Welcome from the Director

Welcome to the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center!

At the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at The University of Southern Mississippi, we are dedicated to empowering storytellers, strengthening communities, and fostering the vital role of journalism in our democracy. As the director, I am thrilled to welcome you to our website and share our mission with you.

Our work is guided by a passion for truth and a commitment to building informed, connected communities in southeast Mississippi and beyond. Here at the center, we are committed to fostering excellence in local journalism by empowering current and future storytellers, engaging with the public on pressing community issues, and promoting innovation in media practices.

Through the generous support of the Scripps Howard Foundation, we are proud to advance initiatives that inspire integrity in journalism. One of our cornerstone initiatives is the “What is True?” platform, which addresses the growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation in southeast Mississippi. Through this platform, we provide tools, resources, and education to help individuals discern fact from fiction, strengthening trust in credible journalism and promoting media literacy.

Whether you’re here to learn, collaborate, or stay informed, we are excited to have you join us. Thank you for visiting, and we look forward to building stronger communities together!

Warm regards,

Nichole Cyprian, Director