Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Jim Virga is an award-winning photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. He has worked as a still photographer, cinematographer, director and producer. He has also taught documentary phototography at three American universities, as well as study abroad programs in Spain, England, and the Czech Republic.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, Virga spent ten years (1989-1999) as a staff photographer for The Sun-Sentinel in Ft. Lauderdale; previously he was a staffer for The Orlando Sentinel. His photographs covering history in Cuba, Panama, Honduras and other political hotspots have received national recognition. A seasoned photojournalist, Virga’s work has appeared in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines. His documentary films have appeared on PBS and have been featured in film festivals, including AFI Silverdocs FF and the Miami International FF.
Virga was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Visual Arts and Communications from the Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University in 2001. He has taught in London for Syracuse University’s intensive photojournalism study abroad program in conjunction with The Alexia Foundation. Virga was a member of the Journalism faculty at The University of Georgia from 2001-2005. He joined The University of Miami School of Communication faculty in 2007.
Featured Documentaries
http://sweetdillard.cinema.miami.edu
http://beyondassignment.org