New Media Institute

New Media Institute

The New Media Institute (NMI) educates students about “techknowledgable” skills to create digital solutions for tomorrow’s media landscape.

overview

The New Media Institute (NMI) is an interdisciplinary academic unit dedicated to exploring the critical, commercial, and creative dimensions of emerging technologies. The NMI is committed to the teaching and training of new and emerging media professionals and to providing students with technical skills and knowledge. Curriculum focuses on critical investigations into the constantly changing technology and media landscape and the development of skills to design and build interactive digital products. As a key partner of the Innovation District, the New Media Institute connects our students with industry and university needs to provide interactive digital solutions to real-world problems and organizational objectives.

NMI offers the interdisciplinary NMI Certificate program for undergraduates, as well as residential and online Emerging Media master’s degrees for graduate students.

NEW MEDIA CERTIFICATE

The New Media Institute is home to the New Media Certificate, UGA’s largest interdisciplinary certificate. Classes in user experience design, web development, digital storytelling and emerging technologies, among others, are offered for certificate students.

Perspectives

“By starting out with advertising as a major and venturing into the New Media Institute with classes like web development, I reignited my passion for computer science and now actively pursue it in my day-to-day through my organization, UGAHacks.”

John Atkinson

Perspectives

“After I graduate with my undergraduate degree in December 2022, I will be pursuing a masters degree in Emerging Media as a Double Dawg at UGA. I’m really excited to learn more about how technology and design can make some cool, innovative projects for brands.”

Heaven Robinson

Perspectives

“I love how it stands to represent all of the different ideas on campus and being able to say I have a small part in bringing together all of these students, faculty, alumni and community members in Athens.”

Esther Kim

TEDxUGA curator

Faculty

  • Emuel Aldridge

    Senior Lecturer

    About: Emuel Aldridge is a graduate of UGA and has worked in the NMI since 2006. He currently teaches three courses at the NMI: New Media Production, teaching students how […]

  • Chris Gerlach

    Academic Professional

    About: With an educational background in integrated marketing communications, a passion in technology, and experience in interactive digital media, Chris Gerlach brings an unorthodox background and unique perspective to the […]

  • Tyler Mazurek

    New Media Certificate Faculty Advisor

    Tyler was first acquainted with the New Media Institute as an Entertainment and Media Studies student. In order to explore his growing interest in user experience design, development, and all […]

  • Kyla Sterling

    Instructor

    Kyla Sterling began her New Media Institute journey in 2018 as an Emerging Media Master’s student. Now, as faculty advisor for the New Media Certificate program, she oversees students’ journeys […]

  • Megan Ward

    Administrative Director

    About: Originally from Jupiter, Florida, Megan Ward fled the gator state to be a double-dawg, earning both her Bachelors and Masters in Public Relations from Grady College. An NMI alumna herself, […]

  • John Weatherford

    Senior Lecturer

    About: View Curriculum Vitae Experience John Weatherford serves on the faculty of the New Media Institute in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. […]

  • Barbara Bond

    Administrative Fiscal Specialist

    Prior to Grady College, Barbara Bond spent the last ten years in the health care industry – nine years as a lead certified pharmacy technician and one year as a […]

  • Olivia Carino

    Part-time Instructor

    Olivia Carino (AB ’18, MA ’21) graduated in December 2018 with a degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in Sociology. In July 2019, she discovered her passion for web […]

  • Leah Moss

    Instructor

    Leah Moss serves as the Emerging Media faculty advisor in the New Media Institute. An alumna of the first cohort of the Emerging Media Master’s concentration, Moss now leads the […]

  • Dayne Young

    Program Coordinator

    Dayne Young (ABJ ’11) is the program coordinator for the Carmical Sports Media Institute and the New Media Institute, a role he began in 2022. He graduated from the University […]

The Latest

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

UGA and Penn State students pose together for a photo.

Cross-institutional collaboration sparks student research on AI, crisis communication

When students from the University of Georgia and Penn State met to kick off a research partnership this past August, they quickly realized they were gaining more than a line […]

A profiles of tenacity graphic featuring a headshot of Karenia Murry.

Profiles of Tenacity: Karenia Murry

Fourth-year journalism student Karenia Murry currently serves as the vice president for the National Association of Black Journalists at UGA. She enjoys the community she’s found through organizations and classes […]

Headshot of Glenna Read over blurred out image of Grady College

Research indicates policing videos contribute to trauma symptoms among Black Americans

Viewing violent police videos can result in trouble sleeping, symptoms of PTSD and feelings of being on guard, especially among Black Americans, according to research published in the Fall 2023 […]

SEE Suite benefits from Brazil PR agency partnership

The week of November 5, a team representing the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College visited Brazil to exchange practices and continue research collaboration. Itai Himelboim, Michael […]

Headshot of NaYoung Song and caption headline reading Nayoung Song takes on Crisis Communication at UGA

NaYoung Song takes on Crisis Communication

After completing her bachelor’s degree at Korea University, NaYoung Song decided to attend the University of Georgia to receive her master’s, becoming the inaugural scholar in a partnership between the […]

Profiles of Tenacity: Dani García Pozo

Dani García Pozo’s love of writing motivates them to craft memorable stories and projects during their time at Grady College. Read more about their creative pursuits below. Why did you […]

Events

NMI SLAM

Hosted every semester, SLAM features New Media Certificate Capstone creations. Everyone is invited to this day dedicated to student projects that takes innovation and creativity to the next level.This semester, the NMI is doing things a bit differently. Faculty and students will head to Atlanta for the day. Once there, they’ll kick off SLAM with networking and snacks, followed by the student showcase. After presentations, the NMI will share student certificates and awards, and then cap off the evening with Xpo Encore—an opportunity to celebrate the students’ impressive achievements over delectable hors d’oeuvres, refreshing drinks and wonderful company. RSVP: https://www.linkedin.com/events/slam7117171008259670017/

Fall 2023 Grady Graduation Celebration

Graduates and their guests are invited to celebrate with other graduates and faculty/staff at this drop-in celebration. Guests will enjoy light refreshments, opportunities to connect with fellow parents, faculty and staff, plenty of photo opportunities and an inside look at your student’s academic home. Tickets are not required for the celebration at Grady.

Students hug after convocation.

Fall 2023 Convocation

Congratulations to our fall 2023 graduates! Convocation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at Hodgson Hall. More details will be released closer to the date.

Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Friday, December 15, 2023 Undergraduate: 10:00 a.m., Stegeman Coliseum Graduate: 2:00 p.m., Stegeman Coliseum

Grady College Applications Deadline

Grady College’s current application cycle closes on Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. This application deadline is for those seeking to start at Grady in fall 2024.

Grady College Career Day

This day-long event connects companies and organizations with students seeking careers in digital, print and broadcast journalism, creative mass media, media sales, advertising and public relations. Internships and full-time positions will be available. All majors and pre-Grady students are encouraged to attend. It’s never too early to start building your network. More information will become available closer to the date.

Tedxuga

TEDxUGA brings together a carefully selected group of UGA faculty, staff, alumni and students each year to share ideas worth spreading. This university-wide program is coordinated through NMI.