The College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln received the 2025 Equity & Diversity Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
The award was presented to Shari Veil, Jane T. Olson Endowed Dean of the college, during the keynote session of AEJMC’s national conference in San Francisco on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Each year, AEJMC’s Standing Committee on Professional Freedom & Responsibility awards a journalism and mass communication academic unit that has attained measurable success and continues their efforts in increasing equity and diversity among their faculty, staff and students.
“It’s an honor to receive this year’s AEJMC Equity & Diversity Award,” Veil said. “I’m proud of our faculty, staff and students who are dedicated to making our community an inclusive environment where all have the opportunity to thrive.”
When applying for the award, the unit must document its progress and innovation in racial, gender, and ethnic equality and diversity during the past three years. The college's application was compiled by a faculty committee, chaired by Cory Armstrong, associate dean for research and faculty affairs.
CoJMC Assistant Professors Kelli Boling and Ciera Kirkpatrick helped compile the final application.
“The committee commends UNL faculty, staff and students for an excellent application,” AEJMC PF&R Committee Chair Genelle Belmas said.
AEJMC President and Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs at Michigan State University Teresa Mastin, will visit the college during the 2025-26 academic year to present the award on campus.
