NSCM held its annual Year-End-Celebration last month, recognizing the achievements of its staff, faculty and students as well as celebrating the end of another school year. The event served as a joyful reflection on the dedication, service, and scholarly excellence that define the NSCM community.
- NSCM Outstanding Staff Member Award: dedication and contributions that enhance the school’s mission and workplace environment – Debbie Doyle
- NSCM Outstanding Teaching Award: excellence in pedagogy, student engagement, and commitment to fostering academic growth and learning outcomes – Lindsay Huddock
- NSCM Outstanding Service Award: dedicated service to the school and a strong commitment to improving impact on education or the field – Lisa Mills
- NSCM Outstanding Creative Activity Award: originality, creativity, and contributions to artistic or intellectual endeavors that enrich our school’s academic and cultural environment – Rick Brunson
- NSCM Outstanding Research Award: innovative research, scholarly excellence, and advancements in knowledge within their field of expertise – Patric Spence
- Graduate Student Outstanding Research: Alex Colon (Strategic Communication, PhD)
- Graduate Student Teaching and Service (PhD): Xin Sheng (Strategic Communication, PhD)
- Graduate Student Creative Activity: Tolulope Ogunrine (MFA Film)
- Graduate Student Creative Activity: Mario Villavicencio (MFA Film)
The night also celebrated special career milestones. Georg Koszulinski was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor with tenure, a testament to his dedication and contributions to the school and its students.
Dr. Jihyun Kim was named NSCM Outstanding Educator of the Year and celebrated her promotion from Associate Professor to Full Professor. The Outstanding Educator of the Year Award was created by the NSCM Advisory Board to recognize faculty with exceptional records in two of the three areas constituting faculty obligation: teaching, research, and service, voted on by the Advisory Board Recognition Committee, comprised of Industry Professionals. Sean Perry, Head of the Advisory Board expressed, “I personally had the privilege of presenting the Educator of the Year Award, congratulating our highly acclaimed Dr. Jihyun Kim, on her newly announced Professor status, and adding Educator of the Year to her many accolades she has acquired since arriving at Nicholson in 2020.”
Adding to the excitement, Heather Fagan was inducted into the NSCM Hall of Fame, recognizing her lasting impact and distinguished career achievements. In 2000, the Nicholson School of Communication and Media Hall of Fame was created to celebrate the career accomplishments of our alumni and their contributions to the school and university. Since then, we have inducted over 37 awardees, which have included entrepreneurs, news anchors, journalists, politicians, faculty, corporate executives, and some of Central Florida’s best public relations practitioners. Perry states that, “2025 Hall of Fame Inductee Heather Fagan, who in her nearly two decades with the City of Orlando and presently acting Chief of Staff for Mayor Buddy Dyer, has exemplified the leadership, commitment and compassion for the community, making her a standout among the many amazing Knights who grace the walls of our school.”
Dr. Nan Yu and Dr. Will Kinnally at the front of the stage presenting the awards.
Heather Fagan on stage giving a speech about her induction into the NSCM Hall of Fame.
Sean Perry on stage preparing to announce the Educator of the Year.
The Year-End-Celebration was a vibrant reminder of the talent, hard work, and passion that define the NSCM community. Congratulations to all the honorees and to the entire school for a year filled with innovation, collaboration, and success! We extend a special thank you to the members of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media Advisory Board who were proud to support the Faculty Awards and Year-End-Celebration once again this year, and aXis Productions & Events for their Audio/Visual support and sponsorship of the program.
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on May 1, 2025.
If you have any news, accomplishments or highlights about your work or life, please be sure to share them with us, by emailing us at NicholsonNews@ucf.edu.