Chair’s Final Note: Reflections on a Season of Growth and Transition

By Dr. Mia Moody, Chair, Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media, Baylor University

As I conclude my tenure as chair of the Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media on August 1 after serving two three-year terms, I reflect on a journey that has been both deeply rewarding and highly transformative. Serving in this role for the past six years has been one of the greatest honors of my teaching career at Baylor University. It has been a time of setting goals, soul-searching, and growth — not only for me but also for our department.

This fall, I am thankful to have time off to work on a book about digital Blackface and media representations of race, topics that have long been central to my research. I have a contract with Bloomsbury, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing. Afterwards, I look forward to returning to teaching and continuing to serve our students and department in new ways.

During my tenure, we completed our reaccreditation process and launched a new broadcast sequence—both major milestones that showcase the progress of our department. Our department is one of only 120 programs accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, which is committed to maintaining high standards and excellence in professional education for journalism and mass communications. This recognition reflects our dedication to teaching excellence, diversity, and professional growth. MORE ABOUT ACEJMC

We currently offer five concentrations: public relations, news/editorial, advertising, photojournalism, and broadcast journalism, with plans to introduce a sports media concentration in the future. Public relations is our most popular track, with 65% of our majors choosing it, followed by the broadcast concentration, which is also a popular option among students. We expect the new sports concentration to increase enrollment by at least 5%. 

With the help of the Baylor Career Center and our faculty, most of our students graduate with marketable skills, having completed two to three internships and a capstone portfolio that industry professionals review. These efforts contribute to our impressive job placement rate of over 90% and a first-year retention rate also exceeding 90%. MORE

Placement and Graduation Data

With about 200 majors and 125 minors, JPR&NM ranks as the eighth most popular major in the College of Arts & Sciences, led by Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Elizabeth Bates. Our students regularly earn top honors in national competitions, and we are proud of their achievements at prestigious organizations, including the Dallas Cowboys, NASA, NBC & ABC affiliates, major newspapers, and leading public relations firms. MORE

We have also experienced significant growth in alumni engagement, starting with a letter-writing campaign led by Professor Emeritus Bob Darden. In 2019, during the pandemic, with him serving as chair and Dr. Cassy Burleson, retired senior lecturer and director of American Studies, as fundraising chair, we established the Friends of the Department Council and relaunched the Advisory Board. The board now includes an executive committee, elected for the first time in Fall 2024, led by Chris Talley, this year’s Alumnus of the Year. The group meets quarterly to offer strategic guidance and mentorship to students. Their feedback has been crucial in shaping our curriculum and career readiness programs. MORE

During my tenure, we proudly honored several of our department's beloved retired faculty members. We commissioned a Wall of Fame in tribute to former chair Dr. Doug Ferdon, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of journalists. We commissioned a vibrant mural from a former student (JPR&NM alumna Carlye Thornton) to celebrate Carol Perry, former senior lecturer and former City of Waco public information officer, capturing her spirit and contributions to Baylor journalism. We also honored former chairs with a plaque in the office that lists their names and years of service. Finally, we honored former professor David McHam with a wall showcasing historic newspaper articles and a plaque with his name and years of service. 

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have established and fully funded several scholarships. We can now award over $300,000 annually, with an extra $40,000 reserved for incoming first-year students. Endowed scholarships include the Ella Prichard Scholarship for The Lariat editor, which provides $6,000 per semester, and the Mia Moody & Tom Belden Scholarship for Diversity, awarded to NABJ members. Last semester, we awarded the first Sara Stone Scholarship in her honor as the department’s first female chair. Recent gifts from friends of the department and alumni, including the family of Oscar Hoffmeyer, support student journalism, along with a generous donation from the Edwards family. 

Also worth noting is that the David McHam Scholarship was converted to fund internships helping local newspapers. A student receives $6,000 each semester to write for a newspaper. In 2022, Burleson led the creation of the Rick Bradfield Award for Breaking News and Investigative Journalism through the Waco Foundation. The foundation awards a $1,000 prize each year to recognize the investigative reporting of the longtime adjunct professor.

These endowments ensure that our students have the financial support they need to thrive. MORE ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS  

Retirements and Personnel Changes

This spring, Burleson retired after dedicating 25 years to Baylor University. Renowned for her passionate teaching and unwavering dedication to student success—covering marketability, placement, internships, jobs, and portfolio development—Burleson also championed diversity and inclusion. She was a beloved mentor to many. MORE

Before Burleson’s retirement, we witnessed the departure of several other legendary faculty members whose impact on our students and program is immense. These include Professor Maxey Parrish, who directed numerous Study Abroad programs; Professor Emeritus Bob Darden, renowned for the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program; Dr. Brad Owens, a respected journalist and educator; Dr. Clark Baker, former chair and photography program director; Bruce Gietzen, Student Media Director who helped launch the broadcast sequence; Professor Curtis Callaway, an acclaimed photographer; and of course, Perry, Ferdon, and Stone. Their dedication, mentorship, and scholarship have shaped the department and will continue to inspire future generations.

