School of Journalism and Mass Media

John Webb is a high-profile senior in JAMM who was recently hired by KQ6NEWS in Spokane. He is from Wallace and spent his 4 years at U of I honing his broadcast skills, doing many internships and landing the job he wanted at a Spokane station.

Shape the future of communication in mass media

University of Idaho’s School of Journalism and Mass Media (JAMM) prepares you to become an innovative communicator, storyteller and ethical professional in an ever-evolving media landscape. Through these academic programs, you’ll combine hands-on learning with a strong foundation in media theory, helping you build skills to tell powerful stories across various platforms — from print and broadcast journalism to advertising, public relations, film, television and digital media.

As Idaho’s only program accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), JAMM upholds the highest standards of academic excellence and professional integrity — setting our students apart in today’s competitive media industry.

Whether you're interested in becoming an advertiser, journalist, content creator, public relations expert or media producer, JAMM offers the tools, technology and real-world experiences to help you succeed in today's fast-paced media industry.

Accreditation

Logo of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)

The School of Journalism and Mass Media (JAMM) is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the agency responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities.  

The mission of JAMM is to prepare students for professional employment in the media and for participation in civic life in the context of a liberal arts education. The school fosters understanding of the nature, responsibilities and effects of the mass media while preparing students for professional work and maintaining relationships with external constituencies. It provides holistic and integrated programs that give students the range of skills and depth of understanding to make them effective media professionals and citizens of a global society.

About JAMM

Learning beyond the classroom

JAMM students engage with media at every level — from university newsrooms to statehouses, from film sets to national competitions.

Student media

 Explore student media opportunities

Student clubs and organizations

Interested in joining a student club or organization? 

Contact us to learn more about student groups and leadership opportunities.

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is the nation's largest and most broad-based journalism organization, committed to encouraging the free practice of journalism and promoting the highest standards of ethical behavior. Our U of I chapter upholds these principles by offering students opportunities to meet potential employers, learn about jobs and internships, hear from professional journalists, attend regional and national conferences, and apply for awards.

Faculty advisor: Jim Niedbalski

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

The PRSSA is for students with an interest in public relations who want to deepen their understanding of the strategic communications field. The chapter organizes trips to PR and advertising agencies, invites guest speakers from industry-leading firms and fosters networking opportunities with professionals across the media landscape.

Faculty advisors: Louise Hsu and Caitlin Cieslik-Miskimen

Ad club

The Ad club is for students interested in the American Advertising Federation’s collegiate competition held each year in the Spring. Advertising Competition Team members join the AAF and compete against other universities to develop campaigns for major companies and brands.

Faculty advisor: Moritz Cleve

Vandal Film Club

The Vandal Film Club is for students interested in watching movies, talking about movies, making movies, sharing interests and making friends. The club hosts movie screenings, filmmaking workshops and brings in guest speakers from the film and television industry.

Faculty advisor: Kyle Howerton

Signature experiences

Advertising Competition Team

The Advertising Competition Team represents JAMM at the American Advertising Federation's (AAF) National Student Advertising Competition, the premier college advertising competition in the United States. Students work in teams to create a comprehensive strategic advertising campaign for a real corporate client and present their ideas to panels of judges at regional and national competitions. Participation helps students build professional portfolios, sharpen presentation skills and network with industry leaders.

Deadline to apply: Announcements for applications to join the Advertising Competition Team begin in October in the Fresh JAMM newsletter.

Required course: Students must enroll in JAMM 4690 Advertising Competition Team (3 credit hours) during the spring semester.

Interested in competing? Contact us to learn more about joining the team

State Capitol News Bureau

In partnership with the U of I McClure Center, our State Capitol News Bureau provides students with the opportunity to work as news reporters covering the Idaho Legislative Session and other key government events in Boise and at the State Capitol. Students join the Idaho Press Club and receive official press credentials to report on issues of public policy, legislation and civic engagement.

Working from the Capitol Annex, just steps away from the Idaho Statehouse, students gain firsthand experience with state government as they attend hearings, follow legislation and conduct interviews with lawmakers and constituents. Their published stories appear in local newspapers throughout the state and are also broadcast through Idaho Public Radio, giving students bylines and exposure across a statewide network.

Want to report from the Capitol? Review the application details

Idaho Public Radio

Idaho Public Radio is a professional broadcast service operated by JAMM that examines arts, culture, technology, sports, education, the environment and public policy. Students work side-by-side with faculty and professional staff to develop skills in writing, reporting, editing, producing and on-air announcing. Opportunities include creating news stories, podcasts and radio features.

Follow Idaho Public Radio on Facebook and X to stay up to date on programming and student work.

