American University School of Communication

Film & Media Arts student Chinwe Okonwko shared more photos from her recent trip 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 during her internship, Chinwe gained hands-on experience evaluating style, quality, and audience potential for film companies. This opportunity deepened her understanding of film acquisitions and distribution while allowing her to connect with industry professionals.

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

A few weeks ago, hosted its third Dow Jones News Fund Training program, helping prepare students from around the country for business journalism internships this summer. Over 8 days, students participated in a mix of in-class training and experiential work taking advantage of AU’s location in D.C. like a tour of the U.S. Capitol, visits to the The Wall Street Journal DC Bureau and National Press Club 📰✍️
SOC faculty shared their expertise, including Kristin Harke, Leena Jayaswal, Lynne Perri, Aarushi Sahejpal, Adam Schank, Margot Susca, and Sherri Williams.

For more information about the program visit: https://www.dowjonesnewsfund.org/news/djnf-announces-2026-interns/

📸 Photos by Ryan Barna

When Kennedy Morgan arrived at AU, she knew she was interested in politics. Through the School of Communication, she discovered how to turn that passion into purpose.

As a broadcast journalism and political science double major, Kennedy built a career path centered on public service. At her her internship at FOX 5 DC, where Morgan said she learned the importance of pitching stories that mattered to her. "You cannot sit and wait for somebody to give you something to do. If you want to do something, you can just do it," she said.

On campus, Morgan continued to merge her interests in production and politics through the Kennedy Political Union, where she served as head of production and helped run and stream events. As a freshman, she worked on an SOC event featuring Kaitlan Collins and Kristen Welker, an experience that made the field feel tangible.

“Kristen Welker started out at one of my dream stations, NBC10 in Philly,” she said, recalling helping run that event as a moment she could truly see herself in the industry.

Outside of academics, AU in Motion, the university’s student-run dance club, offered a creative outlet and grounding space. Over 4 years, she choreographed and performed in the club’s semester showcases and even choreographed an opening performance for Tinashe alongside Adela Camposano at AU’s fall concert through the Kogod School of Business.

Congratulations, Kennedy! 🎓👏

📣 Attn incoming Eagles!! Get excited about courses that get you out of the classroom! 😎

🐄 🐂 Throwback to last fall when professor Sarah Menke-Fish and her COMM-105 Visual Literacy students spent the day at Airlie Farm in Warrenton, VA. From getting up close with the animals to capturing the grounds through their lenses, students are gaining hands-on experience in storytelling and will use their photos to help Airlie share its rich history in new ways.

(Photos by Lauren Gersten) Airlie American University

🤩 Congratulations to Elle McClary, SOC/BA '26, on being named the 2026 SOC Student-Scholar of the Year! ⚽

Elle, who graduated in May magna cm laude with a degree in PR & Strategic Communication, was a 2025 Dean's Intern and her capstone campaign team, Glass Box, was recognized by an independent panel of judges for producing the best capstone campaign project of the Spring 2026 semester. Elle also completed the Boston Marathon this year - read more: https://ow.ly/llLm50Z9zFF

🥳 Congratulations to Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer Pallavi Kumar on being named to PRovoke Media's Innovator 25 Americas 2026! The list recognizes individuals who are challenging conventions, embracing emerging technologies and finding new ways to deliver business impact in an increasingly complex communications landscape. 🎉

Kumar was selected for her work spearheading and leading SOC3, an integrated student agency at that has worked with multiple (paying) clients including The Home Depot, ALDI, Expedia, Nestle and IHG Resorts, providing students with real-world experience of agency life. She is honored that the nomination for this recognition came from her students in the seventh SOC3 cohort.

Swipe to see Kumar and the eighth SOC3 cohort in action! Photos include special guest speaker Chris Bravacos, president and CEO of Bravo Group; a networking event; pop-ups students have created under her leadership, and the final presentation for Chai Pani Restaurant Group for Tenleytown's upcoming Botiwalla location!

American University
American University Young Alumni Chapter: DC

📣 Attn: Major recognition for SOC photography student Ben Ackman! 📣

The Alexia Sports Grant sponsored by the Sports Media Center at Newhouse/Syracuse University has been awarded to photography student Ben Ackman for his project “Only the Finest Raise Pigeons” focusing on a subculture of pigeon fanciers in New York City. 🐦

🤩 Ben is continuing his work on this series through the AU Summer Scholars program!

The Alexia
American University

🥳 Celebrating Student Achievement! 🤩

Big contgratulations 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!" 🎉

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 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 ! Read more: https://ow.ly/LpCV50Z4pyT