For the fourth year in a row, the Daily Iowan has taken home the national Newspaper Pacemaker Award. With six top-five placements and four honorable mentions in categorical competitions, numerous SJMC students have been acknowledged as well.

The judges of the Tobey Award for Visual Storytelling highlighted Found in Translation for its design and storytelling. The student-created multimedia documentary competed against projects from professional national and international news organizations, including Reuters (winner) and ProPublica (runner-up).

The Mobile Me & You technology and journalism conference took place at the University of Iowa this year, and consisted of multiple sessions that highlighted the future of storytelling.

In the MASC program, we believe great communicators never stop refining their craft—which includes how they present their ideas. These slide design principles encourage you to keep growing your skills, communicate with clarity, and create visuals that elevate your message rather than distract from it.

By continually rebuilding his courses around real-world trends, Eric Nelson ensures MASC students stay engaged, curious, and prepared to navigate the shifting landscape of digital communication and AI-driven strategy.

With the new U2G program and MBA/MASC dual degree, Iowa students and professionals can begin earning graduate credit sooner or combine communication expertise with business leadership—saving time while strengthening their career potential.

Balancing work, family, and graduate school, Dana used the MASC program to sharpen her digital marketing and strategic communication skills, preparing her for influential roles in both nonprofit and startup spaces.

SJMC students enrolled in the course “Producing Film Criticism,” taught by Professor Adam Kempenaar of The University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, were given the opportunity to experience the Chicago International Film Festival first-hand.

SJMC Alum Jami Martin-Trainor was named Associated Collegiate Press Reporter of the Year!