After more than 18 years at Temple University, Assistant Professor and Faculty Executive Producer of Temple Update Peter Jaroff is retiring, leaving behind a legacy that shaped generations of student journalists and strengthened Klein College of Media and Communication’s reputation for hands-on, high-quality media education.
Jaroff brought deep industry experience to Temple. Before joining the faculty, he spent 25 years at 6ABC and three years as an editor at KYW Newsradio, experience that informed his teaching and helped create a newsroom environment rooted in professional standards and real-world expectations.
Shaping Temple Update into a Professional Newsroom
Temple Update, the student-produced weekly newscast that airs on Temple University Television (TUTV), has long been one of Klein’s signature experiential learning opportunities. Under Jaroff’s leadership, the program operated like a working newsroom, giving students real-world experience from their first day on set.
He taught students how to pitch stories, interview sources, write on deadlines and produce broadcast packages that meet professional standards. His expectations were high, but students who came through the Temple Update newsroom often describe the experience as the most influential part of their time at Temple.
A Mentor Dedicated to Student Growth
Jaroff’s reach extended well beyond instruction. He was known for his commitment to mentoring students, offering guidance on career paths, internships and professional development. Many alumni credit him with helping them develop the confidence and discipline needed to succeed in the media industry.
Former students frequently note that Jaroff’s feedback—direct, detailed and always aimed at improvement—helped them to grow as storytellers and journalists. His mentorship helped launch the careers of reporters, anchors, producers and editors working in newsrooms across the country.
“Anyone who’s been through Temple Update knows how much Professor Jaroff did for his students,” said Nic Uff, KLN ’22, a segment producer at Good Morning America. “He opened doors for so many of us, including me, and his impact is honestly impossible to measure.”
Strengthening Klein’s Reputation for Experiential Learning
Through his work with Temple Update, Jaroff played a central role in elevating Klein College’s profile nationally. His leadership helped maintain high production values, strong editorial standards and a culture of accountability that distinguished Temple Update from other student-run news programs.
His commitment to quality not only transformed the student experience but also strengthened Temple’s standing with media partners, prospective students and alumni who recognized the value of Update’s rigorous training.
A Lasting Impact
As Jaroff steps into retirement, his influence remains visible in every show produced by Temple Update and in the success of the alumni who learned under his guidance. His commitment to storytelling, ethics and experiential learning will continue to shape students and the program for years to come.
“Producing 390 shows over 18 years is an incredible accomplishment, but what stands out even more is how Peter did it—with patience, precision, humor and a deep commitment to every student who has walked into Studio 3,” said Kristina Hammerschmidt, KLN ’12, assistant professor of practice. “His real legacy isn’t the number of broadcasts, but the thousands of students whose lives and careers he’s shaped along the way.”
“Peter has never just taught production; he has built confidence, community and opportunity for students who carry his lessons with them for years,” she continued. “I’m so grateful to have learned from him first as a student and again as a colleague.”
Jaroff leaves a legacy defined not only by the stories students produced but by the journalists they became. His impact will continue to extend far beyond campus as Temple-trained journalists carry his lessons into newsrooms nationwide.