Sports was his early passion, but “soon after I became obsessed with social media,” Paulucci says. The fusion of sports and social media led him in 2018 to create Athletic Minds, an NCAA athlete representation company, while still a 16-year-old high school junior. 

“It started as a motivational sports page where I posted two to three times per day with quotes or images I thought were inspiring,” he says. “The ability to grow a social media following, and eventually an audience that would later buy merchandise, was something I realized I could control.” Paulucci was hooked. 

With Athletic Minds Representation, he knew he had what it takes to succeed in a competitive industry while doing what he loved. “I knew I had found the industry in which I wanted to build a career,” Paulucci says.

Entrepreneurship and Academics: Building a Foundation

Since founding Athletic Minds Representation, Paulucci has launched Believed Labs, a social media marketing agency, launched a podcast, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication from Rutgers University, and is currently enrolled in the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications online Master of Arts in Social Media Management program. 

Chasing a passion means learning every aspect of it that you can. “I wanted to take my practical business experience and back it with advanced academic knowledge,” Paulucci says. 

For Paulucci, the University of Florida was a logical choice. “The MA in Social Media Management gave me a chance to strengthen my strategy, analytics, and leadership skills. A lot of graduate programs treat social media as an add-on to traditional marketing, but UF treats it as its own discipline,” he says. 

This focused specialization, combined with a strong communication program and respected faculty, was a “huge differentiator” in his decision to pursue his academic goals at the University of Florida. 

“Whether it’s structuring influencer campaigns for clients at Believed Labs, refining athlete brand strategies with Athletic Minds, or presenting reports that translate data into actionable strategy, I’ve gained a deeper expertise in audience analytics, campaign measurement, leadership, and digital storytelling,” explains Paulucci. 

“The program is both academic and practical. It’s rooted in theory and research, but everything connects to real-world applications. I’ve been able to immediately apply what I’ve learned to client campaigns, brand strategies, and even contract negotiations,” he says, adding that “I use what I learn in the program daily.”  

Motivation and Ambition

His entrepreneurial drive and academic commitment reflect his dedication to the art and science of audience engagement, brand-building, and social media leadership. 

“What keeps me motivated is setting and achieving goals,” says Paulucci. “I absolutely love what I do, which is building and creating brands and businesses. I enjoy watching my creative ideas turn into successful campaigns and partnerships.”

Motivation and ambition lead to results. For example, Paulucci launched Believed Labs in October of 2024. “By the end of the year, we had signed six clients, with five currently still active on retainer,” he says. “That translated to about a 70% profit margin.” 

Believed Labs’ success enabled Paulucci to build a talented team of contractors. “We’ve already successfully upsold services to clients, expanded influencer campaigns, and delivered measurable growth across social platforms.” 

Adapt, Connect, Deliver 

For Paulucci, the world of digital marketing presents limitless opportunities to listen, adapt, and learn. “Every campaign is different, and every brand has unique goals, and every result brings a new outcome,” he says. “Strategy and execution matter equally.”

Paulucci cut his teeth working with big brands including Tripadvisor, Afterpay USA, and Spartan Races. “These companies have high expectations, and every campaign has to be grounded in data, creativity, and brand alignment. I learned to build campaigns that look good and perform against measurable goals, such as engagement growth, website traffic, and conversions.”

“I thrive under the pressure of meeting client needs and knowing that results directly reflect the effort put in,” Paulucci says. “Each brand has unique audiences and goals, and the ability to shift strategies while keeping results top-tier has been one of my biggest takeaways.”

The reward is the satisfaction of learning something new, solving problems, and going above and beyond what was thought possible. “One of the best feelings is seeing the reactions of clients and partners when we not only meet expectations but exceed them, bringing ideas they once thought were impossible to life,” Paulucci says.

A Focus on Building Communities and Connections

When he is not building communities and exceeding client expectations, Paulucci enjoys fishing, spending time outdoors, and, of course, following sports. “I’m also big into sports card collecting,” he says. “I love spending time with the people I care about the most and traveling. I value experiences a lot and making memories that’ll last forever.” 

There is a direct through line between his personal and professional life. “Those hobbies tie back to what I do professionally,” Paulucci says. “It’s always been about sports, community, and connection. 

Just Do It

The thread through all this for Paulucci is community building. “Whether through social media, entrepreneurship, or sports, I’ve been focused on creating platforms where people connect, grow, and share experiences. That’s at the heart of everything I do.”

His advice for prospective social marketing and brand-building entrepreneurs is simple: start. “That doesn’t mean you need to launch today, tomorrow, or even this year, but commit to the idea and keep moving toward it,” he says. “I’ve been in the social media marketing game since 2018, and creating my own social media agency was always the goal. Back then, I didn’t know anything. What I needed most was experience. Learning how people think, working inside different agencies, and seeing both the good and the bad. All of that shaped how I run my own business now.”

Circling back to the commitment he made to himself when he was younger, Paulucci offers perhaps his more profound bit of advice: “Build something you actually love, take care of the people you work with, and block out the outside noise. It takes time, but if you keep showing up for yourself, you’ll get there.”

The University of Florida School of Journalism and Communications built the Master of Arts in Social Media Management for dedicated, motivated, and passionate people like Charles Paulucci. 

