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 undergraduate 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 ������Ƶ Journal has published 33 issues, with each research article on its own dedicated webpage.

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

Emily Beauvais, Graduate Student, Northeastern University (Boston)

Nia Bedard, Graduate Student, ������Ƶ (������Ƶ, North Carolina)

Kiersten Bergman, Graduate Student, Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)

Max Berkson, Media Intern, Carmichael Lynch (Philadelphia)

Aidan Blake, Digital Content Creator, Kaulig Racing (Kernersville, North Carolina)

Anna Brett Blinston, Media and Content Analyst, Big Valley Marketing

Merrie Byers, Graduate Student, North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Coco Cameron, PR & Social Media Associate, Devaney & Associates (Owings Mills, Maryland)

Luke Carey, Head Coach, Seacoast United MA North (Andover, Massachusetts)

Aaron Chan, Production Specialist, Amazing Studios (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Alexa Citrin, Graduate Student, University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Delaney Dickinson, Social Media Manager, Works Design Group (Haddon Heights, New Jersey)

Ava D’Innocenzio, Graduate Student, Boston University (Boston)

Philip Doherty, Freelance Technical Director (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Julien Dupas, Video Director, Discover Blind Spots (Burlington, North Carolina)

Liam Dupas, Video Director Co-Lead, Discover Blind Spots (Burlington, North Carolina)

Kaelyn Elien, Fellow, Bully Pulpit International (Washington, D.C.)

Anjolina Fantaroni, Reporter, WAFF 48 (Huntsville, Alabama)

Elliet Faust, Marketing & Operations Intern, Rise Social Partners

Avery Ferguson, Intern, Golin (New York)

Lila Goldberg, Project Manager, Mediaplanet (New York)

Jesse Gordon, Reporter, Sports Business Journal (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Sever Gregory, Graduate Student, University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)

Rachel Holley, Reporter, WECT6 (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Daniel Jaeger, Agent Training Program, United Talent Agency (Los Angeles)

Shelby Keel, Golden Gopher Fund Intern, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Mira Maccarone, Graduate Student, Boston College (Boston)

Lucy McAfee, Graduate Student, Boston College (Boston)

Fiona McAllister, Media Rotation Program Fellow, Fox News (New York)

Morgan Minoff, Associate, ASC Advisors LLC (Stamford, Connecticut)

Maxine Motley, PR Intern, Jennifer Bett Communications (New York)

Tristin Oberg, Graduate Student, Montana State University (Bozeman, Montana)

Abraham Paley, Graduate Student, Saint Mary’s College of California (Moraga, California)

Max Quatroche, Graduate Student, John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, University of Southern California (Los Angeles)

Hannah Riggs, Team Lead, HeadCount (New York)

Lexi Rogers, Graduate Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Hudson Sabiston, Graphic Designer, Cone Health Drawbridge Parkway (Greensboro, North Carolina)

Anabella Shpak, Graduate Student, Columbia University (New York)

Ben Solis, Sales, Grainger (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Benji Stern, Springboard Fellow, Brandeis Hillel (Waltham, Massachusetts)

Grace Stetler, PGA WORKS Fellow, PGA REACH Foundation (Philadelphia)

Evelyn Stuart, Recruiter, ALKU (Washington, D.C.)

Bernardo Vargas-Lopez, Co-Founder/Co-CEO, YAPA Global (Austin, Texas)

Erik Winikur, Management Accelerator Program, Concessions Manager, Aramark Sports & Entertainment (Washington, D.C.)

������Ƶ Assistant Professor of Sport Management Alex Traugutt was featured in a recent Spectrum News 1 story examining how visiting fans contribute to North Carolina’s sports economy during the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff run. The article explored how travel tied to major sporting events generates spending that benefits hotels, restaurants and local businesses.

“We oftentimes have a misconception around the economic impact that a sporting event has,” Traugutt said. “Where we see the kind of economic drive is when we have outside fans from either outside the geographic area or traveling fans from away teams come into the host city and bring their money.”

