Graduate Assistant at the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy
We are excited to announce that Gina Holland Shelton has been named the director of the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy. Shelton, a former national reporter for The Associated Press, joined the School of Journalism and Strategic Media as an instructor in 2013 and served as the center’s interim director for the 2024-2025 school year. 
“I am thrilled to step into this role officially after a busy year as interim director,” Shelton said. “We had so many opportunities to connect students with experts and promote media ethics and literacy in our community last year. I am looking forward to continuing that crucial work.”
In 2024-2025, the center hosted 41 guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds. This included 20 public events and 31 class presentations. Programming reached over 1,000 students, in addition to faculty and community members.
“In her year as interim director of the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy, Professor Shelton has brought numerous professionals spanning the fields of journalism and advertising/public relations to speak to students about ethics, literacy, best practices, and career advice,” said Bret Schulte, chair of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media. “Those connections are building critical bridges for our students as they enter a competitive workforce and preparing them for life once they get there.
“I am excited to see the many ways Professor Shelton will continue to innovate to serve our students at the J-school, even well beyond their time here.”
Some fall 2025 center programming has already been announced. The September Speaker Series will welcome four experts to speak to students. Two are current industry professionals and two are new journalism school faculty members with extensive academic and professional experience. More information about these events can be found on the Events page of the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy website.
For more on Shelton’s background and responsibilities at the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, see last year’s Q&A after her appointment as interim director.
The center also welcomed Katherine Taylor as the new graduate assistant in July. Taylor is a 2023 graduate of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and is a first-year master’s student studying advertising and public relations.
“I received the best assignment I could have ever asked for here at the center,” said Taylor, a Little Rock native. “Professor Shelton was such a help to me as an undergraduate, and I consider it an honor to work alongside her as we push our mission and vision forward.”