Before they could create communications campaigns, students in Professor Julie Lellis’ Senior Seminar in Health Communications spent time listening.

They listened to physicians and midwives. They listened to expectant mothers. And they listened to the stories behind the data as part of a partnership with Cone Health’s program that challenged students to address real-world maternal health communication needs.

Those conversations and observations laid the foundation for the students’ semester-long projects. Working with the Cone Health Center for Women’s Healthcare at MedCenter for Women, students developed strategic communications campaigns aimed at increasing enrollment, improving retention and expanding awareness of the program among patients and healthcare providers.

As part of the partnership, students worked directly with healthcare professionals, including Dr. Kim Newton, founder and lead physician of Mom+Baby Combined Care, and Virginia Smith, CenteringPregnancy coordinator. Several students also attended the North Carolina and Virginia Centering Consortium, gaining firsthand insight into the impact of group prenatal care on maternal and infant health outcomes. During Finals Week, students presented their campaigns to Newton and Smith, who visited Elon’s campus.

CenteringPregnancy is an evidence-based model of group prenatal care that combines health assessments, education and peer support. Research has shown the approach can improve maternal and infant health outcomes while helping reduce disparities in care. At the MedCenter for Women in Greensboro, many participants are covered by Medicaid, and the clinic serves uninsured and underinsured patients throughout the region.

“The Elon students were a great part of our team,” Newton said. “They took the time to understand and engage with CenteringPregnancy and really captured how the group care feels different and meets people where they are. Their presentations were impressive to say the least and also provided our team with a roadmap for how to ensure our work to expand Centering feels cohesive and genuine.”

For Emmy Beauvais ’26, a strategic communications major with minors in health communications and business administration, the project demonstrated how classroom learning can translate into community impact.

“Participating in the Health Comm Senior Seminar class – and working with Virginia and Dr. Newton – was one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at Elon,” Beauvais said. “Unlike classroom projects, this project gave us the opportunity to develop and present a real communications campaign for an actual client. We did this through research-backed goals, objectives and strategies, and tangible deliverables that could be implemented in practice.”

Beauvais said attending the regional consortium early in the semester helped shape the team’s work and deepen her understanding of maternal healthcare challenges and opportunities.

“Overall, this experience showed me what it looks like to create work that extends beyond the classroom and truly can make a meaningful impact on a community,” she said.

The course also received a Community Partnership Initiative Grant from Elon’s Kernodle Center. The grant helped Centering providers purchase educational supplies for participants, while students assembled Baby Go! Bags filled with diapers, wipes, burp cloths and other newborn essentials for expectant mothers.

Lellis, who directs the health communications minor, said the partnership allowed students to see both the personal and systemic dimensions of healthcare communication.

“�þ��� experienced everything from the joy of hearing a baby’s heartbeat to the heartache of exploring the realities of health disparities in maternal care,” Lellis said. “They learned how Centering is changing outcomes and making a direct impact on the lives of pregnant women in our local area.”

Lellis explained that the experience challenged students to translate research and data into actionable communications strategies for a community partner.

“�þ��� learned how to generate insights based on data and turn those insights into creative strategies that inform audiences and motivate them to act,” she said.

The “Elon Dance Team Send-Off” video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto ’26 and produced in collaboration with the Elon Dance Team, received a Sports Video Group (SVG) College Sports Media Award for Outstanding In-Venue Video – Collegiate Student Championship. The award was presented May 27 in Atlanta during the 18th annual SVG College Sports Media Awards ceremony.

The honor came just weeks after the Elon Dance Team captured two national titles at the 2026 National Dance Association College National Championships, winning the Division I pom and Division I hip hop competitions. The back-to-back victories marked a historic achievement for the program, including Elon’s first national championship in the pom category.

Produced for the team’s trip to nationals, the video took a more narrative approach than previous send-off productions.