We look forward to seeing what he will do next.

The post Charles Paulucci: Passion, Motivation, and Education appeared first on UF CJC Online Master's.

As a kid, Amy Pavuk-Gentry imagined herself in a newsroom, an intrepid reporter chasing down the latest stories. Every day, something new to find out, another story to tell. 

For her, journalism encapsulated everything she loves: curiosity, discovery, creativity, and writing. It was an opportunity to seek justice and give voice to the voiceless. 

What a child imagined became real. After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2002, Pavuk-Gentry spent more than a dozen years in journalism. 

Evolution: The Next Chapter

In 2015, Pavuk-Gentry launched the next phase of her communications career, moving to Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, where she now serves as executive director of corporate communications in the Central Florida Division. The job offers much of what attracted her to journalism.

“There’s always something new to learn,” she says. “ The role requires impactful writing, creativity, and analytical thinking as we support the organization, share the remarkable stories of our mission, and engage with the community.”

As a senior communications professional in a large complex organization, Pavuk-Gentry understands the responsibilities and demands of leadership. “The communications industry is evolving at such a rapid pace,” she says. “To be on the forefront of innovative practices, I felt I needed the boost of a graduate degree, which would provide the rigor and emerging best practices.” 

She chose to enroll in the online Public Interest Communications program at the University of Florida School of Journalism and Communications. 

As with many working professionals, the online program’s flexibility offered huge advantages to Pavuk-Gentry. The Public Interest Communications curriculum combined advocacy, marketing, journalism, and behavioral science communications, an area new to her. 

“The introductory PIC courses that dive into behavior science, why traditional awareness campaigns fail, and the information deficit model were eye-opening,” Pavuk-Gentry notes. Graduate-level elective tracks enabled her to target specific topics and courses, allowing her to become a better practitioner and leader.

She cites one significant “aha” moment while studying the foundational principles of the six spheres of influence. 

“It laid the stage for the entire PIC program and practice,” she says. “Even in organizations where there’s high collaboration between the communications, marketing, and advocacy departments, viewing the work through the lens of a fully integrated campaign that harnesses the power and best practices from each area, along with the other three spheres, was enlightening.” 

Transforming Theory into Practice

As with journalism, healthcare communication addresses diverse communities, each tuned to its own technical, cultural, and generational messaging nuances. How messages are targeted, created, and conveyed can change lives.   

Pavuk-Gentry cites a direct line from her graduate studies to her work at AdventHealth. She describes how her studies in the PIC program inspired a change in her approach to internal communications at AdventHealth. 

The news releases her team produces are written by a team comprised largely of former reporters for current reporters. However, the language, tone, nuance, and delivery that work in a journalistic setting often didn’t resonate with large segments of AdventHealth’s 34,000-strong workforce. 

“We know that ‘everyone’ is not an audience,” she says, “so that also means that ‘all employees’ are not an audience. In the past, we tended to parrot that language in other vehicles designed for other audiences, such as our internal comms vehicles for our predominantly Gen Z and Millennial workforce,” Pavuk-Gentry recalls. “When I started to evaluate our vehicles based on the target audience, I realized we weren’t speaking the same language, tapping into their values, behaviors, or their content-consumption preferences.”

She and her team redesigned their internal communications strategy, expanding on traditional demographics to consider “psychographics, interests, attitudes, and values in message creation, vehicle designs, and messenger selection,” she explains. 

By putting theory into practice, Pavuk-Gentry and her team created messaging designed to reach its audience where they lived, in a style and tone they understood. 

The results validated the academic principles she’d learned, creating measurable improvements in employee engagement. 

“We’ve seen wins with this strategy,” Pavuk-Gentry says. “It’s been a great correlation between academia and my professional application.” 

Healthcare, Communication, and a Philosophy of Purpose

Pavuk-Gentry’s philosophy of community service is reflected in her approach to healthcare communications. She recognizes that human health and well-being intersect with virtually every social issue.

“Housing is health care if you’re homeless,” she says. “Workforce development can enhance your health and access to healthcare. The climate impacts our physical health. Spiritual beliefs and faith can impact health.”

Her compassion, empathy, and professional expertise reflect her philosophy of purpose and understanding that communication is the lifeblood of any complex human endeavor. Pavuk-Gentry sees limitless opportunities for her team to impact health through announcing groundbreaking medical treatments, inspiring employees to become better caregivers, recruiting future workers, or helping executives communicate complex topics.

BBQ, Hiking, and Tucker

Amy Pavuk-Gentry graduated with her Master of Arts in Mass Communication-Public Interest Communication in August 2025. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, she remains a devoted Steelers and Pirates fan. She (half) jokes that grad school has been her hobby for the past three and a half years. But hiking the Appalachian Trail, one section at a time, is seriously a hobby. To celebrate her graduation, she plans to hike a section in West Virginia with her husband, Chris Gentry, an award-winning pitmaster and catering business owner. The couple shares life with their “wild and adorable goldendoodle,” Tucker. 

Her story resonates particularly for communications professionals considering graduate education later in their careers. Pavuk-Gentry proves that advanced degrees aren’t just for career pivots. They are tools for deepening impact and expanding influence in fields where staying current isn’t optional, it’s essential.

