Pop-culture critic Matheson joins School of Journalism

Journalist and pop-culture critic Whitney Matheson will serve as the School of Journalism’s Professional Journalist in Residence beginning in January. Matheson fills the vacancy left by Val Hoeppner, who was promoted last summer to director for the Center of Innovation in Media.

Whitney Matheson

Matheson has built a large, engaged audience that shares her enthusiasm for exploring culture outside the mainstream. As the writer and editor of Pop Candy, the award-winning blog she founded during her 15-year tenure at USA TODAY, Whitney has covered it all: the Oscars, Comic Con, South by Southwest, Lebowski Fest, mustache competitions, you name it. Whitney has spoken about pop culture on dozens of podcasts, radio shows and TV networks, including MSNBC, VH1, BBC America, E! and Turner Classic Movies.

Matheson’s career move means she’ll be trading New York for Nashville.

“I’ve spent some time at MTSU, and I can’t tell you how much I respect its faculty and program,” Matheson said. “When I started considering my next move, one of my top priorities was to work in a stimulating environment — preferably not a cubicle — where I felt I could make a positive impact. Without a doubt, this university checks those boxes.”

In the spring 2015 semester, she will teach JOUR 3450 Editing and a Professional Topics course: “Reporting on Popular Culture.” She also will be involved with the Seigenthaler News Service’s Music City Project.

For more information about Matheson, please visit her blog here.