Mass Communication
Mass Communication at UNC Pembroke turns your passion for media into marketable skills. Our Bachelor of Science degree offers four career-driven tracks — Broadcasting, Communication Studies, Journalism and Public Relations— plus minors in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations.
Blending liberal arts with hands-on learning, the program prepares you for real-world success. From day one, you’ll work on professional-style projects, build a strong portfolio, and complete an internship in your chosen track. With a solid foundation in theory, research and practical experience, you'll be ready for the media industry or graduate study.
LEARNING SPACES
Mass Communication at UNC Pembroke is housed in historic Old Main, where world-class media spaces power hands-on learning. On the first floor, you'll
find WNCP-TV, our fully equipped television station, along with a professional-grade studio, control
room, podcast studio, editing suites, newsroom and faculty offices. Upstairs, the
second floor features smart classrooms, the department office, additional faculty
offices, and collaborative spaces for The Pine Needle student newspaper, Indianhead Yearbook and the Mass Comm Student Club. It’s more than a building — it’s where future media professionals get their start.
UNCP’s fully equipped TV studio lets students step behind — and in front of — the
camera to produce live broadcasts, news segments, and original programming. With student
work airing on WNCP-TV, online platforms, and even PBS North Carolina, students gain real-world experience and build a professional resume before graduation.
UNCP’s professional-grade control room gives students hands-on experience managing
live broadcasts — from switching cameras to directing shows in real time. It’s the
behind-the-scenes training ground where students learn the technical skills that power
the industry.
UNCP’s on-campus podcast studio gives students the tools to create, produce, and publish
original audio content — gaining real-world experience in one of today’s fastest-growing
media formats. Whether for class projects or student-led shows, it’s a professional
space built for bold voices.
The Pine Needle newsroom and classroom at UNCP functions like a real-world media hub,
where students pitch, write, edit, and design content for both print and digital platforms.
It’s a collaborative space where future journalists build portfolios, meet deadlines
and bring the news to life.
UNCP’s yearbook computer lab is a creative workspace where students design layouts,
edit photos, and produce Indianhead, the university’s annual yearbook. Equipped with industry-standard software, the
lab gives students hands-on experience in publication design and visual storytelling.
Real-World Experience Starts Here
At UNC Pembroke, students don’t just study media — they create it.
From award-winning television productions on WNCP‑TV to student-run publications, Mass Communication majors gain real-world experience in storytelling, broadcasting and journalism. For more than 30 years, UNCP has led the way with Carolina News Today, the first live, student-produced weekly newscast in North Carolina. Today, students continue that tradition through WNCP-TV, contributing to a wide range of shows including Comic Culture and 30 Brave Minutes. They also power the UNCP Sports Network, delivering live coverage of Braves athletics. In print and online, students sharpen their skills with The Pine Needle newspaper and capture campus memories through Indianhead, the university’s yearbook.
Student-Led, Professionally Produced Campus Newscast
Carolina News Today is the award-winning flagship student news broadcast from UNC Pembroke’s WNCP‑TV,
crafted weekly by aspiring journalists enrolled in Mass Communication's broadcast
practicum. Under the guidance of faculty like Dr. Cle Cousins and Dr. Kevin Swift,
the show delivers on-campus and community news with professional standards.
With its blend of timely reporting, student leadership and broadcast excellence, Carolina News Today continues to be a cornerstone of WNCP‑TV’s educational mission — training the next
generation of media professionals through real-world storytelling and live production.
Spotlight on Pop‑Culture Through Student Eyes
Comic Culture is a nationally recognized television series hosted and produced by Terence Dollard,
chair of Mass Communication. As the only weekly program airing on PBS from a UNC System
school, it offers a unique platform where pop culture, graphic novels and media trends
take center stage. Broadcast on PBS NC’s NC Channel and streaming on PBS.org, the
show also serves as a hands-on learning lab for UNCP broadcast students who work behind
the scenes and get on-screen credit on every episode.
In 2024, Comic Culture earned an Award of Excellence from the Communicator Awards, underscoring its professional
quality and educational impact. The series continues to elevate pop culture conversation
while giving students real-world production experience that prepares them for careers
in media and television.
