Vilas Insider – Spring 2025
Read the Spring 2025 issue of Vilas Insider and learn about updates from SJMC students, faculty, staff and alumni.
More Then Just a Cup of Coffee: Tom Mulhern's Legacy Lives On
A decade after his passing, Tom Mulhern’s legacy lives on through a scholarship and a new family-led fundraiser — “Mully’s Roast” coffee — supporting the next generation of sports journalists.
Three Questions for Enjoyiana Nururdin
SJMC alum Enjoyiana Nururdin (BA'21) reflects on the values that drive her reporting, her proudest accomplishments and the advice she has for aspiring journalists in the SJMC.
Students
Graduate Student Highlight: Laila Abbas
Ph.D. student Laila Abbas earned an ICA Top Dissertation Award Honorable Mention for her research on how emotionally charged TikTok content can inspire political identity and collective action, using the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement as a case study. In a Q&A, she reflects on the impact of her research, offers advice for aspiring scholars, and shares her favorite memory from SJMC.
July 16, 2025
Sharing Stories, Building Community: SJMC and Posse Partner to Empower Students Through Storytelling
This spring, UW–Madison Posse scholars teamed up with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication for a storytelling workshop led by teaching faculty Adam Schrager. Designed to help students confidently share their lived experiences, the event reflects SJMC’s commitment to centering student voices and building inclusive, cross-campus partnerships.
July 7, 2025
Small Classes, Big Connections: New SJMC Courses Expand First-Year Experience
Professors Karyn Riddle and Kathryn McGarr developed new SJMC courses that do more than just educate students: they build community.
July 7, 2025- See More
Faculty & Staff
Associate Professors Chris Cascio and Kathryn McGarr Receive Vilas Associates Award
Associate Professors Chris Cascio and Kathryn McGarr are the recipients of the 2025 Vilas Associates Award.
July 7, 2025
Letter from the Director: Spring 2025
Director Katy Culver reflects on the last year and offers a message of resilience to alumni, students, faculty and staff.
July 7, 2025
Q&A with Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Excellence Award Winner, Professor Young Mie Kim
Professor Young Mie Kim, recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Excellence Award, shares how she inspires critical thinking, brings research into the classroom and prepares students to engage with today’s civic challenges.
July 7, 2025- See More
Alumni
Three Questions for Enjoyiana Nururdin
SJMC alum Enjoyiana Nururdin (BA'21) reflects on the values that drive her reporting, her proudest accomplishments and the advice she has for aspiring journalists in the SJMC.
July 9, 2025
More Then Just a Cup of Coffee: Tom Mulhern’s Legacy Lives On
A decade after his passing, Tom Mulhern’s legacy lives on through a scholarship and a new family-led fundraiser — “Mully’s Roast” coffee — supporting the next generation of sports journalists.
July 7, 2025
Three Questions for Rachel Hale (BA’24)
Alum Rachel Hale recently received the Religion News Association's Chandler Award for her reporting on the impact of the Israel-Hamas War on the Wisconsin Jewish community. Read her advice for current students and her favorite SJMC memories.
May 14, 2025- See More
Events
Day of the Badger 2025: By the Numbers
Thanks to our generous alumni and friends, Day of the Badger 2025 was a record-breaking 1848 minutes of giving with over $35,000 raised for current students.
July 7, 2025
Celebrating Jack M. McLeod: Highlights from ICA
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication proudly honored the legacy of Jack M. McLeod at ICA's annual conference in Denver. The event included remarks from a wide range of McLeod's advisees, colleagues and friends.
June 25, 2025
2024-2025 Academic Year in Photos
As we wrap up the 2024-2025 academic year, we're reflecting on the achievements of our students, faculty and staff, numerous events and other important moments that made this year so special. Check out our 2024-2025 academic year in photos.
June 2, 2025- See More
Vilas Insider
Vilas Insider, SJMC’s quarterly alumni newsletter, is shared digitally three times per year and in print in the spring.
Read our latest issue.
Vilas Insider: Spring 2025
From student and faculty awards to community partnerships to a family-led fundraiser in support of future sports journalists, this year's issue of Vilas Insider magazine highlights the resilience and passion of our SJMC community.
Weekly Department Updates and Announcements
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