JMC students waiting for their flight to London ahead of covering the Union Jack Classic. Front row: (left to right) Daniel Schmidt, Melaina Hesterlee, Charlotte James, Ella Boozer, Juan Reyes and Wyeth Cooper; Back row (left to right) Brooks Babcock, Kaityn Gantenbein | Photo by Himee Kamatuka

JMC Jayhawks landed safely in London Saturday. Professor Matthew Tidwell, Professor Patricia Gaston, and Himee Kamatuka, Impact Advisor and Senior Recruitment Coordinator, are leading two students from each concentration to cover the Union Jack Classic this Saturday. The American football game will take place at Wembley Stadium between the KU Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devils. The group includes students: Charlotte James, Ella Boozer, Kaityn Gantenbein, Melaina Hesterlee, Brooks Babcock, Daniel Schmidt, Wyeth Cooper and Juan Reyes. All eight are credentialed for both the game and practice. They will also be meeting with alumni and touring advertising firms in London. Follow the School of Journalism & Mass Communication’s Instagram page as the group shares updates from their experience abroad throughout the week. 

JMC 640 Campaigns class participate in custom "Draw Your Future" exercise. 

Students in Professor of the Practice Angie Hendershot's Campaigns course took part in a custom "Draw Your Future" exercise Thursday with visual thinking consultant Patti Dobrowolski, founder of Up Your Creative Genius. Patti's original TED Talk has more than 1 million views, and she consults with organizations across the country. She joined the students via videoconference from Tucson, Arizona, to lead the future visualization exercise. As part of their capstone project, students are preparing a digital marketing communications plan for a new pilot career development event with the DeBruce Foundation that will feature a "Draw Your Future" exercise.

Chris Theisen (left), Sarah Wettemann (center) and Doug Self (right) speak to the Communicating Sports Information class | Photo by Laurie Bollig

The Communicating Sports Information class welcomed guest speakers from the KU Athletics strategic communications staff Thursday. Chris Theisen, Sarah Wettemann and Doug Self shared stories from their career journeys, described a typical workday, explained how they build relationships with coaches and discussed the work-life implications of careers in sports.

Snapback Sports joins Playmakers to discuss Week 2 of the college football season: (left to right) Jack Kenna, Casey Settleman, Jude Gosse, Jack Settleman | Photo by PlaymakersKU

The student-run sports program Playmakers welcomed a special guest for its second episode of the season. Jack and Casey Settleman of Snapback Sports joined hosts Jude Gosse and Jack Kenna for a roundtable discussion on Week 2 of the college football season. Snapback Sports is a digital media company with more than 4 million followers across multiple platforms. Catch Episode 3 of Playmakers live on YouTube when it airs this Friday.

The Agency's 2026 National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team made history this year, placing fifth nationally in the American Advertising Federation's NSAC competition. Teams presented an integrated strategic messaging campaign including audience research, strategic insights, comprehensive creative deliverables and media plan for a client organization. This year's competition featured the NFL as the client and included 103 college and university teams from across the country. After winning the District 9 title and Best Presentation award, the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications team advanced through multiple rounds to earn a spot among the nation's top eight teams. The achievement marks the first time KU and the JMC School have reached the NSAC finals.

District 9 presenters celebrate with trophy in April 2026: (left to right) Cole Dickey, Jackson Engle, Elise Heidrick, Sally Green

Javiera Rossel - JMC Doctoral Student

Javiera Rossel, a second-year doctoral student, was selected as a recipient of the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) for the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarship supports international women pursuing graduate study in the United States and Canada. Established in 1949, the program provides financial support while fostering connections between international students and P.E.O. chapters. Rossel's application was supported by Alyssa Appelman, professor at the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, and Lauri Herrmann-Ginsberg, professor of education and a member of a Lawrence P.E.O. chapter. As an IPS recipient, Rossel will connect with P.E.O. chapters throughout the academic year, sharing her experience as an international graduate student and supporting the program's mission of fostering peace through education.

Congratulations to JMC doctoral student Fally Afani for earning multiple honors at the Lawrence Journal-World's Best of Lawrence ceremony. Afani received six accolades:

JMC doctoral student Fally Afani holding Best of Lawrence awards | Photo by Fally Afani

Media Arts and Production senior Molly Stover-Brown's dance film, Life on Hold, was featured at the inaugural KCMOves Dance Film Festival. The festival was founded as a platform for movement-driven storytelling dedicated to amplifying the art of dance on screen in Kansas City, Missouri. Stover-Brown is also the recipient of Phi Kappa Phi's 2026 Pioneer Award.

