PBSC wins top Medallion Award in regional NCMPR competition

Palm Beach State College has won a Gold Medallion Award, as well as one silver and seven bronze awards, from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District II for work produced by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs department. The annual regional awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges in 11 Southeastern states, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.

This year, there were 446 submissions in 47 categories. Of the entries, only 45 first-place gold medallions were awarded.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Office of Communications and Public Affairs team for earning this year’s NCMPR Gold Award and multiple NCMPR honors," said Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Angela Harrington. "These achievements reflect the creativity, collaboration, and dedication our team brings to telling Palm Beach State College’s story with purpose and passion. Every project we create shines a light on the students, faculty, alumni, and community that make PBSC extraordinary.”

The winning categories and pieces are:

Gold

Special Event or Fundraising Campaign highlighting the Palm Beach State College second Emerald Torch Awards Gala. The event welcomed more than 300 guests for a celebratory night of dinner and dancing on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in the Student Commons area on the Lake Worth campus. The sold-out signature event was hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies and WPTV news anchor Hollani Davis to recognize local luminary alumni, celebrate PBSC’s legacy, and raise funds for student scholarships.

The gala was highlighted by the following Office of Communications and Public Affairs members: Kristi Sorrow, media relations and press release; Kara Bailey, graphics; Karina Silva Santisteban and Ricardo Reyes, videography; Caroline Sheikhnia and Julie Somera, social media; Carol McDonald, photography; Cara Masset, website; Stephanie Santos, honoree interviews. Cris Mercado of Cris Mercado Design also provided the CUBE LED designs.

Silver

Social Media Page featuring PBSC’s Instagram page. Over the past year, PBSC’s Instagram has seen strong growth in followers, views, and engagement. Content strategy focused on showcasing the student experience through Reels and photos featuring real students, trending audio, and highlights of student, faculty, and staff achievements. The PBSC team boosted engagement with vertical videos, created a mascot collaboration campaign with Florida Atlantic University, and did a collaboration with student-athletes. While TikTok isn’t permitted, the PBSC team successfully adapted by reaching that audience on Instagram Reels. In June 2025, they launched a Student Social Media Influencer program across three campuses, and early results show strong engagement and authentic student impact. The team was the Social & Digital Media team of Caroline Sheikhnia, Julie Somera and Nick Murray.

Bronze

Social Media Post or Story-Video highlighting the FAU and PBSC Mascot Collaboration Campaign Reel. The caption of this reel was: Two campuses, one goal: celebrating our grads! Owlsley and Palmer teamed up to send a big congrats to the #ClassOf2025 at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State. You did it! #FAUGrad #PBSCGrad. This reel was created by the Social & Digital Media team of Caroline Sheikhnia, Julie Somera and Nick Murray and Florida Atlantic University's Assistant Director of Social Media Kharisma N. Grady.

Promotional Video-Short Form highlighting the Police and Civilian Riders Go Head‑to‑Head in Motorcycle Rodeo at PBSC. In this lively and action‑packed video, PBSC hosts its third annual Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo, featuring trained police officers and skilled civilian riders from across the U.S. and Canada. Held on PBSC’s Lake Worth Public Safety Training Center skid pad in March 2025, the rodeo brings together 50 competitors who maneuver their 1000cc motorcycles through slalom courses, timed runs, precision challenges, and “slow box” tests. Viewers see the thrilling interplay of competition and camaraderie as riders tackle demanding low‑speed and hazard‑simulation courses designed to improve safety and riding skills. The video intersperses dynamic race footage with interviews from participants, including civilians and law enforcement officers, highlighting mutual respect, shared learning, and community impact. All proceeds supported PBSC students pursuing careers in criminal justice and public safety. This video was created by Multimedia Specialist Kyle Alswanger-Busch and Video and Motion Graphics Specialist Michael Migliore.

Video Shorts (single) highlighting From Dream to Career: Sonya Mingola's Journey in Engineering Technology at PBSC. The video shows Sonya Mingola sharing her inspiring path earning an Associate in Science in Engineering Technology with a focus on Alternative Energy Systems at Palm Beach State College. Starting as a dual enrollment student, she briefly attended university but found it lacked the intimate environment she needed. Returning to PBSC, she thrived and graduated successfully. This video was produced by Media Technology Coordinator Karina Silva Santisteban. Dr. Eva Suarez, Engineering Technology professor, also helped with pre-production and organizing the on-camera video interview with the students. 

Original Photography (Manipulated) for the photograph Becoming the Hero. This image captures a powerful, symbolic moment of transformation. The graduate stands poised, while his mother, just out of frame tosses the gown into the air, creating the illusion of a cape. The gesture reflects the often-unseen support behind every accomplishment. The image was created by photographer Carol McDonald.

Television/Video Paid Advertisement (series) for Choose PBSC highlighting the Open House Event for new and incoming students to learn about Palm Beach State College's program and services and to register for the fall term. It was produced by Ricardo Reyes, video production manager, and others on the Office of Communications and Public Affairs video team.

Special Event Campaign for the promotion of the PBSC Spring 2025 Commencement. This campaign highlighted Palm Beach State College's Spring Commencement ceremony held May 7, 2025, at the Kravis Center for Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Those contributing to the campaign from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs were: Kristi Sorrow, Kerry Capell and Lakshmi Gomez, media relations and press release; Kara Bailey and Kari McCormick, graphics, Karina Silva Santisteban, Ricardo Reyes, Kyle Alswanger-Busch, Michael Migliore, videography; Caroline Sheikhnia, Julie Somera, Nick Murray, social media; Carol McDonald, photography; Cara Masset, website.

Wild Card highlighting the TGL Ribbon Cutting Slide for the CUBE Display. This entry showcased a custom-designed slide created for the CUBE, PBSC’s large, four-sided LED screen display. Visible from all angles, the CUBE is used to broadcast vibrant, high-impact messaging to the campus community. The slide promoted the ribbon cutting of the new TGL (TMRW Golf League) building located on the Palm Beach Gardens campus. This high-tech sports facility is the new home of TGL, a team golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley. The slide highlighted the significance of the event, which included PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., and prominent golfers, and served to draw attention to the college’s growing partnerships and visibility in the sports and tech space. The event being highlighted on the LED cube was also featured in a PBSC News Center story. This entry was created by Web Content Specialist Gabriel Ortolaza.

The awards were presented during the District II Conference held in Virginia Beach Oct. 27-29. They were judged by panels of industry professionals. NCMPR is an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. Visit www.ncmpr.org to learn more.