She also personifies the power of aligning personal values with professional growth, a move that can create ripple effects that extend far beyond any single campaign or strategy. In healthcare communications, every message can potentially improve lives.

Pavuk-Gentry’s journey illustrates the evolution of modern communications professionals who refuse to be constrained by traditional silos. By combining journalistic integrity with behavioral science, advocacy with analytics, and personal purpose with professional excellence, she demonstrates how continuous learning and adaptive thinking can transform both careers and communities.

“We all have unique talents and skills, and being able to turn mine into a career and apply them daily is a tremendous privilege and gift,” she reflects.

One of her guiding quotes comes from the late columnist Erma Bombeck: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

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Cheryl Oberlin felt a mixture of gratitude and humility when she first learned she had received the Quality Matters Outstanding Impact by an Individual in Higher Education Award in late 2024.

The director of Distance Learning and Training for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UF CJC) also quickly wanted to share the accomplishment with her team.

“I was incredibly honored and humbled to receive this recognition from Quality Matters. Promoting quality in online education has always been a passion of mine, and knowing that my contributions have made a tangible impact on student success is deeply gratifying,” Oberlin said in a recent interview.

“This award reflects not just my work but the collaborative efforts of my team of instructional designers who share the same commitment to continuous improvement in online learning.”

The award, which celebrates significant contributions to quality assurance in online education, marks a highlight in Oberlin’s career. It also signifies her strong commitment to innovation and collaboration as she continues to focus on improving the online learning experience.

A Passion for Making Higher Education Available to More Students

Oberlin has two decades of experience in higher education. She has earned a Master of Education in Educational/Instructional Technology, an MBA in Project Management, and an MA in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition. She also has master’s certificates in Project Management and Instructional Design for Digital Learning.

Oberlin says her passion for making quality higher education opportunities readily available has propelled her career.

“I am deeply passionate about expanding access to high-quality education and ensuring that online students receive the same level of engagement, support, and rigor as their on-campus counterparts,” Oberlin said.

She added that online learning “has the power to transform lives. My goal is to make that experience as enriching and effective as possible. Seeing students succeed in well-designed courses reinforces my dedication to this work.”

That dedication is something Quality Matters (QM) highlighted in awarding Oberlin. They specifically noted her “exemplary commitment to online quality” in spearheading the creation of a new instructional design division at UF CJC focused on course quality. 

Her efforts have been key to getting QM Certification for the college’s courses by meeting QM Standards in a Course Review for Certification.

QM notes that students in the college have access to trackable learning outcomes, improved assignment directions and rubrics and uniform courses “built on a strong template.” They also note that graduation and faculty performance scores have both improved.

A List of Projects and the Power of Collaboration

Oberlin shared some of the initiatives she has led throughout her career to improve online course design, accessibility, and student engagement. 

First on her list is the implementation of UF CJC’s distance education division-wide QM standards. They ensure all online courses meet rigorous quality benchmarks. “And I’m happy to say 100% of our online graduate courses are QM-certified,” Oberlin said.

Other projects listed by Oberlin include:

• Developing faculty onboarding and training programs that instill best practices in online andragogy, accessibility, and learner engagement.
• Providing her instructional design team autonomy as they design and redesign courses.
• Launching quality review initiatives that involve faculty peer review and continuous course improvement cycles.

Oberlin calls collaboration “the cornerstone of quality online learning.”

As an example, she talked about a current cross-departmental initiative with UF’s Center for Innovation and Production (COIP). The focus is on redesigning online undergraduate courses to meet the same QM standards as the online master’s program. 

Oberlin said her team has started working closely with COIP’s team to create or refresh courses. The project also requires collaboration with instructional designers and engaging students in survey feedback sessions.

Oberlin said a similar project in UF CJC online graduate programs resulted in a 25% increase in the student course completion rate. “We aim to have the same kind of success with this new project,” Oberlin said.

The Challenges in Improving the Quality of Online Learning

Oberlin said UF CJC has built an instructional design team that has become “an award-winning powerhouse.” 

“Starting with a strategic vision, we carefully recruited top talent, developed robust processes, and implemented industry best practices to create engaging, high-quality learning experiences,” Oberlin said.

 “Through collaboration with faculty, continuous professional development, and a commitment to innovation, our team has enhanced course design and established a reputation for leadership in instructional technology.”

Still, she has faced challenges. Oberlin said one of the biggest is fostering buy-in. “Some educators may initially see quality standards as restrictive rather than supportive,” Oberlin said.

To combat this, she focuses on providing development opportunities that teach faculty the best practices for online course design and teaching.  She also uses data-driven results to show how QM-aligned courses improve student satisfaction, retention, and learning outcomes.

Advice on How to Approach Improving the Quality of Online Programs

Asked about advice she would give others on improving the online experience, Oberlin talked about prioritizing the student experience and the need to ”design courses with the student in mind and ensure clarity in structure, expectations and engagement opportunities.”

She then discussed the importance of adopting a quality assurance framework and investing in training and instructional support. She also advised schools to use data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.

It also helps, she said, to “build a rockstar instructional design team that enjoys collaboration and is dedicated to helping students and faculty.”

Oberlin listed the following when defining a high-quality learning experience.