Interested in gaining radio experience? Contact us to find out how to get involved

Kino Short Film Festival 

The Kino Short Film Festival, hosted annually by JAMM, gives students and regional filmmakers the chance to screen original short films for a live audience at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow. Students in advanced filmmaking classes showcase their final projects, and filmmakers from across the Northwest also participate.

Audience members vote for their favorite films, and top entries receive Audience Choice Awards. Kino highlights student creativity while fostering connections across the regional film community.

Learn more about KINO Fest

Fall48 Filmmaking Challenge 

Fall48 is JAMM’s annual 48-hour filmmaking challenge open to all U.S. high school students, current U of I students and regional filmmakers. Cash prizes and scholarships are awarded to winning teams, and a selection of top films are screened for a live audience at the Kenworthy Theatre.  

Learn more about Fall48

Facilities and equipment

JAMM provides students enrolled in production-based courses with access to professional-grade audio and video equipment, as well as dedicated editing suites and production facilities housed in the Radio/TV building. Whether you're filming for a short documentary or producing a radio broadcast, the tools you need are at your fingertips.

Students must be enrolled in eligible courses and must sign the Equipment Checkout Policies and Procedures Agreement form prior to using any equipment. Reservations and checkouts are handled through an online portal, and gear is available during designated hours at the equipment checkout room. 

Scholarships and internships 

Scholarships

JAMM awards over $85,000 annually in scholarships to students based on merit, financial need and involvement. Awards range from $800 to $4,000.

Explore scholarships

Internships

Internships are a cornerstone of the JAMM experience, offering students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in professional media settings and gain real-world experience.

Students must register for JAMM 4980 during the term of their internship, choosing 1–3 credits based on the time commitment. Each internship requires a formal work plan agreed upon by both the student and site supervisor. Supervisors are expected to complete mid-term and final evaluations, and students must submit a final written report and work samples by the end of the semester. Internships are graded pass/fail. 

Eligibility requirements
  • Must be a declared JAMM major or minor.
  • Junior class standing.
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Internship placements have included CNN, ESPN, The New York Times, Edelman PR, Idaho Press Club, and numerous regional newspapers, PR firms and broadcast stations. These experiences provide students with valuable industry insight, career connections and competitive resumes.

For employers seeking interns

JAMM welcomes proposals from media outlets, nonprofits and other organizations interested in hosting interns. The school provides confirmation of student enrollment and can support hosts with tuition sponsorship options for summer internships. Internship hosts must supply a position description and assign a supervisor to provide feedback and complete evaluations.

Documentation and forms

Launch your career

As a JAMM student, you’ll be preparing for an exciting and diverse range of careers in today’s evolving media landscape. Whether your passion lies in journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, filmmaking or digital content, these programs give you the skills and experience to thrive. Our graduates go on to become reporters, content producers, PR professionals, social media managers, digital strategists and communication leaders across industries.

Career paths include opportunities in local and national media, nonprofit communications, creative agencies and government sectors. Our students regularly find positions through resources like JournalismJobs.com, PRWeek, the American Advertising Federation, the Idaho Press Club and media employers such as KTVB-TV in Boise, KREM-TV in Spokane and Idaho Public Television.

To help guide your path, University of Idaho’s Career Services offers support with resume reviews, mock interviews, career advising and job search strategies tailored to your goals.

Explore career resources

Join our community

In JAMM, you’ll be part of a creative, collaborative and mission-driven school. Whether you’re filming in the RTV studio, reporting from the field or planning a digital campaign, you’ll graduate with the skills, confidence and network to make your mark.

Meet with an advisor

Meet our people

From award-winning journalists to media industry experts, JAMM faculty members bring years of industry experience into the classroom, providing you with mentorship, insight and guidance as you prepare to join the next generation of media professionals.  

Journalism and Mass Media

Robin Johnson
Director
Administration Building 347C
208-885-6012
rsjohnson@uidaho.edu

Mano Alexandre
Lecturer
manoalexandre@uidaho.edu

Caitlin Cieslik-Miskimen
Associate professor
339 Administration Building
208-885-8872
caitlinc@uidaho.edu

Moritz Cleve
Assistant professor
341 Administration Building
208-885-7888
mcleve@uidaho.edu

Kyle Howerton
Clinical associate professor
340 Administration Building
208-885-1092
howerton@uidaho.edu

Asma Khanom
Assistant professor
342A Administration Building
akhanom@uidaho.edu

Russell Meeuf
Professor
346 Administration Building
208-885-7732
rmeeuf@uidaho.edu

Glenn Mosley
Senior instructor, director of broadcasting
33 Radio-TV Center
208-885-6020
gmosley@uidaho.edu

Jianna Maarten Saada
Assistant professor
jiannams@uidaho.edu 

Marc Skinner
Executive officer
Idaho Falls
marcs@uidaho.edu

Next steps