07/10/25

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – A strategic communication campaign developed by three Fort Hays State University (FHSU) students has earned Second Place in the Kansas Professional Communicators 2025 Communications Contest for “Video for Web, Nonprofit (Group).

The award-winning project was created in the spring 2024 Strategic Campaign Design and Analysis class, taught by Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, a Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science professor at FHSU. Andy Tincknell, Coordinator of Learning Commons at FHSU’s Forsyth Library, guided and facilitated the video project.

The winning students, all communication majors with an emphasis in public relations and advertising, are:

• Ashtyn Butlerof Albert
• Allison Hillebrandof Hays
• Carley Nortonof Minneola

Their campaign was designed to support Jana’s Campaign in celebrating its significant milestone of reaching 100,000 K-12 students with relationship violence prevention education.

“The opportunity to work with a real organization and put my skills to use on a more meaningful scale was already an invaluable and unforgettable experience as a student,” Norton said. “Working with Jana's Campaign, however, changed my outlook on the public relations industry and has inspired me to pursue nonprofit PR in the future. Jana's Campaign truly opened my eyes to the scale of and stigma around relationship and sexual violence.”

The group used family pictures, quotes, and audio recordings, including a recording of Jana herself, to showcase the young woman’s personality and tell the story of the journey her family took to form the organization. The team also introduced an element of surprise by inserting pictures from the domestic violence awareness assemblies that Jana’s Campaign hosted, all to demonstrate how one family touched approximately 100,000 students through what would become a nationwide movement. 

"Each of us in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science is dedicated to fostering innovative and socially conscious communicators,” Yang said. “Through programs like our public relations and advertising concentration, we equip students with the practical skills and ethical understanding to make a tangible difference in the world. This state-wide recognition is a testament to the talent of our students and the effectiveness of our commitment to experiential learning, preparing graduates who are not just career-ready but also community-minded leaders.”

About Fort Hays State University: Located on the high plains of north-central Kansas, Fort Hays State University is a regional comprehensive public university where more than 16,000 students pursue their educational goals on campus, online, and at partner campuses in Africa and Asia. Unmatched affordability and the quality of academic programs and student services make FHSU the best value in higher education anywhere. 

About Jana’s Campaign: Jana’s Campaign is a national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims and survivors of relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

About Kansas Professional Communicators: Kansas Professional Communicators is an organization dedicated to promoting high standards in communications, fostering professional development, and protecting the First Amendment.