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University of Florida

Profiles

CJC Doctoral Student Explores Black Faculty, Staff and Student Experiences at UF

Monday April 26, 2021

Exposed to various cultures at a small, diverse performing arts high school in Atlanta, Yewande O. Addie decided to continue on a path of multiculturalism to learn more about herself -- and use storytelling and research to affect changes in society.

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UF Teacher of the Year Embraces Hands-On Learning to Guide Students to Award-Winning Success

Friday April 23, 2021

CJC alumnus Harrison Hove spent years working as a television meteorologist when he felt compelled to teach, a calling to “give back.” Fortunately for hundreds of CJC student journalists, that yearning led him back to Gainesville.

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Public Relations Helps First-Generation Student Advocate for Mental Health and Inclusion

Wednesday April 21, 2021

Isaiah Arias overcame the passing of his mother in the third grade, tending to his aunt with Down syndrome and calling various Miami motels home throughout middle school to become a passionate student with big dreams.

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Public Relations Senior Defines Leadership and Embraces Change

Wednesday April 21, 2021

Increasing engagement and building community define Carolyn Lok’s time as president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Tireless and focused define Lok, B.S. Public Relations 2021, the first PRSSA president to be elected virtually, the Communication Department’s social media guru and an Operations Manager at The Agency.

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Rita Men Explores the Use of AI-Driven Chatbots for Public Relations

Wednesday April 21, 2021

Building upon her background in corporate communication research, Public Relations Associate Professor Rita Men went into high gear during the pandemic to study effective communications from CEOs as well as chatbots used for social listening.

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West Point Grad Pursues Ph.D. at CJC “To Keep Contributing in a Meaningful Way”

Friday April 9, 2021

After growing up in Tucson, Arizona and marrying a Florida State University graduate, Lt. Col. Marc Vielledent never thought he would call himself a Florida Gator. Now he's pursuing its highest degree.

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Profile: CJC’s First Black Ph.D. Graduate and Diversity Trailblazer Retiring after 42 Years in Higher Education

Wednesday April 7, 2021

Clarence Thomas, the first Black person to graduate with a doctorate from the UF College of Journalism and Communications, is retiring from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) after more than 20 years, knowing his legacy will be his advocacy for diversity, inclusion and equity for those around him.

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UF Alumna Stages “Noisy Comeback” After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Thursday April 1, 2021

Fitz Koehler was enjoying a career as a professional race announcer and running her own fitness empire, Fitzness International, when her world was turned upside down. Seven weeks after a clean mammogram in December 2018, she found a lump in her breast.

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PR Major Overcomes Life-Threatening Diseases to Fulfill Her Dream at UF

Wednesday March 17, 2021

Catalina Santana: “I wanted to be healthy so that I could do everything I wanted to do in life. When you don’t have to worry about your health, you can do so much.”

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Journalism Alum Sees Critical Need for Youth Involvement in Politics

Tuesday March 16, 2021

Jake Best started his political life while at CJC and, at 24, was named press secretary for John Ossoff, the newly elected U.S. Senator from Georgia.

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“Evil Reporter Chick” Moni Basu Infiltrates Students’ Hearts and Minds to Become UF Teacher of the Year

Monday March 8, 2021

Moni Basu began her career as a journalist in Tallahassee and has been reporting and editing for 37 years. She’s worked for CNN and major newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and has reported on presidential elections, the 9/11 attacks, hurricanes, earthquakes and war.

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First-Generation Alumna Reaches Higher to Make Her Mark at CJC

Thursday February 11, 2021

Cindy Jara was only 10 years old when she first walked onto the campus of the University of Florida. The bright-eyed 5th-grader gaped at the tall buildings and tried out the twin bed in her sister Diana’s dorm room, eagerly taking in every detail. “We …