“Producing a send-off video is something we do every year, with the final piece being shown in the Schar Center and shared across social media,” said Sillitto, a cinema and television arts major. “This year, we wanted to take a more story-driven approach by focusing on the team’s journey to nationals. Our goal was to showcase not only their performances, but also the hard work, dedication and experiences that led them there.”

In addition to Sillitto, the student production team included Kristen Pearson ’27 and Meghan McGarrigle ’28 as producers; and Zack Golub ’26 and Colin Dorroh ’27 as creative producers and camera operators.

across multiple locations, capturing both cinematic visuals and authentic moments from practices, workouts and team activities.

“One of the biggest challenges was making sure we told the team’s real story, which meant being present and ready to film during genuine moments,” Sillitto said. “Capturing those authentic interactions and experiences was an important part of the creative process and helped make the final video feel more personal and meaningful.”

For Sillitto, the award reflects months of collaboration and effort from both the dancers and the production crew.

“I’m proud of the project because every year our goal is to create the best video possible, and we have a lot of creative freedom to experiment with new ideas and push ourselves creatively,” he said. “The final video represents months of hard work from both the dance team and the production crew, so we’re excited and grateful that the project has been recognized.”

Sillitto graduated from Elon in May and recently accepted a position with Booz Allen Hamilton as a videographer and social media content creator.

Sillitto and Dorroh attended the 2026 SVG College Summit in Atlanta alongside Anthony Bamford ’25, coordinating producer for Elon Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for Elon Athletics; and students/recent graduates Philip Doherty ’26, Anthony Eppolito ’27 and Joey Marinello ’28.

This year marked another strong showing for Elon at the national competition – the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning Elon Dance Team send-off video, four other Elon productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: “Football: Elon vs. North Carolina A&T,” “Strength Beyond the Game – Brodie Carroll,” “Win The Moment – Asher Cunningham” and “What It Takes – Elon Men’s Basketball Halftime Hype.”

Several of this semester’s studies center on TikTok and the platform’s growing influence on media consumption, identity and audience behavior. “The emphasis on TikTok underscores its increasing prominence in today’s media landscape,” journal editor Harlen Makemson wrote in his introduction to the issue.

Among the featured studies, strategic communications major Kyra Briggs examines how TikTok users responded to the Idaho college student murders, analyzing emotional expression, narrative construction, misinformation and collective sensemaking on the platform. Fellow strategic communications major Avery Ferguson explores how women ages 18 to 25 perceive the “clean girl aesthetic” on TikTok and how it influences their well-being, self-esteem and lifestyle choices. Elizabeth Walker, another strategic communications major, analyzes 100 TikTok videos to examine how Gen Z users expressed nostalgia, emotional memory and generational identity through references to 2016.

Several students investigated the relationship between television, fandom and audience participation. Delaney Guidi, a communication design major, studies how popular film franchises borrow principles from sports merchandising to create team identification, while also examining how fan-made merchandise attempts to establish authenticity. Sport management major Shelby Keel looks into how institutional framing and participatory fan discourse elevated the reality television phenomenon “Scandoval” into a culturally and commercially significant media event.

Additional research focuses on representation and identity in television storytelling. Jenna Moylan, a cinema and television arts major, analyzes four contemporary animated television programs to study trans characters’ narrative roles, the centrality of transness and the visual legibility of character design. Strategic communications major Evelyn Ealey compares portrayals of the Strong Black Woman archetype in television series before and after 2000, finding that more contemporary programs tend to offer greater complexity and depth to those characters.

The issue also includes Halli Harwood’s examination of how three cruise lines frame port communities through excursion descriptions. The strategic communications major found that cruise lines often present selective portrayals of destinations that result in limited diversity, equity and inclusion representation.

“These articles, produced in collaboration with faculty mentors, each represent exceptional achievements in �þ��� research,” Makemson said.

To assemble the spring 2026 edition, Makemson worked with an editorial board of 21 School of Communications faculty who participated in a blind-review process to select the strongest submissions. Since launching in 2010, the Elon Journal has published 33 issues, with each research article on its own dedicated webpage.

