Communication & Journalism

Through the study of human communication we seek to understand and improve the human condition.

Contact

Corbett Hall, Room 5717

Orono, ME 04469

P

207.581.1935

F

207.581.1286

Corbett Hall, Room 5717

Orono, ME 04469

P

207.581.1935

F

207.581.1286

About

The Department of Communication and Journalism at UMaine, with roots dating back to 1915, is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country. Consisting initially of the Department of Public Speaking (later Speech and Theatre) and the Department of Journalism (later Journalism and Mass Communication), what is referred to today as “CMJ” at UMaine gained its current form in 1994. With a long tradition of student-centered education, our alumni thrive in professional careers and graduate studies. Our mission is to enhance the human experience through communication, offering undergraduate degrees in Communication, Media Studies, and Journalism, and a graduate program in Communication that explores personal, professional, social, and technological aspects of human interaction.

Undergraduate Studies

The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three Bachelor of Arts degrees for students who wish to pursue communication-driven career paths. Coursework and learning opportunities like internships and practicums will help you develop essential skills in writing, speaking, and researching. Students must satisfy the degree requirements for one of these majors as well as the general education requirements for the University to complete their degree.

Raymie McKerrow Award: Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Communication & Journalism
Raymie McKerrow served on the Communication faculty, including a turn as Chair, and had a distinguished career as a scholar. He was known for his commitment to students and to the community.  Each year we recognize a student in the Department who has excelled as well as demonstrated a spirit of engagement and community-mindedness.
2025 Awardee: Oliver May-Fleming
Criteria: Senior from any major, outstanding citizenship on and/or off campus, academic excellence. Click here to see a history of awardees.

Wofford Gardner Award: Outstanding Academic Achievement in Communication
Wofford C. Gardner joined the University of Maine in 1947 and had a distinguished career as a speech professor, serving as president of Speech Association of Eastern States in 1966.  Each year we recognize a student who models his commitment to academic success.
2025 Awardee: Bella Ross
Criteria: Communication senior, most outstanding academic performance. Click here to see a history of awardees.

Brooks Hamilton: Spirit of Excellence Award
Brooks Hamilton was a city editor for the Daily Kennebec Journal before he joined the University of Maine faculty. He chaired the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting for eighteen years during his UMaine career, shaping the program in every way. He also was a key figure in drafting Maine’s “right to know” law, passed in 1959. Each year we recognize a student who exhibits his commitment to excellence.
2025 Awardee: Sofia Langlois
Criteria: Journalism senior, tenacity, scholastic and professional excellence. Click here to see a history of awardees.

Outstanding Graduating Senior: Media Studies
Criteria: Media Studies senior, most outstanding academic performance. Click here to see a history of awardees.
2025 Awardee: Willow Knapp

Outstanding Graduating Senior: Journalism
Criteria: Journalism senior, most outstanding academic performance. This award included both Journalism and Mass Communication students through 2017. Click here to see a history of awardees.
2025 Awardee: Kari Mullan

Graduate Studies

We are proud to offer an MA and PhD in Communication. Our graduate program was identified as one of the top MA programs in the Eastern United States and “among the most rigorous academic master’s programs in the country.” Each year about 20-25 graduate students actively pursue graduate degrees. Our graduate faculty work closely with students in courses and on various academic projects and research interests.

Outstanding Graduate Student, MA
Excellence in Academic, Campus, and Community Citizenship
2025: Emmanuel Oduro
2022: B Lauer
2021: Mackenzie Peacock
2020: Tim Rocha
2019: Carter Hathaway
Outstanding Graduate Student, PhD
Excellence in Research and Creative Activity
2022: Jenn Smith-Mayo
2021: Kevin Duffy
2020: Kevin Duffy
2019: Bryan Picciotto
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant
Excellence in Teaching and Student Mentorship
2025: Sheena Sheffield
2021: Michael Clay
2020: Tabitha Boze
2019: Jessica Bergstrom

Teaching Related Resources for Graduate TAs
This page includes resources to support Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Scroll down to find course specific links as well as materials from the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) and from the National Communication Association (NCA) and popular pedagogical media.

Important reference resources:

TA Handbook – PDF version 
Peer observation of teaching packetWord version 
Peer observation (PDF) 
Strategies & Resources from TAs to TAs from Carnegie Mellon University, CMU.
Template Emails

CMJ General teaching resources:

Lesson planning basics 
Before your first day 
Resources for your first day of class
Teaching praxis: selected activities & considerations
CMJ Library Guides provided by Fogler Library  Find teaching and learning ideas, materials and activities useful across various courses as well as further links to pedagogical resources.
For more information, contact Nancy Lewis by e-mail: lewis@maine.edu

CMJ 102, CMJ 103, CMJ 106

Dr. Lily Herakova, Director of Communication Education and CMJ Teaching Coordinator, develops the curriculum for and coordinates the foundational courses of CMJ 102, CMJ 103, and CMJ 106 and will provide instructors with relevant materials. She is also available for pedagogical consultations across the curriculum. To schedule an appointment or if you have teaching materials requests or questions, please email Dr. Herakova: liliana.herakova@maine.edu
The materials on the following folders have been prepared and curated by the CMJ Teaching Coordinator, Graduate Coordinator, and with feedback and contributions from CMJ Teaching Assistants:
CMJ 102 Communication for Resilience and Connection, CMJ 103 Public Speaking, CMJ 106 Storytelling

Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) resources
BrightSpace Tutorials 
Instructional Resources 
Communities of Practice 

Resources to support teaching practice:

Communication Teacher, Syllabi, activities and best practices, NCA learning outcomes in communication, Pedagogy Unbound, Inclusive Teaching Resources from the University of Michigan 

Teaching podcasts and videos:

NCA concepts and praxis video series, ICA podcast network YouTube channel, Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Teacher of the Ear podcast, Tea for Teaching podcast

Advising

CMJ uses the Navigate app for advising during the academic year (September through May). Navigate is an all-purpose email, appointment scheduling, and note keeping app. Please see this help page, and download the app: https://umaine.edu/navigate/students/. If you have questions and want to speak directly to your advisor, email your advisor through Navigate: https://umaine.campus.eab.com.

1. Create your Wish List on MaineStreet before meeting with your advisor. They will not meet with you if you do not have a Wish List.
2. You must make an appointment with an academic advisor in order to verify your Wish List and receive your enrollment pin before you can register. There are no drop-in appointments. You will be contacted to set up appointments via Navigate (https://umaine.campus.eab.com) across the semester for Add/Drop, Preregistration, and Registration.

Resources

Department Chair

Judith E. Rosenbaum-Andre

P

207.581.1935

E

judith.rosenbaumandre@maine.edu