CASE: Fall 2024

Hannah Aguilar
Media Advertising in Nonprofit

How do nonprofits manage multiple advertising methods with different audiences? Taking a closer look at the Boston Project Ministries, I got to learn about their marketing team and how they tackle different obstacles from being nonprofit as well as keeping a brand message and vision. Communication has allowed for there to be a bridge between different demographics and the message being advertised to the different communities nonprofits connect with.

Jose Maties Casados
Unveiling the Unseen

My name is Jose Maties, and my senior project is Unveiling the Unseen: Digital Media Use Behind Political Campaigns. There is a problem with the content we see in digital media, the amount we see, and how it determines our thoughts. In this project, I analyzed how that is real and present in our society, and how that had a big impact during the 2024 presidential election. Communication plays a big role in political campaigns, and it using its theories and uses to analyze this problem is crucial. In this project, I examine the use of digital media during the 2024 US presidential campaign, how it was used, its effects, and how that affected the public’s ideas.

Jason Hubbard
Legacy through Lineage: Learning from Those Closest to Us

“Legacy through Lineage: Learning from Those Closest to Us” is a podcast project aimed at addressing the growing disconnect between younger generations and the richness of life that comes from meaningful, in-person interactions. As devices dominate our attention, we lose the opportunity to experience the stories and wisdom of those around us.

To illustrate this, I introduced the topic and included clips from a podcast featuring the stories of two individuals from World War II and the impact their experiences have had on their grandchildren. These narratives offer profound lessons in perseverance, resilience, and gratitude—qualities that cannot be replicated through a screen.

While technology has given us tools to communicate more, it often leads to shallow, less meaningful exchanges. Through this project, I aim to remind us of the power of learning from those who came before us—not just to preserve their legacies but to enrich our own lives through deeper connections.

Noelle Ledford
Glass Voices

My senior capstone project, Glass Voices is a TED Talk-style presentation that examines the experience of glass children—siblings of individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Using my personal experience to inform my research, I address the challenges glass children face, including the tension between resilience and vulnerability, feelings of invisibility, and the struggle to express their authentic selves. My research explores the ways in which different interpersonal dynamics contribute to these issues and the importance of open communication. Preparing this presentation has deepened my understanding of the power of listening with empathy. By raising awareness, my goal is to emphasize that to be heard is to be known, encouraging people to truly see and hear glass children and love them for who they are. Communication is the cornerstone of this effort, providing the bridge for glass children to share their voices, find validation, and express themselves.

Henry Lonstein
The Connected Church: A Strategy for Bridging Faith and Digital Outreach

This project explores the problem of ineffective or outdated communication strategies in churches, focusing on how social media can enhance ministry growth and engagement. I analyzed best practices in digital communication, developed a strategic framework tailored to ministry goals, and crafted actionable recommendations for churches to foster online community and discipleship.

During my internship with the Communications Department at Netcast Church (Danvers, MA), I had the opportunity to implement these strategies, gaining firsthand insight into the importance of aligning digital communication with an organization’s mission and the unique needs of its congregation. Communication ultimately serves as the bridge between traditional ministry methods and the digital age, empowering churches to extend their reach and create deeper, more meaningful connections within their communities.

Wesley Marquardt
Self-branding in the Digital Era: A Decline in Authenticity

Authenticity is crucial to a successful relationship; it is what creates intimacy and brings value to the connection. However, social media has shifted this narrative. While it provides an ecosystem for connecting people around the world, it does so in an environment driven by algorithms and statistics. The focus shifts from fostering genuine connections to prioritizing metrics.

Connections become secondary to creating desirable images that align with the algorithm’s rules, deteriorating authenticity. Online platforms turn into spaces where only the most desirable traits and skills are showcased. Self-branding becomes a race for views and clicks rather than a journey of fostering meaningful interactions. This shift poses a significant threat to authenticity—a concern I aim to bring awareness to.

How can we reshape our definition of online success to celebrate vulnerability and originality?

Isaac Reitz
The Art of Influence: Decoding Symbols, Typography, and Color in Advertising

In today's world filled with media overload and advertising bombardment, it's fascinating how advertisements have an impact on how we think and act without us realizing it. My final project dives into the ways in which signs and symbols, fonts and colors are strategically employed in advertising to sway our decisions subtly. By analyzing ad campaigns and carrying out a survey I investigate how symbols, typography choices and color palettes convey messages and stir up emotions. This project showcases the role of advertising in psychology while emphasizing the need for media literacy to navigate through these strategies effectively. By revealing these underlying mechanisms in advertising strategies and consumer behaviors my goal is to empower advertisers to develop campaigns, with integrity and enable consumers to make informed decisions.  

Bryce Smith
Mind Over Matter: Supporting Mental Health in College Athletes Through Social Media 

My project addresses the growing mental health challenges experienced by college athletes, who often balance intense academic and athletic demands while also dealing with personal and social pressures. I created an Instagram page to provide athletes with mental health resources, tips, and a supportive community.

This project involved researching how to communicate effective strategies for mental health advocacy, foster social media engagement, and address the specific challenges athletes face. Social media proved to be an effective strategy because it is easily accessible to everyone, and I was able to connect with athletes at Gordon College. Through this process, I learned the power of clear, empathetic messaging and the importance of fostering connection and support in digital spaces.

Communication plays a crucial role in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating accessible resources for athletes. By using social media as a platform, my project demonstrates how communication can drive awareness, education, and meaningful change.

Crisana Speer
Untold

Today, we are the most technologically advanced we have ever been; however, studies have shown that we are also the most disconnected we have ever been. Generation Z is considered the loneliest generation—but how is that possible with the world at our fingertips? Disconnection was one of the first consequences of the fall, and we are still battling its effects today.

Connection isn’t found just in the conversations we have on a daily basis; it’s in the stories we tell. We can go our whole lives talking to people without truly knowing them. Untold highlights the importance of sharing the “Untold Stories”—the stories that shape who we are but often go unshared. The more we share these stories, the more we will learn about each other and move closer to the connection we were created for.

Jordan Sundel
Reversing the Rhetoric

In 2024, we seem more divided than ever. It seems as if we allow our politics to define us, pushing away anyone who disagrees with us. But why is this? Where does this anger and hatred stem from? My goal is to explore how much of the division we face as a country is a byproduct of the increasingly contentious rhetoric used by our politicians.

The language used by our leaders today is intentional, designed to stir up emotion and foster an environment where hostility and hatred can thrive. But how much has truly changed? When juxtaposed with election cycles of the past, it becomes clear that the shift in tone and rhetoric is massive—and in some cases, even intentional.

The study of communication is profoundly important to healing this divide. We must learn once again to communicate thoughtfully and respectfully to foster unity among our fellow Americans.