It is with deep sorrow that the International Council for Media Literacy mourns the passing of Tessa Jolls, a distinguished leader in the field of media literacy, a dedicated member of our Advisory Council, past recipient of our Jessie McCanse Award, and a dear friend. Her passing on April 6th leaves an immense void in our community, but her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

As President and CEO of the Center for Media Literacy (CML) since 1999, and as the founder of the Consortium for Media Literacy, Tessa was a visionary force, blending scholarship with an entrepreneurial spirit. She dedicated her life to advancing media literacy, ensuring that individuals worldwide had the tools to critically engage with media and participate meaningfully in society.

Tessa’s work was transformational. She restructured CML to meet the evolving demands of 21st-century literacy, forging partnerships that brought media literacy education into schools and communities. She was a prolific speaker, writer, and consultant, continuously contributing to the development of media literacy worldwide. Perhaps her most enduring contribution was the CML Media Lit Kit—an internationally recognized, research-based framework for media literacy education. Through this work, she provided an “onramp” to teaching and learning that could be replicated, measured, evaluated, and scaled across diverse educational settings.

Tessa Jolls was more than a leader—she was a mentor, an innovator, and a true believer in the power of media literacy to change lives. Her collaborations spanned the globe, bringing her insight, grace, and unwavering passion to audiences everywhere. Her dedication, commitment, and compassionate leadership have left an indelible mark on our field.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched. As we reflect on her extraordinary contributions, we recommit ourselves to carrying forward her vision—a world where media literacy empowers all.

Rest in peace, Tessa. Your work and your spirit will continue to guide us.

Read Tessa Jolls’s Contributions to The Journal of Media Literacy–

• “A Glimpse at Qatar through a Broadband Lens” (v.57 n.1-2, 2010)
• “2013 Jessie McCanse Awards for Individual Contributions to Media Literacy” (v.60 n.1-2, 2013)
• “Classroom Research: An Opportunity and a Challenge” (v.61 n.1-2, 2014)
• “A Personal Credo for a Literate Global Society” (v.62 n.1-2, 2015)
• “A Media Literacy Case in Peru: Reflections on a 10-year journey” (2022)