2026 Public Interest Communications Summer Institute Photo Gallery
University of Florida graduate students Thu “Panda” Dang, Goodness Godwin-Usoro and Samuel Arowsafe volunteer at the welcome reception check-in table.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees reunite at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Spiro Kiousis, associate dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC); Jessica Osegueda, UFCJC’s executive events director; and Hub Brown, UFCJC dean, at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees chat at the institute’s welcome reception.
Attendees gather before the opening session of the summer institute.
Attendees at the opening session of the summer institute.
Angela Bradbery, Karel chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications and director of the Public Interest Communications Summer Institute, speaks to institute attendees.
Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, welcomes summer institute attendees.
Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, welcomes summer institute attendees.
Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, speaks during the opening session of the institute.
Kevin Hardges, a Wayne State University PhD student, speaks during the opening session of the institute.
Jordan Carrier, an indigenous person (Piapot First Nation) and director of Special Populations at Castlemain, speaks during the opening session of the institute. Standing beside her is Natasha McKenzie, an indigenous person (Cree Métis) and vice president of social change and advocacy communications with ChangeMakers.
Amanda Mollindo, communications director at the ACLU of Arizona, talks with Aaron Zeiler, director of strategic communications for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine at Stony Brook University, during the institute’s opening session.
Erin Hart, founder of Hart Strategies, and Aaron Zeiler, director of strategic communications for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine at Stony Brook University, lead a workshop on public interest communications frameworks.
Workshop attendees listen to speakers.
Erin Hart, founder of Hart Strategies, speaks about public interest communications frameworks while Aaron Zeiler, director of strategic communications for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine at Stony Brook University, listens.
Suleiman Amanzad, an Afghan refugee who now is director of strategic communications at Oregon Food Bank, presents during a workshop about narratives around migration.
Workshop attendees listen.
Workshop attendees listen.
An institute attendee speaks during a workshop.
Erin Hart, founder of Hart Strategies, speaks about public interest communications frameworks while Aaron Zeiler, director of strategic communications for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine at Stony Brook University, listens.
Workshop attendees listen.
An institute attendee speaks during a workshop.
An institute attendee speaks during a workshop.
Alvaro Huerta, professor of urban and regional planning and ethnic and women’s studies at Cal Poly Pomona, moderates a workshop about narratives around migration.
An institute attendee speaks during a workshop.
Alvaro Huerta, professor of urban and regional planning and ethnic and women’s studies at Cal Poly Pomona; Gordon Mayer, founder of Gordon Mayer Communications; and Suleiman Amanzad, an Afghan refugee who now is director of strategic communications at Oregon Food Bank, stand together after leading a workshop on narratives around migration.
Erin Hart, founder of Hart Strategies, and Aaron Zeiler, director of strategic communications for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and the Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine at Stony Brook University, after leading a workshop on public interest communications frameworks.
A grad student presents her research to peers and faculty.
A grad student presents her research to peers and faculty.
Edith Asibey, principal or Asibey Consulting, presents during a workshop about polarization.
Edith Asibey, principal or Asibey Consulting, presents during a workshop about polarization. Session co-leader Gina Baleria, assistant professor of Journalism, Media Writing, Radio & Podcasting, and Digital Media at Sonoma State University, is at the computer.
Workshop attendees listen to speakers.
Jordan Carrier, an indigenous person (Piapot First Nation) and director of Special Populations at Castlemain, presents during a workshop on belonging from an indigenous person’s point of view.
A grad student presents research to peers and faculty.
Attendees listen as a grad student presents research.
A grad student speaks during a research session.
A grad student speaks during a research session.
A grad student speaks during a research session.
A grad student speaks during a research session.
A grad student speaks during a research session.
An attendee during a research session.
Attendees speak during a research session.
Attendees speak during a research session.
Attendees speak during a research session.
Benjamin Johnson, director of the STEM Translational Communication Center and an associate professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, advises students during the research session.
Attendees participate in a workshop.
Natasha McKenzie, an indigenous person (Cree Métis) and vice president of social change and advocacy communications with ChangeMakers, co-leads a workshop on belonging from an indigenous person’s point of view.
Grad students participate in a conversation about research.
Grad students and faculty participate in a conversation about research.
Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications (CJC), and Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, listen to a question from Natalie Tindall, professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations and the program director for the Communication & Leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin.
A lunchtime Q&A with Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, and Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Leading the session is Natalie Tindall, professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations and the program director for the Communication & Leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, speaks during a lunchtime Q&A with the deans. Also on the dais are Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Natalie Tindall, professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations and the program director for the Communication & Leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, speaks during a lunchtime Q&A with the deans. Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, and Natalie Tindall, professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations and the program director for the Communication & Leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin, listen.
An institute attendee asks a question during the lunchtime Q&A with the deans.
Hub Brown, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications; Battinto Batts, dean of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Natalie Tindall, professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations and the program director for the Communication & Leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin, during a lunchtime Q&A with the deans.
seph Jaafari, editor in chief and founder of LOOKOUT, and Chelsea Reynolds, founding director of the Center for Media & Communities at the ASU California Center, lead a workshop on inclusive journalism.
