Dr. Judy Curtis came to UNCP in the Summer of 2002 and has been teaching in higher education for 17 years. She was awarded the Faculty Excellence in Teaching award from the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education in 2001. She has a Ph.D. in Mass Communications, a M.A. in Political Science, and a B.A. in Journalism. She has worked professionally in mass media and has held positions such as managing editor and vice president in the book, magazine, and newspaper industries as well as in advertising and public relations. In addition to teaching journalism and mass communications courses, Dr. Curtis advises the student newspaper, The Pine Needle.

UNCP students are eager to learn. They want to acquire the best possible skills to serve them in their future careers.

My classes blend a combination of theory and practice. Because I have worked professionally in the mass media, I can give my students a unique persepective of what it's really going to be like working in different areas in this field.

UNCP classes are small. Professors and students have a one-on-one learning relationship. Faculty get to know the students, so no student gets left behind.

The Mass Communications program at UNCP is excellent. Journalism students have the opportunity for real-world experience in producing The Pine Needle. They also have the benefit of learning from professors who are scholars in this field as well as have been working professionals in the field. That combination is hard to come by, and students benefit greatly in their programs.