• Student-centered. Providing clear, measurable learning objectives, engaging content, and opportunities for interaction with instructors, peers and content.
• Accessible and inclusive. Ensuring that all students, regardless of ability, can fully participate.
• Well-structured and easy to navigate. Reducing cognitive load and enhancing the learning experience.
• Engaging and interactive. Incorporating multimedia, harmonizing discussions, and active learning strategies.
• Data-informed. Using learning analytics and feedback to refine course effectiveness continually.

Staying Current in a Changing Field

Already an award-winner, Oberlin doesn’t plan to slow her efforts. She stays active in professional development by attending conferences and webinars about online learning, and participating in QM professional development (Oberlin is also a QM master reviewer). 

She also networks with peers and explores emerging technologies such as AI learning tools, virtual reality and adaptive learning systems. She has many goals for the future. 

“I aim to cultivate our cross-campus partnerships while creating high-quality courses for the UF Online courses at the College of Journalism and Communications,” she said. She also plans to advocate for continued investment in online learning quality and to mentor and support faculty in designing courses.

“Online education continues to evolve rapidly, ensuring quality and student-centered design are top priorities,” she said. “This award reflects my individual efforts and the collective commitment of UF CJC educators and instructional designers who are working daily to create better online learning experiences.”

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“Both of these incredible influences played a big part in my motivation for going back to school a little later in life,” says Denise. “I always knew I wanted my master’s degree, but I couldn’t quite make it fit into my life. As my career progressed, my desire to have the degree increased so that I could further validate my expertise.”

This desire to keep learning and evolving led Denise to the master’s program at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Her motivation to help others and impact change in the community motivated her decision to focus on Public Interest Communications.

Back to School: The Life of a Lifelong Learner

Denise spent 15 years in education and edtech. “I’m a lifelong learner,” she says. “Working in education keeps that value at the forefront and allows me to help others achieve their educational goals.”

Her drive to keep learning and help others led Denise to consider her next move. “I was thinking about what I might want to do in my later years when I’m closer to retirement or as a second career later on,” she says. The UFCJC master’s program was a logical step.

“UF’s reputation as a strong academic institution was my number one catalyst for pursuing the program,” says Denise.

“The fact that it was online was equally as important because I was not able to stop working to pursue my degree. Another important factor was that the curriculum was new, fresh and relevant. I had previously started my MA in Communication at another institution 15 years ago, and the program had not changed at all in that amount of time. I think it’s important that the curriculum is updated as industries change.”

The UFCJC Experience

Earning an advanced degree later in life while working isn’t easy. “I definitely had to learn to manage my time effectively,” says Denise. However, the University of Florida’s online program makes it eminently achievable. Crucially, it leads to change, personally and in the world.

“The courses were engaging and relevant,” she says. “I learned something from each one, and every one was worth it. I appreciated the excellent faculty with industry knowledge.” The UFCJC program has not only enhanced Denise’s professional skills but also transformed her personally, making her more aware and open to change.

The personal branding course was one “aha” moment for Denise. “I have always had a hard time with ‘self-promoting.’ I learned in this course that people will judge you no matter what – so you might as well put your persona out front for all to see.”

The course capstone projects were particularly valuable. “I’m using many of these as samples on my personal brand site,” she explains.

Expanding Worldview

At its best, education makes connections, expands worldviews, and nurtures positive change. Denise’s experience exemplifies this objective. “Through this program, I got back in touch with the part of me that wants to change the world. I reconnected (or connected for the first time) with some amazing organizations through my research within the coursework. I am more aware of social issues and more open to understanding opposing views.”

The program taught Denise how to better understand different world views and craft messages in a way that will reach and resonate with the intended audience. “I have become more intentional about understanding my audience before communicating and looking for unique ways to connect,” she says. “This is critical in influencing change. I also became a better communicator and presenter. I gained a more holistic perspective of the variety of worldviews. I also liked the fact that there was diversity in the class mix (age, race, location, experience).” This diversity is one of the foundational pillars of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

Change Yourself, Change the World

Denise found her path at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. This journey would empower her to shape her career and the community she serves. Among the many practical skills and knowledge, Denise learned from the diversity of worldviews and an appreciation of meeting people where they are, understanding their viewpoints, and building trust based on empathy through effective communication.

One of the most profound impacts her UFCJC experience had was on her two children. “There was a time when all three of us were in college at the same time,” says Denise. “They attended my graduation and were so incredibly proud. My son even planned a classic ‘sign night’ for my graduation in Gainesville. The impact I was able to have on them through this experience is by far the greatest reward.”

Her parents’ influence to value education and learning didn’t fall far from the tree. Denise’s story exemplifies the spirit of learning, inspiration, and creating positive change in herself and the world.

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Jan. 7, 2021

When students graduate from our Master of Arts in Mass Communication program, some alumni choose to improve upon their skills to become better at their jobs, like First Sergeant in the United States Army, Kevin Doe Crowsyn.

Kevin, originally from Orange County, California, graduated with a bachelor’s in management from American Military University in 2010. Wanting to be the best in his field and stand out in the military community, and after hearing about our highly-ranked program, he decided he’d only apply to UF for graduate school.

“I figured if I was going to take the time and effort to go to grad school, I was only going to settle for the best,” Kevin said. “I wanted to make sure I had the best education and was best equipped to help my organization.”

