News & Awards

Inside the classrooms of Florida International University, we often talk about the “World Ahead.” We encourage our students to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world challenges, helping them bridge academic rigor and industry standards.

Recently, that bridge was crossed by a graduate student in the Global Strategic Communications Art Direction Track, a joint program between FIU and Miami Ad School.

As the local awards season wraps up, the Global Strategic Communication (GSC) Creative Track, a graduate program in collaboration with Miami Ad School, is celebrating a major victory. Our students made a definitive mark at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) local ADDYs, with four standout creatives taking home wins with several campaigns. From sustainability and tech to food and culture, the range of winning work proves that our students aren’t just learning the industry—they are leading it.

Students from the Global Strategic Communication-Creative Track program, in partnership with Miami Ad School, were invited by their professors Albena Petrus from FIU and Nancy Chang from Miami Ad School, to collaborate on the social media strategy and content production for the One Club Awards Miami 2025. This hands-on industry opportunity lets students step outside the classroom, apply their academic training to a high-profile creative event, and meet top professionals in the creative industry.

FIU Global Strategic Communication-Creative Track students (a joint graduate program with Miami Ad School) didn’t just win; they made history. Their award-winning work has officially been inducted into The One Club for Creativity’s permanent archives. Their work is no longer just “student work,” it is now a part of the industry’s permanent collection.

In an era of rapid technological shifts and global complexity, the role of an educator extends far beyond the classroom. At the 2025 Florida International University Faculty Convocation, the university community gathered to celebrate those who embody this higher calling. Among the distinguished honorees was Professor Albena Petrus, from the School of Communication within the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), who teaches in the Global Strategic Communication-Creative Track every Spring, and was presented with the Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.

Professor Petrus was honored at the recent FIU OnlineCon with the coveted “FIU Online Course of the Year” award for her exceptional online undergrad course for the School of Communication. The FIU Online Faculty Choice Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in online teaching and learning.

At FIU, we are committed to providing students with the practical skills necessary to excel in today’s fast-paced industries. For Nancy Chang, a Strategic Thinking Miami Ad School instructor within the Global Strategic Communication-Creative Track program, the central challenge has been to effectively illustrate the power of collaborative strategic processes, where the collective output significantly exceeds individual contributions.

Sofia Osorio graduated from the FIU Miami Ad School GSC Creative Masters – Strategy Track in Fall 2023 and did her internships at David Miami. After that, she was hired as an Associate Strategist at David’s Colombia office and has worked on some inspiring campaigns.

GSC Creative Track Summer 2024 graduate, Marie Sophie Baier from Germany, completed her Master of Science in Mass Communication degree from FIU along with a diploma specializing in Art Direction from Miami Ad School. Marie Sophie took advantage of every available opportunity during her master’s program, from attending portfolio reviews, submitting for awards to attending networking events. She thrives on challenging her comfort zone and constantly seeks new learning experiences.

GSC Creative Track Spring 2024 graduate, Mariel Hernandez from Bolivia, completed her Master of Science in Mass Communication degree from FIU along with a diploma specializing in Art Direction from Miami Ad School. She has been making waves in the industry of advertising with an unconventional approach to communication challenges. Mariel’s creative journey is highlighted by award-winning projects such as “Sounds of Pleasure” and “SexyNesters”, where she was recognized by multiple awards.

Every Fall and Spring semesters, FIU’s GSC Creative Track and The One Club for Creativity sponsor portfolio reviews for creative students at Miami Ad School, and last Fall 2023 was no exception. As a matter of fact, not only was it the biggest pool of industry reviewers ever, but also the most attended. Creative minds gathered from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at Miami Ad School in Midtown over cafe con leche, tequenos, croquetas, and pastelitos to inspire the upcoming generation of creatives.

Miami’s young creatives came together en masse on October 27th at Ampersand Studios in Miami for Disrupting Traditions, the first collaboration event between three local creative organizations. Disrupting Traditions highlighted the need for transformation within the advertising industry through authenticity and new perspectives, striking a chord with attendees eager to learn what it means to be a creative professional today.

A creative Latina is entering the advertising workforce with top awards and a great desire to succeed, watch out! In spring 2023, Lisa Fernández graduated with a Master of Science in Mass Communication from Florida International University, and a Portfolio with Diploma from world-renowned Miami Ad School. While being a student she won four important industry awards (2 Clios, 1 Muse, and 1 Titan) for her creative work.

Our Global Strategic Communications (GSC) Creative students have been busy, taking home prizes across the industry.

FIU alumnus, Bernardo Marques Dalla (‘21), since receiving his Master of Science in Mass Communication: Global Strategic Communication has gone on to become an acclaimed creative in the advertising space. Recently, he was awarded the Gold on the Muse Creative Advertising Award for his ad work on promoting a fictional feature for the mobile app, Duolingo, entitled “duelingo.” The campaign centered around inspiring users to learn a new language by singing songs on the app.