Debora Wenger

Professor of Journalism

Email:
drwenger@olemiss.edu
Office Location:
Farley 114
Phone:
662-915-7146
Social Media:
- LinkedIn
Website:
NewsLab
Research Lab:
Google Scholar

Dr. Wenger is a professor and Samuel Talbert Lecturer in the School of Journalism and New Media.

Research Interests

AI in Journalism: Examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism curricula and newsroom workflows.
The Future of Local Television News: Investigating digital transformation, audience engagement, and newsroom innovation.
Journalistic Skills for the Digital Era: Identifying and addressing the evolving job market demands for journalism graduates.

Biography

Dr. Debora Wenger is a journalism educator, researcher, and industry trainer with a career spanning both professional newsrooms and academia. Before transitioning to higher education, she worked as a reporter, producer, and newsroom leader at multiple television stations, gaining extensive experience in broadcast journalism and news management. As a media trainer, Dr. Wenger has worked with the U.S. State Department, providing multimedia journalism training in the South Pacific and Europe, and has conducted newsroom workshops across the U.S. as part of the Google News Initiative Program. Her work focuses on digital transformation and newsroom innovation, ensuring journalists are equipped with the latest tools and strategies for modern storytelling. Dr. Wenger holds a Ph.D. in Journalism from Kingston University in London and was recognized as a top journalism educator by NewsPro Magazine in 2017. She has played a key leadership role at the University of Mississippi, previously serving as Interim Dean and Assistant Dean for Partnerships and Innovation.

Before joining Ole Miss, she was Associate Professor of Media Convergence at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she helped shape emerging journalism curricula. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Electronic News, the official journal of the Broadcast and Mobile Journalism Division of AEJMC and has contributed to journalism research and curriculum development, most recently concerning the impact of Artificial Intelligence on journalism instruction and practice. In addition to her scholarship, Dr. Wenger has visited more than a dozen campuses as a consultant, ACEJMC site team member, and state board program evaluator, playing a crucial role in shaping journalism education nationwide. Her commitment to the field was recognized in 2018 when AEJMC’s Electronic News Division honored her with the Larry Burkum Service Award for her contributions to journalism and journalism education.

Curriculum Vitae