National Federation of Press Women - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Wins National and Statewide Honors for Excellence in Communications

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:25:54 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Communications and Marketing team has earned significant recognition at both the 2025 National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) National Communications Contest and the 2025 Arkansas PRSA Prism Awards, underscoring the team’s excellence in communications, public relations, and design.

The national awards were announced Sept. 13 at the NFPW Conference in Golden, Colorado, where more than 250 professional communicators were honored. The contest drew nearly 2,000 entries from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Spain. Only first-place winners at the state level were eligible to compete at nationals.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Communications and Marketing staff earned a dozen national awards across a wide range of categories:

Angelita Faller, news director
1st Place – News or Feature Releases (Multiple Releases) for “Conversations with Solar Eclipse Experts”
2nd Place – News or Feature Release (Single Release) for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Receives $5 Million to Combat Drug Use Among Arkansas Youth”
2nd Place – Media Pitch for “Spreading Innovation Brick by Brick”

Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer, and Angelita Faller
Honorable Mention – Newsletter/Other Publication for the “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Newsletter”

Rian Newman, a former editorial assistant and May ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate
Honorable Mention – Writing, Features (Education/Collegiate) for “Merriman Achieves Long Awaited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing”

Carrie Phillips and Muriel Schrepfer, senior graphic designer
1st Place – Integrated Communications Campaign for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Eclipse Event”

Muriel Schrepfer
1st Place – Advertising Poster, Billboard, or Banner for “2024-25 Combined Home Basketball Poster”
2nd Place – Brochure (Nonprofit/Education) for “Admissions Social Piece”
2nd Place – Advertising Campaign for “Trojan Guarantee Ad Campaign”

Muriel Schrepfer and Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer
3rd Place – Book Design for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Brand Style Guide”

Charla Tozer, a former graphic design assistant and May ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate
1st Place – Graphics/Illustrations (Education/Collegiate) for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown Sticker Sheet”
1st Place – Advertisement (Education/Collegiate) for “Holiday Art Sale Graphic”

Schrepfer, who received a total of five national awards, said she was proud to see the team’s work recognized at both the state and national level.

“It’s especially meaningful to be honored alongside such talented colleagues whose creativity and collaboration inspire me every day,” Schrepfer said. “Each project was a chance to be creative while sharing the story of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and it’s exciting to see those efforts make an impact beyond our campus.”

In addition to Communications and Marketing, Maggie Ryan, reporter and local host of All Things Considered for Little Rock Public Radio, won third place in Radio Interview for “Three Weeks in al-Aqsa: A Doctor’s View of the Gaza Crisis.”

“I’m honored to receive this award from NFPW,” Ryan said. “The graphic, heavy nature of this conversation challenged me as both a reporter and writer, but I learned so much working on this piece.”

The Communications and Marketing team also earned top honors at the 2025 Arkansas PRSA Prism Awards on Sept. 18. The team won a Prism Award in Internal Communications for its campaign, “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Builds Buy-in, Page by Page.” The internal campaign successfully introduced the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community to the university’s new website.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s agency of record, mhp.si, also won a Prism Award in Feature/News Writing for the article, “Walking Toward Wellness – ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Champions Mental Health Awareness.”

Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer, said the recognition reflects the collaborative and mission-driven work of the team.

“These awards show the breadth of our work and the passion we have for sharing the incredible things happening at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Phillips said. “Most importantly, this recognition underscores the impact that strategic communications can have in advancing student success and strengthening our university community.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Communications and Marketing team continues to raise the bar for higher education communications, demonstrating the university’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and community impact.

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Next Chapter Unfolds: Hicks Celebrates Graduation and New Career

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:57:32 +0000

As the curtain closes on her college career, a graduating University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is ending this chapter of her life with not one, but two bachelor’s degrees and an exciting new career in the dynamic field of public relations, embodying the true spirit of academic and career success.

Senior Olivia Hicks is graduating twice this semester with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing.

Hicks has spent the fall semester working part-time for MHP/Team SI, a full-service performance marketing agency, learning skills in public relations, social media development and management, and news and editorial writing. After graduation, she plans to begin a full-time public relations position with the company.

“I am very excited for this next step,” Hicks said. “I really love campus, and it will be hard to leave, but I will make sure to come visit.”

Hicks joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2020, citing affordability as the key reason she chose the university.

