We are living in a remarkable period of transition affecting all students, faculty and alumni. Political and social norms are shifting, the media environment is adapting to new technology and public sentiment, and higher education itself is addressing new challenges, all while the University seeks a new president to lead us through uncharted waters.

For the UF College of Journalism and Communications, there is one constant: a commitment to excellence, new knowledge and unparalleled opportunities. This is evident in new curriculum and immersion experiences; award-winning work from our students, staff and faculty; peer recognition; and student placement with top employers.

By the time this is published, we will be close to completing our every-six-year reaccreditation process. After a year of data gathering and analysis and a visit in February by a team of educators and industry professionals, we await the official accreditation decision. This process afforded us the opportunity to step back and assess the strengths in our program and areas where we can improve. We are extremely proud of where we are today and are dedicated to continuing our upward trajectory.

In this year’s Dean’s Report, we highlight some of the major accomplishments from the past year and share inspiring stories about our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Among those accomplishments are:

• Finishing SECOND OVERALL for the fourth year in a row in the Hearst Journalism Awards competition.
• Our Public Relations Department being named a TOP-FIVE PRWeek Outstanding Education Program finalist for the fifth year in a row.
• Placing FOURTH NATIONALLY in the third annual Broadcast Education Association school rankings.
• Our Advertising students winning 27 AWARDS at the regional American Advertising Federation Addy competition.

As part of our efforts to provide students with skill-building opportunities outside of Gainesville, in 2025 we will expand our footprint to Washington, D.C., in a new program directed by veteran broadcast journalist and CJC alumna Jonelle Henry. Modeled after our CJCxNYC program, the D.C. experience will be focused primarily on journalism and PR majors, but open to all students.

Another hallmark of our College is the commitment to public service. Our students demonstrated exemplary professional skills as they covered three hurricanes and two national political conventions and provided extensive election-night coverage. And in late 2024, WUFT-FM was the first radio station in the country to launch BEACON, a new, AI-driven public safety service developed by our own Division of Media Properties.

Our alumni play an integral role in the College’s success. Your gifts, interaction with students and career pipelines all contribute to our high national standing and are a testament to your ongoing affection for and loyalty to CJC. Each successive generation has been dedicated to making the College even stronger than the one you left.

I hope you find this year’s Dean’s Report informative and inspiring. And feel free to contact me at any time if you would like to learn more.

Go Gators!

Hub Brown
Dean