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The Outstanding Communication Major Award

This award is for a Communication major who has demonstrated both excellence in their academic accomplishments, as well as outstanding leadership outside of the classroom. The recipient is chosen by the Head of the Department from undergraduate candidates who have been recommended by faculty. Nominations are made by full-time faculty members who have had the student in class. Students may ask a professor they have had for a class to nominate them for the award.

The award is for a current student who has junior or senior year standing. It cannot be given to a student who has already graduated. The award nomination process takes place during in Spring semester.

Communication Department Award of Distinction

This award recognizes a Communication major who has achieved academic distinction. This award is given to a student who is graduating with honors and has a minimum overall GPA of 3.25 and a minimum Communication GPA of 3.5 (out of 4). Nominations are made by full-time faculty members who have had the student in class. Students may ask a professor they have had for a class to nominate them for the award. The award nomination process takes place during in Spring semester.

Rose Economu Award

This award recognizes a Communication major who is in good academic standing, is within three semesters of graduation, and has demonstrated financial need. Nominations are made by full-time faculty members who have had the student in class. Students may ask a professor they have had for a class to nominate them for the award. The award nomination process takes place during in Spring semester.

Graduate Student Awards

International Communication Association Student Teaching Award (Graduate Students)

This award recognizes a Communication graduate student who has an outstanding record as a teacher, in addition to a solid performance in other aspects of graduate study. The recipient receives a one-year membership to the International Communication Association. The award nomination process takes place during in Spring semester.

National Communication Association Award – Membership (Graduate Students)

The NCA Award recognizes a graduate student with standing as a second year student or beyond who has demonstrated outstanding performance of graduate study. The recipient receives a one-year membership to NCA, plus a one-year subscription to an NCA journal. The Director of Graduate Studies and any faculty teaching graduate courses in the previous year may make nominations to the Awards Committee. Students may ask a professor to nominate them. The award nomination process takes place during in Spring semester.

UIC and LAS Scholarships, Prizes, and Awards of Recognition

Guidelines (including exact GPA requirements) and due dates for scholarships are available through SnAP (https://uic.academicworks.com/.):

Bernard Shaw Prize

This scholarship is named after the distinguished journalist and CNN anchor and is awarded annually to qualified LAS undergraduates majoring in Communication, English/journalism, History, or Political Science. The purpose of The Bernard Shaw Prize is to recognize superior academic and civic achievement, to encourage further educational study, and to help students needing financial assistance. Recipients must demonstrate, at least two years as a UIC student, an outstanding record of academic accomplishments, along with exemplary leadership and citizenship.

Credit Hours Eligibility

  • Minimum 60 semester hours completed at UIC by end of current Spring semester.

Min. GPA

  • 3.0

Special Eligibility Requirements

  • A graded writing sample from one of your UIC classes is required. Statement of personal and professional goals is required.

Scholarship Amount

  • Up to $10,000

PNA-Hugh Hill Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is available to a full-time Communication or English major who has current or previous internship experience in electronic and/or print media at a television or radio station, magazine, or newspaper.

Credit Hours Eligibility

  • Minimum 60 semester hours completed at UIC by end of current Spring semester.

Min. GPA

  • 3.00

Special Eligibility Requirements

  • A description of past or current internship experience in electronic or print media at a television or radio station, magazine, or newspaper is required.  A list or description of the coursework/internship(s) in the areas of electronic and/or print media

Scholarship Amount

  • Up to $2,500