Among more than 200 �þ��� research journals cataloged by the Council on Undergraduate Research, the Elon Journal remains one of the few focused exclusively on student work in journalism, media and communications.

As �þ��� honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

“‘Won’t you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,’” Brown recited from Clifton’s poem, “Won’t you celebrate with me,” using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students – including 10 graduate students – recognized during this year’s ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

“Today, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created – a path that took shape as they walked on it,” he said. “We celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to Elon and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.”

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their Elon journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown’s introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green ’26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year’s 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student’s route to Commencement looked different – and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

“Every person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,” said the exercise science major. “Some of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we’re here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.”

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

“To be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree – it’s about traveling without a road map,” she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at Elon, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing �þ��� research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

“Success does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,” Green said. “For me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.”

“My time at Elon taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.”

After Green’s keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their Elon experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez ’26, and “symbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,” Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an Elon lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the Elon alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

“My cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,” Garay said. “My family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family’s graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.”

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

“My last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,” Garay said. “By paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave Elon and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.”

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at �þ���.

Named in honor of Elon’s first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year’s recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar ’26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Marić ’26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez ’28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G’26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar ’23, G’26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at Elon. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

“Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come,” Salazar said. “Each challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.”

Salazar emphasized that graduates’ journeys at Elon were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

“As first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,” Salazar said. “We’ve broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.”

Pendleton’s article, “,” is available through Taylor & Francis Online.

Published in May, the study explores how journalism and communication students navigate questions of belonging, institutional support and identity as colleges and universities across the country reevaluate or scale back DEI initiatives. The research highlights the tensions students experience between feeling connected to their academic communities while also confronting isolation and uncertainty about institutional commitment to inclusion.

Pendleton, whose scholarship focuses on authenticity, relationship management and equity in strategic communications and higher education, said the project reflects her broader interest in how institutions shape relational dynamics and student experiences.

“Understanding how students experience belonging during moments of institutional and cultural change is critical for communication educators and university leaders,” Pendleton said. “This research examines the complexities students face as they navigate identity, support and community in evolving educational environments.”

Pendleton joined �þ��� in fall 2023. Her scholarship has appeared in several journals, including Public Relations Review, Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, Journal of Health Communication, Social Responsibility Journal and The Journal of Social Media in Society.

is a peer-reviewed academic journal focused on communication studies, media, culture and social issues. It is published by Howard University and is especially known for scholarship examining race, identity, representation, gender, politics and marginalized communities in media and communication.

In the midst of finals week, inside a second-floor conference room in Schar Hall overlooking the Historic Neighborhood, �þ��� seniors presented communications campaigns for one of the world’s most recognizable digital brands: TikTok.

The May 15 presentations marked the culmination of a semester-long partnership between students in Professor Lee Bush’s Strategic Campaigns course, TikTok and Elon alumna Julia Denick ’15, a brand partnerships manager in media and entertainment for the company. A second class taught by Bush shared its presentations remotely with Denick via Zoom a few days later.

Throughout the semester, students were challenged to think beyond TikTok’s identity as an entertainment platform and instead position it as a powerful marketing tool capable of driving discovery, engagement and purchasing decisions for brands and small businesses. For students, the project offered an opportunity to tackle the kind of real-world strategic communications challenge they may encounter after graduation.

“Elon gave me so much,” said Denick, explaining her decision to partner with current students. “This felt like a small way to give some of that back. I also remember being in their shoes and how much I would have loved working on a project like this.”

A 2015 graduate of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, Denick now works with NBCUniversal and other major media partners, helping brands develop creative and data-driven campaigns on TikTok.

“I’m responsible for building strategic partnerships with NBCU and helping them drive business results on TikTok,” Denick said. “Much of that work is blending creativity and data – advising on media strategy, measurement, creative and building custom campaigns around their biggest tentpole moments.”

