Year in Review

Elon Comm faculty members contributed to the 107th Annual Conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), held in Philadelphia. Throughout the August event, faculty presented original research, participated in panel discussions, and served as discussants, offering scholarly feedback and insight. Representing Elon were (front, from left) Chris Chen, Vanessa Bravo, Qian Xu, (second row, from left) Brian Walsh, Shannon Zenner, Hal Vincent and Israel Balderas.

Professor Qian Xu was awarded the A.J. Fletcher Professorship in Communications during the Opening Day ceremony in recognition of her impactful research, dedicated service, and commitment to teaching. A faculty member since 2010, Xu studies the psychological and social effects of online technology and has served in several key leadership roles, including associate director of the Undergraduate Research Program.

Three members of Elon News Network – Erin Martin ’25 (from left), Abby Gravely ’27 and Ryan Kupperman ’25 – headed to Chicago in August to chronicle the Democratic National Convention. The student journalists published articles on how the party is engaging young voters, N.C. Democrats’ plans for Election Day, and Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the nomination.

Lee Bush, professor of strategic communications, and Karen Lindsey, assistant professor of strategic communications, published a textbook titled “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Strategic Communications: Becoming Culturally Proficient Communicators.” Released by Routledge Taylor & Francis, the new book guides students in becoming more proficient communicators by applying a multicultural lens across all aspects of strategic communications. It features chapters from fellow Elon Comm faculty members Vanessa Bravo, Qian Xu and Michele Lashley.

Nearly 400 students, educators and media professionals gathered in July for the 11th annual Vision Africa Media Institute in Umuahia, Nigeria, to educate, strengthen and inspire future media practitioners. Among the participating educators was Vic Costello, associate professor of cinema and television arts, who led five presentations to help aspiring media professionals navigate modern media landscapes.

As part of its fall programming, WSOE hosted a live recording of “The Hometown Holler,” a North Carolina politics podcast led by Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray. The Sept. 12 event featured an interview with Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, who discussed local and state political issues and encouraged students to engage in the democratic process.

The Department of Sport Management showcased its students’ summer achievements during the 2024 Sport Management Internship Forum held Sept. 30. The annual event kicked off with a 30-minute panel spotlighting five students and their internships. Fifty-two sport management majors completed the department’s 320-hour internship requirement, working with a variety of organizations, including the Atlantic Coast Conference, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Browns, Iowa Cubs and USA Lacrosse.

The Turnage Family Innovation and Creativity Fund for the Study of Political Communication granted awards to several Elon faculty members to support their research on political communication and media literacy in the 21st century. Among this year’s recipients were Jane O’Boyle, associate professor of strategic communications, and Israel Balderas, assistant professor of journalism.

As part of Elon’s participation in the Pulitzer Center’s Campus Consortium, Rainforest Investigations Network Fellows Fernanda Wenzel (left) and Andrew Lehren (center) visited campus Sept. 24-26 to discuss the impact of investigative journalism and working in the news industry. The event was moderated by Elon News Network Executive Director Avery Sloan ’25, who was awarded a Pulitzer Fellowship grant for her reporting project on incarceration in Denmark.

The Department of Sport Management, in collaboration with the Elon in Charlotte program, Sport Management Society, and Women Influencers in Sport (WINS), hosted a Sept. 29 professional development event at the university’s Charlotte National Campus. The gathering featured two panel discussions, one of which included Catherine Beebe Jones ’03, vice president of global events and hospitality lead at Octagon, and Ellie Whittington ’18, a social media freelancer for “On Her Turf,” an NBC Sports program.

Jessica Gisclair, associate professor of strategic communications, was named a 2024-25 Leadership Education Faculty Scholar, participating in workshops on leadership education and designing an experiential component for a future course aligned with Elon’s Leadership Experiential Learning Requirement.

More than 100 students received a behind-the-scenes look at the Carolina Hurricanes’ Oct. 15 matchup against the New Jersey Devils – including a pre-game industry panel discussion and a tour of the team’s live TV production truck. Representing Elon Sports Vision, the Sport Management Society and Assistant Professor Mark Cryan’s Sport Sales & Promotion class, students explored the fast-paced world of professional sports media and marketing.

Two sections of the Design of Visual Images course participated in AIGA’s Get Out the Vote initiative, creating posters that merged academic learning with civic engagement. Led by Assistant Professor Shannon Zenner, the project emphasized creative originality, research into voter issues, and the use of analog design to inspire action and highlight the importance of democratic participation.

Evelyn Ealey ’26, a dance performance & choreography and strategic communications double major, was recognized with the Just Drive Media Communications Fellowship, receiving a $5,000 scholarship and securing a paid internship with the communications agency Just Drive Media.

To support students as they transition into the campus academic community, the School of Communications hosted its “Find Your People” event, a speed networking gathering on Oct. 21 to help first-year students in the Communications and Sport Management and Media Living Learning Communities connect with others.

Students in Associate Professor Amanda Sturgill’s Multiplatform News Editing class developed a website offering issue-based information on candidates in states where many Elon students are registered voters. With support from the Elon Votes initiative, the class of 18 students began the project assembling focus groups of first-time voters.

Senior Lecturer of Journalism Kelly Furnas received the Journalism Education Association’s highest honor, the 2024 Carl Towley Award, recognizing his contributions to scholastic journalism. Celebrated for his leadership, mentorship and service to the field, Furnas has had a lasting impact on journalism education. According to JEA leadership, his tenure as the association’s executive director from 2010 to 2016 was marked by innovation and organizational growth.

Elon News Network earned exceptional recognition at November’s National College Media Convention, capturing multiple national awards including two Pacemaker awards – considered the preeminent award for student media. Elon’s student newspaper, The Pendulum, also won first place in the Liberty Awards for the best election print edition in collegiate journalism.

Sport management majors Ryan Harper ’25, Tess Hawthorne ’25 and Cierra Hopson ’25 set a new benchmark for academic achievement as the first Elon students to earn the prestigious Advanced Data Competency Badge from Data Nexus. This accolade showcases their exceptional skills in data analysis, interpretation and application in the workforce.

The fifth annual WINS Forum brought together sport industry leaders and aspiring professionals for a day of connection and inspiration around the theme “A Movement, Not A Moment.” Held in November, the event featured networking, classroom visits and a panel discussion. Moderated by Elon alumna Chanelle Smith-Walker ’15 (pictured), an afternoon panel explored leadership, purpose and the evolving sport industry. New this fall was the Career Catalyst Roundtable Workshop, where students rotated through tables led by professionals on topics such as personal branding, allyship, media presence and networking.

Live Oak Communications hosted a much-anticipated networking event on Nov. 18, welcoming representatives from three renowned agencies – McKinney, Pace Communications and APCO Worldwide – to campus. This gathering featured three 30-minute sessions led by more than 10 industry professionals, including several Elon alumni.

Led by faculty members David Bockino, Colin Donohue and Staci Saltz, 45 first-year Communications Fellows traveled to Charlotte in November, visiting WSOC-TV, Pillar4 Media and NASCAR’s headquarters, and connecting with alumni working in the Queen City. During the trip, students toured the ABC affiliate’s newsroom and broadcast studio (pictured).

Cristy Mariné ’25, a cinema and television arts BFA and strategic communications double major, traveled to New York to participate in the IRTS Foundation Multicultural Career Workshop, which supports students and recent graduates from underrepresented backgrounds pursue careers in the media industry. In June, Mariné was also awarded a Fulbright grant to pursue a master’s degree in creative industries at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. While abroad, she will conduct an internship with a British creative agency.

In collaboration with the Charlotte Knights and the Matthews Help Center, students enrolled in the Elon in Charlotte: The Sport Experience program organized a youth sports gear drive during the Light the Knights festival at Truist Field. The drive, part of the students’ Event and Venue Management class, collected gently used sports equipment – 171 pieces of gear in all – and raised more $1,000 in donations to support families in need.

After screening his recent work with Overtime in Turner Theatre, Elon alumnus Sean Dolan ’13 was presented on Nov. 19 with the elondocs Emerging Documentarian Award. “Get involved in any way possible, create as much content as you can, and show your style through your work,” Dolan told the student crowd. “Even recording your friend playing a sport or playing an instrument puts you at an advantage.”

As part of the Fellows Experience course in January, 46 Communications Fellows traveled to Florida to visit communication companies, meet industry professionals, and hone networking skills. Students toured &Barr, Digital Brew, Disney Live Entertainment, Visit Orlando, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Push, WKMG-TV, and the USTA National Campus. The course was facilitated by Karen Lindsey, assistant professor of strategic communications; Hal Vincent, senior lecturer in strategic communications; Alison Doherty, associate director of career services; and Ryan Taube, associate director of corporate and employer relations.

Ben Hannam, associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication Design, authored “Graphic Design For Dummies,” a 272-page guide offering accessible, practical insights into the world of design. Published by Wiley Publishers, the book is geared toward a broad audience – from high school yearbook editors and college students to professionals looking to enhance their design skills. Hannam credits recent and former students for offering valuable feedback throughout the writing process.

Meg Daniels, assistant professor of cinema and television arts, premiered her new film, “I’m Still Here, Love,” at The Guild Theater in Menlo Park, California. The documentary examines the human toll of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, sharing the intertwined stories of three men whose lives and deaths were shaped by vaccine hesitancy and the devastating impact of disinformation.

The School of Communications reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment through the Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence event held Feb. 25 in the Snow Family Grand Atrium. In his welcome address, Dean Kenn Gaither underscored the importance of open dialogue around difference, social justice and shared values. The 75-minute program featured a rotating table discussion format, giving nearly 100 students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations on key inclusion topics.

Elon News Network won multiple Best of Show awards in February from the North Carolina College Media Association. More than a dozen students were honored in the individual categories, as well. In addition to ENN’s accolades, Phi Psi Cli yearbook and Colonnades Literary & Art Journal also captured Best of Show honors.