He went through our Social Media program, graduated in 2017 and now works at US Army Recruiting Command where he is assigned to the 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion. In this role, he helps oversee the Orlando Army Medical Recruiting Company, responsible for recruiting medical professionals for the US Army and Army Reserve, made up of six offices across Florida and Georgia. Kevin became First Sergeant of the Orlando Company in April 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to impact everything about our lives.

“It also greatly affected medical recruiting,” he said. “A large part of how the United States Army meets and recruits is through residency programs, through undergrad and grad schools as well as medical and dental schools. So, having that face-to-face interactions, at the University of Florida, you know, at our local hospitals, that’s a cornerstone of how we do business.”

With no other option other than to adjust, and with no specialized training in place for social media usage or virtual marketing, Kevin took his existing background and what he learned from his master’s degree to immediately implement a 90-day intensive training program for all six of his offices on proper social media usage. This included standardizing their presence across all platforms and conducting an extensive social media audit. It also involved ensuring all employees knew the demographics of each platform so they could effectively develop networks, get their message across and generate referrals for medical professionals in a convincing way to military leadership and in terms that are widely understood, not just in the military community.

“By doing that, within our first 90 days, we had almost a 200% increase in our social media following across all of our platforms,” Kevin said.

In part due to this strategy, the Orlando Army Medical Recruiting Company was recognized as the #1 medical recruiting company in the country for the 2020 fiscal year.

Along with the success he has had in his work, Kevin is proud that his master’s degree, aside from allowing him to get a promotion, gave him skills that affect something on such a large scale. 

“The second and third-order effects of what we’re doing and medical recruiting are going to ripple for years, you know, because of the people we are recruiting,” he said. “Some of them are already in the US Army Reserve in the fight against the COVID pandemic.”

For military professionals or individuals interested in doing communications for the military, Kevin suggests they consider UF CJC Online. He points out how his education was paid for by the Post 9-11 GI Bill, and how he and his classmates were able to use their degrees in unconventional ways. In addition, students can tap into the extensive Gator Nation alumni network long after they graduate. 

“I think what I’ve been doing can hopefully set an example and show other soldiers that they can set their sights high,” Kevin said. “They don’t have to settle for programs that are not at the top of their field.”

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a degree with UF CJC Online, please visit our website at onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/ and follow us on social @UFCJConline

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Jan. 5, 2021

Students like Sarah Hughey, a 2020 Digital Strategy graduate of our Master of Arts in Mass Communication program, learn skills and develop a network that benefits their lives and careers after graduation.

Upon graduating from the University of Maryland in 2013, Sarah had just started a new job that offered education assistance. Not exactly sure what she wanted to do, she came across UF CJC Online after researching different schools.

“I was really excited because the curriculum would not only kind of help me learn about what I was currently doing at that job, but it would also teach me things that I never got a chance to learn in undergrad,” Sarah said. “Which I knew would help to make me, you know, a better digital practitioner, as well as just a better employee in the digital world all around.”

Once she decided to pursue her master’s with us, she distinctly remembers her first class ever, a copywriting course with Lisa Hope. This experience and all she learned from it made her confident that continuing with our program was the right decision for her.

Aside from graduating from our program with a 4.0 GPA, she credits much of her success to her instructors who are passionate about what they teach and helped her to be just as passionate about the subject matter. A proud memory she has with the program is when she was chosen as the leader of her capstone group.

“That was just again full circle because I came, you know, from the student who wasn’t even really sure if I wanted to be in this program to leading my capstone program and really demonstrating everything that all of us have learned, you know, in the past few years, and showing it to a client who genuinely loved it,” Sarah said.

Now, Sarah works at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. Her current employer saw the kind of work she did during her master’s program and wanted to learn more.

“I was able to show them a lot about what I do and what I learned honestly from the program because they were really looking for a digital specialist in terms of someone who really understood how to write for the internet, how to do social media copy and how to use analytics to inform strategy,” she said. “All three of those were things that, you know, I knew how to do before, but I have really refined through the work that I did in the program.”

Even now as an alumnus, despite not being on campus during her studies, Sarah enjoys the excitement that comes along with being a part of the Gator Nation. She also appreciates how passionate Gators are about learning and making a difference in the world. For those who may be considering going for their master’s with UF CJC Online, she suggests connecting with as many instructors and peers who you can go on to have meaningful relationships with and who you can go to for help long after you graduate.

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a degree with UF CJC Online, please visit our website at onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/ and follow us on social @UFCJConline

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Nov. 12, 2020

UF CJC Online students excel in and out of the classroom. We spoke with two of our students, Alyssa Varas, a Global Strategic Communication student from Miami, FL, and Ja’kari Clayton, a Public Interest Communication student from Naples, FL, about their experiences within our Master of Arts in Mass Communication Program, accomplishments so far, career goals and advice for prospective students.

Alyssa Varas

Alyssa graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in public relations in August 2020. When she entered UF for her undergraduate degree, she started as an agricultural major in the College of Agriculture and Life Science. After one semester of STEM courses, she switched her major, first to journalism, then to public relations, where she found like-minded peers who were equally excited about communications.

“I really liked being a part of a community in the J-School because there’s so many supportive, not only faculty and staff but also students that helped us all grow in our communication skills,” Alyssa said.

