Assoc Professor
Texas State University
Cindy Royal is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos where she teaches Web design and online/digital/social media courses. She completed Ph.D. studies at The University of Texas in 2005. Her research interests include understanding the role of programming and data in journalism, using social media in experiential learning projects and the integration of technology in education. Her students have gone on to digital media careers for prominent organizations, including The New York Times, Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News, Austin Post, KUT Austin, Blackbaud/Convio, Spredfast, Homeaway, SXSW, IBM, Trademark Media, Bancvue Interactive, T3, Rockfish Interactive, Rice University, Concordia University and The University of Texas. Royal, an avid live music fan, hosts a music blog and Web talk show at onthatnote.com and a tech blog at tech.cindyroyal.net. She writes for Texas Music Magazine, co-founded the Austin chapters of Hacks/Hackers and Online News Association and is a co-adviser for the student chapter of Social Media Club at Texas State. In 2011 & 2012, she was a finalist in the AEJMC/Scripps Howard Journalism Teacher of the Year competition and was named one of the "Top 50 Social Media Savvy Professors in America" by OnlineColleges.net. She was a winner of the Statesman's Texas Social Media Award in 2010. More information on her background and activities can be found at cindyroyal.com.