University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications

Help us welcome new Dean's Leadership Council member Rachael Simmons. Simmons is the Senior Director for Communications for Walmart International, the world's largest multi-channel retailer. Her experience spans internal communications, digital and social media, investor relations, media strategy, crisis management and strategic planning. While she may reside in the land of Arkansas Razorbacks in Northwest Arkansas, she is an avid Gamecock fan.

Over the course of 2024, the Social Media Insights Lab tracked online sentiment about AI from around the world. Read the lab's report to see how attitudes towards AI shifted in relation to its integration into different platforms. https://lnkd.in/gGWFNCdy

Help us welcome new Dean's Leadership Council member Shawn Moffatt. Moffatt is the Co-Owner, CEO and President of My Entertainment & Assignment Desk, Divisions of Media Content Services LLC. He is responsible for overseeing all media divisions for Media Content Services LLC from its headquarters in Charleston, SC and New York office. Moffatt is also a graduate of the University of South Carolina.

Help us welcome new Dean's Leadership Council member Peter LaMotte. LaMotte is the President of Strategic Communications at Chernoff Newman. He has built an impressive career in reputation and management and marketing, providing strategic and crisis communications solutions to Fortune Global 500 corporations, international associations, foreign governments, non-profits and high-profile individuals. LaMotte has also been quoted in national media outlets and has taught classes and seminars at prestigious universities.

Help us welcome new Dean's Leadership Council member Adrienne Fairwell. Fairwell is the President and CEO of South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV). She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from USC and a master’s degree in human resources development from Webster University. Additionally she has earned the internationally recognized Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation; and the Certified Public Manager professional designation.

We’d like to recognize faculty members Sabrina Habib, MFA, Ph.D. and Marcia Purday, APR for their leadership in the CIC’s explorations of how artificial intelligence will shape the way we teach, conduct research and provide critical services for students. Purday has been instrumental in promoting the IBM SkillsBuild initiative through which 58% of our faculty and staff have completed an artificial intelligence fundamentals certification. Habib has given workshops on unlocking the power of AI in academic research as well as speaking about AI trends at a recent PRSA conference. These are just a few examples of the ways they have helped the college to be fearlessly first in artificial intelligence. https://lnkd.in/eU5XkBM6

His chihuahua Zoey couldn't be reached for filming so here's 18 questions with the 01 and only University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications professor, Kevin Hull! Which professor do you want to see next in this new series? ⬇️

Our University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications' Warm Wishes and Hot Cocoa Senior Send-Off was a blast with the perfect weather for a hot cocoa bar, cookies, and other sweet treats. A very special thank you to our incredible student success staff for making this event possible! Each December 2024 graduate was gifted a branded CIC Alumni mug, and a 1-year membership with the University of South Carolina Alumni Association. We are so proud of each of you, and look forward to all you will accomplish. You always have a home with us.

Peter LaMotte, president for strategic communications at Chernoff Newman, visited several sections of JOUR 416 Creative: Strategy to Execution this week to discuss the impacts of AI on communications jobs. These visits were part of our ongoing collaboration with Chernoff Newman to ensure our students have up-to-date knowledge of industry trends. 

This semester, Dean Reichert has stepped back into the classroom to teach Intro to Advertising to 325 students—the largest class of his career. “Interacting with the students in this way reminds all of us why we’re here, and, quite frankly, it re-energizes me.” The energy he derives from student interaction reminds him of his purpose at the CIC.  Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3ZmrRiR