Dr. Caroline Sawyer Wins 2021 Breakthrough Star Award
Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Sawyer, USCB Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, who has won a prestigious 2021 Breakthrough Stars Award for her enterprising work connecting USCB students with the Lowcountry community. With this annual award, the University of South Carolina recognizes outstanding junior faculty members.
“We are very fortunate to have so many excellent scholars populating our research community at every level. This year’s Breakthrough award recipients are among the best of the best,” said Prakash Nagarkatti, President of Research at the University of South Carolina.
In addition to teaching and securing funding for interdisciplinary, student-centered humanities initiatives, Sawyer is co-director of Students Connected, director of the Sand Shark Center for Innovative Media, producer of TV show “By The River” in collaboration with SCETV, president of the Carolinas Communication Association and chair of the Gender Studies Division of the Southern States Communication Association.
Her research interests include transmedia storytelling, broadcast media, gender and sports communication, sports and new media, corporate communication, popular culture, American culture and critical discourse studies. Her professional experience includes working as a corporate communication consultant for several large public and private corporations advising on website design, social media campaigns, and public and investor relations, as well as training employees to improve their presentation skills.
Dr. Eric Skipper, USCB’s Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, nominated Sawyer for the award and colleagues enthusiastically supported her.
“A review of Dr. Sawyer’s vita reveals a truly enterprising academic who impacts the Lowcountry region and indeed the entire state. She has built and leveraged relationships outside of the university to provide opportunities for creative scholarship, instruction, and outreach,” Charles L. Spirrison, Dean of USCB’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said in his recommendation letter.
Check out the 2021 Breakthrough Stars award announcement at:
Dr. Caroline Sawyer is Assistant Professor of Communications Studies at USCB.