Castañeda Named Faculty Fellow of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

Mari Castañeda, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Communication Department, has been selected as a 2016-2017 faculty fellow of the Television Academy Foundation, the charitable arm of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Castañeda is one of 25 professors from colleges and universities nationwide who were selected by Television Academy members to be immersed into the entertainment industry for a week-long seminar in November. The educators learn from the industry's top professionals. Topics include:

·Producers and Writers: How they function

·Directors: Learning the similarities and differences of working in different genres

·Development: Sources and development of ideas, network pitching

·Network/Cable Decision-Making: Program selection, scheduling, promotion, cancellation

·Digital Entertainment and New Media: Learning the newest information

·Out Visits: Behind-the-scenes, new technology

Established in 1959, the Foundation is a nonprofit organization, with a mission to preserve and celebrate the history of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future.