Iowa State University Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Degrees offered

The Greenlee School offers undergraduate majors in advertising, journalism and mass communication, public relations, and sports media and communication (launched fall 2025), plus a master's degree in journalism and mass communication with a 4+1 concurrent degree option. A digital storytelling program, created with the Department of Music and Theatre, begins in fall 2026.

Programs and emphasis

The school requires a 300-hour professional internship and emphasizes hands-on practice through outlets such as the Iowa State Daily student newspaper. Faculty maintain research programs in science communication, technology, and media ethics. The public relations degree holds Certification for Education in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America, awarded in 2017.

History

Journalism education began at Iowa State College in 1905, making the Greenlee School one of the earliest journalism programs in the country; it was among the first group of programs accredited by ACEJMC in 1948. In the 1990s, the program survived a Board of Regents review that recommended its elimination, thanks to advocacy from alumni, department chair Tom Emmerson, and Iowa newspapers including the Des Moines Register. Bob and Diane Greenlee later donated $9 million to the program, leading to its renaming as the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

Key faculty and leadership

Tracy Lucht: Director of the Greenlee School as of January 2026, a nearly 14-year member of the faculty and former USA Today, Washington Post, and Des Moines Register copy editor.

Student-run media

The Iowa State Daily, the school's student-run newspaper, has operated continuously since 1901 and today includes a $1.5 million budget across print and online publication.

Location and contact info

Address
101 Hamilton Hall
613 Wallace Road
Ames, IA 50011-4010
Email
greenlee@iastate.edu
Website
https://greenlee.iastate.edu