Strategic Communications Academy for Leaders and Scholars celebrates fifth cohort

sca logo on white background

With the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2021, the Strategic Communication Academy, or SCA, training team knew the annual leadership training would have to continue online. Even though vaccines were on the horizon in December 2020, the decision to stay in an online setting alleviated potential safety concerns. In addition, after hosting the academy online the previous year, the team felt prepared to offer another valuable experience for the participating university leaders and scholars.

The SCA 2021 cohort worked throughout the nine-month course developing their strategic communication skills in an effort to build communities, communicate persuasively and drive positive change.

The Center for Public Interest Communications in the College of Journalism and Communications — in partnership with UFHR Training & Organizational Development — welcomed the fifth Strategic Communications Academy for UF Leaders and Scholars in March 2021. The cohort met one day a month for nine months.

Through interactive sessions, some homework and completion of a final project, participants learned and applied skills in the areas of storytelling, the science of strategic communications, systems thinking, message development, TED-style presentations, working with influentials and communicating inclusively.

On September 24, the SCA wrapped up its fifth cohort, with UF faculty and staff delivering their strategic communications campaigns and TED-style presentations live via Zoom. At the graduation ceremony (also on Zoom) the cohort celebrated each other’s accomplishments throughout the 9-month long academy.

Please join us in congratulating our 2021 cohort.

MichaelAmishAssociate Director of Talent DevelopmentUF Advancement
MargaretAnsellNursing & Consumer Health Liaison LibrarianHealth Science Center Libraries, George A. Smathers Libraries
HassanAzadAssistant ProfessorArchitecture
SandraBechtelAssociate Professor, Service ChiefSmall Animal Clinical Sciences
StephenBenderLecturer, Acting Program DirectorDesign Construction Planning
DavidBlackburnAssociate CuratorFlorida Museum of Natural History
AlnyceaBlackwellProject AssistantFlorida Museum of Natural History/iDigBio
RebeccaClappVideo ProducerIFAS Communications
RobertCookProfessor, DirectorEpidemiology
RachaelElrodDirector, Education LibraryDepartmental Libraries
AudreyGaineyDirector, Talent Acquisition and OnboardingUFHR
DavidGodwinDirector of the Southern Fire ExchangeSchool of Forest Resources and Conservation
JessicaGrossoResearch Administrator IIWhitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
StellaHarbilasCommunications SpecialistUF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
TwannaHodgeDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion LibrarianLB-DIRECTOR’S OFFICE-ADMIN
TylerJonesUF/IFAS PhotographerIFAS Communications Services
JessicaLongSenior Director of AdvancementWhitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
GusMazorraAdministrative Support Specialist IIOffice of Interprofessional Education
NiaMoralesAsst ProfessorWildlife Ecology and Conservation
ChrisNewsomAssistant Director Distance LearningOffice of Distance Learning
NataliaOcasio BalbasCommunications SpecialistUF/IFAS Extension EFNEP
YomirisReyesMarketing and Communications InternTropical Research and Education Center
KirstenRomagueraPublic Relations SpecialistIFAS
SamanthaGreer (Sexton)Director of Government RelationsGovernment and Community Relations
AnnaShaversMarketing and Communications SpecialistDepartment of Epidemiology
SeanTrainorLecturerManagement Communication Center