Capture the Year. Build A Legacy.
Indianhead is UNC Pembroke’s annual student yearbook — a proud tradition that began in 1946,
following the university’s first-ever yearbook, The Lumbee Tattler, in 1942. Created by and for students, Indianhead captures the spirit of each academic year through portraits, campus events, athletics,
student organizations and everyday moments that define life at UNCP.
More than just a keepsake, Indianhead serves as a living archive of UNCP’s culture and community. Digitized editions are now available through the Mary Livermore Library and North Carolina’s Digital Heritage Center, preserving over 75 years of campus history for future generations.
Students who work on Indianhead gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, photography, and layout — valuable
skills for anyone interested in book-length publications, visual storytelling or publishing.
Telling UNCP’s Story for Over 75 Years
The Pine Needle is UNC Pembroke’s award-winning, student-run newspaper — a dynamic learning lab where
students turn their passion for storytelling into real-world experience. Founded in
1947, The Pine Needle publishes 14 print editions each academic year and maintains
an active digital presence with news articles, podcasts, and video packages.
Open to both mass communication majors and non-majors, students earn academic credit while working collaboratively as writers, editors, designers, photographers and content producers. With strong faculty mentorship and a newsroom environment that mirrors professional standards, The Pine Needle builds the skills that launch media careers.
Recognized for excellence at the state and national level, the publication has been
a finalist for the prestigious Corbin Gwaltney Award and earned first place for six
consecutive years in the American Scholastic Press Association’s competition for universities
with over 2,500 students.
Student-Led, Professionally Produced Campus Newscast
Carolina News Today is the award-winning flagship student news broadcast from UNC Pembroke’s WNCP‑TV,
crafted weekly by aspiring journalists enrolled in Mass Communication's broadcast
practicum. Under the guidance of faculty like Dr. Cle Cousins and Dr. Kevin Swift,
the show delivers on-campus and community news with professional standards.
With its blend of timely reporting, student leadership and broadcast excellence, Carolina News Today continues to be a cornerstone of WNCP‑TV’s educational mission — training the next
generation of media professionals through real-world storytelling and live production.
Spotlight on Pop‑Culture Through Student Eyes
Comic Culture is a nationally recognized television series hosted and produced by Terence Dollard,
chair of Mass Communication. As the only weekly program airing on PBS from a UNC System
school, it offers a unique platform where pop culture, graphic novels and media trends
take center stage. Broadcast on PBS NC’s NC Channel and streaming on PBS.org, the
show also serves as a hands-on learning lab for UNCP broadcast students who work behind
the scenes and get on-screen credit on every episode.
In 2024, Comic Culture earned an Award of Excellence from the Communicator Awards, underscoring its professional
quality and educational impact. The series continues to elevate pop culture conversation
while giving students real-world production experience that prepares them for careers
in media and television.
Capture the Year. Build A Legacy.
Indianhead is UNC Pembroke’s annual student yearbook — a proud tradition that began in 1946,
following the university’s first-ever yearbook, The Lumbee Tattler, in 1942. Created by and for students, Indianhead captures the spirit of each academic year through portraits, campus events, athletics,
student organizations and everyday moments that define life at UNCP.
More than just a keepsake, Indianhead serves as a living archive of UNCP’s culture and community. Digitized editions are now available through the Mary Livermore Library and North Carolina’s Digital Heritage Center, preserving over 75 years of campus history for future generations.
Students who work on Indianhead gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, photography, and layout — valuable
skills for anyone interested in book-length publications, visual storytelling or publishing.
Telling UNCP’s Story for Over 75 Years
The Pine Needle is UNC Pembroke’s award-winning, student-run newspaper — a dynamic learning lab where
students turn their passion for storytelling into real-world experience. Founded in
1947, The Pine Needle publishes 14 print editions each academic year and maintains
an active digital presence with news articles, podcasts, and video packages.
Open to both mass communication majors and non-majors, students earn academic credit while working collaboratively as writers, editors, designers, photographers and content producers. With strong faculty mentorship and a newsroom environment that mirrors professional standards, The Pine Needle builds the skills that launch media careers.
