A-State chancellor explains decision to cut multimedia journalism program

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - With Arkansas State University cutting several majors, including its multimedia journalism program, due to lagging enrollment, many people are raising questions.

In response, A-State Chancellor Todd Shields wrote a letter explaining why the college decided to cut the program.

Shields said that graduation trends in the multimedia journalist program have been declining since 2020.

Shields said that last year, only 3 students graduated from the program and that the number of students majoring in the program has also declined, with last year’s class only having 36 students.

Students currently enrolled in the program will be able to complete their degree as planned, he said.

“Meanwhile, we hear, understand, and agree with concerns about the potential loss of this important program,” Shields said. “We will continue to address viability issues and seek collaboration for the future of journalism at Arkansas State.”