The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has announced its winners of the 2026 Alumni Awards. A ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24.
Awards
Q&A with 2026 Ralph O. Nafziger Award Winner Kynala Phillips
A Q&A With Kynala Phillips on her career journey as a Black journalist and work with community-based media.
Q&A with Distinguished Service Award Winner Janell Wise
A Q&A with Janell Wise on media law at CBS News, navigating defamation and newsgathering, and her journey from UW–Madison to top legal roles.
Q&A with 2026 Shannon Dunwoody Early Career Award Winner Catasha Davis
A Q&A with Catasha Davis on strategic communication, equity-centered research, and translating complex insights into impactful policy and practice.
Q&A with 2026 Sharon Dunwoody Early Career Award Winner Rachel Kornfield
A Q&A with Rachel Kornfield on digital mental health innovation, AI tools for care, and her research shaping the future of health communication.
Q&A with 2026 Ralph O. Nafziger Award Winner Shannon Malone
A Q&A with Shannon Malone Mazibuko on leading NBA communications, her path from UW–Madison to the Sacramento Kings, and advancing women in sports.
Q&A with 2026 Distinguished Service Award Winner Carla Oakley
A Q&A with Carla Oakley on a career in intellectual property law, advising global brands, and navigating advertising and digital risk.
Q&A with 2026 Ralph O. Nafziger Award Winner Molly Winding Dewey
A Q&A with Molly Winding Dewey on building Leena AI, improving women’s health access, and empowering women through technology and leadership.
Q&A with 2026 Distinguished Service Award Winner Abigail Buckwalter
A Q&A with Abigail Buckwalter on leading Nestlé Health Science U.S., driving innovation in nutrition, and building high-performing global teams.
Q&A with 2026 Harold L. Nelson Award Winner Ronald Faber
A Q&A with Ronald Faber on decades of advertising research, mentoring future scholars, and his lasting impact on media and consumer behavior studies.