Four faculty and staff members from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications have been nominated for the 2026 Family & Friends Recognition Award, a university honor recognizing employees who have made a meaningful and lasting impact on students’ lives.
Now in its 38th year, the Family & Friends Recognition Award is sponsored by the Division of Student Life, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Teaching Council and the UNL Parent and Family Association. Each year, students’ families and friends are invited to consult with their students and nominate a faculty or staff member who has made a significant contribution to their university experience.
Nominees from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications include Alisa Smith, Jason Stamm, Linda White and Rick Alloway.
“These nominations reflect the care, mentorship and dedication our faculty and staff bring to their work every day,” said Adam Wagler, interim dean of the college. “Being recognized by students’ families and loved ones is especially meaningful, and it speaks to the lasting influence our people have on students both inside and outside the classroom.”
Each nominee will receive a certificate of recognition delivered to their campus mail address, along with a token of appreciation from the Parent and Family Association. A full list of recipients will be available on the Parent and Family Association website.
Alisa Smith
Alisa Smith is the director of advising for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where she has led the advising team since joining UNL in July 2023. She brings more than 20 years of higher education experience, including previous service as dean of student success at Lourdes University in Ohio, with a focus on retention, academic readiness and student support. Smith holds degrees from Bowling Green State University and Lourdes University and encourages students to get involved and fully use the resources available to them.
Jason Stamm
Jason Stamm is an assistant professor teaching sports media courses in the college. He joined the faculty in fall 2021 following a career in sports journalism as a publisher, editor and reporter covering college athletics. His research focuses on sports journalism practice and sports media audiences and has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. Stamm holds a Ph.D. in communication and information from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and continues part-time work in sports media.
Linda White
Linda White joined the college in August 2023 after earning her doctorate from Michigan State University. She teaches reporting, editing and investigative journalism courses and researches racial diversity in television news and news management. Before entering academia, White spent 25 years as a television news anchor and reporter at NBC and ABC affiliates and earned numerous professional honors, including a regional Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Rick Alloway
Rick Alloway is a longtime faculty member who teaches audio production, media writing and podcasting and serves as general manager of the university’s audio properties, including 90.3 KRNU and the KRNU2 webstream. A full-time faculty member since 1986, he has played a central role in broadcast education at UNL and in the development of the Sports Media and Communication major. Alloway has received numerous teaching and industry honors, including induction into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