Workshop leaders Ehsan Zaffar, an educator, civil rights lawyer and founder of The Difference Engine, an ASU Center on the Future of Equality; Lauri Hennessey, a University of Washington professor who teaches public interest communications; Amanda Kehrberg, a Ph.D. student in Mass Communication at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School; and Nader Dagher, an assistant professor of Professional Communication at Austin Peay State University, lead a session on restoring trust in higher education.
Jovan Osborne, creative arts administrator and Program Coordinator for the EXCEL Lab at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, co-leads a workshop on mentorship as a form of belonging.
Ashley Powell , a Florida State University graduate with a B.S. in Psychology and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and artist, scholar and storyteller Chris Omni listen during a session on mentorship as a form of belonging that they co-led.
Jovan Osborne, creative arts administrator and Program Coordinator for the EXCEL Lab at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, co-leads a workshop on mentorship as a form of belonging.
An attendee speaks during a session.
Artist, scholar and storyteller Chris Omni leads a session on mentorship as a form of belonging.
Attendees focus their attention outside during a session on mindfulness.
Piper Hendricks, CEO of Stories Change Power, co-leads a session on mindfulness.
Joshua Garland, associate research professor and director of the Center on Information and Narrative Complexity at Arizona State University, presents information about recognizing disinformation and building counternarratives. Presenting with him is Peggy Jean-Alli, a research analyst at ASU’s Advanced Capabilities National Security Institute within the Center on Information and Narrative Complexity.
Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, leads a session on bridging.
Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, leads a session on bridging.
Workshop attendees listen.
Attendees listen during a session.
Artist, scholar and storyteller Chris Omni speaks during a session on mindfulness.
Dean Batson, faculty member at Arizona State University and an adjunct instructor at Phoenix College and Southern Oregon University, co-leads a session on perspectives and persuasion.
Ruth DeFoster, assistant Professor at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota; Gregg Leslie, professor of practice and the executive director of the First Amendment Clinic at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law; and Gina Baleria, assistant professor of Journalism, Media Writing, Radio & Podcasting, and Digital Media at Sonoma State University; lead a workshop on the future of the First Amendment.
Attendees listen during a session.
Dean Batson, faculty member at Arizona State University and an adjunct instructor at Phoenix College and Southern Oregon University; and Harry Singh, a professor at Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University West; lead a session on perspectives and persuasion.
Dean Batson, faculty member at Arizona State University and an adjunct instructor at Phoenix College and Southern Oregon University; and Harry Singh, a professor at Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University West; after their session on perspectives and persuasion.
Spiro Kiousis, associate dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, explains to grad students how to turn an idea into a publishable journal article.
Nick Weller, assistant research professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University, co-leads a session on the participatory decision-making process when engaging communities on science and technology.
Attendees listen during a workshop.
Spiro Kiousis, associate dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, explains to grad students how to turn an idea into a publishable journal article. Listening to him is session co-leader Benjamin Johnson, director of the STEM Translational Communication Center and an associate professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
Jennifer Richter, associate professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University, co-leads a session on the participatory decision-making process when engaging communities on science and technology as session co-leader Nick Weller, assistant research professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University, listens.
Attendees listen.
Jennifer Richter, associate professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University, and Nick Weller, assistant research professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University, after their session on the participatory decision-making process when engaging communities on science and technology.
Spiro Kiousis, associate dean of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, with Nader Dagher, an assistant professor of Professional Communication at Austin Peay State University.
Samuel Arowsafe, Angela Bradbery, Spiro Kiousis, Nader Dagher, Yara Acaf and Thu “Panda” Dang.
Wayne State University grad students Fariba Pajooh and Kevin Hardges at the institute.
Summer institute attendees listen during a session.
Summer institute attendees listen during a session.
Summer institute attendees during a session.
Summer institute attendees during a session.
Jennifer Richter, associate professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University, co-leads a session on the participatory decision-making process when engaging communities on science and technology as session co-leader Nick Weller, assistant research professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University, listens.
Angela Bradbery, Karel chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications and director of the Public Interest Communications Summer Institute, and Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley; talk during the institute.
Closing session speakers (from left to right): Angela Bradbery, Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley; Kevin Hardges, PhD student at Wayne State University; Fariba Pajooh, PhD student at Wayne State University; and Natasha McKenzie, an indigenous person (Cree Métis) and vice president of social change and advocacy communications with ChangeMakers.
An attendee speaks during the closing session.
Closing session speakers (from left to right): Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley; Kevin Hardges, PhD student at Wayne State University; Fariba Pajooh, PhD student at Wayne State University; and Natasha McKenzie, an indigenous person (Cree Métis) and vice president of social change and advocacy communications with ChangeMakers.
An attendee speaks during the closing session.
Angela Bradbery, Karel chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications and director of the Public Interest Communications Summer Institute, speaks during the closing session of the institute. Next to her are (from left to right): Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley; Kevin Hardges, PhD student at Wayne State University; Fariba Pajooh, PhD student at Wayne State University; and Natasha McKenzie, an indigenous person (Cree Métis) and vice president of social change and advocacy communications with ChangeMakers.
Summer institute attendees listen to the closing session.