Awards & Honors
Department honors McCormick, Nichols, Seitz, Smith with annual awards
The Department of Communication at Mississippi State University recently announced the winners of faculty awards for 2024 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.
Seitz, an associate professor in communication & 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 & media studies, received the 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
“Dr. Smith’s research continues to bring positive attention to the university and Communication Department as he cements himself as a leader in the field of media and journalism history,” said an alumni external reviewer.
McCormick, an instructor in communication & 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.
The MSU Department of Communication is housed in the College of Arts & Sciences. The department currently serves approximately 600 majors in five concentrations: broadcast & digital journalism, communication & media studies, print & digital journalism, public relations, and theatre.