“When senior year rolled around, I had to look deep and figure out what was most important to me,” Hicks said. “I realized that being close to home and close to my family would give me many opportunities both personally and academically. Because of the scholarships and grants I have gotten from this school, I am graduating debt free!”

Hicks’ mother also played an important role in her decision to attend college. Hicks grew up watching her mother earn two degrees, which inspired her to work hard in her own college career.

“My mother is also an alum of the university,” Hicks recalled. “She is a single mother who went to school while raising me. She graduated when I was 11 with a bachelor’s degree in history, and then she went back for her master’s degree in secondary education and graduated in 2019. My entire childhood was surrounded by higher education. I grew up on this campus. I remember going to swim in the pool and sitting in on my mom’s history lectures. I loved this campus and the faculty. It’s like home to me.”

Hicks learned key skills while attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Through the Federal Work-Study Program and Trojan Works, she worked for two years as an editorial assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing.

“I would say that my time as an editorial assistant is what prepared me the most,” Hicks said. “Not only did I get to know the staff at my current job through that position, but it gave me connections, led me on a path to writing stories that won national awards, and gave me confidence in my skill set. A lot of my college career I credit to that time. It gave me a lot of opportunities to hone my skills, be involved in campus, meet a lot of people, and that was the highlight of my college career.”

Meaghan Milliorn, director of digital strategy, described Hicks as an asset to the Communications and Marketing team.

“Her creativity and enthusiasm were valuable as she created content and videos for the university’s social media platforms,” Milliorn said. “I’m so proud of her growth and that she gets to build her career and utilize what she’s learned at the university.”

Along the way, Hicks has also completed internships in marketing, public relations, and social media with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Food Pantry, Stone Ward, and Wildwood Park for the Arts. She has been honored for her writing skills with multiple awards in education sports writing and education feature writing by the Arkansas Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women.

Another important part of Hicks’ college experience was being involved in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), which helped her pay for college and learn valuable leadership skills.

“I started CLC as a freshman and immediately found a home there,” Hicks said. “Corrigan Revels and Tiffani Silvey were very integral to my college experience. They’ve been wonderful mentors, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I was a peer mentor for the arts and communication student group for two years. My mentees were amazing, and I loved getting to help them through their early college experience.”

As this part of her life comes to a close, her advice for new college students is to get involved in campus and professional opportunities.

“Get out of your comfort zone because you never know who you might connect with, who might have job opportunities, and who might be your friend,” she said. “There are so many opportunities here that people don’t know about, and it’s a matter of putting yourself out there and knowing the right people.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Earns Top Awards

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:50:36 +0000

In a resounding testament to their talent and skills, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing team has garnered an illustrious array of awards, cementing their reputation as true trailblazers in the industry.

“The CASE Circle of Excellence Award holds great significance in our industry, representing excellence and innovation in university advancement,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of university advancement. “It is a reflection of our team’s exceptional talents and the impact they are making on our organization and the community we serve. Their commitment to excellence has set a benchmark for others to aspire to, and it fills me with immense pride to see their hard work acknowledged by CASE which is widely viewed as the standard bearer in our profession. I am confident that this award is only the beginning of many more achievements to come.”

The Communications and Marketing team received a silver-level CASE Circle of Excellence Award in the Marketing/Advertising Category for digital advertising.

“The work the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is doing around affordability is incredible, and to have our team be recognized in an international competition for that work means so much,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. “I am so proud of this team and their continual work to support the mission of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Being recognized for that work is incredibly special.”

The premier accolades for educational advancement, the Circle of Excellence Awards recognize colleges, universities, and schools whose talented staff advanced their institutions with ingenuity and resourcefulness.

“The Circle of Excellence Awards showcase the impact advancement professionals have upon their institutions and communities around the globe, every day,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham. “Our 2023 honorees—from diverse institutions and teams of all sizes—are bold, creative, and resourceful. They demonstrate how powerful it is when advancement teams champion teaching, learning, research, and the progress that education ignites.”

The CASE judges noted that the digital advertising campaign’s strategic focus on affordability and its powerful impact on prospective students stood out among the nominations.

“By directly addressing the financial barriers faced by students, the ads instilled hope and effectively conveyed the university’s commitment to accessibility,” the judges wrote. “The impressive reach, click-through rate, and increased interest in campus tours and inquiries demonstrated the campaign’s success. Moreover, the ads served a dual purpose of both raising awareness and substantiating the university’s claims of affordability. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s innovative approach and the profound impact it had on prospective students make it a deserving recipient of this recognition.”

