Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations

ADPR Welcomes Dionne George

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Dionne George wearing a striped top and cardigan standing in the Communications lobbyWe are excited to welcome Dionne George as the Tombras Program Manager for the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. In her role, she will act as a liaison between the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and the Tombras Group. She will also be working with the Tombras Professor on community outreach focusing on underrepresented populations.

Dionne is an experienced higher education professional with over a decade of student-focused and managerial experience. Over the course of her career, she has served in various Student Affairs roles, including Director of Residence Life and Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Most recently, she served as Program Assistant aiding in the growth of the CCI Online Masters Strategic and Digital Communication concentration.

Dionne graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Auburn University where she was an international student-athlete in Track & Field. Her academic and athletic goals were furthered at Central Methodist University, where she earned a Master of Education and coached.

She was born and raised on the island of Jamaica and enjoys sharing her culture with others. Marvel movies, Hallmark movies, football, and track & field are some of her favorite things to watch. The three things Dionne values most in life are faith, family, and friends.

Committee Assignments:

Diversity and Inclusion Committee, CCI

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, ADPR

Working to Build Community Connections

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The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations has an ongoing commitment to building relationships within the Knoxville community. Over the past few months, our staff and students have worked with several community partners.

Dr. Christina Najera started working with Bryant’s Bridge as a volunteer last year, helping at events and teaching cooking lessons to the youth they serve. This year she serves as a board member and as their Secretary. 

Over the summer, Bryant’s Bridge was the client for Najera’s public relations campaigns class. In the class, students form a public relations agency and work to create a campaign for the client. Bryant’s Bridge wanted students to help them build awareness, they felt that people know of the organization but not the details of what they do. They wanted students to help promote their mission and vision of working towards eradicating youth homelessness in Knoxville. Students present their plans which included social media campaigns, community partnerships, and fundraising events. 

The partnership allowed students to work with a smaller and newer nonprofit organization, and hear directly from their leadership which is not always the case in the industry. This experience also allowed them to see the communication needs that arise in a newer organization. 

In late August, Dr. Joseph Stabb hosted the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians. The group of six scouts was able to practice their public speaking skills in the Public Speaking Center. This helped the scouts to earn their public speaking badges. Dr. Stabb was assisted by ADPR students Cole Pawlaczyk and Jessica Rice. 

Last week Dr. Stabb, Dr. Najera and ADPR student Timari Ray hosted a group of students from Emerald Youth. This is a part of an ongoing relationship between the school and Emerald Youth to raise awareness about the fields of advertising and public relations and the opportunities in the field. 

ADPR Recognizes Seniors with Annual Awards

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As graduation approaches and our seniors get ready to walk across the stage to get their degrees, ADPR would like to take a moment to highlight three outstanding seniors Solomon Trapp, Kate Hartman, and Sydney Broussard. These seniors are the 2022 recipients of some of our Annual Awards. We are so proud of these students and can not wait to see what they do after graduation! 

Solomon Trapp – Matt Dirsa Memorial Award

Solomon TrappThis award celebrates the life of Matt, who graduated from the School of Advertising and Public Relations in 2010. As an alumnus of the School of Advertising and Public Relations, Matt was eager to give back to its students. Matt personified the Volunteer Spirit until his passing in 2019. This award will be presented each year to an ADPR student that embodies Matthew’s spirit and legacy by serving other students, faculty, student organizations, and the School of ADPR at UTK as well as by demonstrating a passion for a future career in a media-related field.

  • UT Student Government Association
  • UT Peer Mentor
  • Orientation Leader
  • Director of VOLthon
  • Multicultural Student Life Member
  • 100+ hours of community service

 

Kate Hartman – Outstanding Advertising Student

Kate HartmanThis outstanding student award is given to the graduating senior who, by a vote of the faculty, displays the best combination of academic achievement and professional promise.

  • Magna Cum Laude
  • UT Volunteer of Distinction Award
  • Matthew Dirsa Memorial Award
  • AdClub Officer
  • Distinguished Tennesseean Award
  • Chancellor’s Honors Program
  • Phi Mu

 

Sydney Broussard – J. Carroll Bateman Award

Sydney BroussardThis award is given to a high-performing student for strong professional promise and merit.

  • Magna Cum Laude
  • PRSSA Officer
  • Mortar Board Honor Society
  • Phi Mu
  • Hearing & Deaf Alliance Club