Her decision to pursue a graduate degree with UF CJC Online began during her time as an undergraduate student when she discovered our Combination Degree program that allowed her to receive her master’s in only a few years. 

“I began my sophomore year in the Digital Strategy specialization after attending PRSSA’s International Conference where we heard a lot from former government leaders and people working in the public affairs arena,” Alyssa said.

Now, Alyssa works as a graduate student assistant for UF CJC Online where she helps our admissions team answer emails about our program and the application process while she works towards her degree. 

During her time at UF, her proudest moment was receiving the 2020 PRSA Foundation Chester Berger Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations.

“I couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support of a few of my graduate professors who wrote me letters, and one of them actually was one of the PRSA members who founded that scholarship, and he’s now working in the college in the Global Strategic Communication program,” she said. 

In the future, she hopes to find a career in the public affairs or political arena or in corporate communications in a multinational organization in her home city.

“If someone was on the fence about pursuing a master’s degree with the UF CJC Online program, I would say to them that the master’s program is filled with professors and resources that provide even more value than you thought in your undergraduate career and that will allow you to grow in this profession,” she said.

Ja’kari Clayton

Ja’kari graduated from Florida International University in 2016 where he majored in Liberal Arts. His journey to become a Gator within our program started after not having a firm grasp on what he wanted to do after graduating from FIU. Ja’kari decided to dedicate himself to a year of service, so he enrolled in City Year and moved to Orlando. There, he was tasked with helping middle school students academically, economically, personally and socially. 

“After a year of doing that, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Ja’kari said. “So, I ended up working at the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando for another year as an after school counselor, and during that time, I really started to understand what it was that I thought was my purpose in the word and what type of impact I wanted to have.”

After deciding to pursue communications because of his love for writing and the power of words, he applied to UF for graduate school. The Public Interest Communication specialization started during his second year, and with input from his advisors, he realized the specialization aligned with his long-term goals.

“I was like, ‘This really taps into what I want to do, which is create sustainable change through resources in these lower socioeconomic communities,’” he said.

During his time in graduate school, his greatest accomplishment is being in the program in general. UF was the only school he applied to, and he’s the only one in his family to think about getting a higher education degree.

“Just the fact that I made it to this point,” Ja’kari said. “I mean, everything else kind of pales in comparison to that.”

As a student, he now works as a research assistant at the Center for Public Interest Communications, and he is most excited about completing his capstone project on a topic that greatly interests him for one of his current classes and seeing it all come together. After graduating from our program this year, his first goal is to join a local nonprofit that’s tasked with helping a specific demographic with a certain issue and then fully understanding what it is that those people need and want.

“Once I think I had that experience, I would like to go maybe the federal or state route and create initiatives and policies that can help specific people,” he said. “I feel like a lot of politicians, a lot of stakeholders and just a lot of people in power, they want to create all these guidelines, plans and goals, but they don’t really understand the communities that they’re trying to help.”

For those who may be considering our program, Ja’kari notes the importance of reminding yourself that you deserve everything you’re trying to accomplish. Also, even if you hit bumps in the road, never forget why you’re pursuing your degree.

“Sometimes, I think UF can become a little bit overwhelming, and sometimes you may want to crawl back to the familiar, but that’s not going to help you, and that’s not going to help the people that you intend to help,” Ja’kari said. “The second piece of advice I would offer is to make sure you have a support system. You have to surround yourself with a community because that’s the only way we can truly grow and accomplish what it is that we’re supposed to accomplish.”

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a degree with UF CJC Online, please visit our website at https://onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/ and follow us on social @UFCJConline

The post Student Spotlight: Alyssa Varas and Ja’kari Clayton appeared first on UF CJC Online Master's.

July 24, 2020

UF CJC Online’s Master of Arts in Mass Communication sets students up for successful careers in a variety of areas. After graduation, some alumni work for companies or start their own businesses.

We spoke with a few graduates from our Web Design specialization who returned to UF CJC Online and became instructors, teaching the next generation of communicators through what they’ve learned while in the program and their own unique experiences afterwards. Their long-term dedication to the Gator Nation has had a major impact on improving the lives and academic careers of our students.

Patrick O’Keefe

Patrick O’Keefe graduated from our Web Design program in 2014. After graduation, Patrick worked with Dr. Weigold to found the Political Communication Specialization before he began teaching in the program. With many unfilled jobs and industry professionals inquiring about individuals who have relevant skills, like experience with digital communication, he knew the need was there.

“We worked together and built this program up where I think it’s really interesting and unique,” he said. 

Patrick is now the director of Customer Success at Anedot, a company that helps not-for-profit organizations raise money online. In his role, he takes the same skills he learned in the Web Design program and applies them to his day-to-day activities. He is also a current instructor for UF CJC Online, but he finds balancing both to be fairly reasonable with the asynchronous structure of the program.

“It’s not bad because it’s flexible, which is the same thing I liked about the program to begin with,” Patrick said. “It really is something you can work full time and be a professor or be a student.”

Patrick’s favorite part about teaching is when students click with the material and take it to the next level. He looks back fondly on a student from several semesters ago who he taught for multiple classes, including the capstone, and she was outstanding throughout.