In addition to the CASE award, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing team has won several top awards from the annual National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest.

Phillips, Angelita Faller, news director, Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer, and Olivia Hicks, editorial assistant, received awards during a June 24 awards ceremony during the NFPW’s annual conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tozer received second place in Graphics and Design – Book Designed by Entrant for the Donaghey Scholars Honor Program Booklet as well as first place in Public Relations Material – Brochure for Department of History Brochure.

“I am very excited to have won on a national level,” Tozer said. “These two print projects were fun to design, and work in collaboration with our university print shop in the production. I continue to be thankful for the creative opportunities at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Go Trojans!”

Faller received first place in Publication Regularly Written by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Now.

Phillips received second place in Public Relations Materials – Report for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Annual Report.

Additionally, Faller and Phillips received an honorable mention for a Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Newsletter.

Hicks, a senior double majoring in mass communication and professional and technical writing, received second place in Collegiate/Education Writing – Features for “Hudson Graduates from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock” and first place in College/Education Writing – Sports for “Disc Golf Makes Its Debut on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus.”

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock winners were among a slate of statewide winners that helped the Arkansas Press Women win the Sweepstakes Award for receiving the most winning entries of any state affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women. It was the first time the Arkansas chapter has earned the award.

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Communications and Marketing Team Earns Awards from Arkansas Press Women

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:44:39 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing team has won a number of awards from the annual Professional Communications Contest.

Angelita Faller, news director, Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer, Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer, and Olivia Hicks, editorial assistant, received awards during a May 20 awards luncheon on the campus of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.

“I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the work that Carrie, Angie, Klansee, and Olivia are doing,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of university advancement. “They are a part of a team of marketing and communications professionals working collaboratively across campus with valued partners to help them achieve their goals. Hard work and professionalism earned them this due recognition from Arkansas Press Women.”

Faller and Phillips received first place for a Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Newsletter. Additionally, Phillips received first place in Public Relations Materials – Report for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Annual Report.

Faller also received first place in Specialty Articles – Sports for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Wins Legal Writing Contest for Exploration of Jock Taxes During COVID-19;” first place in Specialty Articles – History for “��Vlog��ý Little Rock Researchers Uncover History of American Indian Nurses in World War I;” and first place in Publication Regularly Written by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Now.

Tozer received first place in Graphics and Design – Book Designed by Entrant for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program Booklet as well as first place in Public Relations Material – Brochure for the Department of History Brochure.

“As a graphic designer working for a university, my creative hunger is fulfilled each day,” Tozer said. “The folks in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program are always easy to work with so when I asked them if they were open to a redesign of their recruitment booklet incorporating our new brand elements, they were excited to see the outcome. Printing Services did a great job printing their eight-page, saddle stitched booklet, and they were pleased with the results.

The Department of History sent a request for help with their ‘Evenings With History Series’ brochure. The two-sided print piece consisted of 10 panels and four folds. Working with Printing Services, we were able to give this brochure a pop of gold shine with their new printing capabilities. It turned out beautifully and the folks in the Department of History thought it was fantastic. I am thankful for every creative opportunity.”

Hicks, a senior double majoring in mass communication and professional and technical writing, received first place in Collegiate/Education Writing – Features for “Hudson Graduates from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock;” first place in College/Education Writing – Sports for “Disc Golf Makes Its Debut on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus;” and third place in Collegiate/Education Writing – News for “Forcum and Nadeem to Serve as New SGA President and Vice President.”

“I was so excited to learn that my stories won such prestigious awards, especially since I’m still a student,” Hicks said. “My work with MarComm the past two years has been the most rewarding experience of my college career, and being awarded for my stories are just the cherry on top.”

An affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, APW was founded in 1949 by women working in Arkansas newspapers to provide an opportunity to compete and network in a male-dominated industry. The organization is now an association of communicators in journalism, public information, business, education, and government.

All first-place entries will go on to compete in the National Federation of Press Women competition. National winners are announced during the NFPW’s annual conference June 22-24 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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National Federation of Press Women - News - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Wins National and Statewide Honors for Excellence in Communications

Next Chapter Unfolds: Hicks Celebrates Graduation and New Career

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Earns Top Awards

Communications and Marketing Team Earns Awards from Arkansas Press Women

National Federation of Press Women - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Wins National and Statewide Honors for Excellence in Communications

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing Team Earns Top Awards