The strategic communications major鈥檚 work centers on a multi-platform outreach strategy that blends grassroots engagement with a six-week, workbook-driven workshop. Her project, 鈥淒esigning Accessible Wellness: A Community Health Intervention Campaign for Alamance County Inspired by Blue Zones,鈥� draws on research examining regions of the world where people live longer, healthier lives and translates those insights into practical solutions.

That approach is intentionally hands-on and community-focused. McGee鈥檚 campaign reaches people through tabling at local grocery stores, social media outreach and partnerships with local organizations, all aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging participation. At its core is a flexible workshop experience, which participants can complete in person or remotely, guiding them through topics such as movement, purpose, belonging, rest and diet.

鈥淚 wanted to create something that didn鈥檛 just inform people, but actually gave them the opportunity to build healthier habits in a supportive environment,鈥� McGee said. 鈥淏y narrowing my focus to a specific community, I realized I could design something more meaningful and impactful.鈥�

Her research reflects a broader understanding of health as both a personal and systemic issue 鈥� an idea that first drew her to the project. McGee said she was inspired to focus on Alamance County at a time when healthy living can feel increasingly out of reach, noting that nearly half of adults in the United States live with at least one chronic health condition and that everyday environments often make unhealthy choices the easiest ones.

Drawing on Blue Zones principles, McGee emphasizes that lasting change depends on environment, culture and access 鈥� not just individual willpower. That perspective shapes how she tailors her campaign locally, incorporating resources specific to Alamance County 鈥� from nearby hiking trails to community-based spaces 鈥� and encouraging participants to rethink how their surroundings influence daily habits.

The project has also reshaped McGee鈥檚 own understanding of what research can be.

鈥淲hile this started as a project for class, I have come to realize that this is something that could be real,鈥� the Sutton, Massachusetts, native said. 鈥淲orking through this project has made me feel capable and inspired to keep pursuing projects in life that can create change by starting small.鈥�

That sense of possibility is exactly what SURF is designed to highlight. As one of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 signature academic experiences, undergraduate research provides students with the opportunity to explore complex challenges while developing solutions that extend beyond the classroom.

For McGee, the hope is that her campaign does more than raise awareness. She wants it to spark a ripple effect.

鈥淩esearch from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. We are influenced by our social circles,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y inspiring even a small subset of the population to take their health more seriously, it has the potential to shift behaviors across entire communities. The change starts small.鈥�

McGee鈥檚 research was mentored by Paula Rosinski, professor of English, as part of her multimedia authoring minor.

Designed for the next generation of content creators and strategists, the program equips students to manage the full content lifecycle 鈥撀爁rom creation to distribution and analysis 鈥撀燼cross platforms like social media, websites, apps and streaming services. With a curriculum that blends analytics, branding, multimedia storytelling, and emerging technologies like AI, students will graduate prepared to navigate the opportunities 鈥� and ethical challenges 鈥� of today鈥檚 digital landscape.

Built on cross-disciplinary collaboration and real-world experience, the major includes a professional internship and a capstone project addressing real industry challenges.

鈥淭his program was developed in direct response to the evolving needs of the digital media industry,鈥� said Staci Saltz, chair of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts and co-proposer of the major. 鈥淲e designed DCM to bridge creative storytelling with strategy and data, empowering students to become thoughtful leaders in the digital space.鈥�

The major draws on existing strengths within the School of Communications and integrates coursework from cinema and television arts, communication design, journalism, media analytics, and strategic communications. Students will take foundational courses in branding, persuasive messaging, and visual storytelling before progressing into specialized courses on digital strategy, audience insights, and multiplatform production.

鈥淒esigned with flexibility in mind, the DCM major encourages students to pair it with a double major in any other undergraduate field, including other majors in the School of Communications.鈥�

鈥� Vic Costello,聽DCM鈥檚 program director

The program also introduces two new courses: a gateway class titled Digital Content and the Creator Economy and a senior capstone in which students develop comprehensive digital strategies for real-world clients or projects. Like other School of Communications programs, the major includes an internship requirement to ensure students gain professional experience before graduation.

National labor trends and industry projections reflect rising demand for professionals skilled in digital content creation, strategy and management. A 2023 Goldman Sachs report estimates the creator economy will approach $480 billion by 2027, while LinkedIn lists digital marketing and content strategy among the fastest-growing career paths.

鈥淭he DCM major reflects 黑料不打烊鈥檚 forward-thinking approach to education,鈥� said Vic Costello, associate professor of cinema and television arts and director of the school鈥檚 curriculum core and minor, who co-proposed the major. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just preparing students for their first jobs 鈥撀爓e鈥檙e equipping them with the skills to lead, adapt and thrive in industries that are constantly evolving.鈥�

Costello, who will serve as DCM鈥檚 program director, noted that one of the new major鈥檚 signature elements is its appeal as a double-major option. Students pursuing this option can apply up to 12 credit hours from their second major toward DCM electives 鈥� enabling them to complete the DCM requirements in 45 hours while gaining added depth and specialization in another area of interest.

Students interested in the digital content management major can enroll in the school鈥檚 core communications courses immediately, with full implementation of the major in place by fall 2025. The first offering of Digital Content and the Creator Economy is planned for the 2025鈥�26 academic year.

Curriculum overview

• Communications Core Curriculum (17 hours)
• Major Requirements (28 hours)
  • DCM 2500 Digital Content and the Creator Economy
  • CDE 2580 Principles of Communication Design
  • STC 2600 Brand Identity
  • MEA 2800 Data-Driven Strategies for Digital Media
  • COM 3000 Persuasive Messaging
  • CTA 3230 Media Production for Digital Platforms
  • DCM 4970 Digital Content Management Capstone
• Electives (12 hours)