Jack J. Valenti School of Communication

Valenti Highlights

News & Events

Valenti School of Communication to Host Fifth Annual Impact Awards Ceremony and Honor Essence's Nandi Howard
The University of Houston’s Jack J. Valenti School of Communication will host its Fifth Annual Valenti Impact Awards event from 6-9 p.m. Monday, September 19, at Caracol, located at 2200 Post Oak Blvd. #160, Houston, TX 77056. The Valenti Impact Awards are an opportunity for the public to celebrate and support the achievements of the Valenti School of Communication students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Virtual Climate Panel
In partnership with US Fish and Wildlife Service, Valenti hosted a virtual climate communication panel on April the 13th. Moderated by Valenti Associate Professor, Summer Harlow, the panel featured Science Communication experts from Axios, The Nature Conservancy, The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Communication and Marketing Career Mixer
Along with The Bauer College of Business and University Career Services, The Valenti School of Communication co-hosted a Communication and Marketing Career Mixer on April 6th.
Valenti Students Creatively Tackle Public Health Awareness in the Latino Community
Students at the Valenti School of Communication have been hard at work filming 5 mini telenovelas focused on bringing Alzheimer’s awareness to the Latino Community.
Valenti Team Wins Second Place in National Advertising Competition
The Valenti Advertising team put forth an amazing effort to secure a second-place finish in a tight race with Texas State University in the National Student Advertising Competition. The NSAA is an annual college competition created to give students the real-world experience of creating a strategic campaign for a corporate client. The competition is organized by the American Advertising Federation with students competing within regional districts.
After Unanimous Vote, Jennifer Vardeman Named Valenti’s Director
Adding to her years-long tenure on the school of communication’s leadership team, Vardeman to permanently take the helm September 2021.
Valenti Members Demonstrate Perseverance Through Rodeo Internships
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo internship is a Valenti student favorite. The cancelation of last year’s event took a toll on many students' learning experiences.
Valenti Students Collaborate to Create COVID-19 Vaccine PSAs
Fort Bend County’s Health & Human Services has enlisted the help of students from the Valenti School of Communication to raise awareness about vaccination efforts.
Hollywood Director Works Virtually with the UH Film, Theater Departments on Student Film
Hollywood director Micheal Grossman and media production professor Keith Houk are marking their ninth year of working together, but this year’s collaboration is far from business as usual.
A Year into COVID, Valenti Faculty Lead with Compassion and Flexibility
As the country laments the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty and staff at the Valenti School of Communication continue to adapt their classes and teaching styles to ensure students are taken care of in the online learning environment.
Madrid-Morales to Develop Online African News Database
Dani Madrid-Morales, an assistant professor of journalism, has been awarded a research grant of the University of Houston Libraries’ sponsored projects program, which supports and funds University projects annually.

Valenti Spotlights

Kelli Gifford, Lecturer

From working at her local newspaper to becoming a lecturer at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and now also working in the health care industry, Kelli Gifford has had a remarkable journey. “I learned something new every semester, and it was exciting to see all my students grow, which increased my love for teaching,” said Gifford.

Faculty

Summer Harlow, Assistant Professor of Journalism

(Video) After years of working as a journalist in Guatemala, El Salvador and Brazil, assistant professor of journalism Summer Harlow is using research and experiences to train the next generation. “I think that we as journalists have to put humanity first, and sometimes that means maybe having to take a stand,” said Harlow.

Alumni

Karli Burghoff ('18), Broadcast Journalism

(Video) Broadcast journalism graduate, Karli Burghoff landed a job working as a Houston Astros Ballpark Host in June 2019. Originally a biology major, Karli says she switched her degree to one that aligned with the dream job her six-year-old self would be proud of.

Student

Drew Jones, Print Journalism

Drew Kendall Jones is as passionate about writing as any storyteller can be and as hardworking as any professional needs to be to succeed. It has been a busy year for Drew; he’s published an article on Houston’s local scene in The Washington Post, and he spent two weeks in May reporting for The New York Times, culminating in a published article about social media’s relation to gardening.

Valenti Highlights

Valenti School of Communication to Host Fifth Annual Impact Awards Ceremony and Honor Essence's Nandi Howard

Virtual Climate Panel

Communication and Marketing Career Mixer

Valenti Students Creatively Tackle Public Health Awareness in the Latino Community

Valenti Team Wins Second Place in National Advertising Competition

After Unanimous Vote, Jennifer Vardeman Named Valenti’s Director

Valenti Members Demonstrate Perseverance Through Rodeo Internships

Valenti Students Collaborate to Create COVID-19 Vaccine PSAs

Hollywood Director Works Virtually with the UH Film, Theater Departments on Student Film

A Year into COVID, Valenti Faculty Lead with Compassion and Flexibility

Madrid-Morales to Develop Online African News Database

Valenti Spotlights

Kelli Gifford, Lecturer

Summer Harlow, Assistant Professor of Journalism

Karli Burghoff ('18), Broadcast Journalism

Drew Jones, Print Journalism

Valenti School of Communication to Host Fifth Annual Impact Awards Ceremony and Honor Essence's Nandi Howard