Assistant Professor of the Practice Alex Treaster (left), Assistant Professor Vaibhav Diwanji (center) and Professor Matt Tidwell (right) speak at Heartland Certified Public Managers Conference. | Photo provided by Matt Tidwell

More than 300 people attended the 2026 Heartland Certified Public Manager Conference last week. The three-day event featured a Wednesday panel hosted by three JMC faculty members: Professor Matt Tidwell, Assistant Professor Vaibhav Diwanji and Assistant Professor of the Practice Alex Treaster. Their panel was titled "Communication as Infrastructure: Rebuilding Trust in a Fragmented World."

Professor Yvonnes Chen was a panelist at the Collaborative Research Luncheon on Wednesday. The panel focused on health humanities, with conversations ranging from storytelling and communication to the social and structural determinants of health. Sponsored by the Office of Research, the panel also featured Professor Katie Batza, chair and professor of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Professor Jason Glenn, associate professor of history and philosophy of medicine and associate director of the Center for African American Health at the KU Medical Center.

News Desert U authored by Teri Finneman and Pamela E. Walck. | Photo by Teri Finneman

Professor Teri Finneman's latest book, News Desert U, is now available. The book examines a handful of universities around the country where faculty and students have stepped up to help save local news. Finneman and co-author Pamela Walck of Duquesne University hosted a virtual conference with faculty today to discuss the book's findings.

The deadline for faculty to submit sabbatical applications for the 2027-28 academic year is less than a month away: Oct. 9. Faculty interested in applying should contact Dr. Mugur Geana, interim associate dean for research and faculty development. KU's Sabbatical Leave Policy and Procedures are available online. Additional information about timelines and forms is available from KU Faculty Affairs.

The next Student Success workshop is coming up soon. "College Hacks: The Hidden Curriculum" is designed for new students and anyone interested in learning more about KU, the ins and outs of college life, academic expectations and campus resources. Join us from noon to 12:50 p.m. Wednesday in the Clarkson Gallery.

Join the KU Ad Club this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Clarkson Gallery for its first guest speaker of the semester. Colin Bennett, digital marketing manager at Starlight, will share his career path and offer advice for students interested in the field. It's a great opportunity to network and learn more about careers in digital marketing. As a reminder, the KU Ad Club is still accepting new members, and all students are welcome. Follow the club on Instagram and join its GroupMe for updates.

KU Edwards Campus will host its annual Rock Chalk Run on Sunday, Oct. 4. Participants can choose from a 10K, 5K or 1K Fun Run. The event will also feature live music and food trucks. Register to run or sign up to volunteer. Proceeds from the run will directly fund scholarships for KU Edwards students.

Jobs

Internships and student jobs

Connect with Career and Outreach Coordinator Steve Rottinghaus for resume reviews and job and internship strategies, Stauffer-Flint Hall, Room 120, 

A dozen JMC alumni will be on campus throughout Thursday, Sept. 24, as part of “Hail to Thee, JMC” events. The alumni will share stories from their careers, time at KU and offer professional advice to current students in various classes. Between 9-10:30, alumni will be available in the Resource Center to review resumes and portfolios, and network. Students are invited to join the alums for lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Clarkson Gallery, followed by interactive games and more networking opportunities from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Steve Rottinghaus, career and outreach coordinator, at steve_rottinghaus@ku.edu

All students are invited to connect with employers at the annual JMC Fall Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Stauffer-Flint Hall. More than 20 employers are expected to attend, sharing internship and job opportunities and advice on how students can be prepared to enter the workforce. A professional photographer will be available between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to take portraits, perfect to add to your LinkedIn profile or website. A list of companies attending is available online. For more information, contact Steve Rottinghaus, career and outreach coordinator, at steve_rottinghaus@ku.edu

JMC alum and William Allen Foundation trustee Nate Bukaty, sports broadcaster, contributor for Sports Radio 810 WHB and author of “Perfect Pitch,” was a recent a guest on Career and Outreach Office’s Cheers to Careers podcast.

Sept. 16: Student Success Series - COLLEGE HACKS: The Hidden Curriculum, noon-12:50 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

Sept. 18: Faculty and staff meeting, 1-2:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

Sept. 23: Scholarship ceremony, 4-5 p.m., Burge Union, Forum C

Sept. 24: Hail to Thee, JMC, all day, Stauffer-Flint Hall and Dole Center

Sept. 30: Student Success Series - Connecting for Career Success, noon-12:50 p.m.

Oct. 1: Student Success Series - Drop-In Resume Reviews, 9 a.m.-noon, JMC Career Center, Stauffer-Flint Hall, Room 120

Oct. 8: Career Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Stauffer-Flint Hall

Oct. 23: Faculty and staff meeting, 1-2:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

Nov. 4: Student Success Series - Budgeting 101, noon-12:50 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

Next Monday Memo

• September 21

William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications
journalism.ku.edu

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.

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