Bush explained that the partnership challenged students to look beyond their everyday use of the platform and consider how brands strategically connect with audiences through TikTok.

“�þ��� are, of course, prolific users of TikTok,” Bush said. “This was a great opportunity for them to experience the platform from a different perspective – that of a business or brand manager who needs to reach their customers through the platform.”

Bush said the project reflected the experiential learning focus that defines the Strategic Campaigns course, which serves as the capstone experience for strategic communications majors.

“We are so grateful to Julia for agreeing to be the client for not just one, but two Strategic Campaigns classes and for flying in from New York to see student presentations in person,” Bush said. “What a thrilling culminating experience for our graduating strategic communications seniors.”

For Tori Tyson ’26, one of those graduating seniors, the class project highlighted both the strategic thinking and collaboration required to develop a successful campaign.

“Our assignment was to work with TikTok to create a strategic campaign that repositioned the platform as more than just an entertainment app,” Tyson said.

Tyson noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of the semester was working alongside classmates who each brought different ideas and strengths to the campaign process.

“Everyone on our team brought different strengths, perspectives and ideas to the table, which made the project more creative and well-rounded overall,” Tyson said. “Teamwork played a huge role in our campaign, especially when it came to brainstorming, problem-solving and refining our ideas into one cohesive strategy.”

She also credited Bush with encouraging students to think creatively while maintaining a professional approach to client work.

“Professor Bush created an environment that encouraged collaboration and pushed us to think more strategically and creatively throughout the semester,” Tyson said. “She gave us the confidence to take risks with our ideas while still guiding us in a professional and supportive way.”

The experience also challenged students to narrow broad research and ideas into focused, achievable strategies.

“TikTok is such a fast-moving platform with so many opportunities,” Tyson said, “so it took a lot of collaboration and problem-solving to create a campaign that was both creative and strategic.”

For Denick, the project reinforced the value of experiential learning opportunities before graduation and offered a meaningful way to give back to her alma mater.

“Group projects don’t end after college – life is one big group project,” she said. “And what better prep for post-grad than the real thing.”

When arrived at �þ��� as a first-year student, she envisioned a future in physical therapy.

Four years later, the graduating senior leaves Elon not only with two majors, but with published scholarship, national conference presentations, and a growing passion for research that ultimately reshaped her career ambitions.

This winter, the native of Walnut Creek, California, served as lead author on a research publication in the , collaborating with Elon faculty members Alex Traugutt, Caroline Ketcham and Eric Hall. The publication represents the latest milestone in a research journey that began during her sophomore year, when she approached Ketcham about becoming involved with Elon BrainCARE.

“At the time, I was an exercise science major planning to apply to physical therapy school, so while I was genuinely interested in concussions and brain health, I also saw research as a way to deepen my involvement at Elon and strengthen my future applications,” McAfee said.

As she became more involved with research, McAfee’s interests evolved beyond concussions and brain injuries. While reviewing existing scholarship, she became increasingly interested in the ways athletics influence student-athletes off the playing field.

“One article in particular sparked my curiosity about how sports shape athletes beyond their playing careers,” McAfee said. “This led me to explore whether competitive sports help develop career readiness and how athlete identity may influence academic performance.”

Those experiences ultimately inspired McAfee to add sport management as a second major, where she met Traugutt during her first course in the department.

“Lucy is an intellectually driven student researcher who, over nearly three years of collaboration, led data collection, identified research topics and conducted analyses that resulted in two first-author peer-reviewed publications before completing her �þ��� degree,” said Traugutt, assistant professor of sport management.

Traugutt explained that McAfee distinguished herself through both her intellectual curiosity and her ability to connect research with practical application.

“What sets Lucy apart is her ability to bridge scholarship and practice,” Traugutt said, noting that she has presented research twice at the Applied Sport Management Conference and participated in multiple SURF and SURE programs.

