Rekindling Progress in a Polarized World

Organizers & Sponsors

The Public Interest Communications Educators Network, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and Georgia State University Department of Communication are thrilled to bring you the 2025 Public Interest Communications Summer Institute, June 3-5, 2025!

Professors and administrators will learn how to introduce the field to their students. Students will learn more about public interest communications as well as career and research opportunities. Graduate students will have an opportunity to present and brainstorm research and both graduate and undergraduate students will be invited to a career networking session with professionals from the field.

The institute offers valuable skills, networking opportunities and new friendships. Whether you are well-versed in strategic communications for social change or new to the field, this institute is for you!

Program and Schedule

We are developing a robust program, with sessions on communicating about aging and public health, civil rights and democracy in Georgia and beyond, documentary filmmaking for social change and much more. Here’s what we have on tap so far. Please check back for updates.

Our Sessions and Schedule

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

6-8 p.m. | Welcome Reception

Location: Margaritaville Atlanta, 155 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

All programming will take place at Georgia State University’s College of Arts and Sciences building, located at 25 Park Place NE, Atlanta. Come to Level 2 to check in.

7:45 a.m. | Registration Opens

Location: GSU Event Center, 25 Park Place NE, level 2

8:15-9 a.m. | Welcome! A Conversation With Abbigail Tumpey

Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

Join us as we talk with Abbigail Tumpey, who oversaw the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) communications efforts during the second year of the pandemic. Now vice president for Institute Communications at the Georgia Institute of Technology,  Tumpey had a 25-year career at the CDC, with 21 years in communication leadership positions. She spearheaded numerous national and international public health campaigns, serving as one of the founders of the World Rabies Day initiative in 2007 and overseeing CDC’s antibiotic resistance communications efforts from 2009–2016. Abbigail served in a lead communication role during numerous outbreak responses, such as the 2012 multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis, the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 MPX pandemic. She will be interviewed by Dr. Natalie Tindall.

9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. | Sessions

Public Interest Communications: Frameworks that Align Your Work with Purpose (Erin Hart and Ann Searight Christiano)
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

Are you new to public interest communications or want to learn more about the basic concepts and frameworks? This session is for you! Expert public interest communicators will guide you as you explore what public interest communications is, key concepts and frameworks and how communicators make people care and get them engaged to address the world’s biggest problems.

Communicating in a Public Health Crisis: Lessons From the Front (Abbigail Tumpey and Glen Nowak)
Location: Room 1113, level 11 

When a public health crisis emerges, communicators must race against time to gather information from scientists, confer with policymakers and craft effective communications to save lives. What does that entail? In this session, we’ll hear from Abbigail Tumpey, who spent 25 years at the U.S .Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during which she served as head of communications during the second year of the pandemic, and Glen Nowak, who spent 14 years at the CDC, including six years as director of media relations and six years as communications director for CDC’s National Immunization Program. Tumpey is now vice president for Institute Communications at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Nowak is associate dean for research and graduate studies and co-director of Center for Health & Risk Communication at the University of Georgia. During this workshop, participants will practice risk communication strategies that can be applied to higher education and other fields.

Expanding Bandwidth: Digital Access for All (Kera Felton and Jasmine McNealy)
Location: Room 225, level 2

Strategic storytelling and smart communication drive tech equity from idea to impact. This hands-on workshop explores how to craft compelling narratives and campaigns that transform digital access into community power. Through real-world examples and interactive sessions, we’ll investigate how successful initiatives have used strategic communication to build support for tech equity, influence decision-makers, and create lasting change. Together, we’ll explore messaging frameworks that resonate, communication tactics that move people to action, and advocacy strategies that open digital doors. Whether you’re an advocate, communicator, or community leader, this workshop offers practical approaches to amplifying tech equity initiatives and building momentum for systemic change.

