Our Community

Our College, Our Commitment

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Our College, Our Commitment

From the Office of Dean Charles Davis

Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, one of the nation’s leading schools of its kind, views faculty, staff and student diversity of thought and inclusion of all to be core to our work and learning environments. Diversity creates opportunities for intellectual stimulation, tough conversations, learning, growth and innovation that subsequently enable our students to become effective leaders and well-rounded citizens. The College counts among its alumni Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63), the first Black woman to attend the University of Georgia.  We know our history and we know that at Grady College, diversity, intersectionality and inclusion make us stronger.

Being a state institution we aim to serve the population of all corners of our state. We look forward to your partnership to create opportunities and to build an inclusive culture for our College and, as a result, for our professions and industries.

The Grady College Inclusive Excellence Committee, made up of faculty, staff and students, guides the college in its inclusion initiatives through programming and long-term planning.

A group of eight young adults, dressed formally in red and black, stand smiling behind a table with nametags and papers, embodying Inclusive Excellence. A colorful welcome sign is partially visible on the wall behind them.
Four women sit at a panel table with microphones, participating in a discussion at the University of Georgia’s Grady College. Banners behind them highlight the school’s nationally ranked advertising program and commitment to Inclusive Excellence.
Two graduates in caps and gowns stand back-to-back, smiling in front of a brick wall with a sign reading, “Journalism Building, Grady College of Journalism, Mass Communication,” celebrating Inclusive Excellence.
Three graduates in caps and gowns stand together smiling, embodying Inclusive Excellence. One wears a white stole with a bulldog and Puerto Rican flag, while the others wear black robes. They pose outside in the sunlight.
Two young women wearing black graduation gowns and red stoles stand side by side, smiling and holding their caps outdoors. Their joyful celebration in front of a modern building reflects a spirit of Inclusive Excellence.
A group of five adults sits and chats outdoors on concrete steps, some with laptops, while a woman stands and speaks to them. The sunny scene, framed by trees, reflects an atmosphere of Inclusive Excellence.
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Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Ron Gault have generously created a new endowment at the University of Georgia to inspire and support students in projects that give voice to the voiceless, the charting light of the life and work of Charlayne Hunter-Gault.

This fund will provide grants to students from all disciplines across the university. It is fueled by the spirit of Charlayne’s career as a journalist and her journeys to the horizon that intellectually and geographically give voice, in Charlayne’s own words, “to people whose voices are needed—to help them realize their dreams for themselves and their communities, to help contribute to human understanding and to enlarge our capacity for empathy.”

Opportunities for Involvement

There are several additional UGA resources available for our diverse student population including:

Additional Organizations

  • The 3% Conference

  • Broadcast Education Association

  • National Association of Hispanic Journalists

  • American Advertising Federation

  • Geena Davis Institute

  • Native American Journalists Association

  • News Leaders Association

  • Journalism & Women’s Symposium

  • The Poynter Institute

  • Asian American Journalists Association

  • The LAGRANT Foundation

  • Public Relations Society of America

  • The Association of LBGTQ Journalists (NLGJA Stylebook)

  • National Association of Black Journalists

  • Society of Professional Journalists

The Latest

Read the newest headlines, get updates and discover events happening at Grady.

Two graduates stand in front of Grady college in their caps and gowns.

De’Ondre Harris selected as senior speaker for Grady College Convocation; Kate Hall to deliver UGA Commencement remarks

De’Ondre Harris, a graduating journalism major from Atlanta, Georgia, has been named senior speaker for the Spring 2025 Grady College Convocation. Grady Convocation ceremonies will be held at the Athens […]

Promotional banner for the film An Unusual Suspect, featuring Booker T. Mattison. The text reads, Booker T. Mattison releases new film on Tubi. The film poster and Mattison’s photo are shown.

Booker T. Mattison releases new film on Tubi

Booker T. Mattison, associate professor in the Department of Entertainment and Media Studies at Grady College, is set to release his second original film for the free streaming platform Tubi. An […]

Willie Daniely speaks at a lectern in front of a screen with a GSPA logo.

Willie Daniely III (ABJ ’21) speaks at Georgia Scholastic Press Association Awards

Willie Daniely III, a 2021 alumnus who is currently a reporter at WRAL-TV, shared his early career insights with a group of middle and high school journalists and their teachers […]

A red banner reads “Four Grady College students present at CURO Symposium” above photos of four students: a woman outside, a man at a research poster, a smiling woman, and a woman speaking at a podium.