Recognized for excellence at the state and national level, the publication has been
a finalist for the prestigious Corbin Gwaltney Award and earned first place for six
consecutive years in the American Scholastic Press Association’s competition for universities
with over 2,500 students.
What set UNCP apart for me was the access — to equipment, to mentors and to real opportunities. I wasn’t just learning theory; I was producing shows, building a reel and connecting with professionals in the industry. Those early experiences and relationships opened doors.
Emmy Award-Winning Journalist
UNC Pembroke alumnus Samuel Shelton earned an Emmy Award in 2023 for his role in
WMBF News’ coverage of the 6 p.m. newscast following the Raymond Moody confession
in the Brittanee Drexel case. The broadcast won in the Daytime/Evening Newscast (Smaller
Markets 76+) category, recognizing the team’s excellence in breaking news reporting,
storytelling and production. Shelton’s work contributed to a powerful, timely newscast
that stood out among entries from across the region.
Other Notable Alumni
From anchoring TV sportscasts, to hosting his own nationally syndicated talk show
for NBC Sports radio, from co-hosting podcasts, to color commentating on college football
and basketball games, and writing for print media, Scruggs has put his hands on it
and found success. He is also the author of several books. With 15 Emmy Awards to his name, Scruggs has established himself as a preeminent figure
in the broadcasting industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“Everything that I have as a grown man came because of the education and experiences
I received at this university” – Newy Scruggs: 1994
- William Peterson: 2012
Senior Photojournalist, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO. Winner 2024 EMMY Award in the Military/Politics/Government category. - Cole Yarborough: 2018
Production Supervisor WBTV-TV Charlotte, NC Winner, RTDNAC 1st Place Special Report: Watauga County Funeral Special, RTDNAC 1st Place Special Report: Remembering CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer
- Bryant Reed: 2018
Anchor/reporter WFSB-TV, Rocky Hill, CT. Previously with KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, where he won an EMMMY award for Breaking News coverage, and WECT-TV Wilmington, NC. - Christina (McNamara) Schalkham: 2015
Director of Operations and Client Experience, LAI Video, Washington DC. Previously Photo Studio Production Manager, TJX (TJ Maxx & Marshall’s e-commerce); Photo and Video Project Producer, Levi Strauss & Co. Winner, 2023 Anthem Award for Real Voices Google Assistant. - Jay Locklear: 2023
News Producer, WDBJ-TV Roanoke, VA - Victoria Huggins: 2015
Walk Manager, Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina. Previously Manager of Community and Media Relations, Fayetteville Woodpeckers Baseball; Miss North Carolina 2017 – 18; Morning News Producer, WECT-TV, Wilmington, NC - Laura Ayala: 2013
Independent Producer/Director/Writer, Greensboro, NC. Previously Senior Project Manager, Beacon Technologies; Producer, Pace Communications. - Jayla Coley: 2022
News Producer, WPDE-TV, Conway, NC. - Erin Tesoriero: 2020
Senior Library Coordinator, NASCAR Productions, Charlotte, NC
Department Chair
Connect With Us
Old Main, Room 247
PO Box 1510
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: 910.522.5723
Fax: 910.522.5795
Latest News
Jul 25
UNC Pembroke Computer Science Student Earns NASA Recognition for Cybersecurity Discovery
NASA recently recognized a UNC Pembroke computer science student for his exceptional cybersecurity skills. Shirsendu Mondal received a formal letter of appreciation from the agency's Vulnerability Disclosure Program for identifying and responsibly reporting a security vulnerability in one of NASA's digital systems.
Jul 9
Professor James Hudson Named 2025–26 Faculty Fellow with Carolina Asia Center, UNC Institute
Dr. James Hudson, associate professor of history at UNC Pembroke, has been selected as a Minority-Serving Institutions Faculty Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year. The fellowship, a joint initiative of the Carolina Asia Center and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill, supports faculty at minority-serving institutions pursuing research related to Asia.
Jun 13
UNCP Professor Lays Groundwork for Study Abroad Program Immersing Students in the World of C.S. Lewis
This summer, Dr. Nikolay (Nick) Petrov, assistant professor of Religion at UNC Pembroke, spent time at the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, one of the foremost research institutions dedicated to British writers such as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.