RJ Thompson, a Teaching Associate Professor of Digital Narrative and Interactive Design in the Department of English at the Dietrich School, has been named Chair of the advisory board of the National Institute for Social Media (NISM), following his tenure as Vice Chair.
The advisory board, which brings together leaders across digital strategy, education, and communications, plays a key role in guiding NISM’s mission to define and advance standards in social media practice. According to the organization, the board helps shape credentialing programs, thought leadership, and ethical frameworks for professionals navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. Thompson’s elevation signals continuity with a sharper emphasis on professionalization and accountability in the field.
“Social media is no longer an experimental channel—it’s infrastructure,” Thompson said. “Our responsibility as an advisory board is to ensure practitioners have not just the tools, but the standards and judgment to use them well.”
His appointment comes at a time when organizations are leaning more heavily on formal training and certification to keep pace with platform evolution, regulatory changes, and public trust concerns.