As the journalism industry reels from the shifting economic status of many of its commercial institutions, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication continues its efforts to educate students for the world to come.

Several alumni and friends have inquired about the school's plans to adjust to recent changes in our field. Even before the economic downturn in 2008, the school was engaged in a comprehensive curriculum review, and continues to look for ways to adapt what we teach to the new environment.

This spring I taught my first Digital Newsroom class, the gateway for skills our undergraduate and master's students need to create and maintain digital journalism products. But perhaps more important than these skills is the curriculum's focus on indoctrinating students into the digital language. Every skills class we teach includes a digital component.

The skills of tomorrow will emerge from our understanding of the emerging digital language. Our faculty remains committed to teaching our students critical thinking and traditional journalistic values while providing opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to function in an ever-changing world.

Assistant Professor Rick Stevens