There are many ways to tell a story, to reach and influence people with an uplifting message, to inspire and motivate. Whether through dance, theater, writing, fashion, or photography, Toni Marie Perilli is a natural communicator and storyteller, weaving a persuasive narrative spanning the visual, performance, and literary arts.

It all started with a pirouette.

Toni Marie Perilli took her first ballet class on her second birthday. Her family took her to see Beauty and the Beast on her fourth birthday. “Growing up in New York undoubtedly fueled this passion,” Perilli says. Her parents fostered her curiosity, drive, and love for the arts. “My mom would take me to programs like ABT Kids, where I had the opportunity to participate in a ballet workshop in the rehearsal studios at the Met Opera before attending a performance, and Rockettes workshops at Radio City.” 

During these formative years, Perilli’s appreciation for how the arts express our shared humanity germinated. Her discipline, curiosity, and family support were the soil from which an expanding world of human connection through the arts blossomed.  

Perilli was a sponge, soaking up all the experiences, lights, and sounds of the world. She had an innate affinity for the intersection of learning, storytelling, and entertainment. 

“I’ve always loved to learn,” she says. “I was an avid reader, and many of my favorite games and shows were forms of ‘edutainment’.” She describes herself as “the odd kid out” who loved going to school and being in class. It has served her well. 

Perilli is now a student in the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications Online Master of Arts in Mass Communication program with a concentration in Digital Strategy. 

Her journey from dance to strategic communication reveals a path of motivation, compassion, and discovery. 

A Pivot From Pirouettes to Publications

In her early years, ballet was Perilli’s life. Professional ballet and dance were her destiny, so she thought. She was ready to do the work. She trained every day after school and on weekends, attending prestigious summer intensives at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. 

But then, in her junior year, another kernel of talent awakened in her, or more accurately, was recognized by a caring teacher. Her AP Language and Composition teacher recognized her talent for cogent writing and encouraged her to join the school newspaper. She was hesitant at first, but after writing her first article, she was hooked. The power of language took hold. How could it not? Already a devoted reader, Perilli already understood the dance of words, how they motivate and enchant. 

The school newspaper’s publishing schedule was limited, and Perilli wanted more opportunities to write and publish. “I decided to start my own blog and created a couple of social media pages to match, just for fun,” she says. 

For the Love of Words

Having completed most of her graduation requirements, Perilli had her afternoons free in her senior year of high school. Perilli intended to use the time for a more rigorous training schedule, but also devoted more time to her blog and social media. The tides were turning. “I really fell in love with writing and social media,” she says. There was a subtle shift in how she envisioned her future. The physical demands make a career in ballet relatively short-lived. “I was already considering a double major for a stable second career plan,” says Perilli. 

She had already begun to question her college major, but the difficulty of transferring to a new college dance program left Perilli increasingly frustrated, so she made a pivotal decision. “I canceled all my auditions about a week before they started and changed my intended major to communications and media at every school I applied to.” The die was cast.

A New Path

Perilli chose Manhattanville University for her undergraduate studies, majoring in communications and media. Its proximity to New York City allowed her to continue independent dance studies. Most of her time as an undergrad was during the pandemic, leaving Perilli burned out with “Zoom ballet fatigue.” Her focus was now solidly in communications. 

Once at Manhattanville, Perilli didn’t waste time. Though she says she felt a “little behind” her cohort, many of whom had worked on high school TV and radio stations, it only reinforced her drive and motivation. 

She joined the film club, started a photography club that grew to have the most extensive membership roster on campus, and secured an on-campus internship in digital marketing and video production. That internship turned into a part-time position, and soon she was being recruited across campus for communications and media work.  

She worked as a production photographer for performing arts shows, communications assistant for the performing arts division, social media manager for her academic program, and eventually a key member of the college’s central marketing team, where she helped launch the school’s TikTok strategy. Perilli also worked her way up to the Editor-in-Chief position of Castle Voices, the honors newsletter.

