School of Communications to host Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence Feb. 25

To foster conversations on how the School of Communications builds an inclusive community through research, teaching and practice, the school’s Inclusive Excellence Committee will host its Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence event on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Snow Family Grand Atrium.

Building on last year’s success, this year’s gathering – which runs from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. – will feature a dynamic speed-rotation format, allowing attendees to engage in meaningful discussions at various table topics every 15 minutes. Faculty, staff and students will lead discussions on investigative journalism, strategic communications, diversity in media leadership, health disparities, sports equity, and more. A full listing of the table topics is below.

According to Lorraine Ahearn, assistant professor of journalism and chair of the Inclusive Excellence Committee, this year’s event highlights the growing importance of communicating across differences and provides a platform for students to engage in discipline-specific conversations about diversity and inclusion.

“An emphasis this year is on undergraduate research that advances equity, from influencer marketing representation to the newsroom experiences of neurodiverse journalists,” Ahearn said. “We also have student leaders and faculty sharing real-world applications of DEI in media, health communication and sports.”

Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided.

For more information regarding the Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence, email Ahearn at lahearn@elon.edu.

Table Topic Discussions and Presenters

1. Student Media Leadership: Using Communications to Promote Campus Diversity – Lilliana Molina ’27, Sarah Moore ’26 & Madison McRainey ’26
2. The Conscience Beat: Investigative Reporting to Advance Equity – Lorraine Ahearn, Assistant Professor of Journalism 
3. Beyond Parachute Storytelling: Understanding Cultures and Mitigating Risks – Alex Luchsinger, Associate Professor of Journalism
4. Alumni Spotlight: Community Organizing Across Difference – Ben Nguyen O’Connor ’22, Carolina Federation
5. Live Oak’s DEI in Action: Strategic Communications in Our Community – Hal Vincent, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Communications and Faculty Director, Live Oak Communications
6. Health Literacy: Why It Matters and What You Can Do About It – Julie Lellis, Professor of Strategic Communications
7. International Student Spotlight: Navigating Across Cultures – Cristy Marine ’25 and Julia Chan ‘28
8. Unity in Communications by and for Students – Taylor Scott ’25 and Karla Estrada Perez
9. WINS: Women Influencers in Sport – Shaina Dabbs, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Sport Management
10. NIL: Underrepresentation of Women Athletes – Mark Cryan, Assistant Professor of Sport Management
11. Widening the Lens: Experiencing Diverse Culture Through Film – Kai Swanson, Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts
12. Student Research Spotlight:  Newsroom Experiences of Journalists with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Betsy Schlehuber ’25
13. Student Research Spotlight: Lack of Representation in Influencer Marketing – Donelle Leak ’25