Legendary shoe designer and philanthropist Stuart Weitzman delivered an on-campus talk on Feb. 26. Known globally for pairing style with comfort in designs worn by celebrities and royalty, he spoke candidly about his path from growing up in the footwear industry to the red carpets of Hollywood. The event was presented by the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

Strategic communications major Sabrina Mannes Diaz de Cerio ’25 was one of 50 students nationwide chosen for the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program, one of the advertising industry’s premier recruiting initiatives. In February, she traveled to New York City for a four-day industry immersion experience, connecting with leading advertising agencies and professionals.

Assistant Professor of Communication Design Ahmed Fadaam earned an Award of Excellence for his short documentary, “Baghdad Graphic,” in the 2025 BEA Festival of Media Arts. Directed by Associate Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Doug Kass, the film is based on Fadaam’s graphic novel recounting his personal experiences in Iraq, focusing on the United States’ 2001 invasion of the Middle East.

Elon students earned first and second place in the undergraduate research competition at the Applied Sport Management Association conference in February in Cincinnati. Sarah Dawkins ’25 (right), a sport management and economics double major, captured first place for her study on how sporting event locations impact host communities. Dawkins worked closely with her mentor, Assistant Professor of Sport Management Khirey Walker. Lily Barker ’25, a sport
management major, placed second with her analysis of attendance trends in women’s
college volleyball.

Phillip Motley, professor of communication design and faculty fellow for community-based learning, received the 2025 Engaged Faculty Award from North Carolina Campus Engagement. Presented at the Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement (PACE) Conference in February, the award honors exemplary teaching, scholarship and leadership in advancing civic learning and community engagement.

Lilly Molina ’27, a journalism and media analytics double major, was selected for the 2025 Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship, which allows students to pursue independent international or domestic journalism projects. A student media leader at Elon News Network and Communications Fellow, Molina spent summer 2025 investigating illegal hammerhead shark fishing off the coast of Costa Rica.

Elon Sports Vision (ESV) turned a jaw-dropping play into national buzz, capturing Elon outfielder Kenny Mallory’s juggling catch so perfectly that it landed on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays. The student-run crew brought professional-level precision to the Elon-Wofford broadcast, reacting instantly to replay the catch from multiple angles. Under the leadership of Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production, and Annika Cronin, ESV coordinating producer, with Scott Katz ’26 directing the technical flow and Anthony Eppolito ’27 handling replays, the team delivered a highlight worthy of prime-time television.

For the second consecutive year, Annika Cronin worked behind the scenes of the NCAA Women’s Final Four. In April, the Elon Sports Vision coordinating producer traveled to Tampa, Florida, where she joined the NCAA’s in-arena game presentation team during the national semifinals and championship game at Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena). Cronin served as an associate producer in the arena’s control room, working with Van Wagner, a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency that oversees game presentation for the NCAA.

Lauren Winslow ’27, a sport management and strategic communications double major, earned the top prize in the Creative AI + Data Image Contest at Elon’s Datafest 2025. The contest challenged students to represent Elon University through AI-generated visuals, drawing inspiration from the institution’s alma mater. Judges found that Winslow’s design –  “Where Acorns Become Oaks” – effectively captured the prompt through symbolic imagery.

Live Oak Communications continues to earn national acclaim, winning five Bullseye Awards from The American Institute of Integrated Marketing (AIIM) – one of the top honors in collegiate marketing and communications. Live Oak’s standout performance included three gold medals – for Social Media, Press Relations, and Advisor of the Year – as well as silver in Branding and bronze for Agency of the Year. Presented annually, the AIIM Bullseye Awards recognize the best student-led campaigns across the country in categories such as advertising, branding, public relations and social media.

Cinema and television arts majors Aaron Chan ’26 and Evan Purnell ’25 earned multiple awards for their short documentary, “The Desert Gardener,” highlighting a former science teacher dedicated to combating food insecurity. Following its March premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the film won Best in Festival honors at the inaugural 100 Strong Student Film Festival, which celebrates stories that spotlight local communities. The doc also won a college film contest sponsored by the Greensboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Assistant Professor of Cinema & Television Arts Max Negin earned his sixth Emmy Award for his work on NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Negin and his NBC/Peacock colleagues received recognition in the Outstanding Technical Team Studio category at the 46th annual Sports Emmy Awards, held May 20 in New York City. During the Games, Negin worked 12-hour shifts from NBC’s broadcast facility in Connecticut, supporting live coverage of events unfolding in Paris. The Paris Games marked Negin’s eighth Olympic assignment, a run that began in 2008.

Jenny Jiang, assistant professor of communication design, presented her research exploring how global media stories spread at the 75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association in Denver. Drawing from a dataset of nearly 490,000 posts by the Associated Press and China’s Xinhua News Agency, Jiang mapped the narrative rhythms surrounding geopolitical events such as the Russia–Ukraine war.

Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, a journalism major, was awarded the 2025 Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship by the National Press Club, recognizing her exceptional leadership, reporting and dedication. The executive director of Elon News Network completed a summer 2025 internship with CBS8 San Diego.