Ole Miss School of Journalism and New Media Reorganizes Into Departments
In a significant organizational shift, the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media is undergoing reorganization and introducing a new department equipped with a new degree track. The move comes as an answer to the school’s substantial growth, outpacing even that of the university’s.
Andrea Hickerson, Dean of the School of Journalism and New Media, remarked that the strong enrollment in the school warranted this restructuring. “The enrollment in the School of Journalism and New Media is very strong and we are even outpacing the growth of the university,” she said.
New Department and Degree Track
The robust growth led to the transformation of the broader School of Journalism and New Media into diverse, specialized departments. The recent changes entail an increased emphasis on integrating brand and relationship strategies in media studies, implying a prospective new degree track.
Dean Hickerson noted that the student population is increasingly opting for media-related courses. “Our students are showing a growing interest in specializing in different areas of media. This restructure will allow them to better explore these sectors,” added Hickerson.
Implications for Students
The new department provides students with a unique opportunity to gain in-depth expertise in their chosen media fields. Several new classes are being introduced, dealing in areas like branding strategies, media technology and advancement, media relationship management, and mass communication.
The reorganization also reflects the evolving dynamic of the broad media industry. Hickerson further elaborated that the shift not only responds to the growing number of students but also to the changing media landscape which needs a niche understanding of different aspects of media.
Future Prospects
The University is optimistic that this change will continue to elevate the standard of education and offer students an immersive