Promotions and Personnel Changes

Other personnel changes include promoting Dr. Marlene Neill, graduate program director, to full professor, and advancing Dr. Alec Tefertiller, who was hired in 2020, to associate professor with tenure in May. In 2022, we hired Sommer Dean as the Fred Hartman Endowed Professor and Matthew Brammer as a lecturer; he has since left to pursue a career in business. In 2023, we also hired Professor Kim Patterson as a lecturer to assist with internships and alumni engagement, followed by hiring Rosalynn Vasquez, who accepted a position at another university last spring.

Last year, we hired Dr. Tamara Welter, assistant professor, and Professor Stephen Green, lecturer, to strengthen the visual arts aspect of our programming. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Youngji Seo, associate professor, from Syracuse University, to our department this fall. 

Student Media Updates 

In the Student Media Department, led by Doug Pils, more than 100 awards are earned annually across various platforms. The Baylor Lariat, Lariat TV News, Roundup yearbook, and Focus Magazine have all received numerous prestigious awards honoring the top-tier work of Baylor’s journalists. This year, baylorlariat.com received the esteemed EPPY Award from Editor & Publisher, the leading trade magazine in the journalism industry, as well as the Online Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press. The Roundup yearbook also earned a Pacemaker. LINK

Additionally, yearbook sales have grown considerably, increasing from 1,800 copies during the pandemic to over 2,700 copies in recent years. The Student Media department is also exploring ways to expand podcasting and play-by-play sports broadcasting to enhance student engagement and media coverage. 

Baylor Student Publications Adviser Julie Reed led the effort to reintroduce the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) to Baylor in 2023. TIPA provides students with additional opportunities for recognition and growth through competitions, workshops, and job fairs.

Student & Faculty Scholarship

Our curriculum has adapted to reflect the evolving media landscape. We have added new content exploring artificial intelligence and its impact on journalism and education, and we have reinforced our commitment to developing culturally competent communicators ready for a global society across all our programs. These efforts ensure our students are not only prepared for careers but also socially aware and adaptable. MORE

We have placed a strong emphasis on undergraduate and graduate student research and leadership development, encouraging students to present their work at conferences and engage in scholarly activities. We have supported faculty research and professional growth by funding travel to conferences and academic meetings. 

Baylor JPR&NM will have a strong presence at the upcoming AEJMC Conference in San Francisco (August 7–10, 2025), with the theme "Leading  in Times of Momentous Change." Highlights include Welter receiving the 2025 Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award, Moody and Victoria Jackson presenting research on Black churches in social media memes, and Emeri Drewry earning third place for her paper on perceptions of PR careers. 

Neill, Dr. Patrick Merle, and Anni Qiang placed third in the Open Research Competition for the Public Relations Division. Poster presentations will include Moody’s with TikTok and mental health, as well as Neill’s with our graduate student research methods class on leadership in PR, and Logan Singer’s on gender in social media advertising. Faculty will also lead panels on ethics, research productivity, and technology in teaching. This conference will showcase the depth and diversity of our department and leadership in journalism and communication. MORE

The Future of JPR&NM

The future looks promising for JPR&NM Baylor’s Castellaw Communications Center. It is scheduled for renovations as early as 2026. The Department of Communication relocated to a different building in the spring, introducing more opportunities for the Film and Digital Media and JPR&NM departments, which will continue to share the Castellaw space. Proposed upgrades include a broadcast and multimedia studio, a social media lab focused on digital storytelling and analytics, revamped classrooms and restrooms, and vibrant, collaborative spaces designed to promote teamwork and innovation. MORE

Other goals include launching a 4+1 accelerated master’s in 2025, led by Neill. We are also introducing a new hybrid M.A. These two additions will boost our program's competitiveness, flexibility, and affordability. MORE

To prepare for the upcoming reaccreditation cycle, we are enhancing graduate outcome tracking, boosting internal and external communication, and continuing to attract and retain top-tier students and faculty. We will also continue to support student organizations such as SPJ, NABJ, and PRSSA, and sustain initiatives like Café Castellaw, which connect students with career resources and mentorship opportunities.

Dr. James Kendrick, Professor of Film and Digital Media, will take on the role of interim chair this fall. A Baylor alumnus, Kendrick holds a Ph.D. in Communication & Culture from Indiana University, an M.A. in Journalism, and a B.A. in English from Baylor. He teaches courses on film theory, criticism, media and society, and the history of motion pictures. His research interests include post-Classical Hollywood cinema, media violence, censorship, and new cinema technologies. He is the author of several books, including Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of Steven Spielberg’s and Hollywood Bloodshed: Violence in 1980s American Cinema. MORE

Throughout my tenure as chair, I have remained committed to research, promoting diversity and inclusion, and mentoring and advocating for students. I have advised Baylor’s NABJ chapter for over 20 years, served on numerous thesis and dissertation committees, and held various leadership roles in AEJMC, where I will serve as president in 2026.

I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, Baylor administrators, Associate Dean Kim Kellison, mentor Professor Emeritus Bob Darden, Dean Emeritus Jan Dates, Pearl Beverly, and others who have played a significant role during my tenure as chair—including colleagues, students, alumni, and JPR&NM office staff like Lauren Spears, K.J. Burkley, Jan Loosier, Lanisa Tovar, and Margaret Kramer. 

Thank you for allowing me to lead, learn, and grow alongside you. I look forward to returning from sabbatical refreshed and ready to continue our shared mission of excellence in journalism and media education.

With gratitude,

Dr. Mia Moody, Professor of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media

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