About

The WVU Reed School of Media and Communications has been graduating journalists and strategic communicators since 1939. While rooted in tradition, the School of Media and Communications also offers an innovative curriculum and real-world experiences that prepare students for careers in today's media industry.

The School is currently home to four on-campus majors, including Advertising and Public Relations, Journalism, Multidisciplinary Media Studies and the one-of-a-kind Sports and Adventure Media.

A pioneer in online graduate education, the School launched the nation’s first completely online master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) in 2003. Since then, we have developed an online bachelor’s degree in IMC and master’s degree programs in Data Marketing Communications, Digital Marketing Communications and Media Solutions and Innovation.

The School is known for its innovative course delivery and ability to build community in the classroom and beyond. In all programs at the School of Media and Communications, our students learn by doing, producing stories and projects for professional clients and using the latest digital media technology.

Our graduates work in top news organizations and communication agencies around the world, leading the industry and transforming the media landscape.

Purpose, Values & Goals

Our Purpose

We believe that a robust, independent media is fundamental to a democratic society in which individuals are empowered as critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers and engaged citizens. We expect our students, faculty and staff to use their communications skills and expertise to help our communities adapt and thrive in a diverse global society.

Our Values

WE ARE PRINCIPLED: We represent the values of the First Amendment and an ethical approach to journalism and media communications.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE: We are an inclusive and welcoming community that fosters meaningful collaborations of shared purpose within and beyond our university.

WE ARE INNOVATIVE: We embrace a culture of creativity and risk-taking that anticipates and adapts to a dynamic and evolving media environment.

WE ARE RELEVANT: We require our students and faculty to be current in their knowledge and skills and able to apply relevant theories to their practice.

WE ARE CURIOUS: We produce academic and creative scholarship that can be shared and applied to real-world problems.

Our Goals

1. Prepare students to be skilled and ethical communications professionals who are grounded in research methods, current and emerging media practices and the principles of the First Amendment.
2. Advance media communications theory and practice that positions the School as an academic thought leader and an incubator for industry solutions.
3. Use the skills and expertise of our faculty, staff, students and alumni to create and support communications that contribute to the well-being and betterment of local communities.
4. Partner with the school of Creative Arts and Media and the University to grow diverse enrollment, advance innovation and entrepreneurship, and collaborate across disciplines and programs.

Our Plan

1. Prepare students to be skilled and ethical communications professionals who are grounded in research methods, current and emerging media practices and the principles of the First Amendment.
   • Continue to conduct syllabus audits at least biannually to ensure all Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) values and competencies are embedded throughout the JRL and ADPR curricula.
   • Continue to assess new Reed School freshmen and graduating seniors by administering the school's Theory, History, Ethics, Law, Diversity and Digital Competency (THELDD) exam in MDIA 191 Orientation and program capstone courses, respectively, at least every other year; share results and most missed questions with faculty.
   • Continue to ask faculty to share relevant professional development and digital competency materials and to incorporate these into courses, noting such activities as part of their annual evaluations of teaching.
   • Engage Reed School alumni and media/communications industry leaders to review and make recommendations to help ensure industry currency, applicability and engagement.
   • Continue to support classes, student organizations and events that promote and educate others around the First Amendment.
2. Advance media communications theory and practice that positions the school as an academic thought leader and incubator for industry solutions.
   • Continue to support research and creative activity through course reductions for exceptional research productivity (per the Faculty Handbook), as possible.
   • Continue to foster and support the school's Public Interest Communications research lab.
   • Use the expertise of school alumni and media/communications professionals to help identify possible Media Innovation Center–sponsored panels/workshops, new technologies, curricula, etc.
   • Upgrade technology regularly to ensure students and faculty have professional quality experiences and skills.
   • Conduct faculty research/creative/teaching “brown bag” sessions for internal audiences and provide faculty for school- and University-sponsored panels, webinars, podcasts and training seminars for external ones.
   • Continue to support, assess and promote 100 Days in Appalachia as a digital laboratory that informs students, faculty, the profession, region and nation.
   • Continue to assess, evaluate, update and report to faculty/staff annually on the school's established and new master’s degree programs and their respective AOEs, as applicable, i.e. Digital Marketing Communications (M.A.), Data Marketing Communications (M.A.), Integrated Marketing Communications (M.S.), Journalism (MSJ).
   • Recruit a robust class of JRL students, including paying/non-Fellow students, and engage them with small community newspapers.
   • Explore incorporating Virtual Innovators into classrooms, as possible, as a more economical extension of our Innovator in Residence program.
   • Continue to offer “real-world” course experiences and study abroad opportunities each year through established classes, travel, and/or through partnerships with other entities/institutions, as possible.
3. Use the skills and expertise of our faculty, staff, students and alumni to create and support communications that contribute to the well-being and betterment of local communities.
   See School Diversity Plan for additional activities/actions around diversity, equity and inclusion.
   • Continue to raise funds for and invest in special projects, such as capstone courses and 100 Days in Appalachia that positively contribute to the state and region.
   • Continue to communicate to the Student Services team special project opportunities, capstones, study abroads, etc. so they may share this information with students and encourage their participation.
   • Continue to promote the activities of the school through the communications and student opportunities and recruitment teams via email, social media, podcasts, the Visiting Committee and alumni correspondence.
   • Continue to partner with state and regional professional organizations to offer support and expertise.
   • Continue to seek grant projects/Foundation support that allow faculty and students to research, network and meaningfully engage around issues of societal and/or regional importance (e.g. past oral histories around WV veterans, segregated education; opioid effects on families; Women Beyond Bars …).
   • Promote and utilize faculty to serve as university/school spokespersons to the media on areas of scholarly expertise and societal importance.
4. Partner with the university to grow diverse enrollment, advance innovation and entrepreneurship, and collaborate across disciplines and programs.
   • Develop new, innovative “destination majors” to help grow diverse school and university enrollment (e.g. Sports and Adventure Media, Game Design and Interactive Media, online Integrated Marketing Communications undergraduate degree, Digital Marketing Communications [master’s]; Media Innovation and Solutions [master’s]).
   • Recognize/promote academic programs that serve the region/state/nation through innovation and entrepreneurship (e.g. Adventure Media, PIC Lab ….).
   • Deliver engaging, practitioner-focused coursework to reach, attract and engage diverse student audiences both on-campus, throughout West Virginia, across the country and around the globe to meet enrollment and entrepreneurial goals.