Felicia McGhee-Hilt

Felicia McGhee-Hilt is a Professor and Associate Dean at Florida A&M University's School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC). She earned a Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an M.P.A. in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a B.A. in Communication from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which she explored in her dissertation due to her grandmothers' participation in the event.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2008)
  • M.P.A. in Public Administration (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2005)
  • B.A. in Communication (University of Michigan, 1992)

McGhee-Hilt's career spans both journalism and academia. She worked as a television news reporter and anchor at stations in Montgomery, Meridian, and Chattanooga, including hosting her own public affairs show, "Tennessee Insider," on PBS. Her academic roles include serving as Department Head at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2018–2023) and as a Lecturer earlier (1999–2005). She has been a Professor at FAMU since 2023.

Her professional accolades include the Edward Morrow Award for Spot News Coverage and recognition as the Masters of Public Administration Student of the Year. McGhee-Hilt's work bridges journalism, public administration, and historical analysis of social justice movements.

As a faculty member, she teaches courses like MMC 4922 Senior Capstone Colloquium and maintains office hours in the SJGC building at FAMU. She continues to advocate for civil rights scholarship and mentorship in journalism education.