The Crest
The Crest is the student-run news outlet for the university. It is a national leader in all-digital college journalism and winner of a National Online Pacemaker Award.
Agents for change
Department of Emerging Media
Evolving with Technology
The Department of Emerging Media at the University of St. Thomas prepares students to respond to a rapidly changing media environment. The department places an emphasis on good writing and storytelling, while recognizing that technology continuously impacts how we interact in the workplace and in our daily lives.
Today it is increasingly important that we keep learning as technology evolves. Whether producing an interactive story, developing a social media marketing campaign, or creating audio-visual content, you will learn from instructors who are well-versed in the latest industry trends and techniques. While contemporary storytelling often relies on technology, it is equally important to understand the theoretical and ethical considerations of digital media arts, journalism and strategic communication.
Emerging Media Degrees Prepare You for a Changing Future
Through technique, inspiration, and maker initiative, the Digital Media Arts program offers classes in audio, visual, and interactive media. The Journalism program emphasizes responsible story-telling in a wide range of media. The Strategic Communication program is designed for professional training in advertising, public relations and digital communication under an integrated approach.
Related Programs
Our majors and minors pair well with a number of others at the university.
Department Highlights
Visit The Crest website
Pulitzer Prize Winners
We have two alumni who have won the Pulitzer Prize in the last five years: Jeremy Olson '94 and Art Cullen '79.
Scholarships
We award scholarships for incoming first-year students, as well as current students with a declared major in either journalism, digital media arts or strategic communication.
Application deadline for incoming students: March 5, 2026
ThreeSixty Journalism
ThreeSixty Journalism uses the principles of writing and reporting to empower diverse high school students to share and amplify their stories, to help create a more inclusive worldview for all.
A Loudspeaker for Underheard Voices
ThreeSixty Journalism is leading the way in developing multicultural storytellers in the media arts industry. Our program is a loudspeaker for underheard voices, where highly motivated students discovered the power of voice and develop their own within ThreeSixty's immersive college success programming. Each year, ThreeSixty Journalism awards one of its students a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to study emerging media at St. Thomas.
Ayo Olagbaju, ThreeSixty Alumna
"I will never forget the way the ThreeSixty Journalism program helped me find and refine my voice as a young Black woman and a developing writer."
Zekriah Chaudhry, 2018 ThreeSixty Scholar
Zekriah Chaudhry spent a full semester studying abroad in the Rome Empower Program and traveling in Europe. He has interned at Pioneer Press and Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and reported for TommieMedia.
Lujain Al-Khawi, ThreeSixty Alumna
"ThreeSixty was a big part of why I obtained my past and current jobs. My ThreeSixty experience continues to open so many doors for me."
Faculty
Our faculty are active scholars that are eager to engage with you inside and outside of the classroom. Here is what a few have been up to lately.
Dr. Peter Gregg
Dr. Gregg is an award-winning researcher and media producer. His scholarship focuses on the formation of attitudes and beliefs via media consumption, including prejudice and stereotyping, media literacy and appeals to tradition in baseball.
Dr. April Eichmeier
Dr. Eichmeier blends practical communication experience, earned while working in marketing communications for more than a decade, with theoretical perspectives from science communication, political communication and quantitative methods.
Greg Vandegrift
Greg Vandegrift loves teaching journalism. He joined St. Thomas in 2008, bringing 25 years of award-winning reporting to the classroom, and he still freelances to keep curriculum current. Greg teaches the multimedia reporting classes and is an adviser for the student-run media organization, The Crest.
Emerging Media News
From the Chair’s Desk: Thank You!
