     
                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    Buffy Lockette, APR
 
Manager of Associate Communications
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.
Jacksonville, AL
                
                     
                
        
                            
     
                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    Thomas Ashworth
Sports Reporter
  AL.com
Huntsville, AL
                
                     
                
        
                            
     
                                                
         
        
                                    
                
            
                        
                                                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    Megan Roberts
News Director
 WRCB TV
Chattanooga, TN
                
                     
                
        
                            
     
                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    Maree Jones
Social Media Strategist
 Birmingham, Alabama
                
                     
                
        
                            
     
                                             
    
        
                                                    
                                    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.