EDUCATION
Ph.D., Journalism Studies, University of Maryland College Park, 2023
Doctoral Dissertation: “How the Picture Press Made America: News Photography and the Politics of Representation”

M.A. Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2014
Master’s Thesis: “Gilded Age Visual Media as the Impetus for Social Change: Jacob Riis’s Reform Photography and the Antecedents of Documentary Film”

B.A. Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2009, Magna Cum Laude
Minor: Film Studies

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Instructor (remote), 2018-present
Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Adjunct Lecturer (remote), 2017-present
Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park

Graduate TA and Lecturer, 2015-2017
Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park

Graduate TA and Lecturer, 2013-2014
Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS 
Borchard, Gregory and Denitsa Yotova, Pressing Matters: A Chronicle of American Media, Peter Lang Group (2025).

Yotova, Denitsa, “The BBC: A Century on Air,” Southeastern Review of Journalism History, 8, no. 1 (2025).  (Book review)
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Yotova, Denitsa, Thomas A. Mascaro, Mike Conway, Cristina Mislán, Mary Ann Watson, “Historical Roundtable: The Personal and Professional in Documentary Journalism Historiography,”  Historiography in Mass Communication, 6, no. 2 (2020).

Yotova, Denitsa, “Generation of Scholars: Tom Mascaro Discusses Documentary Films, Gives Advice to Young Scholars,” Clio newsletter, AEJMC History Division, January 3, 2020. Available at <https://aejmc.us/history/generation-of-scholars-historian-tom-mascaro-discusses-documentary-films-gives-advice-to-young-scholars/#more-1710&gt;

Yotova, Denitsa, “Presenting ‘The Other Half’: Jacob Riis’s Reform Photography and Magic Lantern Spectacles as the Beginning of Documentary Film,” Visual Communication Quarterly, 26, no. 2 (2019). 

Yotova, Denitsa, “Antebellum Urban Reporting as Literary Journalism and Muckraking: George G. Foster’s City Sketches in the New York Press,”  Journalism History, 44, no.4, (2019).

Yotova Essay: Teaching George Foster, literary journalist and muckraker, Journalism History (online), February 26, 2019.
Available at <https://journalism-history.org/2019/02/26/yotova-essay-teaching-george-foster-literary-journalist-and-muckraker/&gt;

Yotova, Denitsa. “Traumatic Imprints: Cinema, Military Psychiatry, and the Aftermath of War,” Southeastern Review of Journalism History, 1, no. 2 (2019).​ Book review
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Yotova, Denitsa, “Discourses of Power in Historical News Photographs: Bain News Service and Representation in the Age of Imperialism,” In D. M. Baylen (Ed.), Dreams and inspirations: The book of selected readings 2018-2019 (pp. 45-64). Carrollton, GA: International Visual Literacy Association.

Yotova, Denitsa, “The Bain Collection,”  American Journalism, 33, no. 4 (2016): 488–90. doi:10.1080/08821127.2016.1241654.
Digital photo collection review.

CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
​“Visual Discourses of Power in Early Twentieth Century News Photography: Bain News Service and Representation in the Age of American Imperialism.” International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA) annual convention. Chicago, IL, November 2018.

“George G. Foster’s Urban Journalism as an Antecedent to Muckraking.” Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) annual convention. Minneapolis, MN. August 2016.

“Urban Journalism as an Antecedent of Muckraking: George G. Foster and the Antebellum New York Press, 1840-1860.” Joint Journalism and Communication History (JJCH) conference. New York University, New York. March 2016.

“Gilded Age Visual Media as the Impetus for Social Change: Jacob Riis’s Reform Photography and the Antecedents of Documentary Film.” UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Graduate Research Symposium. April 2014.

“Late Nineteenth Century Visual Media as Social Documentary: Jacob Riis’s Five Points Photography, Magic Lantern Spectacle and the Beginning of Documentary Film.” Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War, and Free Expression. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. November 2013.

AWARDS, RECOGNITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
University of Maryland, College Park, Philip Merrill College of Journalism Prof. Thomas J. Aylward Scholarship, 2018-2019

University of Maryland, College Park, Philip Merrill College of Journalism Merrill Fellowship, 2015-2020.

AEJMC annual convention. Minneapolis, MN; Third place student paper in the History Division, August 2016.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Graduate Research Symposium; Second place research achievement winner; March 2014.

Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War, and Free Expression, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Student Award of Excellence for a research article presented at the symposium; November 2013.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Division of Student Affairs; Rebel Achievement Award for Excellence in Customer Service; May 2012.

____. Rebel Achievement Award for Outstanding Customer Service and Administrative Support, nominee; 2010-2011.

____. Rebel Achievement Hall of Fame Award for +3 Years of Service; May 2009.

____. CSUN Student Government Leadership Scholarship; 2008-2009.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Hank Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies; Ruthe Deskin Journalism Scholarship; 2008-2009.

____. Travel Grant for reporting at the 2008 Democratic National Convention; Denver, CO.

____. Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Scholarship; 2007-2009.

____. Hank Kovell Journalism Scholarship; 2007-2008.

____. Barbara Greenspun Journalism Scholarship; 2006-2007.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Dean’s Honors List for Outstanding Academic Work; 2005-2009.

