June 30 is my final day as director of the online master’s program in digital communication at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Faculty members take turns leading graduate programs, and after five years, I am ready to step away from the role. I will remain on the faculty with the full responsibilities of teaching, service and creative activity.
The MADC program is designed for midcareer professionals in fields across journalism and public relations. They proceed through the coursework together as a cohort.
During my time as director, MADC students included a product manager at Bank of America and a journalist at Voice of America. What brings the cohort together is a background in communications and a drive to build knowledge and skills.
So what does a director of a graduate program do? In addition to teaching in the program, my duties have included:
- collaborating with faculty colleagues on content and structure of courses;
- recruiting, interviewing and onboarding adjunct instructors;
- implementing a revised curriculum;
- overseeing admissions and reviewing applications;
- interviewing promising applicants;
- promoting the program via informational webinars and social media;
- guiding students through the program’s requirements, including thesis projects;
- planning and hosting in-person events such as orientation and summer residency;
- mentoring current students and alumni about their careers;
- representing the program in faculty meetings and on UNC’s Distance and Lifelong Learning advisory committee.
The MADC program has drawn strong applicants, and the program’s admissions yield rate is 95%. In the past five years, 90 students have enrolled, and 85 have graduated.
Revisions in the MADC program are underway. Last year, the faculty unanimously approved a proposal to change the thesis requirement to a project showcase in which students present white papers that they research and write during a capstone course. This change will create a celebratory conclusion and networking opportunity for the students.
It has been an honor to lead the MADC program for five years, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Huge thanks to the students, faculty and staff who have made this such a fulfilling experience.
Online education is an important aspect of the mission of UNC’s journalism school. As I move on from the director role, I will be a staunch advocate for the MADC program, and I will continue to teach in it.