Jenn Poggi

Associate Professor, Photo Arts and Sciences

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

College of Art and Design

Undergraduate Program Director, Photojournalism

jappph@rit.edu

Jenn Poggi

Associate Professor, Photo Arts and Sciences

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

College of Art and Design

Undergraduate Program Director, Photojournalism

Education

BS, Syracuse University; MA, Ohio University

jappph@rit.edu

Areas of Expertise

Photojournalism

Photography

Currently Teaching

IDEA-301

Foundations of Project Development

3 Credits

This course is designed to help students develop and refine project ideas and write a successful project proposal. Students will develop ideation techniques and research skills necessary to create a written proposal that describes, in detail, their intention and process. Students will learn how to develop the infrastructure necessary to successfully see their idea through to completion.

PHAR-203

Elements of Photojournalism

3 Credits

This course will serve as an introduction to visual story telling as it relates to professional photojournalism. It will provide relevant practice in basic technical, compositional, and interpersonal skills necessary in all aspects of modern photography. Students will be exposed to photojournalism - documentary, editorial, narrative, and editing - as well as explorations of current career possibilities. Lectures, critiques, demonstrations, and assignments will provide participants the opportunity to explore the still, audio, and multimedia strategies used for storytelling. In this course students are expected to meet real-world project deadlines and participate in class discussions and critiques.

PHAR-599

Photography Independent Study

1-3 Credits

Photography Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.

PHPJ-306

Picture Editing I

3 Credits

This course focuses on image selection, usage and design. Using images from a variety of sources, we discuss picture selection relative to context and desired impact in print and online. Effective use of images for a variety of story applications are discussed. Design techniques that maximize impact and storytelling are investigated, including scaling, proportion, sequencing, visual variety and sizing. Students will design a number of assignments from single pages to multi-page essays of varying length. Students will design a number of single pages to multi-page essays for various publishing and storytelling platforms that include print, online, and mobile delivery.

PHPJ-315

Non-Fiction Multimedia

3 Credits

This course will teach students how to tell stories in the digital world. Students will learn the skills necessary to gather and edit audio and how to combine audio, images, and text for compelling online storytelling. In addition to basic technical skills, the course will explore contemporary concepts for effective multimedia storytelling.

PHPJ-352

Mini-Workshop Topics

1 Credit

This course will focus on implementing areas of special interest including new, advanced, and emerging visual communication course content. Potential topics may include areas in visual communications, video, visual storytelling, and documentary storytelling. Students may take more than one Mini-Workshop with different topics.

SOIS-510

Capstone Project

3 Credits

A capstone class for students in the Individualized Program bachelor of science degree program. Course provides students an opportunity to reflect upon and enhance the many aspects of their individualized educational programs and focus on future goals. Senior status is required. Students should consult their adviser before registering. (Pre-requisites: Senior status and permission of academic adviser).

In the News

February 26, 2026

RIT photographers lend their skills to the Special Olympics

Nearly 60 RIT students and 20 alumni and faculty members helped document the 2026 Winter Games as part of an ongoing collaboration with Special Olympics New York.
December 15, 2025

Faculty duo highlights global health equity with documentary series

Associate Professors Josh Meltzer and Jenn Poggi worked with Special Olympics and the Golisano Foundation to produced videos celebrating health leaders dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
April 22, 2025

Photojournalism students earn bylines in the Associated Press

Thanks to alumni connections, seven photojournalism students can add a publication on AP’s news wire to their resume before they graduate.

More News

Featured Work

Modern Family / PHPJ311

Kristen McNicholas

Photography by Joanna Graham, Jackie Molloy, Nina Peskanov and Lauren Russell Editing by Kristen McNicholas Modern Family A collaborative picture editing project in which three editors, Paige...

Redefining Family / PHPJ315

Niki Walker

Photography and editing by Niki Walker Redefining Family Blended and often unmarried, or "nuclear," families are becoming increasingly common in the United States. Paul Lorkovich and Jennifer...

The Hausers / PHPJ355

Colleen Cambier & Evan Ortiz

Project by Colleen Cambier and Evan Ortiz The Hausers A collaborative video shooting and editing project.