10:45 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sessions

Culturally Centered Pedagogy: Inspiring Students in the Classroom (Felicia Stewart and Keisha Tassie)
Location: Room 225, level 2

Students are grounded in, and nurtured by, a variety of cultures and communities. As educators, we must ensure that we create and sustain classrooms as learning spaces which liberate and elevate student experiences and voices no matter the cultural experiences of the student. Join educators with decades of experience as they share their pedagogical perspectives and approaches to engage you in relevant discussion and activities intended to underscore the meaningfulness of the culturally centered classroom. They will highlight the importance of integrating foundational and strategic course materials with the intentional inclusion and application of varied student experiences and “ways of knowing,” thus contributing to students’ academic, social, professional, and socio-political success. This workshop will be led by Dr. Felicia Stewart, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Morehouse College and Dr. Keisha Tassie, Associate Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication Studies at Morehouse College.

Communicating Globally to Support Good Causes (Elaine Xu and Amy Dunham)
Location: Room 1113, level 11 

With so many dire issues in the world to address – from hunger and disease to war and pollution – how do organizations motivate people to support their cause? In this workshop, we’ll hear from Elaine Xu, a researcher and professor at the University of Newcastle in Australia and Amy Dunham, chief communications officer at Habitat for Humanity International about effective charitable framing, rooted in the research they’ve each conducted on how best to connect with and motivate audiences to action. Attendees will  unpack and craft charitable message frames in a workshop session.

Graduate Student Research Presentations and Brainstorming    
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2

In this session, graduate students will have an opportunity to present and brainstorm research in a low-stress, supportive environment. Get feedback from faculty and peers from around the country.

12-12:45 p.m. | Lunch

Location: Event Center, level 2  

12:45-1:15 p.m. | Laughter Yoga with Celeste!

Location: GSU Communications Department, Room 830, level 8

Laughter is one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools for enhancing well-being and fostering connection. Join Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and US Laughter Yoga Ambassador Celeste Greene for an interactive, evidence-based Laughter Yoga session that blends playful laughter exercises, deep breathing, and light movement to help you laugh abundantly without needing any jokes or comedy. In this engaging and experiential session, you’ll:

• Discover the science-backed physical and mental health benefits of laughter and how to access these benefits through the unique practice of Laughter Yoga
• Experience the benefits of laughter firsthand through an interactive Laughter Yoga session
• Walk away with practical techniques that you can use to cultivate joy on a regular basis

No special exercise attire or sense of humor is needed. Just bring an open mind and willingness to laugh your way to wellness!

1:30-2:45 p.m. | Sessions

Barriers to Entry: Black Feminine Leadership and Misogynoir in Political Discourse (Rachel Grant and Yewande O. Addie)
Location: Room 221, level 2  

This session explores how misogynoir shapes public perceptions of Black women in leadership and politics. By delving into research on sourcing, intersectional journalism and social media analysis, participants will examine the recent political discourse and rise of Black women in U.S. politics. Through interactive activities, attendees will gain insights on barriers and leave with actionable strategies.

Grassroots Approaches to Social Change: Where Community Organizing, Community Journalism and Media Makers Converge (Antoine Haywood, Stephanie Amichia, Desiree S. Evans and Kamille D. Whittaker)
Location:Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

Led by Dr. Antoine Haywood, this session explores how Atlanta-based community organizers, civic journalists, and media makers use diverse, grassroots approaches to craft and share public interest messages that are highly relevant to hyperlocal communities. Project South, Canopy Atlanta, and Forth House Creative Production Studio representatives will join Dr. Haywood to interactively identify and discuss grounded principles and communication practices for advancing positive social change. These groups are deeply committed to using civic learning, community power-building, and creative expression to enhance local experiences. 

Are You Old? Or Elderly? How Communications About Older Adults Affects Us All (Jaye Atkinson, Sarah Barber and BriGette McCoy)
Location: Room 225, level 2

Are you too old for that? Or too young? Have you ever had a “senior moment” or been told to wait until you have more experience? The way we talk about age shapes not only how we view and treat older adults but also affects our own aging experiences and national policies. Understanding the realities of aging can help combat negative stereotypes and expectations. In this session, Dr. Jaye Atkinson, an expert in communication and aging, will examine how aging stereotypes pervade media portrayals and interpersonal encounters, including those with medical professionals. Next, Dr. Sarah Barber will discuss research on how negative stereotypes and concerns about aging can impact cognitive performance as we grow older. Finally, BriGette McCoy represents the experiences of students over 40 navigating 21st-century learning environments and includes discussion on initiatives for students 40 and older. How can universities, cities, and communities be more inclusive across generations? What would an age-friendly world look like? Join us for a lively discussion on the benefits of a truly intergenerational society.