Using the Hurricanes’ playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens as an example, Traugutt noted that traveling fans contribute new spending to the local economy through hotels, restaurants, transportation and entertainment. He emphasized that local fans shifting their entertainment spending within the same city typically do not create the same level of economic growth.

“We benefit from the Canadiens because they have a great fan base. So they will travel to see their fans play. There’s also a lot of Canadiens fans in the area, not maybe here, but that surround North Carolina,” Traugutt said.

Read and watch the story on . Traugutt also spoke about the topic on the .

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

Four years later, the graduating senior leaves ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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 undergraduate 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 ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ.

“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 undergraduate research experiences transformed her ������Ƶ 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.”

Related Articles

• Commencement 2026: Kate Cooper ’26 unlocks her path from ������Ƶ to real estate
• Commencement 2026: Allie Schult ’26 embodies the ‘heart and future of nursing’
• Commencement 2026: Kaitlyn Lewis ’26 advances through Alamance-������Ƶ education pipeline
• Commencement 2026: Jonathan Weaver ’26 found dream career path through ������Ƶ involvement

What started as a conversation between friends in ������Ƶ’s dining hall has grown into a startup venture with roots in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Bernardo Vargas-Lopez ’26, a sport management major from Austin, Texas, and Juan Daniel Chiriboga ’26, an entrepreneurship major from Quito, Ecuador, are developing , a plant-based energy drink inspired by guayusa, a leaf long used by Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The idea first took shape after the two friends traveled to Ecuador during Thanksgiving break in 2024 and visited the Amazon rainforest.

“We came back from visiting the Amazon forest and were just talking through the trip,” Vargas-Lopez said. “That’s when the idea came out. What if we took one of those plants and built a drink around it?”

From that early conversation, the idea quickly became something more serious. The two students began researching the beverage industry, speaking with community members in Ecuador, gathering feedback from mentors and testing whether the concept could become a real business.

For Chiriboga and Vargas-Lopez, YAPA has become more than a passion project. It has also become a way to explore how entrepreneurship can connect product development, cultural learning and long-term impact.

Building a business from the ground up

As they began shaping the company, the pair focused on a growing interest in cleaner, more transparent beverage options.

“I think the issue we were looking at was the energy drink industry and what a lot of those products contain,” Chiriboga said. “We saw people looking more for clean-label, natural ingredients and more transparency in what they consume.”

That focus helped define YAPA’s early direction. The students describe the drink as plant-based and made without preservatives, with an emphasis on ingredient transparency and product quality.

The company’s name also reflects that approach. In Ecuador, “yapa” refers to a small extra that someone gives you, something unexpected and added with generosity. The students say that the idea shaped both the brand name and the kind of experience they hope to create.

“It’s a little extra you were not expecting,” Chiriboga said. “That is what we want the product to feel like.”

Turning that idea into a business, however, has required far more than product vision. The students have spent months navigating sourcing, formulation, packaging, shipping and compliance, all while balancing the demands of college life.

“The biggest thing is persistence,” Vargas-Lopez said. “We could have stopped a long time ago, but we just kept going.”

They also made an early decision to prioritize product quality, even when that meant making tougher financial choices.

“We decided there were a few strategic points where we would not go for lower quality,” Chiriboga said. “Starting from ingredients and sourcing, we were not going to sacrifice what the product stands for.”

Learning through mentorship and hands-on experience

Both students say their experience in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business helped them approach the company with more confidence and curiosity.

They pointed to classroom experiences and faculty connections as central to how they approached building the company, often working closely with professors including Sean McMahon, professor of entrepreneurship, Elena Kennedy, associate professor of entrepreneurship, and Brittany Mercado, associate professor of management and chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship.

“The ability to communicate clearly with people who know a lot more than we do has been huge,” Vargas-Lopez said. “The Love School of Business does an amazing job of making professors approachable.”

That accessibility changed how they engaged with their coursework and mentors.

“There are professors that I’ve ended up talking to just because I saw them in the hallway,” Vargas-Lopez said. “They’ll come up to you, ask what you’re working on and start giving advice. You don’t feel intimidated asking questions.”

As the idea for YAPA developed, those conversations became more intentional.

“We started staying after class and asking more specific questions,” Chiriboga said. “The professors would connect what we were learning directly to what we were building.”

Faculty feedback also helped refine the venture as it evolved.

“We don’t need people to just cheerlead,” Vargas-Lopez said. “We need people who will tell us what worked, what didn’t and how to improve. That’s what has really helped us move forward.”

Their time studying abroad also played a role in shaping the venture, even as they were in different parts of the world.

“He was in Australia, and I was in Japan,” Chiriboga said. “We couldn’t really work on operations, so the only thing we could do was talk to people.”

Instead of slowing progress, that shift pushed them to focus on learning.

“We talked to people in the jungle, we talked to people at big companies and we talked to mentors in finance,” Vargas-Lopez said. “We were just trying to understand everything we could.”

“We were sponges during that time,” Chiriboga added. “We just gathered as much information as we could.”

Those conversations helped them return with a clearer sense of direction.

“When we came back, we had a better idea of what worked, what didn’t and what problems we needed to solve,” Vargas-Lopez said.

Friendship at the center

At the heart of YAPA is not only a product idea, but also a partnership built on trust.

The two met during their first year at ������Ƶ and became close friends before ever becoming business partners, something they say has made navigating the ups and downs of building a company more manageable.

“If I cannot do something right now, I know Juan Daniel can do it, and vice versa,” Vargas-Lopez said. “That trust was built before the business.”

That foundation has shaped how they approach both their work and their time as students.

“We’ve gotten really good at knowing when to talk business and when not to,” Chiriboga said. “If it’s not working time, we try to focus on being friends and being present with other people.”

Living together has only strengthened that balance, allowing them to stay in sync while also setting boundaries.

“It’s not always 50-50 all the time,” Vargas-Lopez said. “But we know we’re in this together, and that makes it easier to handle everything that comes up.”

For Chiriboga, the partnership is one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“I couldn’t be more grateful that my best friend is also my business partner,” he said.

As they prepare to graduate, both say some of the biggest milestones are still ahead.

“The biggest one is getting the cans,” Chiriboga said. “That’s when it becomes real, when you can actually hold the product and take that first sip.”

Even so, the process has already reshaped how they think about risk, learning and what it means to build something from scratch.

For other students considering a venture of their own, their advice is simple.

“Don’t be afraid to start,” Chiriboga said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”

Vargas-Lopez added that one of the most valuable lessons has been staying open to what others know.

“Use your resources,” he said. “Ask questions. Learn from every conversation. We haven’t had a single meeting where we didn’t learn something.”

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. ������Ƶ’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 .

On Dec. 6, 2025, day started not in ������Ƶ, but Charlotte.

By 8 a.m., the ������Ƶ senior was already at the Spectrum Center, one of the Queen City’s marquee entertainment venues, helping with operations for a neutral-site college basketball matchup between Dayton and Virginia. Hours later, she was darting through the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game staff, helping coordinate pregame activities, managing an on-field photo experience for youth teams, and assisting with postgame celebrations after Duke’s dramatic victory over Virginia.

In between, there were meetings, setup responsibilities, logistics and constant communication. The football championship game eventually stretched beyond regulation, adding even more chaos to an already packed day.

For Selikoff, though, the day never felt overwhelming.

“It doesn’t really feel like work because I love what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s rewarding because you ultimately get to see the experience that it brings at the end of the day.”

That whirlwind Saturday last fall captured much of Selikoff’s ������Ƶ experience – ambitious, hands-on and deeply connected to the sport industry she hopes to build a career in after graduation.

A double major in cinema and television arts and sport management, Selikoff arrived at ������Ƶ from northern New Jersey already knowing she wanted a university where relationships with professors and classmates grew naturally. After visiting campus during her senior year of high school, the decision came quickly.

“The second we drove through campus, I told my parents, ‘I’m done,’” she said. “I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Once at ������Ƶ, she wasted little time getting involved.

