Landreville studies presidential campaign

Dr. Kristen Landreville, an assistant professor in the COJO Department, received funding from The Malcolm Wallop Fund for Conversations on Democracy to study Wyoming residents’ feelings of connection and engagement, media use, and political knowledge. The project was titled “Small Town, Big Election: A Look at New, Alternative, and Emerging Media Sources Used by Rural Residents during the 2012 Presidential Campaign”.

            The study took place over the summer at various communities within Wyoming. The focus groups revealed where Wyoming residents learn about politics through media, including how residents use new media for politics. The study also showed how residents use and negotiate information within a rural state during a presidential campaign. A second part to the study will examine how 2012 presidential debates influence young Wyoming voters and how these voters use new media to communicate about the presidential debates. The findings will be reported to a symposium on Nov. 14 that will be held in the Wyoming Union.

Teaching assistants score in classroom

Congratulations to the COJO Dept.'s graduate teaching assistants, who received teaching evaluations from their classes last semester averaging 4.2 on a 5-point scale. GA's teach public speaking, interpersonal communication and news writing.

Department releases 2011-12 report

Every academic year, the COJO Department, along with all other departments at the University of Wyoming, issues a report on the department's status, accomplishments and goals. Please take a look at the latest report, and let us know how we're doing.

Faculty attend AEJMC conference

Professors Ken Smith and Gracie Lawson-Borders attended the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) annual conference in Chicago last week.

Price named Ad Education Foundation fellow

Dr. Cindy Price is a fellow for the Advertising Education Foundation's 2012 Visiting Professor Program this summer. "I was one of 16 professors selected out of 78 applicants for the program," she said. "I will spend two weeks at an advertising agency in the United States to learn more about what advertising agencies are doing in this new media era. I will also present a Lunchtime Lecture titled, 'Reaching Your Target: Lessons from the Middle of Nowhere,' which will also be recorded and used online.

"I also was named to the Editorial Board of Electronic News, a journal for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication."

UW debate team completes season at nationals

The University of Wyoming debate team, housed in the COJO Department, wrapped up its season with some intense competitions during February and March, culminating in impressive performances at the national championship tournaments. For more details, click on http://www.uwyo.edu/cojo/debate/news.html.

Graduate student wins teaching award

Julianne Friesen, a graduate teaching assistant in the COJO Department, received a Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year (PIE) award for her efforts teaching freshmen classes.