College of Media launches new bachelor’s degree in sports media

March 9, 2026 | Holly Rushakoff In response to a growing interest from students—and with a proven track record of successful alumni across the sports media industry—the College of Media is expanding its roster to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media. The program will prepare students for a variety of careers in sports […]

I on the Media: Inside the Cultural Momentum of the 2026 Sports Season

February 19, 2025 These sporting events create shared viewing rituals that bring millions of people together to experience the games in real time. And while audiences continue to reach historic highs, even as media habits fragment, it’s worth examining how these events shape identity, fandom, community, and the way people connect with one another. To […]

Jan Slater

Professor Emerita of Advertising Education Course Specialties Background Dr. Jan Slater served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Gies College of Business and Professor of Advertising in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising at the University of Illinois. She aslo served as Dean of the College of Media for six years, and head of […]

Take Five with Media Alumni: Alex Studer

February 6, 2026 1. What is your current role at Peacock? Currently, I’m the director of web strategy on the growth go-to-market team here at Peacock. I’ve been at the company for six years now and have been one of the key acquisition and experimentation leaders who have helped launch and grow the business. Put […]

Centennial Circle: Investing in the next century of media education

Join a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future of the College of Media at Illinois January 14, 2026 As the College of Media approaches its 100th anniversary, we celebrate our proud legacy and commit to advancing the next era of media education and research. Illinois Media graduates have informed the public, shaped culture, advanced technology, […]

Advertising students create real-life client campaigns through Sandage Project capstone course

January 8, 2026 Students in ADV 498: The Sandage Project developed campaigns for three community organizations in Fall 2025, including Lincoln250, H3 (Harm, Healing, and Hope), and EARS Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary. “The students put together impressive campaigns for each, and the clients were very happy,” said senior lecturer of advertising Marisa Peacock. The eight-week […]

ICR faculty and students receive honors at 2025 National Communication Association convention

December 10, 2025 The Institute of Communications Research marked a highly productive year at the 2025 National Communication Association convention from November 19-23 in Denver, Colorado, with faculty members, students, and alumni presenting research, chairing panels, and contributing to programming at the 111th annual event. In addition to this strong scholarly presence, several members of […]

Senior lecturer Carrie Wilson-Brown receives Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award

December 10, 2025 Carrie Wilson-Brown, senior lecturer of media and cinema studies and advertising, received the 2025 Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award for Teaching and Mentoring in Diversity from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community. The Teaching and Mentoring in Diversity award honors faculty, instructors, or lecturers who […]

2025-26 Ebert Fellows announced

November 4, 2025 | Giuliana Means, Communications Intern Each fall, the Roger Ebert Fellowship program selects three College of Media undergraduate students to participate in the yearlong fellowship that aims to shape their skills in critical writing through immersion in the film industry. The Roger Ebert Fellows chosen for the 2025-26 academic year are Paige […]

Media literacy research and engagement initiatives address societal challenges

October 29, 2025 Faculty and graduate students across the College of Media are pursuing a range of activities aimed at understanding challenges to media literacy and developing interventions to improve it. Recent activities include: A team including Michelle Nelson, professor of advertising, Amanda Ciafone, associate professor of media and cinema studies, Stephanie Craft, professor of […]

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