“I actually brought her back, and she was a guest lecturer this semester because she’s actually working in the field,” he said. “It’s really cool to see a student that I remember started the program and had some skill set but learned a lot throughout the program.”

Patrick suggests students make the most of their time in the program by tying what they’re already interested in to include in a portfolio for future employers instead of just checking off boxes. To him, being a thought leader and being reliable are key to make yourself stand out. Additionally, he points out that the network the Gator Nation offers is a valuable resource for students and alumni to find community, receive advice, hire employees and get a job.

“I haven’t seen any university balance something for working professionals that is affordable and actually pays off,” he said. “That’s why I’m always an advocate, and I’m glad to still be involved.”

Brianne Fleming

Brianne Fleming, like Patrick, graduated from our Web Design program, but in December 2017. At the time she graduated, she was already working a full-time job and quickly transitioned into teaching.

“One of the reasons I chose this program was that I didn’t want to skip a beat in my job,” Brianne said. 

From the time she started the program in January 2016, she knew she wanted to teach. Inspired by her instructors, she reached out to the program director towards the end of her studies and expressed that she would love to teach and asked if they needed additional instructors. After originally being told they were fully staffed for Spring 2018, her teaching career unexpectedly began sooner than she thought.

“At the last minute, one of the instructors could no longer teach, and they reached out to me,” she said. “I had to develop the course and turn things around pretty quickly, all while putting the finishing touches on my wedding and getting married! I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Brianne now works for herself at Twelve Stories Up where she does marketing consulting for clients mostly in the fitness industry. She also hosts a podcast called Making the Brand and runs a blog on her website. All of her creative endeavors have inspired new insights that she has incorporated into her coursework, like in her Branding Using Social Media class.

“I get to really know my students in this class since we focus on personal branding,” she said. “I love seeing them define a niche that they’re passionate about and build a brand from it.”

When it comes to succeeding in life, Brianne suggests leaning into your personality with everything you do. She points out that there will always be others competing for the same opportunities you want, but being yourself and identifying your own differences will help make a positive impression. Meeting other ambitious people with diverse backgrounds, interests and stories within the Gator Nation has certainly helped her identify her own unique selling points, while appreciating others.

“Being a Gator unites us all,” she said.

Kara Page

Another alumna of our Web Design specialization, Kara Page, graduated from our program in 2014. However, Kara has been a Gator since birth. Her father was a previous president of the Alumni Association, and she has only missed a handful of home football games in her lifetime.

After graduation, she was hired immediately and began teaching at the undergraduate level in the UF College of Journalism and Communications’ Advertising Department before transitioning into the online master’s program. 

At the same time, she worked as the Assistant Tutorial Program Coordinator at the UF Athletic Association where she helped to coordinate the student athlete tutorial program. In this role, she was in charge of 155 tutors and worked to tutor and provide resources to scholarship athletes.

Kara has always been the type of person who usually has two or three jobs at the same time, and her current situation is no different. Now, she has her own marketing and communications agency, Rewritten Page, where she specializes in digital communications, especially for professional-focused institutions, while also teaching undergraduate and online graduate students.

“My favorite aspect of teaching for UF CJC Online is helping students to learn something about themselves that they didn’t already know,” she said. “So, that could be a new skill or it could be a new-found confidence that will help them to go out into the field and be the best version of themselves possible.”

Kara also teaches two versions of the capstone course. As far as her teaching style goes, it is greatly influenced by both her experience as an advertising and event management double major as an undergraduate and her work with student athletes who come from diverse backgrounds and face unique challenges.

For those looking to succeed in the program, Kara suggests making sure, in the beginning of the semester, students understand the course expectations, jot down due dates, keep a physical and digital planner and keep track of what’s going on in the world.

“As communicators, it’s so important to learn from the world around us, and right now, we have the really unique experience of living through a global pandemic, as well as social justice causes,” she said. “And now is the opportunity for you to learn from organizations who are doing the good and bad of communications.”

Throughout her early years, student life and now teaching career, Kara stresses that there is nothing quite like the Gator Nation and the life-long connections that are possible through an association with UF and a degree from UF CJC Online.

“Our classes are rooted in the real world instead of just based in theory, so you are going to be learning from the absolute best out there,” she said. “So, if you do decide to join this program, embrace it, be excited to be a Gator and really fall back on the power of the Gator Nation.”

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a degree with UF CJC Online, please visit our website at https://onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/ and follow us on social @UFCJConline

The post From Student to Instructor: Forever a Gator appeared first on UF CJC Online Master's.

April 9, 2020

One of the many benefits of pursuing a degree from UF CJC Online is the flexibility it offers non-traditional students.

Fred Cremo, 58, is a national practice leader at Humana and lives in Gainesville. He is enrolled in the digital strategy specialization at UF CJC Online. Cremo, however, has been a Gator for over 20 years, but he did not finish his bachelor’s degree before jumping into a career.

After learning his company reimburses for tuition, he intended to finish his undergraduate degree. After successfully doing so through the online program at Boston University, he tossed around the idea of returning to UF. Cremo first completed a certificate in social media through UF CJC Online before going for his master’s too. Being only two to three years away from retirement, Cremo admits he is not continuing his education to advance professionally.

