We wrapped up the Spring semester with a tech-tastic NMIXpo that included an Advisory Council meeting, SLAM, Emerge, graduation party, and so much more.
And before we settle into the Summer semester, we would like to give one more round of applause to all of our New Media and Emerging Media students who debuted 24 Capstone projects for friends, family, and clients at SLAM and Emerge.
👉 To see their incredible work, check out the NMI Projects page.
And the Awards Go To…
👏 This semester, we presented two Certificate student awards recognizing hard work and positivity, introduced three new EM student awards, and we announced our second NMIcon.
Clate Award: Team Arboretum
The Clate Award celebrates determination in the face of challenges and recognizes individuals who demonstrate remarkable fortitude in overcoming obstacles and a refusal to be deterred by setbacks. Congratulations to Certificate Capstone Team Arboretum: Michael C. Scott, Jaslene Le, Ashvij Hosdurg, Erin Mondock, and Suhailah Fennell!
Emuel Award: Gianna Racanelly & Maddie Dickinson
The Emuel Award recognizes Certificate students who not only demonstrate outstanding work but also contribute contagious positivity to their project, team, and the class as a whole, uplifting those around them with their kindness and skills. Congratulations, Gianna and Maddie!
Portfolio of the Year Award: Melania Pacheco
This Portfolio of the Year award celebrates a student who brought their Emerging Media journey to life through a visually stunning and powerfully told digital portfolio. With a strong personal brand and standout creative execution and technical skill, their work reflects talent, strategy, and growth. Congratulations, Mel! Check out her portfolio here.
We also want to give a shout out to our amazing Portfolio Award Finalists:
👏 Anna Pham
👏 Hannah Kwak
Trailblazer in Emerging Media Award: Kylie Earnhardt
The EM Trailblazer drives innovation by embracing Emerging Media’s interdisciplinary nature with agility and vision. Their commitment to exploration and collaborative problem-solving exemplifies the forward-thinking spirit essential to this dynamic field. Congratulations, Kylie!
EMVP Award: Peyton Owens
The EMVP exemplifies the collaborative, creative spirit at the heart of the program. Nominated by their peers, the EMVP leads by example, uplifts others, and contributes to a strong, supportive cohort culture. They don’t just make it work – they make it work better. Congratulations, Peyton!
NMIcon: Chris Gerlach
The NMIcon is awarded annually to the team member who demonstrates excellence in one or more of the following areas: positively influencing the educational and professional pursuits of New Media and Emerging Media students, forging connections between the NMI and industry partners, and nurturing new relationships across campus and the community.
Nominations were collected from students, peers, and NMI Advisory Council members and we are excited to recognize Chris Gerlach as the 2026 NMIcon!
Chris has been with the NMI longer than almost anyone else – from his early days as an NMI graduate assistant, to resident designer and drone expert, to TEDxUGA stage designer and lecturer, all the way to second-in-command as our Assistant Director – a new hat he just started wearing this year. His kindness, his constant willingness to help, and his infectious curiosity have made him not just a cornerstone of the NMI, but someone people naturally turn to. Chris has made an unforgettable, tangible impression on every student he’s taught. He ignites curiosity and empowers students to try new things. Or, in the words of one of his nominators: “Overall, he is awesome, and his awesomeness deserves to be recognized!” We couldn’t agree more! Congratulations, Chris!
And Some Important Thank Yous!
Grateful for These Fundsters!
In addition to awards, we also recognized the newest members of our Fundster Fam! These students have stepped up to help the NMI continue to make it work better. Please join us in thanking Safa Ali, Suhailah Fennell, Sloan Miers, Sofia Rios, and Madeline Smith. We couldn’t do it without you!
Shout Out for Senior Signature Students!
NMI students Jillian Ball, Emily Carter, Grace Chandler, Trina Duncan, Izzy Finnerty, Taejah Harper, Callie Hutcheson, McKenna Hajj, Karina Mendoza, Nhi Nguyen-Li, Kendall Oesterling, and Nyla Warburton very kindly allocated their UGA Senior Signature gifts to the NMI, and we are very grateful! UGA’s Senior Signature began in 1991 and these incredible recent graduates have left a legacy both at UGA and the NMI. Thank you!
Thank You, Sponsors!
Finally, we want to give a big round of applause for our Spring 2026 NMIXpo Sponsors – Adherence, LLC, and Sweet Toppings ATL! While our awesome students, staff, and faculty work hard to make it work, our sponsors’ commitment to the NMI helps us make it work better.
So, that’s a wrap on another amazing Spring NMIXpo! What a great way to end a great year!
Couldn’t make it to NMIXpo or just want to relive the moment? Explore our albums below: