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UCF Alumna Receives Toastmasters International’s Highest Honor
Toastmasters International, a world leader in communication and leadership development, awarded its highest honor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM,) to Michelle Hanchey, ’76. The DTM award is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and who have used these skills to help others in their self-development. Less than one percent of 4 […]
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Alumna Moves Up the Public Relations Ladder
Congratulations to Megan Licata,’08, who recently earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), one of the highest credentials for public relations and communications professionals. Licata graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal-organizational communication. She currently works as a public relations account executive for Fry Hammond Barr in Orlando, FL.
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Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Joann Tyson, ’01, and Douglas Marks, ’82, who got married last April in Winter Park. Douglas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Joann graduated with a bachelor’s degree in film.
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Jillian Pavlica, ’09, Said Yes on Local TV
Jillian Pavlica, ’09, and Vincent Ramos,’10, are now engaged. The couple met in 2007 at UCF and have been together ever since. Vincent proposed on television in Huntsville, Ala. where Jillian is a local TV anchor. Pavlica graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in radio-television and her fiancé, Vincent Ramos, […]
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UCF Alumna Writes Her Way Around the World
Sarah Sekula, ’00, describes herself as a writer, photographer, editor and chronic adventurer. Her writing has taken her to 21 different countries on six continents. She writes about her adventures, fitness, health/wellness and extraordinary people. Sekula has written for publications such as USA Today, ISLANDS, ShermansTravel.com, CNN Travel, Orlando Sentinel and more. She has also […]
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COS Teams Up With Knights Pantry
The College of Sciences has been keeping busy this semester with numerous activities in celebration of UCF’s 50th Anniversary, including an on-going collaboration with the Knights Helping Knights Pantry. The College of Sciences Dean’s Office brainstormed ideas for ways faculty, staff, and students could give back while also celebrating the anniversary. The Knights Helping Knights […]
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Let’s Get the Party Started
It’s finally here! Centric magazine’s spring issue launch party is this Wednesday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. Attendees will receive a free copy of the new spring issue as well as free chicken tenders from Huey Magoo’s and free cupcakes from Kupkake Kidz. A DJ from Giovanni’s will be in charge of […]
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Graduate Finds Success in Media
Jennifer King McVan, ’99, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television and began her career in media at WESH-TV in Orlando, FL. She has also worked for Nielsen Media Research & ESPN. McVann currently serves as the media relations manager of Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division. Prior […]
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Multicultural Advertising Intern Program Finalists
The American Association of Advertising Agencies Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) has helped jump start the careers of more than 2,400 Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Multiracial and Multiethnic aspiring advertising professionals. Each year, undergraduate and graduate students are selected for a 10-week paid summer internship at […]
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NSC Hosts Third Annual International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference
The Nicholson School of Communication (NSC) hosted the third annual International Crisis and Risk Communication (ICRC) Conference at the Student Union from March 4 to 6. The annual ICRC Conference brings together the leading experts in both academic and professional fields. The collaboration provides insights and understanding into what constitutes successful and at times unsuccessful crisis […]
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UCF Alumna Lends Creativity to Pepsi MAX Commercial
This story is reposted from UCF Today. Read the original here. When Pepsi MAX’s #GordonTestDrive commercial went viral in March, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon wasn’t the only one at the wheel. UCF alumna Kristina Krkljus, who works at TWBA\CHIAT\DAY in Los Angeles, served as the art director for the commercial that gained 7 million views in […]
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He Jumps, He Shoots and He Scores a Great Job
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a professional basketball team? Leon Bichachi, ’05, has had the opportunity to be a part of the Miami HEAT organization for the past seven years. Bichachi currently serves as the community affairs coordinator for the organization, and manages all aspects of functional projects […]
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UCF alumna to perform at the Hatch Presenting Series
Stephanie Koscielecki, ’10, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations. Koscielecki performs with the Emotions Dance Company, and has been a part of the company for three years now. Recently, Emotions Dance Company has been invited to perform at the Hatch Presenting Series in New York City placing […]
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Student Magazine Wins National Award
The Society of Professional Journalists awards the best student journalists with Mark of Excellence Awards annually. This year, the student-run University of Central Florida magazine, Centric, won second place in the “Best Student Magazine’’ category. “This was our very first contest entry, so I’m pleased that we were finalists in the category,” UCF journalism professor and Centric […]
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UCF Alumna Earns Promotion at Capitol College
Rachel Burns, ’09, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication from the Nicholson School of Communication. After working two years as the administrative assistant to two presidents of the college, Burns has been promoted to the assistant director of development at Capitol College. Founded in 1927, Capitol College is the only independent college in […]