Dear Alumnus, During this season of joy and reflection, we are delighted to share some news from the Department of Emerging Media, home of Journalism, Digital Media Arts, and Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations. As you read below, you’ll learn about student and faculty accomplishments alike, from some very important guests visiting The Crest student media and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to faculty recognitions. And in this season of giving, I want to thank you for your generosity on this Tommie Give Day. Because of you, students can take risks in their work, cultivate their talents and prepare to make meaningful contributions in their fields and communities. As you look through this newsletter, know that this kind of support allows us to do the great things you see described here. Sincerely, Peter Gregg Chair, Emerging Media
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PRSSA Fall 2025 Semester Review
As the faculty advisor for the University of St. Thomas PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) chapter, I am incredibly proud of our students and the meaningful work they accomplished throughout the Fall semester of 2025. This semester reflected a strong commitment to professional development, leadership, and community building, all driven by an enthusiastic and dedicated Executive Board. Led by President Luke Velte, the E-Board also included Co-Vice Presidents Emmy Schulz and Morgan Hanson, Social Media Coordinator Mackenzie Erickson, Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator Julia Flanagan, and Representatives Caroline Turnbull and Alexa Kamish. Their initiative and teamwork shaped a semester full of high-impact learning opportunities for members. PRSSA hosted five guest speaker sessions that exposed students to a broad range of professional pathways. The semester began with Darryl Sellers, Media Relations and Communications Leader, who shared actionable guidance on writing strong resumes and entering the communications industry with confidence. Next, alumna Hope Hansen, Assistant Account Executive at Bellmont Partners, returned to campus to discuss the transition from college to agency life and offer practical advice for navigating early career stages. Arik Hanson, Independent Social Media Consultant and Digital Marketing Expert, led a session on building a personal brand and standing […]
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Crest Highlights
Emerging Media’s student-run news organization, The Crest News, has robustly served the St. Thomas audience in fall 2025. Election night, Crest reporters were at the party headquarters of both St. Paul mayoral candidates, doing periodic look-lives for social media and capturing the moment shown below when soon-to-be Mayor-elect Kaohly Her met with reporters. Crest students followed up their election coverage with a one-on-one studio interview in mid-November with Mayor-elect Her to discuss her administration’s priorities and challenges facing St. Paul. That show was just one of several ambitious efforts in The Crest’s studio program, “The Deep Dive.” Multiple shows this fall have focused on the pressing societal issue of civil discourse. Topics have ranged from how citizens can engage in civil discourse to improve the state of democracy, to how to manage difficult conversations at the Thanksgiving table. Highlighting The Crest’s efforts would not be complete without noting the comprehensive coverage of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena’s opening. The students covered the Friday, Oct. 24 women’s and men’s hockey games with text stories, a slideshow and video package. In the fall 2025 semester, student managers have provided comprehensive coverage on multiple issues thanks to long-term planning and a dedication […]
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Au revoir et merci pour tout le poisson
My ten and a half years as a professor in the Emerging Media department at the University of St Thomas has been one of the most defining periods of my career. I’d already been teaching for 12 years when I joined St Thomas, so knew how much I enjoyed helping and interacting with students. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much support I would get in return from my department and colleagues. Thanks to departmental professional development funds, I have participated in domestic and international conferences and festivals where I have held workshops, given presentations, and performed music. These experiences allowed me to share new ideas, techniques, and skills with my students in the classroom. Retirement came earlier than expected so that I can spend more time with my mother in France. My wife Misty and I will be moving there in January 2026. We’ll be ten minutes away from my mother and sister there, and closer to many other family members in Europe and the UK. I’m thrilled about my first gig there – composing an album of ambient music for Irish television. I also plan to perform regularly around the EU and UK at music […]
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Leadership in Ethical Journalism: Dr. Feng Named to SPJ Ethics Committee
Dr. Yayu Feng has been appointed to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Ethics Committee, which supports the SPJ Code of Ethics, responds to questions about ethical practice, and helps guide SPJ’s public-facing ethics resources. The appointment comes at an important moment. As the SPJ Code of Ethics approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, the Ethics Committee will conduct a full review and update of the Code—the first major revision since 2014. The committee will evaluate possible updates, gather examples and cases, and contribute to the development of supplementary materials that accompany the Code. By the end of 2026, the committee aims to present its recommendations for consideration by SPJ’s board. This review marks the sixth time the Code has been revised since its original adoption in 1926. Ethical journalism is a core emphasis of our department’s work, and by working on it alongside many respected journalists and scholars, Dr. Feng will be bringing insights from this work back to our students.
Contact us
Have questions about our programs? We'd love to hear from you.
Tel: (651)-962-5250
Email: emedia@stthomas.edu
Mailing Address
Department of Emerging Media
SCC 209
2115 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105
Campus Location
The department of Emerging Media is located on the second floor of the Schoenecker Center (SCC), room 209.