Four Grady College students present at CURO Symposium

Four students from Grady College will be among the 723 participants presenting their research at the 2025 CURO Symposium. On April 7 – 8, 2025, four Grady College students will […]

Shanylah Sainvil touring a recording studio in Los Angeles during summer 2024 (Photo/Shanylah Sainvil).

Profiles of Tenacity: Shanylah Sainvil

Shanylah Sainvil is an entertainment and media studies major from McDonough, Georgia, expected to graduate in spring 2025. She is also pursuing a minor in design and media and a […]

Six fellowship inductees from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication are shown in individual portrait photos, each with their name, graduation details, and a red banner above—celebrating their commitment to inclusive excellence.

Grady College names 2025 fellowship inductees

Grady College is proud to announce the class of 2025 Fellowship inductees: Malena Cunningham Anderson (ABJ ’80), David Chandley (ABJ ’84), Bill Crane (ABJ ’84), Sanders Hickey and Parker Middleton […]

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Research finds influencers effective in delivering sunscreen messaging

Health communicators are frequently tasked with creating clear, effective messaging that persuade people to protect their health. Researchers at the University of Georgia studied messaging aimed at Black audiences that […]

Four recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, with names and graduation years listed below their photos.

Baker, Hennink-Kaminski, Lidey and Noland named Grady Alumni Award honorees

Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards, recognizing alumni who have established a tradition of service and achievement in […]

Latria Graham making a point at a lecturn.

MFA Narrative Nonfiction mentor receives 2025 American Mosaic Journalism Prize

Latria Graham, a mentor in the Masters of Fine Arts Narrative Nonfiction program at Grady College, is one of two recipients of the prestigious American Mosaic Journalism Prize. Graham will […]

A smiling person in a suit sits at a news desk with a Bulldogs Now sign behind them, embodying tenacity. Beside this, text reads Profiles of Tenacity: Nigel Whittington with the University of Georgia logo.

Profiles of Tenacity: Nigel Whittington

Nigel Whittington is a fourth-year journalism major from Cartersville, GA set to graduate in May 2025. Along with his journalism degree, Whittington is pursuing a certificate in sports media. He […]

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Grady AdPR students recognized with prestigious national awards for research excellence

The Grady College Department of Advertising and Public Relations is proud to announce that two of its graduate students have received distinguished honors for their research in public relations and […]

A man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt with a sweater stands next to text that reads: Protected: Understanding fans and cultural dynamics: Korean Pop Culture beyond Asia Benjamin Min Han.

Understanding fans and cultural dynamics: “Korean Pop Culture beyond Asia”

Korean media has exploded in popularity across the globe in the past decade. “Korean Pop Culture beyond Asia,” edited by Benjamin Min Han, associate professor in Entertainment and Media Studies at […]

A professional headshot of Ja Kyung Seo next to text reading: Ph.D. Student Profile Ja Kyung Seo. Fascinated with how emerging technologies shape human behavior, perceptions and interactions.

Ph.D. Profile – Ja Kyung Seo

Ja Kyung Seo is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations at the University of Georgia. Her research seeks to understand how emerging technologies, including interactive […]

A smiling young woman in winter clothes sits in a stadium holding a 2021 football championship poster, embodying true tenacity. Beside her is a graphic reading Profiles of Tenacity: Gabriana Carisma, Grady College of Journalism, University of Georgia.

Profiles of Tenacity: Gabriana Carisma

Gabriana Carisma is a third-year Advertising major with a Business minor from Smyrna, GA, set to graduate in May 2025. She is the treasurer of Sigma Alpha Omega sorority and […]

A woman with long dark hair and a white blouse under a plaid blazer is smiling. Text reads: Ph.D. Student Profile Karen Robayo-Sánchez. Examines how empathetic leadership styles impact communication professionals.

Ph.D. Profile – Karen Robayo-Sánchez

Karen Andrea Robayo-Sanchez is a Ph.D. student in mass communication and public relations studies at the University of Georgia. Her research interests are international communication, leadership, gender equality and intersectionality. […]

Headshot of Wenqing Zhao with headline Ph.D. Profile

Ph.D. Profile: Wenqing Zhao

Wenqing Zhao is a doctoral student in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations at UGA. Her research focuses on health, crisis and conflict communication. She is a lab manager […]

Events

An image of the Los Angeles skyline at dusk.

Grady in LA

We look forward to returning to LA this summer. Join us for a networking reception to welcome our Grady in LA students to the city. Special thanks to David Kramer (ABJ ’90) and UTA for hosting this event. Register here by May 25.

