Award-winning Communication & Journalism faculty represent Auburn at national communication conference
Faculty and students in the Auburn University School of Communication and Journalism were recognized for excellence at the annual National Communication Association (NCA) convention in Denver last fall.
The NCA brings together educators, students and professionals to advance communication scholarship and transform lives through communication. The association recognizes significant contributions to communication research, education and practice with its annual awards.
At the 2025 convention, Assistant Professor Victoria Ledford received the Basic Course Division’s Distinguished Article Award for 2025 for her co-authored article, “Autism stigma in communication classrooms: exploring peer attitudes and motivations toward interacting with atypical students.”
The Public Relations Division PRIDE Committee selected Professor Brigitta Brunner as the recipient of their 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Public Relations Education Award.
The Public Relations Division also recognized Assistant Professor Brandi Watkins’ co-edited book, “Digital Public Relations and Marketing Communication Trends in Africa,” with the PRIDE Award for Outstanding Book.
Assistant Professor Fawad Shah and communication graduate student Natalia Malinowski’s paper, titled “‛I feel disgusted’”: Experiences of Moral Injury and its Impact on the Well-being of Conflict Journalists,” was selected for the top paper panel of the Mass Communication Division.
“Our faculty and graduate students are dedicated to engaging in research that is innovative, competitive and impactful,” said School of Communication and Journalism Director Debra Worthington. “These recognitions and awards are an acknowledgment, at the national level, of their outstanding contributions to the field of communication.”
In addition to receiving awards, several faculty and students also presented their research at the 2025 NCA convention.
Professor Mike Milford presented his co-authored paper, “Parent attitudes toward youth sport coach communication: A 30-year comparison of parent priorities, achievement goals, and expectations.”
Graduate student Esther Kim presented, “The Impact of Leadership Communication on Employee Mental Health: Exploring the Role of Problem-Focused and Emotion-Focused Coping Mechanisms.”
Associate Professor Elizabeth Larson presented on her co-authored research, “SPARK Together for Transformation: Elevating Engaged Learning to Address College Hunger.”
Graduate student Hannah Grace Wilkinson introduced her research in progress, “Elevating Unheard Voices: A Qualitative Investigation into How Autistic Women Communicate Their Needs.”
Senior Lecturer Terri Knight presented on the panel, “Ready to Rise: How Student-Run PR Agencies Elevate Voices, Launch Careers, and Shape the Future.”
Assistant Professor Samantha James presented her solo-authored work, “Viscous Organizing: Visibility and Liquidity in K-pop Fan Participatory Culture.”
Learn more about the School of Communication & Journalism.
Tags: Faculty Communication and Journalism
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