COURSE DESIGN AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses Taught at the University of Maryland, College Park

JOUR 150: Introduction to Mass Communication
This course introduces students to the history, models, theories, concepts, and terminology of mass communication while focusing on newspapers, television, radio, film, sound recording, books, magazines, advertising, social media and new media technologies. The course enables students to understand the complex interactions between media, technologies, and society, and to think critically about the ways in which mass media inform our everyday lives, both locally and globally.

JOUR 175: Media Literacy
This course focuses on the critical analyses of information, values and underlying messages conveyed via mass media including photography, advertising, television, newspapers, magazines, radio, film, and social media. Throughout the course of the semester, students engage in the critical examination of the accuracy of those messages and explore the ways in which mass media represent and shape views of politics, culture, and society.

​JOUR 282: Beyond Facebook: How Social Media are Transforming Society, Culture, Business, and Politics
This course explores the evolution of digital media and its effects on self and society, with a focus on the historical shift away from one-way mass media toward more customized, participatory digital media. The course covers a wide range of topics including the history and business models of social media platforms, the role social media play in culture, politics, news and (dis)information, marketing and branding, dating, gaming, privacy, online freedom, digital activism and social change.  Through lectures, readings, films, discussions, and projects, students are encouraged to think broadly about how social and mobile communication technologies are changing the ways we process knowledge and altering our sense of community and self.

Courses Taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

JOUR 101: Critical Analysis of the Mass Media (formerly JOUR 107: All Things Media: Foundations)
This course introduces students to the history, models, theories, concepts, and terminology of mass communication while focusing on newspapers, television, radio, film, sound recording, books, magazines, advertising, social media and new media technologies. The course enables students to understand the complex interactions between media, technologies, and society, and to think critically about the ways in which mass media inform our everyday lives, both locally and globally.

JOUR 362: Writing for Public Relations
Writing is essential to a successful career in public relations. Clients, corporate leaders, media, and audiences will rely on your ability to write polished, clear communication. Blogs and other social media, such as Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube, have challenged and created new opportunities for public relations practitioners. Becoming an outstanding writer, with a thorough understanding of the purpose and use of today’s digital platforms, will help you succeed in both PR and in any day-to-day business. This course is designed to support your development of professional writing and presentation skills expected of PR practitioners. It covers the strategy and style of various forms of public relations writing such as press releases, feature stories, newsletters, fact sheets, bios, and more. This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience creating effective and ethical strategic communications content. It offers the opportunity for hands-on learning to help you build a professional (digital) portfolio that showcases your excellent strategic writing skills.
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JOUR 420: Visual Literacy
With the use of various methodological techniques and theories, this course teaches students how to evaluate and understand the purpose and implied messages of visual imagery.  The course engages students in critical analyses of photography and photojournalism, television, film, advertising, and other visual media, all while learning about the history, theory, and functions of visual content. Through lectures, films, discussions, and projects, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role visual media play in culture and society, both locally and globally.

JOUR 475: Global Media
This course introduces students to the increasingly important role that global media play in our daily lives. Though their respective media—traditional as well as “evolving,” formal as well as informal—nations and entire geographic/geopolitical regions constantly spread messages about their values, aspirations, ideologies, and taboos. This course examines individual case studies from around the world to provide students with a deeper understanding about the way media represent such nations, cultures, and events. During the course of the semester students examine various domestic, international and transnational media in developed and developing societies. Key issues ranging from dominant media models, global journalism education, media freedom, international news flow, social media and the digital divide in today’s global society are discussed. At the same time, students are offered the opportunity to assess who these media are, how they function, who controls them, and how society (and the world) reacts to them and to their content. Finally, students examine and discuss the impact of the answers to these questions on social, economic, and political developments in different nations.

JOUR 485: Mass Media and Society
Drawing upon various media––including journalism, television, film, and the internet––students examine the cultural, social, economic, and political organization of media, the content and effects of media messages, and the important role media play in creating, preserving, reforming (and often dominating) social values at the local and global levels. During this course, students engage in critical analyses of mass media messages, theories and research on a variety of popular cultural forms including photography, advertising, television, newspapers, Internet, magazines, radio, and film.
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HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Reservations and Events Assistant, Conference and Event Coordinator; University of Nevada, Las Vegas Student Union and Event Services, Las Vegas, NV; 2006 – 2013
Initiated and assisted internal and external groups with event planning and coordination; worked closely with student event planners and student employees on a daily basis; acted as the onsite event coordinator and contact for event sponsors; collaborated with various campus departments and stakeholders including maintenance and custodial teams, University Police, Risk Management, Facilities Management, catering, and office administration; negotiated and monitored billing and event contracts; worked with community walk, summer youth camp, and sports tournament organizers; worked with conference groups on full service contracts including multiple services such as event space, overnight accommodations, campus dining, transportation, registration, equipment rental, and other; presented at various student outreach initiatives and trainings.
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MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), Visual Communication and History Divisions, 2015-present
American Journalism Historians Association (AJHA), 2015-present
International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR); 2016-present