Each year, scholars, educators and media professionals gather for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Annual Conference, one of the field’s leading forums for research, education and professional exchange. The organization brings together those working across journalism and mass communication to advance scholarship, strengthen teaching and support an informed public.
Under the theme “Jazz & Jambalaya: Nurturing Harmony and Health in Higher Education,” C&IS faculty joined scholars from across the field to present research and participate in conversations about journalism and mass communication. Throughout the conference, faculty shared their expertise through research presentations, panels and discussions, contributing perspectives from across the college’s academic disciplines. Their participation provided opportunities to engage with fellow scholars, exchange ideas and share C&IS research with a wider academic community.
Among the C&IS faculty represented at the conference, two also received honors recognizing their contributions to the field. Jihoon Kim, assistant professor and associate chair of graduate programs in Advertising & Public Relations (APR), received the Advertising Division Early Career Teaching Excellence Award and presented grant-funded research at the conference. Michael Bruce, associate professor of journalism and creative media and director of the Digital Media Center, received the Hood-DuPont Service Award.
The Hood-DuPont Service Award recognizes contributions to AEJMC and the broader field of journalism and mass communication. Recently renamed in honor of media educators Nancy DuPont and Lee Hood, the award carries additional meaning for Bruce because of his personal connection to both educators.
“This newly renamed award honors two friends and media educators, Nancy DuPont and Lee Hood, who left an immeasurable legacy in media education,” Bruce said. “I’m humbled to receive an award that honors their legacy.”
For Kim, the conference offered an opportunity to be recognized for his work in the classroom while also sharing research that reflects his broader scholarship.
The Advertising Division Early Career Teaching Excellence Award recognizes early-career faculty who have demonstrated a strong record of undergraduate instruction and an exceptional commitment to student learning.
“Receiving the Advertising Division Early Career Teaching Excellence Award is a great honor,” Kim said. “This recognition reinforces my commitment to creating engaging learning experiences that connect academic research, current industry challenges and practical application.”
Kim also presented research examining an unexpected response to outrage online: whether particularly extreme expressions of anger toward a brand can prompt others to sympathize with or even defend the company being criticized.
“I was also grateful for the opportunity to present my research on how extreme online outrage can sometimes generate sympathy and brand defense,” Kim said. “This project was supported by the Korean American Communication Association (KACA)–Korea Foundation (KF) Emerging Scholar Grant.”
Through research, teaching and service, C&IS faculty contribute to the field in ways that extend beyond the classroom and campus. Bruce and Kim’s recognition at AEJMC reflects that broader commitment and the many ways C&IS faculty are helping advance journalism and mass communication through their work.