Confessions of a Serial Communicator
Michael Griffin stands with fellow NSC inductees, Tony Nicholson, ’00, Roy Reid, ’88, Donna Mirus Bates, ’93, Kimberlee Strong, ’93, Dan Ward, ’92, Michael Griffin, ’84, Heissam Jebailey, ’00, and Rick Brunson, ’84.
Mike Griffin, ’84, Vice President of Public Affairs at Florida Hospital, 2015 UCF Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
On Nov. 16, nearly 85 UCF alumni and friends gathered to honor Michael Griffin, ’84, as he was inducted into the 2015 UCF Nicholson School of Communication Hall of Fame, becoming the program’s 32nd inductee since it was established in 2000.
UCF NSC Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Michael Griffin, ’84, stands with his award.
During the awards ceremony, attendees celebrated the longtime UCF supporter’s career accomplishments and continued involvement with his alma mater. Griffin also provided everyone with a snapshot into his career and shared how communications is a vital part of public affairs strategy.
Griffin currently provides public affairs leadership to Florida Hospital and the Florida Division of Adventist Health System, and has significant experience in the areas of journalism, public relations, communications and government relations. His career includes 24 years of service at the Orlando Sentinel, and, most recently, he was part of the senior leadership team for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
He graduated from UCF in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in political science. Since then, he’s supported the University of Central Florida in a number of ways, including serving on the UCF Alumni Association’s Board of Directors for six years, spending much of that time as chair of the board’s Government Relations Committee. Currently, he serves on the UCF Nicholson School of Communication’s Board of Visitors and the UCF College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board, providing advice and feedback on academic programs, co-curricular events, career development and scholarship opportunities for students, and global communication program expansion. He’s also a dedicated volunteer and supporter of UCF’s Knight Advocates program, which helps local and national leaders learn about the university’s goals, and its impact on the local, state and world economy.
UCF NSC Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Griffin, ’84, stands with Dr. Michael Johnson, Dean of the UCF College of Sciences.
“Though I graduated many years ago, I can honestly say I’ve never left UCF,” Griffin says. “Each and every day, I carry with me the critical skills I learned here, and I treasure the relationships that have helped me throughout my career.”
The UCF Nicholson School of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes alumni for their career accomplishments and contributions to the school and university. It boasts a wide range of exceptional professionals who started their careers at UCF, as well as honorary inductees who are not alumni, but who have made a significant impact on the school. All of their awards are proudly displayed in the UCF Nicholson School of Communication building. To view a list of past honorees, visit http://www.ucfalumni.com/nicholson#hall-of-fame.