She continued to build her campus reputation as a talented writer, communicator, and photographer. By the winter of her third and final year, the central marketing team had created a full-time position for her to work on an institutional rebranding project. “My supervisors were (and are) so supportive and wanted to see me thrive beyond Manhattanville,” she says.

She graduated a year early with top honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies. Her 4.0 grade average earned her the Castle Pin and the O’Byrne Award.

Perilli still freelances for Manhattanville, typically as a photographer for musicals, plays, and large-scale events. She now works full-time as a brand and communications strategist for a large New York university. 

A Budding Career

Leveraging her inherent curiosity, talent, drive, and motivation, Perilli has emerged as a distinct voice in higher education marketing. Her work spans integrated communications, content marketing, and strategic storytelling, all fueled by the same passion that once drew her to the stage.

“The arts make educational institutions more culturally connected,” Perilli says. “Education makes the arts more accessible. Blend the two, bring in hospitality’s audience-centric focus, and you’ve just created the perfect formula for an exceptional experience. What I’m particularly interested in is how the two need each other to thrive. I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to benefit from programs like EduHam, and I want to help shape more like this.”

It’s this philosophy that has guided her professional trajectory and earned her recognition as a rising talent in the field. In 2025, the American Marketing Association named her a finalist for the Emerging Marketer in Higher Education award. At just 23 years old, she was the youngest and least senior of the three finalists, a testament to the quality and innovation of her work.

Her achievements extend beyond traditional marketing roles. Perilli has been published by BroadwayWorld and Lit Talk, and she writes for Her Campus UFL as a graduate student. She’s also been featured in LinkedIn News and has partnered with brands including Vera Bradley, BoxLunch Gifts, Maybelline, and Amazon.

Why the University of Florida’s Digital Strategy Program

After two years of full-time work in higher education marketing and communications, Perilli began to set her sights on what’s next. “I wanted more in my career,” she says. “I felt I wasn’t growing in my job enough, or in the way I wanted to, and I needed to supplement what I was doing.” It was time to consider a graduate degree. But where? 

Her experience in higher ed marketing made Perilli a “discerning” prospect. “Post-graduation outcomes were important to me, but not just in terms of the typical metrics you’d see colleges produce,” she says. 

Her discernment proved providential. 

What drew Perilli’s attention to the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications graduate program were UF content creators and proud Gators she had followed for years. “I’ve really admired the work I’ve seen from UF graduates, even before considering another degree,” she explains. “I looked into the work of other graduates and wanted to ensure that whatever program I chose, the work produced by students and graduates was aspirational.” Their experiences and enthusiasm compelled her to dig deeper, and the more she learned about the online Digital Strategy master’s program, the more convinced she was that she had found the perfect fit.

“Choosing to do my Master’s at UF has completely changed my life,” she says. Despite her previous professional accomplishments, she says that the person she was a year ago wouldn’t recognize the person she is today. “My professors challenge me so much, and I’ve never felt more capable. I also started attending Gotham Gators events and connecting with program alumni, and I’ve never felt more supported. I’m producing higher-quality work, of course, but I feel so much more confident and emboldened to pursue my ambitions.” 

The flexibility of the online program allows Perilli to maintain a healthy work-life-school balance. “I loved that UF would let me set my own pace and that the coursework was mainly asynchronous, so I didn’t have to compromise,” she says. 

Two courses in particular have had a major impact on her professional development: Copywriting for Digital Messaging with Professor Hope and Strategic Writing for Public Relations with Professor McCloskey. Both courses emphasized audience-centric communication, a principle Perilli now applies across all her work. 

Timing and Opportunity

The timing of her Strategic Writing course couldn’t have been more perfect. Perilli was enrolled in Professor McCloskey’s class when a UFCJC alum encouraged her to enhance her networking skills. She reached out to the American Theatre Wing, one of the most prestigious theatre organizations. Best known for the Tony Awards, it also produces a ton of influential work, including several notable grants, the Emmy-nominated “Working in the Theatre” series, and the Master Class series. 