3-4:15 p.m. | Sessions

Public Health Communication Interventions (Holley Wilkin, Emily Staub, Soroya Julian McFarlane, Yana Manyuk)
Location: Room 1113, level 11 

In this session, academic researchers and public health communication practitioners come together to discuss approaches to reducing health disparities. The panelists provide an opportunity to see how theories and research have been applied in health interventions addressing infectious and chronic health issues and access to health resources—both locally and internationally.

The Power of Film for Social Change (Elizabeth Calienes and Kara Fenner Walker)
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2 

Film is a powerful way to make people care about pressing issues and highlight solutions. In this session, Lissy Calienes, a University of Florida professor whose work in film production design has earned accolades at the Sundance Film Festival, and Kara Fenner Walker, creator and director of the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival, will explore how film can spur social change. 

4:15-5:15 p.m. | Sessions

Graduate and Undergraduate Career Networking
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2

In this session, public interest communications professionals will engage in a brief panel discussion about their work. Then undergraduate and graduate students will have an opportunity to mingle and talk one-on-one with the professionals. Panelists will be Gisele McAuliffe, Antoine Haywood, Charity Johnson, Marrianne McMullen and Jennifer Jiles

Weaving in Wellness (Chris Omni and Piper Hendricks)
Location: GSU Communications Department, Room 830, level 8 

Your work in public interest communications – whether in academia, nonprofits, agencies, or otherwise – can be demanding and emotionally charged.  As educators, we face unique pressures, from navigating polarization to guiding students through the discomfort of change and social struggle. This reflective and practical session is designed to help you prioritize your own wellbeing as an integral, ongoing part of your life. To thrive, your wellbeing can’t be an afterthought; it’s a thread woven through your daily practices. Together, we’ll discuss how wellness can be sustained even in high-stress environments, how modeling this balance can benefit our students, and how small, intentional shifts can have lasting impact. Through conversation, mindfulness strategies, and peer exchange, you’ll leave with ideas to adapt your own routines and classrooms to reinforce that resilience and care are not luxuries, but necessities in the work of shaping thoughtful, engaged communicators.

6-8 p.m. | Film Screening of “Undivide US” and Conversation With Film Director Kristina Kendall, led by Gina Baleria

Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

Film screening and conversation with director Kristina Kendall: “Undivide US,” a film that explores political polarization in the U.S. and “challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation.”

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

8:30 a.m. | Registration Opens

Location: GSU Event Center, 25 Park Place NE, level 2

9-10:15 a.m. | Sessions

Examining our Emerging Field: Insights From the First Public Interest Communications Survey of Students, Scholars and Practitioners (Ann Searight Christiano and Nader Dagher)
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

What trends are emerging in public interest communications that educators should know about so as to best prepare students for careers in the field? In this session, Ann Searight Christiano, director of the Center for Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, and Nader Dagher, a researcher with the Center, will explain what they learned when they surveyed public interest communications practitioners.

Reframing the Narrative Around Justice-Impacted People (Kannette King and Kathryn Hamoudah)
Location: Room 1113, level 11 

How we talk about poverty influences how we think about many systems, including the criminal legal system. What we see and read portrays poor people in an overwhelmingly negative light. How can we change that? Guided by the Southern Center for Human Rights, this session is designed to equip participants with strategic communication tools to challenge harmful narratives about the criminal legal system and those who are justice impacted. You will analyze dominant myths, explore ethical storytelling and learn how one organization develops values-based messaging to shift public perception.

Writing for Clarity: Translating Jargon and Improving Understanding (Amy Lynn Smith and Mary Kate Wilson)
Location: Room 225, level 2

Writing about complex issues and policy is challenging. It requires crafting simple and clear messages from complex and nuanced information. How do you boil down an academic research paper or a dense regulatory document? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn from two experts who do this for a living, and you’ll have a chance to put the tips into practice. Amy Lynn Smith is a writing coach who has helped simplify technical reports for Consumer Reports, foundations and nonprofits. Mary Kate Wilson leads content creation for the international development organization Care, where she is introducing a plain language initiative. Session participants are encouraged to bring a two- to three-page excerpt of their own document to workshop. Whether you are a researcher, instructor, student or academic administrator, you’ll benefit from the valuable guidance offered by these experts.

10:30-11:45 a.m. | Sessions

So You Want to Launch Public Interest Communications at Your Organization? Now What? (Ruth DeFoster and Lauri Hennessey)
Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

Join Ruth DeFoster and Lauri Hennessey as they bring their experience in integrating Public Interest Communications curriculum at their universities, University of Minnesota and University of Washington.  Where do you begin? This interactive session will focus on creating events and building support in real life. 

The Dynamic Classroom: Navigating Polarization with Purpose and Practice (Celeste Philip and Arielle Mizrahi)
Location: Room 1113, level 11 

This workshop explores how the challenge of polarization can become a transformative opportunity for educators. Focusing on the college environment, we will examine strategies to foster productive dialogue across cultural, political, and ideological differences. In addition to practical techniques for classroom discussion, we will consider the broader social architecture of the university — its structures, norms, and informal spaces — and how it can complement and reinforce efforts within the classroom. Central to our conversation will be the role of civic responsibility: how we prepare students not only to think critically, but to participate meaningfully in public discourse and to cultivate habits of citizenship that strengthen democratic life. Ultimately, this workshop reframes the college classroom as a catalyst and model for exchange across difference, equipping students to become thoughtful, engaged contributors in a divided and multicultural society.

Black Womanhood and Optimal Aging (Chris Omni and Janet Haynes)
Location: Room 225, level 2

Join Dr. Chris Omni, a Black women’s health researcher and optimal aging activist, as she shares her research, “Sitting with Trees: A Nature-inspired, Ethnographic Research Study about Optimal Aging and Black Womanhood.” In this interactive and intergenerational conversation, we’ll explore the Strong Black Woman Narrative and talk with Dr. Janet Haynes, 70, and Mrs. Gloria Ragsdale, 64, as they share lessons they learned while deconstructing the Strong Black Woman Narrative during their participation in the Sitting with Trees pilot study. You will learn about the Kujima Theory of Collective-Self Motivation and have the opportunity to write a love letter to yourself – an arts-based research method that supports the invitation to let BE-ing be enough. 

12-12:45 p.m. | Closing session: Beyond the Backlash: Tools and Tactics for Our Times (Kevin Hardges, Quiana Pinckney, Charity Johnson, Marrianne McMullen)

Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2  

In this closing session, we focus on one of the most pressing challenges facing educators: the rapidly changing landscape around programs designed to help people of all ethnicities, cultures and colors feel they belong. This panel brings together vital perspectives from corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Speakers will explore what has and hasn’t changed, and offer strategic lessons for moving forward.

2-5 p.m. | Syllabus Workshop (must have registered in advance)

Location: Main Space, Room 223, level 2 

In this session, attendees will hear from a course design expert and work with experienced academics to build new courses and weave public interest communications into existing courses. Be sure to register in advance so we can pair you with the right person to help you.

Hotel

We have booked room blocks at two hotels:

• The Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown
  134 Peachtree Street NW (Map)
• Home 2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Downtown
  87 Walton Street (Map)

Graduate Student Travel Support

We will offer travel assistance to a limited number of graduate students. We’ll consider applications on a first come, first serve basis. Apply here for travel funding.

Food

Tuesday: We’ll have plenty of great food at our Tuesday night reception. Have heavy appetizers with us while you mingle and make new friends!

Wednesday: If you’re staying at one of our institute hotels, breakfast is included with your hotel room. We’ll serve lunch on Wednesday and snacks throughout the day. Dinner will be on your own if you are not attending the movie screening or if you didn’t RSVP for the screening. For those who did RSVP, we’ll serve food before the screening starts. If you didn’t RSVP, you are still welcome to attend the screening, but please eat beforehand. 

Thursday: Breakfast is included in your room. We’ll have snacks throughout the morning. The program will end at 12:45 p.m. Those who wish to stay for the syllabus workshop can grab lunch on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions