Jacht students involved in the Nurture Nebraska campaign attended the 2026 Public Relations Student Society of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida, where they received the National Student-Run Firm Award for Best Campaign. Pictured from left are Abbie Morton, PRSSA president; Rubi Hernandez, Jacht director of account development; and Makayla Maxson, Jacht photographer and PRSSA student.
Nurture Nebraska, a statewide public awareness campaign developed through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s TransformED research initiative, has earned the 2026 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Student-run Firm Award for Best Client Project. The award was presented at the PRSSA International Conference in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 18.
The national recognition honors Jacht, UNL’s student-run advertising and public relations agency in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. More than 75 students have contributed to Nurture Nebraska over the past three years, gaining professional experience while helping families, educators and caregivers better understand the importance of social and emotional development in children from birth to age 5.
The campaign is part of TransformED, an interdisciplinary research initiative funded by a 2023 UNL Grand Challenges Catalyst Award. Led by researchers at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (CYFS), the five-year project brings together university researchers, educators and community partners to strengthen early childhood education and promote children’s social and emotional development.
“This award shows how university research can make a real difference in communities,” said Lisa Knoche, TransformED’s principal investigator and interim director of CYFS. “Nurture Nebraska helps the public understand the significance of social and emotional development for young children, and how everyday interactions matter. At the same time, it creates meaningful opportunities for students to learn, contribute and grow.”
Bringing Research, Teaching and Practice Together
Nurture Nebraska was developed through a partnership between TransformED researchers and Jacht students, led by faculty co-investigators Changmin Yan and Jemalyn Griffin. Along with Alan Eno, all three faculty members in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications were listed as faculty advisers for the national award.
Working alongside faculty researchers, Jacht students have helped translate research on early childhood social and emotional development into engaging messages and resources for Nebraska families and educators. Their work includes bilingual radio messages, videos, digital signage at Nebraska airports, social media content and community outreach events.
Beyond its public impact, the partnership has offered students valuable mentorship and professional training. Yan and Griffin guided students throughout the campaign, from audience research and strategic planning to creative development, implementation and evaluation. Both served in dual roles as faculty mentors and members of the TransformED research team acting as the campaign’s client, providing students with firsthand experience working with real clients and responding to professional feedback.
“Jemalyn and I have had a unique opportunity to work with students both as professors and as clients,” said Yan, professor of advertising and public relations and TransformED co-investigator. “We’ve guided them through the entire process, helping them connect research with creative ideas and real-world communication challenges. It’s been rewarding to see them grow professionally while creating something meaningful for Nebraska families and educators.”
“We’ve guided them through the entire process, helping them connect research with creative ideas and real-world communication challenges. It’s been rewarding to see them grow professionally while creating something meaningful for Nebraska families and educators.”
CHANGMIN YAN
Professor, Advertising and Public Relations, UNL
For students, the experience has extended well beyond a traditional classroom assignment.
“Working on Nurture Nebraska gave us the chance to apply what we’ve learned to a real campaign,” said Emmalie Herd, who served as an account executive for the campaign in fall 2025. “We learned from our professors, worked with researchers and developed messages that communities across Nebraska could use. Seeing our work recognized nationally makes the experience even more meaningful.”
Advancing Experiential Learning and Community Impact
The partnership reflects UNL’s N2025 Strategic Plan priorities of experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. By involving students in a funded research initiative, the project connects academic learning with professional practice while creating opportunities for faculty mentorship, skill development and career preparation.
The national recognition highlights a model for integrating research, teaching and professional practice — one that prepares students for their careers while helping translate university research into meaningful benefits for Nebraska communities.
To learn more about Nurture Nebraska, visit nurturenebraska.org and follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s TransformED is a collaborative research initiative that promotes children’s social and emotional development by enhancing early childhood education services, strengthening connections across systems and supporting the workforce. TransformED is funded by a Grand Challenges Catalyst grant from the UNL Office of Research and Innovation.
Nurture Nebraska logo and tagline.
Nurture Nebraska logo and tagline.
Nurture Nebraska social media graphic.
Nurture Nebraska social media graphic.
Jemalyn Griffin (right), associate professor of practice in advertising and public relations at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, talks with a family about Nurture Nebraska the Lincoln Airport’s LNK Santa Bash community event Dec. 5, 2025..
Jemalyn Griffin (right), associate professor of practice in advertising and public relations at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, talks with a family about Nurture Nebraska the Lincoln Airport’s LNK Santa Bash community event Dec. 5, 2025.
Nurture Nebraska digital signage in Lincoln Airport baggage claim area.
Nurture Nebraska digital signage in Lincoln Airport baggage claim area.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researcher Chagmin Yan, associate professor of advertising and public relations, stands in front of Nurture Nebraska vinyl art installation at the Lincoln Airport.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researcher Chagmin Yan, associate professor of advertising and public relations, stands in front of Nurture Nebraska vinyl art installation at the Lincoln Airport.
Jeni Akter and her daughter, Jarifa, visit the Nurture Nebraska booth at LNK Santa Bash, a community event at the Lincoln Airport on Dec. 5, 2025. Attendees picked up emotion cards, coloring sheets and information on children’s social and emotional development.
Jeni Akter and her daughter, Jarifa, visit the Nurture Nebraska booth at LNK Santa Bash, a community event at the Lincoln Airport on Dec. 5, 2025. Attendees picked up emotion cards, coloring sheets and information on children’s social and emotional development.