Selikoff joined ������Ƶ Sports Vision during her first semester and directed her first broadcast before fall break. She also became involved with the Sport Management Society, an organization that shaped much of her college experience, and Women Influencers in Sports. After serving in various leadership roles, she now leads the society as president, helping connect students with industry professionals through networking events, facility tours and guest speakers.

“What stands out most about Abby is her ability to pair intellectual curiosity with real-world execution,” said Shaina Dabbs, associate professor and chair in the Department of Sport Management. “She is someone who doesn’t just show up, she fully invests in every opportunity in front of her. Simply put, she says ‘yes.’ Whether in the classroom, in research, or in the industry, Abby consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn.”

Selikoff’s willingness to embrace opportunity eventually led her to participate in The Sport Experience in Charlotte during fall 2024, where she balanced 18 credit hours with internships at both NASCAR and the ACC.

At NASCAR, she worked with digital products, supporting the organization’s website, app, fantasy platform and fan rewards program. Simultaneously, she served as a Football Game Day Operations Center intern with the ACC, monitoring games and helping ensure smooth coordination between on-site officials and conference staff in Charlotte.

By the end of the semester, Selikoff had completed more than 500 internship hours.

The experience – and her work ethic – opened the door to additional opportunities with the ACC. Over the next two years, Selikoff worked more than 25 football games while also supporting conference championships and events in basketball, gymnastics, baseball and tennis.

One of her favorite experiences came when the ACC sent her on-site to shadow replay officials during football games at North Carolina and N.C. State, attending pre- and post-game meetings in the process.

“Being part of those big-game environments was incredible,” Selikoff said. “I got to see firsthand the communication between the game officials and Charlotte, and then bring what I learned back into the office.”

Dabbs said Selikoff fully embraced ������Ƶ’s experiential learning model.

“Abby is a great example of a student who maximized the ������Ƶ experience by intentionally connecting academics with industry opportunities,” Dabbs said. “What is particularly impressive is how she did not treat these as isolated experiences – she built a cohesive skillset across operations, media and fan engagement.”

Alongside her internships and leadership roles, Selikoff also immersed herself in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Young Do Kim, associate professor of sport management, and Tony Weaver, associate dean in the School of Communications.

Since fall 2023, she has investigated how professional sports organizations market sustainability initiatives and how those efforts shape consumer perceptions, gaining valuable insights into sustainability, marketing and environmental communications. The research led her to complete IRB approval and CITI certification, present at ������Ƶ’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and share her findings at the Sport Marketing Association Conference in Arizona. Additionally, she is currently working on a manuscript based on her results.

“I never thought I would be doing undergraduate research,” Selikoff admitted. “But I’ve loved it throughout the entire process.”

Beyond academics and internships, Selikoff credits ������Ƶ’s faculty mentors with helping her grow personally and professionally.

She points to Kim, Dabbs, Weaver and Staci Saltz, chair of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts, as key influences throughout her four years on campus.

“The Sport Management Department is incredibly close-knit,” Selikoff said. “It feels kind of like a family. I can go to professors for anything – whether it’s personal or academic – and they’ve all had a strong impact on me.”

Fittingly, Selikoff’s ������Ƶ experience actually became a family affair when her younger sister, Emily, enrolled at the university two years ago. The two regularly meet for meals, cross paths in the School of Communications, and share many of the same academic interests.

“It’s honestly been really great having her here,” Selikoff said. “It’s like having an extra piece of home.”

After graduation, Selikoff hopes to return to Charlotte and continue building a career in sports media, communications or event operations. Whatever path she ultimately takes, she leaves ������Ƶ with the kind of hands-on experience many young professionals spend years trying to find.

The School of Communications celebrated its annual awards ceremony on May 7 in Turner Theatre, recognizing outstanding student achievement from the 2025–26 academic year with a program that was equal parts heartfelt, humorous and reflective. Faculty and staff presenters shared stories of once wide-eyed first-year students growing into confident young professionals, sprinkled in playful anecdotes and even delivered an unexpected lesson about rabbit eyelids – moments that reflected the close-knit spirit of the school community.

From a pool of nearly 1,100, more than 35 exceptional students were honored for their academic excellence, leadership in campus media and student organizations, and impressive performance in competitive internships. Additionally, the school presented its second Excellence in Community Engagement Award, recognizing a student who has thoughtfully engaged with the local community.

“This ceremony is one of the highlights of the year because we turn the spotlight on our students — the very lifeblood of our school,” said Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications, during his opening remarks. “Today is really about our students — students who will become alumni tomorrow and join the many before them achieving great success in their chosen careers.”

Ceremony photos are available on the school’s

Outstanding Senior Award recipients

These six awards recognize graduating seniors who have gone above and beyond – demonstrating exceptional talent, deep expertise in their fields, and a lasting impact on both the School of Communications and their areas of study through personal and professional achievements.

• , Cinema and Television Arts Award. Presented by Bryan Baker.
• , Communication Design Award. Presented by Ben Hannam.
• , Journalism Award. Presented by Anthony Hatcher.
• , Media Analytics Award. Presented by Alex Traugutt.
• , Sport Management Award. Presented by Shaina Dabbs.
• , Strategic Communications Award. Presented by Shanetta Pendleton.

Student Scholarships

The scholarships and honorees are listed as they were presented at the May 7 ceremony.

Times-News Publishing Co., Inc. Scholarship
Marissa Fluno ’28

Awarded to one journalism student in the School of Communications who is planning on a career in print journalism and has demonstrated leadership, scholarship, service to the community, and exemplary character traits. Presented by Shanetta Pendleton.

Anthony & Olga Duke Communications Scholarship
Sara Kershow ’29

Awarded to students pursuing majors in the School of Communications on the basis of merit. Presented by Keith Barber.

A.J. Fletcher Award
Katharyn MacDonald ’27 and Taylor Radney ’28

This award honors outstanding students majoring in strategic or broadcast communications who demonstrate a wide-ranging interest in the field, service to the community, and leadership on campus or in their lives. Presented by Sydney Nicolla and Jessalynn Strauss.

Excellence in Community Engagement Award
Mackie Motley ’26

Awarded to one student in the School of Communications who has engaged deeply and consistently with the local community throughout their time at ������Ƶ. Presented by Kyle Anderson.

James Wesley Willard II Memorial Scholarship
Kira Hancuff ’28

Awarded to one student enrolled in the School of Communications on the basis of merit. Presented by David Bockino.

William S. E. Neff ������Ƶ Experiences Scholarship
Skylar Cook ’28

Awarded to students with outstanding merit within the School of Communications to complete an ������Ƶ experience through study abroad, internship, leadership, service or undergraduate research. Presented by David Bockino.

Stanley Albright Cook and Grace Lillian Lane Cook Endowed Scholarship
Lyda Cosgrove ’27

Awarded to students majoring in journalism who demonstrate outstanding scholarly work. Presented by Amanda Sturgill.

Don Bolden School of Communications Dean’s Scholarship Fund
Camila Montoya ’27

This award was created to fund experiences for ������Ƶ students to understand the links between learning in the classroom and applying that knowledge to explore and report on the world around them. Presented by Karen Lindsey.

James Michael Elzar Foreman Endowment
Francess (Finn) Wilkinson ’27

This award honors the most promising rising senior focusing on television production to be used to fund an ������Ƶ Experience related to the student’s major. Presented by Karen Lindsey.

Dubois Legacy Scholarship
Ellie Agulnek ’27

Awarded to rising juniors or seniors in the School of Communications who demonstrate a consistent commitment to their course of study and who show great promise through their participation in study abroad programs and internships. Presented by Phillip Motley.

Priestley Journalism Endowed Scholarship
Megan Walsh ’28

Awarded to one female journalism major preparing for a writing career in public circulation newspapers and/or magazines. Presented by Colin Donohue.

Brad Hamm International Communications Scholarship
Ethan Wu ’27

Awarded to one rising junior or senior student enrolled in the School of Communications, who is either an international student or has demonstrated strong international interest. Presented by Ben Hannam.

The James F. Hurley Legacy Scholarship
Rylan Ammerman ’28

Awarded to high achieving students enrolled in the School of Communications with preference to journalism majors. Presented by Tom Nelson.

D’Angelo Family Scholarship in Memory of Bill and Kappy Leonard
Abigail Hines ’27

Awarded to one outstanding rising senior majoring in journalism and preparing to enter the field of broadcast journalism. Presented by Kelly Furnas.

Sport Management Endowed Scholarship
Isaiah Scott ’27 and Kaylin Wong ’28

Awarded to declared sport management majors who have a record of contributions to the department and exhibit significant potential for professional success. Presented by Lindsay Pieper and Alex Traugutt.

Chris Edwards ’18 Award for Sports Journalism
Philip Doherty ’26

This award recognizes the work of a graduating senior who has established a record of academic success, demonstrated mastery within sports journalism, and made significant contributions to their major. It will honor quality sports journalism in Chris’ name, serving as an annual reminder to students and alumni of his contributions to the School of Communications. Presented by Max Negin.

School of Communications Founding Dean Scholarship Endowment
Molly Lorden ’27 and Miles Hayford ’27

Awarded to rising seniors with strong academic records in one of the majors offered by the School of Communications who are emerging as leaders in student media or student organizations in the school. Presented by Jane O’Boyle and Lorraine Ahearn.

Special recognitions

To kick off the ceremony, Gaither recognized the school’s fifth class of Kappa Tau Alpha, the college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

This year’s honorees include: Maddie Bauman ’26, Emmy Beauvais ’26, Emma Corbett ’26, Evelyn Ealey ’26, Halli Harwood ’26, Hannah Jordan ’26, Angelina Mancuso ’26, Jenna Mangan ’26, Amanda McGee ’26, Anabella Parisi ’26, Annie Thyfault ’26 and Elizabeth Walker ’26. Members must rank in the top 10 percent of their class and hold at least a 3.0 GPA.

Kappa Tau Alpha, or KTA, is the seventh-oldest honor society in the nation and one of a few that specifically recognizes the achievements and academic performance of our nation’s burgeoning journalists.

������Ƶ Associate Professor of Sport Management David Bockino was featured in a recent exploring how the Kentucky Derby helped shape the history and mainstream appeal of sports betting in the United States.

The story examines the Derby’s long relationship with wagering, tracing how betting became central to the race’s culture and broader popularity. Bockino offered historical context on how horse racing served as an early entry point for legalized, public sports betting and helped normalize wagering.

“Horse racing has always had this sheen of respectability,” said Bockino. “The idea that you dressed up for the event in some capacity, the idea that you drank fancy drinks. The idea that this was an ‘outing’ made the underlying betting foundation more acceptable to American society. Everyone looks nice when you turn on the television [to watch the Derby]. That sort of facade was built up around horse racing and the event over the years … but in the end, it’s really just a betting endeavor.”

His perspective highlighted the Kentucky Derby’s lasting influence on American sports culture, from the traditions of race-day betting to the modern expansion of legal sports wagering across the country.

“People were always ready to bet [on sports],” Bockino said. “There hasn’t been a great societal shift in people wanting to bet on sports. There’s just been a great technological shift where you can now bet on your phone. You can bet on horse racing, or a table tennis event in China. Technology has made betting so much easier. But people have always wanted to and have always found a way to bet on sports. If you look back at the origin of any American sport, there were people betting on the outcomes from the very beginning. Horse racing included.”

Bockino’s upcoming book  explores the “definitive, colorful history of American sports betting that challenges the dialogue around one of our country’s fastest growing (and most controversial) industries.” It was featured in the New York Times list of 

As Nikki Sanz ’18 first stepped onto ������Ƶ’s campus, she found a stage. A student who succeeded on a busy schedule, Sanz spent her four years leaning into the culture of involvement that represents the ������Ƶ experience. She found that the university’s environment encouraged students to take initiative from the very start.

“Most ������Ƶ students just love to get involved,” Sanz said. “I was able to jump right into those opportunities starting in my freshman year”.

Today, that same spirit of initiative has led Sanz to the front of the music and tech world. As the founder and CEO of , a professional career platform designed specifically for the live event industry, she was recently recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in turning the industry into a modernized community.

Majoring in sport and event management, along with a double minor in business administration and leadership studies, Sanz used ������Ƶ as a sandbox to test her ideas. The Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow balanced academics with leadership roles in Alpha Xi Delta and the LEAD program, where she served as a tier captain mentoring new students.

Shaina Dabbs, associate professor of sport management, said that Sanz’s internal drive was evident early on.

“Nikki consistently showed a strong eagerness to be involved and fully engaged,” Dabbs said. “She brought a genuine passion for the details and the process, understanding that executing the small things well is what elevates the overall outcome. Her internal drive to excel set her apart, and she developed a system that allowed her to successfully manage multiple roles and responsibilities without compromising quality.”

Sanz credits the ������Ƶ environment for giving her the room to experiment and create. Whether she was working with ������Ƶthon or performing her own music around town, she was building the foundation for her future career in event production.

“I brought music to Oak House,” Sanz said. “I asked Phil [the owner] if I could do an open mic one night… I did it about once a month, and then he got bands to come and play. And so, the fun fact is, I started music there.”

After graduation, Sanz’s career took her into the heart of the touring world, working with industry giants like Live Nation and the CMA Awards. She spent years on the road as a production professional for major artists, including Eric Church and George Strait. It was during these high-pressure tours that she noticed an opportunity, as there was no center for the thousands of “gig” workers who make live events possible.

“Sport and live events are becoming increasingly complex and commercialized, and relying on informal hiring practices is no longer sustainable,” Dabbs explained. “Platforms like Giggs help standardize the way talent is sourced, evaluated and deployed, much like analytics transformed player evaluation. When opportunities are only ‘word-of-mouth,’ they limit access and opportunity for highly qualified people who may not ‘know’ the right person.”

Sanz spoke very highly of her senior-year experience in Dabbs’ Event and Venue Management course, where students were tasked with running an event without a ‘how-to’ guide. According to Dabbs, this learning by doing model is intentional.

“The point is to place students in situations where there isn’t a script, because the live event and sport industry rarely provides one,” Dabbs said. “This experiential approach builds professional resilience and shifts students’ mindset to see challenges as opportunities to lead and create solutions. It equips them with the confidence, adaptability and problem-solving skills needed to navigate an industry that is constantly evolving, and to shape it, rather than simply react to it.”

Despite her success in Nashville and her global ambitions for Giggs, Sanz remains rooted in the lessons she learned as a student leader. Her advice for current Phoenix looking to break into the industry is to be open to the different paths the “gig” world offers.

“If you really want to work in sports or concerts, you can move,” she said, encouraging students to explore the various sectors of the industry to find where they fit best.

Reflecting on her own journey from Phoenix to tech founder, Sanz emphasizes that there is no single “right” way to enter the industry.

“The impact that I want this to have on the industry is that there’s a way in, there’s actually a path,” she said.

For Dabbs, Sanz’s trajectory serves as a blueprint for the next generation of sport management students.

“Nikki’s journey shows students that they do not have to accept the industry as it is. They can change it,” Dabbs said. “Her story highlights that leadership is about impact, not title, and that success comes from trusting yourself, building inclusive networks and being willing to act.”

This spirit of leadership earned her a spot among ������Ƶ’s Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award winners. This award celebrates accomplished alumni from the last decade who not only excel in their careers but also actively contribute to their communities and serve as dedicated alumni role models.

Sanz encourages students to use their time at ������Ƶ to explore the size of the field, whether your interest is in concerts, TV or corporate trade shows; the goal is to find a professional community where you can truly thrive.

As she continues to change the traditional hiring process, her mission remains to head in the same direction of inclusivity she felt on her first day at ������Ƶ by ensuring every professional in the live event space has a way to be seen.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online: