As I reflect on this past year, the word that comes to mind most is resilience. Higher education has faced no shortage of challenges in recent months. From budget uncertainties and shifting student expectations to a rapidly evolving media landscape, the pressure on institutions like ours has been unrelenting.
Despite this, I’m proud SJMC has not only endured, but continued to thrive. Our remarkable students, faculty and staff have proven to be adaptable, creative and committed to our shared mission: preparing the next generation of ethical, thoughtful and impactful communicators.
Our faculty have continued to innovate in the classroom and in their research, exploring urgent topics like political polarization, misinformation and health communication. Our students, too, have risen to the moment. Our undergraduates have applied their skills to address housing insecurity in Madison and pitched media campaigns to Bare Botanics, a wellness company founded by alum Jason Junod (BA’18). Our grad students are pushing their fields forward, producing award-winning content for the Capital Times and publishing research in major journals like Women’s Studies in Communication and Journal of Health Communication. Behind the scenes, our staff continue to tirelessly support student experiences and keep the School running smoothly in uncertain times.
This resilience isn’t a fluke – it’s an innate skill that SJMC has strived to instill in our students from day one. There’s a reason that J202 students are only docked 10 points and don’t receive an “F” when they make a fact error: we teach them how to move forward despite a mistake and improve for the next assignment. Our SJMC community knows how to rise above adversity and continue to create meaningful work.
We wouldn’t have this resilience without you. Our alumni community has continued to show up in ways that matter deeply. Whether through guest speaking, mentoring, donating or simply reaching out, your support of our mission has helped us maintain the strong, collaborative spirit that defines the SJMC.
As we look to the future, I’m confident in our continued momentum. We are setting ambitious goals – advancing inclusive excellence, deepening community partnerships and public service, and strengthening the ways in which we connect with you, our alumni. Your involvement will continue to be a vital part of our success.
In challenging times, it becomes clear what truly matters. At the SJMC, it’s our people who give this place its enduring strength. Thank you for being a part of our community.
On, Wisconsin!
Kathleen Bartzen Culver
Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communication