FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo’s mass communication program has soared in the Broadcast Education Association’s 2025 Recognition of Institutional Excellence in Media rankings, standing out among 159 ranked schools.

UM earned first place in the film and video competition in Alabama and 20th internationally, up from 27th in 2024. The program also rose from 85th to 73rd for overall top programs internationally.

The rankings are based solely on the creative achievements of each schools’ students and the results from the BEA Festival of Media Arts, the preeminent international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. Entries go through a blind-juried review in the following competitions: audio, documentary, film and video, interactive multimedia and emerging technologies, news, scriptwriting and sports.

Dr. Ray Ozley, chair of UM’s Department of Communication, said these rankings are a testament to the Department of Communication’s ongoing commitment to providing excellent experiential learning opportunities for UM students. Ozley also offered special thanks to UM’s BEA chapter’s advisors, Dr. Kaley Martin and Dr. Bruce Finklea, for their leadership in helping the program receive this outstanding recognition.

“We are proud of our students and faculty who compete successfully on the national and international stages against much larger schools,” Ozley said. “These awards reflect the overall quality of our program’s productions, and we expect to see even more accomplishments in the coming years.”

The rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to those at other institutions.

Two mass communication majors earned awards of excellence in this year’s film and video competition—Malachi McIntosh’s “MalMadeThisPromo” in the animation category and Sophie Cooper’s “After You” comedy short in the narrative category.

Martin was featured among faculty winners for her work on “The Mental Game Choose Your Own Adventure Edutainment” in collaboration with alum DeAndra Hodge. The game earned Best of Festival in the Faculty Interactive Multimedia Competition and Best of Competition in the interactive reality category.

The Broadcast Education Association is the premiere international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production and career advancement for educators, students and professionals.

To learn more about Mass Communication at UM, visit Montevallo.edu/program/mass-communication.