As a visual communications major, you will take classes with many School of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty. But here are some of the extraordinary faculty in your area of study.
Scott Farrand has more than 20 years of professional experience in publication and print design, visual communication and informational graphics. He has received state, national and international honors for design work and informational graphics. He is the director of CreateAthon@USC.
Sabrina Habib is a past recipient of the AEJMC Visual Communications Teaching Award. She teaches creativity, Adobe Suite programs and video production. Her students have won numerous coveted awards over the years and her films have received prestigious international accolades. Her most recent documentary aired on PBS in 2024.
Haley R. Hatfield is an immersive visual communication creative and researcher specializing in virtual reality and interactive storytelling. Hatfield teaches courses using Adobe Suite and incorporates virtual and augmented reality into the design process. They have received national and international recognition for their creative work and research using virtual environments.
Renée Ittner-McManus is a visual storyteller who covered a variety of assignments as a photojournalist for California dailies, the Associated Press and The State newspaper. Ittner-McManus is passionate about sharing her love of photojournalism with emerging visual journalists. She believes in "getting cameras in hands" and can often be seen around campus as she coaches students in the basics of photography and videography. Her "Carolina Cup" course, offered each spring, gives students first-hand experience in documenting a major sporting event produced for publication.
Tara Marie Mortensen is a graphic design enthusiast and award-winning researcher of all things vis comm. In 2019, she was named the Visual Communication Educator of the Year by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She teaches each of the graphics-related courses in the sequence and consistently guides her students to win major regional and national awards. In addition, she created a conceptual course called Signs of the Times: Looking Closer at Visuals in the Media, which explores the deeper meanings of mediated photographs, videos, type, color, illustrations, memes and other visuals.
Jason Porter is an award-winning animator and designer with experience working with major brands like Marvel, Volkswagen, Target, Taco Bell and Disney. As a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, his professional expertise extends into the classroom, where he leverages his industry experience to prepare students for successful careers. Committed to holistic, student-centered learning, he emphasizes real-world experiences and professional readiness, ensuring his students are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the creative industries.