Mark Barry, an assistant professor in Communication and Information Sciences’ (C&IS) Advertising and Public Relations department, has been awarded the National Alumni Association’s 2024 Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award (OCTA).
The OCTA award is awarded to four faculty across campus who demonstrate a commitment to teaching and the continued impact they have on students. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty and students with the selection committee comprising of the same.
“It feels really good to be recognized and this award in particular is special because students and former students are the one that nominated me” said Barry, “Knowing that I have made an impact on them enough to warrant their nomination is a pretty amazing feeling.”
Barry is the founding Director of Minerva, C&IS’s unique 2-year creative advertising studio program where students build competitive portfolios while earning their degree. He helps students develop universally applicable creative-problem skills by emphasizing a human-first perceptive within a practical and experimental learning environment.
Over his eight years as director, Barry’s program has been regarded as one of the best programs in the country, regularly placing graduates in influential creative roles in major national and international agencies. The program also frequently submits student work to competitions, receiving over 177 awards across international, national, regional and local competitions.
“When one teaches, two learns” Barry said about why teaching is important to him, “It lets me help and mentor others while constantly challenging me to grow and improve myself”
The program was founded in 2015 and accepts 26 students a year, with 164 having completed the program so far. Students work on a minimum of 3 campaigns each semester, giving them the experience needed to create a strong portfolio. Minerva even has its own student-led award, the Backbone Awards, to celebrate advertisers doing unique, socially responsible or positively impactful work.
Barry’s Minerva program helps create not only effective and ambitious leaders but strong individuals who are well-prepared to enter the Advertising and Public Relation world with confidence.
If you would like to know more about Minerva, check out their homepage.