The University of Akron School of Communication

Congrats Zips! Spotted a few of our grads in here. So proud of you all! 🎓💙💛

And last, but certainly not least, our Assistant Director, Adviser, Professor of Instruction, Unit Morale Builder and Party Planner, and much more, McKenna Vietmeier (), or “Professor V,” as she’s known by her students. She received The University of Akron () Achievement Award for Supporting the Student Experience, which is the perfect honor to capture all she does for the students. The best way to sum it up is to hear from one of her student nominators:

“What truly sets Professor Vietmeier apart is her unwavering commitment to student success outside of the classroom. She has personally helped me with my academic schedule, assisted me in getting courses swapped when issues came, and took the time to teach me how to read and maximize Stellic so I could confidently track my progress and make informed decisions about my degree. These efforts reflect her genuine investment in her students academic and personal growth.

Equally meaningful is the encouragement and kindness Professor Vietmeier consistently offers. She never hesitates to offer words of support and reassurance, reminding students that their achievements matter. One moment that has stayed with me was when she reminded me that earning my associate degree was just as significant and worthy of celebration as earning a bachelor’s degree. That validation meant more than she may realize and gave me the confidence and motivation to continue pursuing my education.”

Thank you Professor V, for supporting each and every student you work with, which often includes all of the hundreds of Communication majors in our undergraduate program. Congratulations!

A student favorite, it was no surprise to hear that Professor Rossitza Renna, Senior Lecturer, announced as the winner of the University of Akron () Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member Award. One student praised her instructional design acumen, her enthusiasm and her welcoming personality, and credits her with inspiring their interest in experiencing new cultures. Congratulations Professor Renna!

Next up we celebrate Dr. Andrea Meluch (), Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator, who received the University of Akron Achievement Award for Outstanding Researcher (early career achievement). As you will learn in the award presentation, she has published more than 20 peer reviewed articles, received competitive funding, and serves as journal editor for the . Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

First up, our fearless leader .amber.ferris Dr. Ferris, who received The 25-26 University of Akron Outstanding Community Engagement Award. One of the earliest champions of the , Dr. Ferris has engaged her students with community organizations over the long term. Her work with these orgs has included everything from data-based research projects to others with a social media focus. She has also led an [un]class and served on the faculty steering committee. Former President, she has been active in her scholarly community locally and across the country as well. Congratulations to Dr. Amber Ferris on this well-deserved award!