University of Miami alumnus reflects on Hollywood career Christopher H. Warner, who has produced a wide range of major motion pictures including “Spinal Tap II” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” shares his thoughts on his path and the U experience. Video: Matthew Rembold/University of Miami - Sept. 3, 2026
Creator of Taylor Swift class named interim School of Communication dean By Keira Faddis 8-26-2026 This story originally appeared in The Miami Hurricane Dr. Alyse Lancaster is taking the helm as interim dean of the School of Communication after nearly three decades at UM. Lancaster joined UM in 1999 as an assistant professor after earning her Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Since then, she has held several teaching and administrative positions, including serving as director of the advertising program, chair of the department of strategic communication, [...]
Amaka Ubaka on telling stories that matter Award-winning journalist Amaka Ubaka, B.S.C. ’09, is using her voice to elevate others and tell stories that make a difference. By Maeve McQueeny-Lynch 8-5-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU Amaka Ubaka knows that one story can change the world. In 2015, she first gained national attention with her exclusive interview of an Orlando woman removed from her flight for refusing to check her breast pump. The coverage led U.S. Airways to reclassify breast pumps as medically necessary devices [...]
Building bonds through gaming Alumnus and child therapist Justin Jacobson created a Roblox game to help kids and parents connect that just won an international award. Recent alumnus Justin Jacobson speaks on a panel at the Games for Change Festival 2026, where he received an award for his game Gather-2-Gether from Roblox and Games for Change. Photos courtesy of Games for Change and Roblox By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 7-28-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU Just a few years ago, Justin Jacobson was working as a therapist [...]
Can you spot fake news or images? A University of Miami professor has developed two apps to test your knowledge in telling apart real or fake images or texts. By Barbara Gutierrez 7-21-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, prevalent, and capable of producing more realistic images and text, it has become critical for the public to distinguish “real” texts and images from “non-real” ones. That is the premise behind two apps created by Lindsay Grace, Knight Chair in Interactive Media [...]
How Hurricane Dorian changed disaster reporting A School of Communication study revealed that journalists who covered the 2019 tropical cyclone adapted their practices to help save lives during the storm and advocate for the marginalized in its aftermath. The aftermath of Hurricane Dorian left thousands of people homeless in the Bahamas. By Barbara Gutierrez 6-10-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU WHurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on Sept. 1, 2019, its Category 5 winds devastated two islands over three days, destroyed infrastructure, left thousands missing [...]
An interactive approach to reading Associate professor Anna Queiroz and her students developed a game to improve early literacy skills that set beginning readers up for success. Anna Elise Nascimento, 11, tests out the new LexiLearn literacy app created by Anna Queiroz, an associate professor of interactive media. Photo: Filipi Barbosa/University of Miami. By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 5-26-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU One of the first steps to successful reading instruction is ensuring that students can match the sounds found in words—called phonemes—to letters, [...]
Canes filmmakers get a taste of Hollywood University of Miami students selected from the Canes Film Festival traveled to the City of Angels to showcase their films, attend exclusive tours, industry meetings, film screenings, and network with alumni. The student films were shown at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. Photos: Mark Von Holden for the University of Miami By Michael R. Malone 5-19-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU "Does anyone want to film a movie in Serbia?” When Rafal Sokolowski, an associate professor in [...]
A passion for storytelling leads to leadership and communications Creativity and connection shaped Ashley Sewall’s path at the U, where campus involvement and hands-on experience defined her undergraduate journey and prepared her for what comes next. Photo courtesy Ashley Sewall By Brittney Bomnin Garcia 5-7-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU As she prepares to cross the stage at commencement, Ashley Sewall reflects on a University of Miami experience shaped by leadership, creativity, and connection. A public relations and graphic design honors major with a minor [...]
From the classroom to the field: A new sports media minor A new sports media minor in the School of Communication allows students to gain hands-on experience while pursuing a career in sports. At the University of Miami School of Communication, hands-on experience isn't a perk, it's part of the curriculum. To meet the demand, senior lecturers Ed Julbe and Erin Brown, alongside lecturer Jon Gorchow, developed a new sports media minor that dives into the world of sports journalism, digital media, and more. “The program has been in [...]