Four young people are gathered in a room with wooden walls. One is standing, adjusting a camera on a tripod, while the other three sit at a table, smiling and watching her. There is a TV mounted on the wall behind them.

Entertainment and Media Studies Summer Academy

Are you interested in careers in the film, television, radio, online, mobile and other new media industries? In this course designed for high school students, participants will be introduced to the exciting entertainment field and what it encompasses.

They will gain valuable skills for conceiving what stories are worth telling while also gaining an understanding of the implications of visual storytelling in society. They will learn the basics of content production, from screenwriting to digital editing. Over the course of the week, they will work on a project to showcase in their portfolios.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/entertainment-and-media-studies-6-8-2026/

A group of students sit in a lounge area with laptops, listening to a woman speaking near a TV screen. The wall behind them displays the words The Red & Black, highlighting an engaging session at the Summer Media Academy.

Multimedia Journalism Summer Academy

Do you feel passionate about telling true stories that make the news? Acquire critical tools to become a multi-skilled journalist in this ever-changing digital landscape through this course designed for high school students.

Practice the art of interviewing, multimedia reporting, writing, editing, and producing alongside a professional journalist.

Explore visual journalism and social media storytelling, and work with your instructor to produce a news website.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/multimedia-journalism-6-8-2026/

A group of students work in a media studio, with some operating computers and video equipment while two people stand in front of a green screen. One student raises their hand, and screens display video editing software.

Broadcast Journalism Summer Academy

In this Summer Media Academy course designed for high school students, participants will learn to find and tell stories that matter with a focus on developing storytelling skills in audio and visual forms. They’ll consider what makes a story important, how to gather credible information, and how to present it in the most effective way.

Participants will practice and hone technical skills in reporting, videography and video editing as the class works together with the instructors to final project.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/broadcast-journalism-6-15-2026/

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Advertising and Public Relations Summer Academy

Learn how to become a creative problem solver, writer, decision-maker, and persuasive communicator within traditional and new media in this exciting Advertising and Public Relations course designed for high school students.

Explore ways to reach target audiences and effectively communicate your messages to the public, and even design an integrated campaign for a non-profit organization.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/advertising-and-public-relations-6-15-2026/

Students work in a modern media studio: embracing Inclusive Excellence, some operate computers and video equipment while others stand in front of a green screen, preparing to film. One student raises a hand as a teacher supervises.

Summer Media Academies

Our Summer Media Academies are an intensive, residential one-week program open to rising high school sophomores to seniors interested in the mass communication field. Students take classes at Grady College in tracks including Journalism, Advertising & Public Relations or Entertainment. Click below for details about this summer program.

Headshot of Jimena Somilleda

Perspectives

Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American, I always valued the sacrifices my parents made to get my younger brother and me at UGA. From a young age, they’ve instilled a passion for breaking generational cycles and being a voice for my community.

Jimena Somilleda

AdPR Student

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Perspectives

“AdPR Academy was such a fun and insightful experience. It was a pleasure being in a room filled with diverse students from different universities. Being able to incorporate my ideas in the rebranding of an organization gave me a glimpse of what the public relations industry will be like. I am overly thankful to Grady College for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing program.”

Joyce Bell

University of Georgia, 2023 AdPR Academy cohort

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Perspectives

“Through AdPR Academy, I got to build crazy skills within advertising since it is a lot workshops and networking with people from Warner Brothers, Google, a bunch of ad agencies and they exposed you to completely new things. I had a job offer after sitting down during the networking hour and that is something I wouldn’t have gotten if I didn’t go.”

Jonina Bullock

advertising student

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Perspectives

“I didn’t have a lot of people who were like me in the classroom, so now I am able to be an example for students in the classroom to see that there is excellence at every level from a person who is a first gen student.”

Denetra Walker

assistant professor, journalism

A woman in a wheelchair, smiling, holds a framed certificate outdoors near a building and trees. She has a nasal breathing tube and wears a black top. The certificate reads, Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Award: Marcella Genut.

Perspectives

“Having a progressive disability and being categorized as a minority has shaped me to be an outsider of the world. Never fitting in and not having a seat at the dinner party has motivated me to constantly push others to be more inclusive whether it’s at the workplace or in my personal life.”

Marcella Genut

(AB 18), recipient of 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Award

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Perspectives

“I don’t really have a professional hero, but I love seeing Black women paving the way for us, such as Issa Rae, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes and Rihanna.”

Kacie Geter

Journalism Student