“I take one class at a time relative to my work schedule. I may have to skip a semester here or there, so I’m in no particular hurry to complete it,” he said. “I’m really just doing this for my own personal lifelong learning approach.”

Cremo enjoys how online learning allows him to do work on his own time, at his own pace and not in any particular format. He also favors the name recognition and established academic excellence associated with the University of Florida.

For someone who has spent years learning outside of the classroom, Cremo understands the stereotypes and realities associated with online learning. He remembers years ago that employers were requiring their employees to go back to school for additional degrees to advance in their organizations.

“It really didn’t matter what the bachelor’s or master’s was in, but you just needed another degree,” he said.

During that time, many universities offering online degrees weren’t associated with traditional brick and mortar institutions, so the stigma was very strong. Over about the last ten years, more prestigious, high-ranking universities have expanded their curriculum to online, he said. Many students also have a combined schedule where they are going to live classes and taking online classes simultaneously.

“So, from my perspective, the stigma has all but disappeared,” Cremo said. “I know a number of other employees in my organization that are doing it.”

Additionally, employers are getting smarter about higher education and how it relates to their employees, Cremo explained. “You have to kind of describe to your leader and the organization about how you intend to use the degree and how it plays into the company values.”

Overall, Cremo advises universities and programs to reach out to all potential students that may not necessarily be front of mind, even those who just want to learn and not with the primary goal of moving up in rank.

“Universities and programs need to think more outside the box,” he said. “Then, I would imagine more people like myself would take this on and would create more diversity in the discussion.”

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing degree with UF CJC Online, please visit our website at https://onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu/ and follow us on social @UFCJConline

The post Master’s Spotlight: Fred Cremo appeared first on UF CJC Online Master's.

April 1, 2020

All University of Florida students from any college, online or on-campus, can pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time in just five years through UF CJC Online’s Combined Degree Program. With the approval of their undergraduate adviser and after completing an application, approved students are able to choose from eight master’s specializations based on their interests. Up to four graduate-level courses replace students’ professional electives. This option allows students to significantly cut down on the amount of time it would take them to complete a master’s, with most only having a year left of their postgraduate degree. 

Much like the Master of Arts in Mass Communication, the Combined Degree Program caters to all students from varying backgrounds and situations.

Matthew Duffy

Matthew Duffy, a fourth year telecommunications in media and society major and a minor in theater with a specialization in digital strategy, decided to enroll in Combined Degree when he was registering for his senior year classes and notices he had open electives. After speaking with his adviser, they both decided Combined Degree was the option that made the most sense and where he would learn the most.

“It’s been an unreal experience so far,” he said. “I’ve never been a fan of online classes, honestly, until I did the Combined Degree. It really is a different caliber of professor.”

Duffy is currently the student general manager at GHQ, the student-run radio station in Weimer Hall. Combined Degree is preparing him for the real world by teaching him new skills that he can implement into his role.

“I get tangible results. I drive productivity,” Duffy said. “With digital strategy, there’s so much online that I can do.”

After completing his education, Duffy plans to move to a big city with a big market and put everything he’s learned to the test. He encourages other students to follow the same path.

“This is not only affordable, but it’s basically only one more year of school,” he said. “To be able to make that a five or six year college career and leave with an undergraduate and graduate degree? It just makes sense.”

Paige Gryski

Paige Gryski, an advertising senior with a specialization in web design, chose to enroll in Combined Degree at the beginning of her sophomore year once she realized how far ahead she was credit-wise and after seeing a sign for the program in the PATH office. Overall, Gryski describes her experience in the program so far as both innovative and organized. 

“It definitely sets me apart when applying to internships because I’m getting my master’s and bachelor’s at the same time,” Gryski said. “You don’t see that very often.”

Her original plan after graduation was to do copywriting for an advertising agency. Now, with web design under her belt, she is open to doing graphic design, or even coding. 

For students who may be considering a Combined Degree, Gryski suggests talking it over with an adviser.

“They’ll answer so many questions for you, and I think it’s a great program for almost anyone,” she said. “There’s so many different ways you can go with it.”

Maria Becerra

Maria Becerra, a fourth year public relations major with a specialization in digital strategy, enrolled in Combined Degree in spring of 2019. Becerra is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and decided to pursue higher education after her time in the military.

She was interested in going for a master’s, specifically in digital strategy, because technology is needed in all industries and careers.  

“Whether you have a little bit of knowledge about coding, web design or anything like that, I always feel like it adds a little pizazz to who you are and makes me very versatile,” she said. “I want to go into public relations, but it opens me up to work in marketing and a bunch of other areas.”

Right now, Becerra works on campus at the Collegiate Veterans Success Center. She’s the student assistant manager and helps supervise other students, but also helps veterans find resources on campus.

“My career goals are to move to New York. I plan to go into PR and work in a corporation,” she said. “An agency like Edelman would be the dream, but I’m willing to work in anything. I love change.”

Becerra believes completing a Combined Degree from UF CJC Online is a great opportunity for students. 

“I don’t see many programs like it in many colleges,” she said. “It really gives you a good head start.”

If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a Combined Degree from UF CJC Online in one of our eight specializations including audience analytics, digital strategy, global strategic communications, political communications, public relations, public interest communications, social media or web design, please visit our website at: ufcombo.com and follow us on social @UFCJConline

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