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The School of Communications recognized acclaimed showrunner, writer and producer Asha Michelle Wilson ’13 with its 2025 Outstanding Alumna Award during the school’s 25th anniversary celebration held Homecoming Weekend in Snow Family Grand Atrium.

Wilson, co-executive producer of Fox’s animated series “The Great North” and writer for FX’s “American Horror Story” and “Archer,” has established herself as one of Hollywood’s dynamic creative voices. Her work spans genres and formats  –  from streaming comedies to psychological thrillers – showcasing her range as both a storyteller and showrunner.

During his introduction, Dean Kenn Gaither described Wilson – a former student of his – as “a model alumna who inspires not only for what you do but for who you are.” He highlighted her drive and determination, noting her persistence to succeed in Los Angeles, working as a nanny, Lyft driver, waiter and bookstore employee in pursuit of her Hollywood dreams.

“Asha has created her own opportunity through one percent luck and ninety-nine percent hustle,” he said. “�鶹��Ƶ communications graduates have a knack of not waiting for opportunity, but creating it.”

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Wilson’s writing and producing credits include “Incarnate” on Netflix and Amazon’s “The Hospital,” and she also produced and wrote the short film “Friends Like These,” which won honors at the London Short Film Festival. Her recent projects include “Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,” an adult animated sci-fi comedy series. In recognition of Wilson’s success, BET named the �鶹��Ƶ graduate among “Six Black Female Showrunners Who Inspired TV’s Diverse Renaissance.”

Reflecting on her �鶹��Ƶ experience, Wilson spoke about the power and support of the school’s community. “I think �鶹��Ƶ is great at showing all of the professional possibilities that we have in our future,” she said. “But something that’s really underestimated are the personal connections that are made here. Some of my best friends today are from �鶹��Ƶ. I don’t know if I would have survived as long in LA as I did if not for the connections that I made here.”

The award presentation was part of a larger afternoon program celebrating the school’s silver anniversary. The event began with “Don’t Be a Stranger to Networking,” a casual alumni networking session featuring more than a dozen graduates offering advice to current students. Following Wilson’s award presentation, both Founding Dean Paul Parsons and Dean Gaither addressed audience members, reflecting on the school’s growth from a small department to a nationally recognized leader in communications education.

Parsons shared stories from the school’s early days, when �鶹��Ƶ’s communications program was still working to make its name known nationally. He recalled wearing an �鶹��Ƶ name tag at a national conference shortly after arriving in 2001 and being asked, “Now, where is Ellen?” The question, he said, reflected how far the school had to go in establishing its reputation.

“At that time, we focused first on ‘to be’ — ways to be of greater quality to our students,” Parsons said. “In time, we became nationally accredited, launched new majors, and started programs like �鶹��Ƶ in Los Angeles. These efforts to be excellent soon led to our being seen as excellent. Other universities began referring to us as one of the top communication schools in the nation.”

Gaither closed the afternoon by reminding attendees that while facilities, majors and technologies have evolved, the school’s heart remains unchanged.

“Turning 25 isn’t a date and it’s not really a time,” he said. “It’s more of a state – a state of becoming something bigger, better and bolder. The School of Communications stands strong because of the people who have built, supported and believed in it. This anniversary is theirs as much as it is ours.”

Don’t Be a Stranger to Networking participants

• Matt Belanger ’05, News Anchor and Reporter, KSTP-TV
• Cally Crocco ’20, Interior Designer, Live Simply Homes
• Eva Fragner ’25, Public Relations, Autumn Communications
• Caroline Gardiner ’25, Account Executive, RLM Public Relations
• Sophia Giuffré ’20, Digital Content Producer, Jukebox
• Lila Hoffman-Byer ’25, Social Impact Assistant, Rare Beauty
• Daniela Pereyra ’16, Real Estate Broker, Dalton Wade Real Estate Group
• Aarti Rishi ’15, Brand Marketing Manager, Grubhub
• Jordan Roman ’15, Writer/Director/Founder, Ominous Entertainment
• Jeff Sanders ’00, Chief Architect, Microsoft
• Jeffrey Williamson ’13, G’14, Freelance Photographer and Content Creator
• Asha Michelle Wilson ’13, Showrunner/Co-Executive Producer/Writer, “The Great North,” “Archer,” “American Horror Story”