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Diversity in Disney Films
Dr. Kimiko Akita’s essay, “A ‘Vexing Implication’: Siamese Cats and Orientalist Mischief-Making,” was published recently in the scholarly book, “Diversity in Disney Films: Critical Essays on Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality, and Disability.” Her essay critiques, scene by scene, the saturation of anti-Asian bias in the depiction of the animated cats Si and Am in the […]
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Sentinel reporter visits UCF journalism students
Orlando Sentinel breaking news/criminal justice reporter Bianca Prieto spoke to about 40 print and broadcast journalism students on Jan. 31 about the ethics of covering tragic events. The meeting was a joint workshop put on by the Nicholson School of Communication’s chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). […]
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Advice About College From Alumnus
This is a guest post from Heather Waymouth, UCF Today. As a senior graduating from UCF in May, I recently have spent a lot of time reflecting on my college experience – and boy, I wish people had told me a lot of things sooner about college! Other than the expected advice of “Don’t party too […]
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Alumnus Named VP for AECOM Technology Corporation
Todd Mazza, ’95, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television. He was recently named corporate vice president and chief technology officer for AECOM Technology Corporation. Mazza will continue to be based in San Francisco. AECOM is a global leader in providing fully integrated professional technical and management support services […]
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Alumnus Named Top Private Company CMO
Chris Tomasso, ’93, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is currently the chief marketing officer for First Watch Restaurants and was recently named a Top Private Company CMO for 2012 by ExecRank. The rankings were compiled by ExecRank, and was the result of two years of research […]
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Brunson Presents Reporting Workshop
Journalism instructor Rick Brunson presented a workshop session at the Higher Education Enterprise Mobile App Conference at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Feb. 5. Brunson’s presentation, “Smart Phone, Smarter Reporting: Teaching Journalism Students How to Get the Most of Out Their Digital Devices to Report the News,” was based on the lesson plans he […]
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Student Receives UCF McNair Graduate Fellowship
Incoming graduate student Shantel Campbell has been selected as a recipient of the UCF McNair Graduate Fellowship. Campbell is the first student from the Nicholson School of Communication to be selected by the Diversity Fellowships committee to receive the coveted award. In order to be eligible for the graduate fellowship, Campbell had to successfully complete the McNair […]
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Alumna Launches New Business
Sylaisha Taylor, ’10, a graduate of the Nicholson School of Communication, has recently started her own project management consulting business called Think Outside The World, LLC. She extends her services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, students and recording artists. Taylor offers smart, innovative, unique solutions and encouragement. “My business is actually a reflection of me, […]
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UCF: A Whole New World
Guest post written by Jamal Jenkins Taking the opportunity to study abroad can be a thrilling and life-changing experience. For Matilda Segergren, it has been just that. Segergren is a 23-year-old media and communications major from NSC’s sister school in Sweden, Jonkoping University. This semester at UCF actually marks Segergren’s second time studying abroad in The United […]
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Alumna Publishes First Novel
Amanda Gasbarro, ’11, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations. Amanda is a book enthusiast in every form. She has passion for reading and writing and has recently published her first novel called, Shifting Shadows. The book is part one of Amanda’s Sparks Collide trilogy, which is described […]
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Alumna Continues Successful Career in Event Planning
Deb Perry Melnick, ’87, is a graduate of the Nicholson School of Communication. Deb is pictured here with Florida’s Governor Rick Scott, the First Lady and Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll. Since graduating from UCF, she has gone on to have a very successful career in event planning. Melnick is currently the manager of marketing events […]
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Understanding the Women’s Page
Associate Professor & Journalism Area Coordinator Dr. Kimberly Voss was recently featured as an expert source in a Columbia Journalism Review article about women in journalism. Below is an excerpt from the piece. The question comes up again and again, as women’s projects and concerns that have little to do with fashion nevertheless turn up […]
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Mike Meeske R-TV Scholarship Recipient Announced
R-TV faculty selected Maria LoPorto as the recipient of the $1,000 Mike Meeske Scholarship. Maria is being recognized for her outstanding work in academics and for her commitment to electronic media as an R-TV undergraduate student. The award was made possible by the Mike Meeske R-TV Scholarship fund, which was established in honor of the […]
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Space: A Final Frontier
This is a letter from the Nicholson School of Communication Director Bob Chandler. Last month I shared with you some of the “space” challenges that confront us. The Nicholson School of Communication (NSC) has to contend with a chronic lack of classroom, faculty office, graduate student, research laboratory, administrative and student co-curricular learning space. The “space” […]
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Best Practices for Effective Communication Training
The National Communication Association hosted its 2012 Training and Development Divisions annual business meeting where panelists presented their 12 practices for communication scholars and practitioners in regard to communication training and development. NCA attempted to assemble the best practices within areas of communication for a significant period of time. In 2010, NCA charged a Blue […]