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Here's a photo recap of some of the moments that shaped #AUSOC's year. From the classroom to community events, special guests, and activities, this year was filled with learning and unforgettable moments. We hope you enjoyed the year as much as we did ✨

One of the School of Communication’s top opportunities 🌟

The Dean’s Internship Program gives outstanding SOC students the chance to earn professional recognition for their work across media industries. This past fall, Thea Duc (SOC / BA ’25), a Public Relations and Strategic Communications major, received the honor for her work as an event intern at Stratus Firm.

➡️ Interested in launching your career while studying? Stay tuned for more details on the Spring Dean’s Internship application!

For Christina Alemayehu (SOC/MA ‘25), pursuing her online MA in Strategic Communication is about more than just a degree—it’s about living out a purpose-driven life that fuses communication strategy with community and faith.

As a leader in the Global Youth Mission Movement, Christina mentors East African diaspora youth, organizes mission trips to Ethiopia, and builds spaces for spiritual growth. At SOC, she’s found the tools to amplify her impact through strategic storytelling, branding, and advocacy.

📖 From launching campaigns to publishing her first book, Christina is living proof that purpose and profession can work hand-in-hand.

🔗 link in bio to learn more!

#AUSOC #StrategicCommunication #FaithAndLeadership #PurposeDriven #StudentSpotlight #GradSchoolJourney

🥳 Celebrating Student Achievement! 🤩

Big congratulations to Anabelle Sartain, Greer Melville and Fatiha Washington for taking second place in the IPR + Page Case Study Competition for their case study, “Hearts, Minds and Carats: How De Beers Made Diamonds Eternal!" Professor Pallavi Kumar was their Faculty Adviser. 🎉

The IPR + Page Case Study Competition awards students whose original case studies best contribute to the profession’s body of knowledge. This year’s competition drew 47 entries from communications and business schools. The competition not only advances research and practice in the field but also encourages critical thinking, analysis, and discussion among students, helping better explore the real-world impact of corporate case studies.

🥳 Celebrating Student Achievement! 🤩

Big congratulations to Anabelle Sartain, Greer Melville and Fatiha Washington for taking second place in the IPR + Page Case Study Competition for their case study, “Hearts, Minds and Carats: How De Beers Made Diamonds Eternal!" Professor Pallavi Kumar was their Faculty Adviser. 🎉

The IPR + Page Case Study Competition awards students whose original case studies best contribute to the profession’s body of knowledge. This year’s competition drew 47 entries from communications and business schools. The competition not only advances research and practice in the field but also encourages critical thinking, analysis, and discussion among students, helping better explore the real-world impact of corporate case studies.

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

#AUSOC Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko recently traveled to France as part of a group co-sponsored by SOC to the 79th Cannes Film Festival! 🇫🇷

From exploring the coastal town to covering unreleased films as part of an internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity legitimized her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to engage with industry professionals.

Swipe to see highlights from Chinwe’s Cannes journey! ✨

School is out but I was back in the classroom today teaching engaged and brilliant @dowjonesnewsfund students about narrative journalism. Every summer the @ausoc hosts the Dow Jones News Fund Business Reporting Program and college journalists from across the country who attend reporting workshops at @americanuniversity before attending their internships. Kudos to my colleague Paul Albergo for organizing the program.

🎉 Celebrating our amazing faculty! 🎉
University Professor Patricia Aufderheide, an internationally known media scholar and fair use advocate, has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) as a 2026 Documentary Silver Circle Honor Society inductee. 🤩 The Gold & Silver Circle Honor Society recognizes exceptional individuals who have made significant and impactful contributions to the television industry and their respective fields. Inductees to the Silver Circle have performed distinguished service and exhibited inspirational careers for 25 years.

