2024 Faculty Awards presented to communication faculty

2024 Faculty Awards presented to communication faculty

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Department of Communication at Mississippi State University recently announced the winners of the 2024 Faculty Awards recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service as well as outstanding lecturer.

During the department end-of-year award ceremony in April, Carrie McCormick, Aundrea Self Nichols, Holli Seitz and Pete Smith were honored for their contributions to the department.

McCormick, an instructor in communication and media studies, received the 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Service.

“Carrie has clearly gone above and beyond the requirements of her job. She has plugged in not only with the department but also with the university and in the larger academic and Starkville communities. Her passion for communication has allowed her to build connections though service, and the work she has done to be a good citizen of the department and beyond should be recognized,” said an alumni external reviewer. 

Nichols, a lecturer, received the 2024 Outstanding Lecturer Award. 

“Aundrea gives students a first-hand account of the career they are entering while teaching core broadcasting concepts. Her decades of experience are an invaluable asset to students and the communication department as a whole as the field evolves. MSU is fortunate to have Aundrea as a lecturer to enlighten and encourage the next generation of broadcasters,” said an alumni external reviewer.

Seitz, an associate professor in communication and media studies, received the 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“A focus in Mississippi State University’s new strategic plan is experiential learning—a concept that Dr. Seitz adopted in her teaching practices several years ago. Communication is constantly evolving and so are Dr. Seitz’s teaching practices as she has designed two new courses. It is worth noting that one of the courses is for the new master’s program—which is important to the success of our graduate program. Her willingness to serve as a mentor to others is evidence that teaching is not only a job to Dr. Seitz but a way of life. Through ongoing training and pursuit of leadership opportunities, it appears Dr. Seitz truly believes in power of not only teaching but learning,” said an alumni external reviewer.

Smith, an associate professor in communication and media studies, received the 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.

The MSU Department of Communication is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The department currently serves approximately 600 majors in five concentrations: broadcast and digital journalism, communication and media studies, print and digital journalism, public relations, and theatre.

For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of Communication, visit www.cas.msstate.edu or www.comm.msstate.edu.  

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.

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