Eight graduate students from Boston University’s College of Communication will be celebrated next month in a ceremony as recipients of the first-ever COM Graduate Student Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements, dedication, and contributions by the college’s graduate students.

“These awards celebrate excellence across academics, leadership, community engagement, and professional growth,” said Laurie Nichols, assistant dean of graduate affairs. “Each recipient has demonstrated remarkable commitment to advancing their field and making a positive impact on our community.”

Recipients were selected by a review committee of faculty and staff members at the College of Communication.

The COM Graduate Award Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m., Friday, December 6 at the Boston University Photonics Colloquium (PHO 906).

The winners:

Graduate Student of the Year Award: Shivangi Sethi (COM’25), MS in Advertising

From the judges: “Shivangi has demonstrated outstanding academic and leadership skills. As COM Grad Council president, she fostered an inclusive environment, boosted social media engagement, and excelled as AdLab’s vice president of new business, securing clients like Capital One. Her roles as a teaching assistant and COM student ambassador further reflect her dedication to the BU COM community’s values.”

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence: Patrick Mohan Zhang (COM’25), MS in Media Science

From the judges: “Patrick has enriched the COM community through his research in media and inclusivity. A graduate student in marketing communication research, he explores AI, user trust, and social perceptions of voice-based agents. As a Media Science ambassador and COM DEI committee member, his impactful work earned the Emerging Leaders Scholarship and a travel grant.”

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence: Alexis Shore Ingber (COM ’24), PhD in Emerging Media Studies

From the judges: “Alexis has made notable contributions to the COM community through her innovative research and teaching. Her doctoral work in Emerging Media Studies examines privacy issues at the intersection of law, user psychology, and interface design. As an industry-funded researcher and dedicated educator, she bridges theory with practical insights, earning admiration as a valued researcher, educator, and mentor.”

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chuhe Zeng (COM ’24), MS in Advertising

From the judges: Chuhe has significantly impacted the COM community through dedicated service as a teaching assistant in CM 217, where she enhanced student learning by updating course materials and mentoring. Beyond the classroom, Chuhe contributed to DEI efforts, advocating for inclusivity and exemplifying a commitment to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all.

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant: Abigail Bonner (COM ’25), MFA in Film & Television Studies

From the judges: “Abby has greatly contributed to the COM community through her commitment to teaching and mentorship. As a teaching assistant and peer mentor, Abby fosters engaging discussions, connects media history to present trends, and provides valuable feedback on research projects. Her work in the COM Writing Center further highlights her commitment to supporting student growth and collaboration.”

COM Global Citizen Award: Rohan Sugapong (COM ’25), MS in Advertising

From the judges: “Rohan has shown exceptional dedication and leadership at COM, excelling as an MS in advertising student and earning high grades. He led a global campaign during his Kinly internship, set to launch in 2025, and served as a COM graduate ambassador, supporting international students with insights on life, studies, and careers in a new country.”

COM Global Citizen Award: Chi Vu (COM ’24), MA in Emerging Media Studies

From the judges: “Chi is a standout candidate for the COM Global Citizen Award. Her work reflects a commitment to intercultural understanding and prosocial research, including innovative projects on AI and language learning, as well as an impactful UN internship. Known for her diligence, curiosity, and empathy, Chi exemplifies the qualities of a conscientious global citizen and researcher.”

COMmunity Service Award: Arya Zade (COM ’25), MS in Journalism

From the judges: “Arya has enriched the COM community through leadership, mentorship, and service. As social affairs co-chair for the COM Graduate Student Council, Arya organized inclusive events, supported student journalism as associate layout editor for The Daily Free Press, and guided peers as a writing fellow and peer mentor. Arya’s dedication leaves a lasting impact on our community.”