Moving to strengthen and affirm its relationships with existing media leaders in both academia and industry, the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has established the Grady Teaching and Leadership Academy to assist and enhance the college’s academic and professional missions.
Comprised of seasoned experts in media, journalism, communication and public life, these visiting professionals, adjunct faculty members and honorary lecturers will serve the college on multiple fronts. Additionally, the academy’s creation enables the college to formalize existing ties with these individuals and honors the long tradition of external engagement for education at the Grady College.
“The Grady Teaching and Leadership Academy will serve as an external brain trust for the college,” said E. Culpepper Clark, dean of the Grady College. “It will allow Grady to tap into its already strong relationships with alumni, other industry leaders and professional partners to the benefit of students and faculty.”
Powell A. Moore (ABJ ’59) is visiting the college through Oct. 24 as an inaugural member of the academy. Moore, who is a member of the Cox Center Board of Visitors and a Grady Fellow, served as press secretary for Sen. Richard Russell Jr. before holding various legislative affairs leadership positions in multiple White House administrations, including a stint as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under President George W. Bush. Currently, he works for Venable LLP.
Members of the college’s leadership boards also will help to build the academy and expand its reach.
Individuals named to the academy will interact with students on multiple levels, ranging from teaching responsibilities and guest class lectures to consulting with students on projects and helping to facilitate various networking opportunities.
“Whether working in media, corporate or public life, Grady alumni are leaders, and one reason for this is they are educated to communicate effectively-thinking, speaking and writing clearly, ethically and persuasively,” Clark said. “We have a deep, distinguished tradition of bringing our alumni into the classroom to share their professional expertise and acquired wisdom with our students.”
Other members of the academy include Maxine Clark (ABJ ’71), founder and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop; Chris Jones (ABJ ’73), executive director for public policy with Verizon Wireless; Tom Landrum (MA ’87), senior vice president for external affairs at UGA; Tim Mapes (ABJ ’86), senior vice president for marketing at Delta; and Gloria Ricks Taylor (ABJ ’66), former director of corporate communications and current consultant to the Hearst Corporation.
“These leaders have much to share about their perspectives, experience and careers,” said Clark. “They will form an academy of professionals that will amplify our educational mission and the power of great teaching. The creation of the academy will make their association and, more importantly, their connection to us visible and inspiring for students and other audiences.”
UGA Grady College
Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication offers undergraduate majors in Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital and Broadcast Journalism, and Mass Media Arts. The college offers two graduate degrees and is home to the New Media Institute and the Peabody Awards, internationally recognized as one of the most prestigious prizes for excellence in electronic media. For more information, see www.grady.uga.edu or follow the Grady College on Facebook and @UGAGrady on Twitter.