The networking paid off. She connected with one of the series’ co-producers, who later recommended her as a copywriter for the “Art of a Show Master Class” episode. The assignment required Perilli to develop five taglines for a conceptual play revival based on a creative brief and script, and then collaborate with a Broadway marketing agency’s graphic designer to create a mood board. 

It was an exciting opportunity for Perilli, but also engendered a bit of imposter syndrome, “given that I had never worked on a Broadway show and came from a very different professional background,” she admits. “However, the education and resources that UF provided me once again gave me the support I needed to push myself. A lot of that was because Professor McCloskey and Professor Hope helped set me in the right direction, without even knowing an opportunity like this would come up.” 

The experience left her feeling confident and reassured, which she attributes directly to her graduate studies at the University of Florida. “From the moment I filled out the web form to indicate interest in the Digital Strategy program, I received nothing but quick, personable, efficient, and helpful support from the admissions team, and this has remained the case after enrolling,” she says.

A Life and Career of Promise and Potential

With all that’s come before, Toni Marie Perilli is just getting started. 

When she’s not working and leading conversations about the intersection of the arts and education, Perilli takes time for “just for fun” photography. “The New York Botanical Gardens is such a haven for a lunchtime walk and reading session,” she says, “but the orchid show and train show are particularly well-suited for photography.” 

While a proud Gator, Perilli is also a lifelong New Yorker, in love with all the city has to offer. She’s seen at least one show in every one of the 41 Broadway theaters. Her current favorite musical is “Death Becomes Her,” and her current favorite play is “Oh, Mary!” She loves a flashy dark comedy.

For Perilli, graduate school isn’t just about acquiring knowledge. It’s about positioning herself for a career that aligns with her values and passions while continuously growing as a professional and creative.

Toni Marie Perilli is another example of the exceptional caliber of students who come to learn and grow, and of what being a proud Gator is all about. With her talent, ceaseless motivation to learn and improve her already prodigious skills, and perhaps most importantly, her optimism, we can’t wait to see what’s next.

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Gift giving and gift getting are surely on many people’s minds during the holiday season. Graduate students have unique needs which can widen the gift buying options while providing helpful items. I have compiled a list of gift ideas for graduate students that you can either request from loved ones or give to yourself this holiday season.

• Money has always been on the top of my list of gift requests. If cash is your preferred gift or if you are seeking a new job, you may want to ask for contributions to attend some of the communications’ industry top conferences, such as one of the many PRSA conferences which occur annually, or a PRSA membership.
• To-do lists can help you organize and stay focused on your goals. And they are a must when juggling classes and other responsibilities. The good news is that there are some great organization tools out there for the digitally minded and for those who prefer writing things down.
  For those of you who like writing your to-do lists on paper, I recommend purchasing a Bullet Journal and fun stickers that you can place in your journal – next to your to-do bullet – when you’ve reached your goal. For those of you who prefer digital to-do lists, check out bulletjournal.com. For those of you who want to break down your goals into tangible steps, the Commit30 2018 Day Planner provides you with a strategy for accomplishing goals within 30-days.
• If you’re not quite sure where all your time goes, check out the app RescueTime. You can use this app to monitor how you spend your time online. How much time are you really spending on social media, video games, research, and studying?
• Sleep is one of the key ingredients to working more efficiently and constructively. If you do not feel rested after a full night’s sleep, check out the Phillips Wake Up Sunrise Simulation. Phillips claims that the light therapy lamp mimics a natural sunrise, improves sleep and energy levels, and can improve your ability to function in the morning.
• For me, a good book is a treat. As communications professionals, I strongly recommend reading books about writing to help inspire your craft and learn some new tricks of the trade. This year, Stephen King is re-releasing his bestselling On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, in honor of the memoir’s 10th anniversary.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season! Please feel free to reach out to me at olehavy@jou.ufl.edu if you would like a personalized discussion on any of these topics. Wishing everyone well!

Ophir Lehavy is an adjunct lecturer and success coach for the UF CJC Online graduate education program at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. You can reach her at olehavy@jou.ufl.edu or on LinkedIn.

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