MSU students rake in broadcasting awards, propel department to Top 10 national ranking

MSU students rake in broadcasting awards, propel department to Top 10 national ranking

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Two Mississippi State University students in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre have earned national placement in the Heart Journalism Awards program, one of the most prestigious competitions in collegiate journalism. The combined placements have secured a Top 10 spot for MSU in the national broadcast competition. 

The top three universities will be announced at the national championships in San Francisco this June with the top three intercollegiate winners earning $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.

Aubrey Carter

Aubrey Carter, a 2025 MSU graduate and current CMT graduate student, from Alabaster, Alabama, placed in the Top 10 in the Hearst TV Feature Competition.

“It was extremely surreal to get the email that I placed ninth nationally in the Hearst Journalism Awards,” she said. “Storytelling and reporting have become such a passion of mine. This award was such a boost of confidence. I feel blessed to be part of a university that has taught me and pushed me to keep reaching for my full potential. This award ignited a new spark in me to continue chasing my dreams and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Kate Myers

Kate Myers, a junior broadcast and digital journalism major from Ruston, Louisiana, has earned a Top 15 spot in the Hearst Audio Competition.

“This award is affirmation that the work I’ve poured into developing my craft is paying off,” said Myers. “MSU has given me the space to experiment, improve and find my voice as a journalist. To see that recognized nationally is both humbling and motivating. This award is a testament not only to my work, but also to the strength of the communication program and to the support of the faculty and staff who have stood behind me since my freshman year.”

Now in its 66th year, the Hearst program awards up to $700,000 annually in scholarships and grants. The competition features contests spanning writing, photojournalism, audio, television and multimedia storytelling, culminating in national championship finals. Participation is limited to students enrolled in programs accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

In 2025, MSU’s CMT department received accreditation from the ACEJMC, qualifying it to compete in the Hearst Journalism Awards for the first time.

“This achievement is a direct reflection of the strength of our curriculum and the opportunities made possible through ACEJMC accreditation,” said Terry Likes, head of the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre. “Accreditation ensures our students are competing on a national level with the very best programs in the country.”

MSU students competed against nationally recognized journalism powerhouses including Syracuse, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Arizona State, Penn State and Maryland. For more information about the Hearst Journalism Awards Program, visit hearstawards.org.

For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Communication, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.comm.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.

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