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Rachel Winter, director of the master’s in strategic communication program at Rollins, welcomed participants and introduced esteemed scholar Patrice Buzzanell from University of South Florida to share some of her research related to the conference theme: Communication and Resilience. After a full day of research presentations and workshops, Rollins faculty and students were recognized for their achievements.

Two professors from the communication department received prestigious awards. Tanja Vierrether was awarded Teacher of the Year for her commitment to exploring new technologies and tools and incorporating current events and popular culture into her classes. Her colleagues and students described her dedication to students and innovative pedagogy in their nomination letters. David Painter received the Outstanding Service Award for his visionary leadership in pedagogical development, commitment to teaching community engagement classes, and work as current editor of the Florida Communication Journal.

Several students were also recognized for their scholarship:

• Environmental studies major Michelle Polo ’26 received the Best Overall Poster award for her poster titled, “From Brooks to Rivers: Building Community Resilience Within Florida's Watershed Through Addressing Gaps in Science Communication,” which demonstrates excellence across all aspects of research, design, and presentation.
• Sarah Briscoe ’26, a self-designed dance sociology major, received the award for Best Oral Presentation for her research titled, “Beyond Boundaries: Social Integration and Well-Being in an Inclusive Dance Studio.” This award acknowledges the student who described their research with clarity, confidence, and audience engagement.
• Psychology major and communication studies minor Brynn Pietrowski ’26 was awarded the Most Rigorous Methodology award for her project titled, “‘Suck it Up’: How Parents (Dis)Enfranchise Their Chronically Ill Children,” which demonstrates a thorough, well-articulated research design aligned with project goals.
• Kylie Smith ’25 ’26MSC was awarded the Audience Favorite Award for her project titled, “Political Expression in the Classroom: Perceived Ideologies and Student Self-Censorship.” This award celebrates a project that stands out for originality, insight, and overall impact.

The FCA aims to coordinate the efforts of teachers, students, and others interested in advancing the communication arts and sciences in the state of Florida. Since 1930, the annual FCA Convention has invited communication scholars, students, and practitioners from Florida and beyond to present their work and engage in meaningful dialogue.

The FCA is grateful for the support of Rollins’ Master of Arts in Strategic Communication program, the VIP Sponsor for the 2025 conference.

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• Communication Studies