McAfee said that working closely with Traugutt, Ketcham and Hall helped strengthen both her confidence and critical-thinking skills.

“When I first started doing research, I felt uncertain about my future and my own abilities,” McAfee said. “Dr. Alex Traugutt, Dr. Caroline Ketcham and Dr. Eric Hall each played a key role in guiding me, giving me direction, and helping me build confidence in my research skills.”

She especially valued the collaborative nature of the work.

“I particularly enjoyed our meetings – especially the ones at The Oak House – where we would dissect the data together,” McAfee said. “Consistently learning and discussing research with such knowledgeable professors pushed me to think more critically and challenged me to contribute insights of my own.”

McAfee’s recent publication is not expected to be her last contribution to the field. In addition to a forthcoming publication in Case Studies in Sport Management examining career readiness programming for student-athletes, she and Traugutt recently submitted a third research paper examining the NCAA transfer portal and high school recruiting opportunities in college football to the Journal of Applied Sport Management.

That research grew out of McAfee’s desire to better understand the rapidly changing dynamics of college athletics.

“My interest in the transfer portal stemmed from conversations during my time at the ACC, where its impact on various stakeholders was frequently discussed,” said McAfee, who completed an internship with the Power 4 conference last summer. “However, I noticed there was limited research regarding its effects on high school athletes. I saw that as an opportunity to contribute meaningful new knowledge to the field of sport management.”

Traugutt said McAfee’s work stands out for both its academic rigor and its broader relevance within athletics and higher education.

“Her work examining athletic identity, career readiness and student-athlete development is not only carefully designed and executed, but deeply meaningful, directly addressing questions that matter to practitioners and institutions alike,” Traugutt said.

McAfee also served as an executive intern with Elon Athletics, an experience Traugutt said complemented the practical focus of her research.

After graduation, McAfee will pursue a master’s degree in higher education at Boston College, where she will hold two graduate assistantships – one as a student-athlete academic adviser within Boston College Athletics and another with Tufts Medical School’s graduate student services department.

Traugutt said those opportunities speak to both McAfee’s academic growth and the practical focus she brought to her research throughout her time at Elon.

“These achievements reflect a student who takes her work seriously and understands its real-world implications,” Traugutt said. “I have no doubt she will carry that same curiosity, independence and commitment into her graduate studies at Boston College and beyond.”

As Commencement approaches, McAfee said her �þ��� research experiences transformed her Elon journey in ways she never anticipated.

“When I received my acorn at convocation, I never imagined I would be doing research at this level,” McAfee said. “Now, as I prepare to receive my sapling at Baccalaureate, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support that made that possible.”

�þ���’s School of Communications has for the fifth consecutive year, a recognition based on student success in the prestigious Festival of Media Arts.

Elon ranked ninth overall in 2026, bolstered by a third-place national finish in the Student Audio category, which recognized 42 university and college media programs, and a fifth-place finish in the Student Film & Video category. Additionally, the school earned top-30 placements in Sports (No. 20), Documentary (No. 21) and News (No. 28).

The national ranking follows another successful year in the BEA Festival of Media Arts competition, where Elon students and faculty captured 13 awards across multiple categories.

Among the school’s top student finishes was Molly Clayton ’27, a cinema and television arts B.F.A. major, who placed third in the Narrative Audio category for “” The project explores the roots and history of NASCAR in rural North Carolina and was recognized for its storytelling and production quality.

“Our students continue to produce work that is thoughtful, technically strong and competitive on a national stage,” said Vic Costello, associate professor of cinema and television arts. “To see their projects recognized across so many categories speaks to both their talent and the collaborative culture we’ve built within the school.”

Costello, a current and founding member of the BEA Festival of Media Arts Advisory Committee, noted that the rankings are especially meaningful because they measure sustained student success over a five-year period and across multiple competition categories.

According to the BEA news release, the rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but an evaluation of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to those at other institutions.

This year’s top-10 programs, in order, were University of Oklahoma, Syracuse University, Arizona State University, University of Florida, Ball State University, Taylor University, Huntington University, Missouri State University, Elon and University of Miami.

“We’re proud to see Elon continue to earn recognition alongside many of the nation’s most respected communications programs,” Costello said. “These rankings reflect the talent, ambition and professionalism of our students, as well as the mentorship and collaborative environment that help them thrive creatively.”

While there are no overarching national rankings for communications programs, Costello said Elon’s continued success in the BEA rankings reinforces the high caliber of work being produced throughout the school.

The Broadcast Education Association is the leading international academic media organization, promoting innovation, excellence in media production, and professional development for educators, students, and industry professionals. The BEA Festival of Media Arts honors outstanding work by both students and faculty from institutions around the world.

As part of its annual awards ceremony, the School of Communications recognized several faculty and staff members for their outstanding contributions during the 2025-26 academic year. Held May 7 in Turner Theatre, the celebration honored individuals whose leadership, �þ���, scholarship and service have helped shape the student experience and strengthen the school community.

“Today, we recognize our faculty and staff members – who are all outstanding. But each year some rise a bit above,” said Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications.

The ceremony, which kicked off with a few dozen student awards, also included a special retirement recognition for Professor of Journalism Anthony Hatcher, who will conclude more than two decades of service to �þ��� at the end of the spring semester.

The following summaries highlight the honored faculty and staff members, listed in presentation order. Ceremony photos are available on the school’s .

Outstanding Staff Member Award

Maggie Mullikin, Manager of Experiential Programs

The award recognizes a staff member of the School of Communications who contributes to the betterment and reputation of the school and its initiatives.

During his introduction of the staff award, Gaither praised Mullikin for the steady guidance and energy she brings to experiential learning across the School of Communications.

“Maggie plays a central role in helping our students make the most of their time at Elon,” Gaither said. “She helps students navigate ELRs, study-away opportunities, internships and career pathways, all while ensuring those experiences are meaningful, connected and, ultimately, transformative.”

Gaither highlighted Mullikin’s ability to bring people together, noting her close collaborations with faculty, departments, Career Services and campus partners to ensure experiential learning remains a defining part of the student experience.

One school staff member described Mullikin as someone who “lights up a room,” adding that “people gravitate toward her” because of the welcoming and genuine presence she brings to every interaction.

Gaither also emphasized Mullikin’s commitment to helping students pursue opportunities beyond campus — whether refining a resume, preparing for an interview, or connecting students with alumni and industry professionals.

“If experiential learning is the engine that drives the School of Communications, Maggie is one of the people making sure it runs smoothly,” Gaither said.

Excellence in Scholarship Award

Sydney Nicolla, Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications

This award recognizes a faculty member whose scholarly and creative work is of high quality and brings distinction to Elon.

In just a short time at Elon, Nicolla has built a research portfolio defined by both academic rigor and real-world relevance. For her growing body of work exploring how digital and social media can improve adolescent and women’s health, Nicolla was recognized with the school’s 2026 Excellence in Scholarship Award. Much of her research focuses on gender-based violence, using communication research to better understand how prevention efforts can connect with young audiences in meaningful and effective ways.

“Her work tackles complex, sensitive issues with both rigor and purpose — seeking not just to understand communication, but to use it as a tool for prevention and change,” said Gaither during his award presentation.

Since joining Elon in fall 2023, Nicolla has quickly established herself as a rising scholar with publications in leading journals, including the Journal of Health Communication, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, and the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Gaither highlighted Nicolla’s recent publication in Communication Research Reports, which examined how young people describe unwanted sexual experiences using responses from nearly 800 participants. By studying the language young adults use to discuss those experiences, the research offers insight into how prevention messaging can better resonate with its intended audiences.

Gaither commended Nicolla for scholarship that reflects Elon’s mission as a student-centered institution, noting the intentionality she brings to both her �þ��� and research.

“Sydney’s scholarship does exactly what we hope all great communication does,” Gaither said. “It listens carefully, speaks thoughtfully and works to make the world a little better.”

Inclusive Excellence Award

Lorraine Ahearn, Assistant Professor of Journalism

The award recognizes a faculty member who provides exceptional leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion and enhances DEI initiatives across the school through action-oriented outcomes.

In presenting the Inclusive Excellence Award, Gaither emphasized the School of Communications’ continued commitment to fostering a culture where all individuals feel welcomed, supported and heard.

“That commitment does not happen by accident,” Gaither said. “It requires leadership, intention and a willingness to engage in meaningful — and sometimes challenging — conversations.”

An assistant professor of journalism, Ahearn was recognized for both her scholarship and leadership surrounding issues of representation, access and belonging. Drawing from a professional background as a reporter, columnist and commentator, her work has consistently focused on voice, accountability and the stories that often go untold.

Gaither noted that Ahearn’s scholarship, which explores the media history of marginalized communities, reflects a deep commitment to understanding who is represented in media narratives — and who is not.

But it is Ahearn’s leadership within the School of Communications that has made her impact especially visible. For the past two years, she has chaired the school’s Inclusive Excellence Committee, helping shape its vision and lead its signature event, the annual Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence.

Under her guidance, the event has evolved into a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty and staff to engage in conversations surrounding equity, representation and storytelling in the communications and sport industries.

“As Lorraine has noted, these conversations reflect a rapidly evolving communications landscape,” Gaither said. “Questions of access, voice and representation are not peripheral, but central to the work we do.”

Gaither added that Ahearn’s work serves as a reminder that inclusive excellence is an ongoing process rooted in curiosity, care and thoughtful listening.

Excellence in Leadership Award

Ben Hannam, Associate Professor of Communication Design

The award recognizes a member of the School of Communications who richly contributes to the betterment and reputation of the school and the discipline.

In presenting the Excellence in Leadership Award, Gaither praised Hannam for guiding the Department of Communication Design through a period of growth, innovation and forward-thinking change.

“Good leadership moves things forward,” Gaither said. “Great leadership brings people with it. Professor Ben Hannam has done both.”

Since becoming department chair in 2021, Hannam has helped lead the program through several significant developments, including the rollout of a revised curriculum and the recent approval to rename and rebrand the program as Visual Communication — changes designed to better align the program with the evolving creative industry.

Gaither also highlighted Hannam’s leadership surrounding artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, noting his involvement in campus-wide AI initiatives, interdisciplinary working groups and workshops focused on the thoughtful integration of AI into �þ��� and creative practice.

Hannam also played a key role in launching the inaugural Make Your Mark: AI Poster Competition, a hands-on event that challenged students to critically examine how AI can support — rather than replace — creative work.

“It’s a fitting example of Ben’s approach,” Gaither said. “Practical, collaborative and just a little bit experimental — in the best sense of the word.”

Beyond his work within the department, Hannam was commended for building partnerships across campus, including collaborations with the Art Department, the AI Sandbox, Game Design initiatives, and the development of the Digital Content Management major.

One colleague praised Hannam for his “initiative, inclusivity, desire for innovation, significant hard work behind the scenes and steady leadership.”

Gaither added that Hannam’s leadership has strengthened the department while expanding opportunities for students and faculty alike.

Excellence in Teaching Award

Jessalynn Strauss, Associate Professor of Strategic Communications

The award recognizes a faculty member who is outstanding in the classroom, current in the discipline, a quality academic adviser, and committed to student learning at the highest level.

During his presentation of the Excellence in Teaching Award, Gaither praised Strauss for the thoughtful, student-centered approach she brings to every classroom experience.

“At a university recognized as the nation’s leader in �þ��� �þ���, excellence in the classroom is not just an expectation — it’s a defining part of who we are,” Gaither said. “Jessalynn Strauss represents that distinction in every sense.”

An associate professor and chair of the Department of Strategic Communications, Strauss teaches courses including Strategic Writing, Public Relations and Civic Responsibility, Strategic Research Methods and Great Ideas. Across each course, Gaither noted that Strauss consistently challenges students while ensuring they feel supported throughout the learning process.

Much of Strauss’ impact was reflected in the words shared by her students, who described her as “incredibly encouraging,” “deeply engaged,” and someone who “genuinely cares” about student success.

“One student noted that she ‘will try and help you with literally anything,’” Gaither said. “Another shared that they left her class feeling like their work would ‘actually serve them in the professional world.’”

Gaither emphasized Strauss’ ability to meet students where they are and help them grow with confidence through detailed feedback, carefully structured assignments and a classroom environment that balances independence with guidance.

“One student described her �þ��� style as being ‘just hands-off enough’ to encourage independence, while always being there to guide and redirect,” Gaither said.

A colleague also praised Strauss for creating a classroom atmosphere where students feel both energized and valued.

“Her enthusiasm in the classroom helps students learn and makes them happy at the same time,” one colleague shared. “They feel valued.”

Gaither added that Strauss embodies the qualities that define outstanding �þ��� at Elon — rigorous, relevant and deeply personal.

Retirement recognition: Anthony Hatcher

After more than two decades of service to �þ���, Professor of Journalism Anthony Hatcher will retire at the conclusion of the spring semester, leaving behind a legacy defined by mentorship, integrity and an unwavering commitment to students.

Since joining the School of Communications in 2002, Hatcher has shaped generations of journalists through his thoughtful �þ���, steady guidance and deep belief in the power and responsibility of journalism. Whether leading discussions on difficult global issues, mentoring aspiring reporters, or directing study abroad experiences across the world, Hatcher has approached every interaction with empathy, fairness and academic rigor.

“For Anthony, students always come first. Always,” Dean Gaither said during a retirement recognition at the school’s annual awards ceremony. “�þ��� see him as a knowledgeable, caring instructor. Colleagues see him as a calming influence who engenders respect for who he is — no airs, no fronts, no ego.”

Over the years, Hatcher led global engagement experiences to countries including South Africa and Poland, while also helping students navigate conversations surrounding religion, media, politics and culture with openness and respect. One student described him as “one of the most thoughtful professors I’ve ever had,” praising his ability to create space for honest dialogue without fear of judgment.

Gaither also noted Hatcher’s lasting influence on the journalism profession, with former students now working in newsrooms across the country.

“He is, and always will be, one of the purest guardians of truth and information through journalism,” Gaither said.

As he begins retirement, colleagues and alumni alike will remember Hatcher not only as an outstanding educator, but as a kind, humble and deeply respected member of the Elon community.

With batting practice underway at Latham Park, the Department of Sport Management gathered just beyond the first-base line on May 8 to celebrate its graduating seniors and recognize student achievement from the past academic year.

Among the evening’s top honors, Abigail Selikoff ’26 received the Major of the Year award, recognizing excellence across academics, leadership and professional achievement. Emerson Baker ’25 and Lucy McAfee ’26 were presented with the Achievement Award, while Shelby Keel ’26 earned the James P. Drummond Service Award for her contributions to the department and broader community. Skylar Cook ’28 received the Rising Phoenix Award, and McAfee was also honored with the Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award.

The department additionally recognized Isaiah Scott ’28 and Kaylin Wong ’28 as recipients of the Sport Management Endowed Scholarship.

One additional highlight of the celebration was the recognition of 10 sport management students inducted into the COSMA Chi Sigma Mu Honor Society, which honors students for their academic success and commitment to the field of sport management. Elon’s 2026 inductees included Baker, Alli Gerson ’26, Keel, Carlos Rafael Levy Lanado ’26, Meghan Logue ’26, McAfee, Zeke Petrou ’26, Lauren Winslow ’27, Will Wranek ’26 and Mia Zebley ’27.

To take a closer look at the celebration, visit this .