🥳 Huge congratulations to Professor Aufderheide! We are so grateful to have her here at #AUSOC! 👉 Read more at link in bio

@americanu

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

#AUSOC students recently joined Professor Whitney Harris Christopher for the LA Intensive—a unique trip focused on entertainment, including television and film. Through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events, students connected with alumni and industry professionals. Highlights included exploring Warner Bros. Studios, experiencing LA’s vibrant culture, and meeting AU alumni working in the area. What an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! 🎥

Today, #AUSOC is closed for Memorial Day. We honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Looking for a job or internship? In this video, Christine Sincere from SOC Career Advisors @soccareeradvisors shares how their team can help you stand out in your search. Learn how to access personalized support and resources to elevate your career journey! ✨ #AUSOC

You can find more information about the Career Center here:

https://www.american.edu/careercenter/advising-appointments.cfm

🌍 Did you know that at #AUSOC you can study abroad for a semester?

Adan Hernández, a PR major and marketing minor (SOC/BA '27), had the opportunity to study at the American College of Thessaloniki, located in Greece's second-largest city. During his time in Europe, Adan explored Greek culture and history and traveled with new friends to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Georgia, and Estonia. He described the experience as "otherworldly" and hopes pursue a career in strategic communications abroad in the future.

📸 These photos capture highlights from Adan's experience, including visits to Segovia (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Tallinn (Estonia), Kutaisi (Georgia), and a local Greek TV station with his peers.

➡️ Interested in studying abroad while at #AUSOC? You can find more information here:

https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/

🌍 Did you know that at #AUSOC you can study abroad for a semester?

Adan Hernández, a PR major and marketing minor (SOC/BA '27), had the opportunity to study at the American College of Thessaloniki, located in Greece's second-largest city. During his time in Europe, Adan explored Greek culture and history and traveled with new friends to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Georgia, and Estonia. He described the experience as "otherworldly" and hopes pursue a career in strategic communications abroad in the future.

📸 These photos capture highlights from Adan's experience, including visits to Segovia (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Tallinn (Estonia), Kutaisi (Georgia), and a local Greek TV station with his peers.

➡️ Interested in studying abroad while at #AUSOC? You can find more information here:

https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/

🌍 Did you know that at #AUSOC you can study abroad for a semester?

Adan Hernández, a PR major and marketing minor (SOC/BA '27), had the opportunity to study at the American College of Thessaloniki, located in Greece's second-largest city. During his time in Europe, Adan explored Greek culture and history and traveled with new friends to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Georgia, and Estonia. He described the experience as "otherworldly" and hopes pursue a career in strategic communications abroad in the future.

📸 These photos capture highlights from Adan's experience, including visits to Segovia (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Tallinn (Estonia), Kutaisi (Georgia), and a local Greek TV station with his peers.

➡️ Interested in studying abroad while at #AUSOC? You can find more information here:

https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/

🌍 Did you know that at #AUSOC you can study abroad for a semester?

Adan Hernández, a PR major and marketing minor (SOC/BA '27), had the opportunity to study at the American College of Thessaloniki, located in Greece's second-largest city. During his time in Europe, Adan explored Greek culture and history and traveled with new friends to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Georgia, and Estonia. He described the experience as "otherworldly" and hopes pursue a career in strategic communications abroad in the future.

📸 These photos capture highlights from Adan's experience, including visits to Segovia (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Tallinn (Estonia), Kutaisi (Georgia), and a local Greek TV station with his peers.

➡️ Interested in studying abroad while at #AUSOC? You can find more information here:

https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/

🌍 Did you know that at #AUSOC you can study abroad for a semester?

Adan Hernández, a PR major and marketing minor (SOC/BA '27), had the opportunity to study at the American College of Thessaloniki, located in Greece's second-largest city. During his time in Europe, Adan explored Greek culture and history and traveled with new friends to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Georgia, and Estonia. He described the experience as "otherworldly" and hopes pursue a career in strategic communications abroad in the future.

📸 These photos capture highlights from Adan's experience, including visits to Segovia (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Tallinn (Estonia), Kutaisi (Georgia), and a local Greek TV station with his peers.

➡️ Interested in studying abroad while at #AUSOC? You can find more information here:

https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/

SPA Prof. Jeff Gill, along with co-authors Prof. Wendy Melillo (@ausoc) and Prof. Nathalie Japkowicz (@aucollege), wrote about their “Unmasking Antisemitism” project in The Conversation. The project uses artificial intelligence, qualitative analysis and survey experiments to develop studies and tools to detect both overt and coded hate speech online. Learn more: bit.ly/4wAiJ8Q (link in bio)