Celebrating UNC Hussman’s 2026 outstanding graduates

UNC Hussman faculty and staff have named four outstanding Class of 2026 graduates representing different areas of the school. This year’s recipients are Tilde Hogberg ’26 for advertising and public relations; Aayas Joshi ’26 for journalism; Jane O’Hara ’25 (M.A.) for the master’s program in digital communication; and Sarah Whitmarsh ’08 (M.A.), ’26 (Ph.D.) for the school’s doctoral program.

“The outstanding graduate awards reflect not only exceptional talent, but the curiosity, commitment and generosity these students bring to our community,” said Raul Reis, dean of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. “Each of these graduates has distinguished themselves in their program while contributing meaningfully to the life of the school, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements as they take their next steps.”

Tilde Hogberg: Finding Creativity, confidence and community through advertising  

Tilde Hogberg didn’t arrive at UNC-Chapel Hill with a clear roadmap, but UNC Hussman helped her find one.  

During her sophomore year, Hogberg signed up for MEJO 137 and discovered advertising — a field that merged her creative instincts with strategic problem-solving. That class became a turning point, helping her realize she wanted to build campaigns, solve brand challenges and create meaningful work. Through hands-on projects like client ad campaigns targeting Gen Z audiences, she sharpened her skills in creative strategy while learning how to collaborate, think independently and navigate real-world problem-solving. Along the way, mentors such as Adjunct Instructor Allen Bosworth and Associate Professor Gary Kayye helped guide her professional growth. As she prepares for a career in creative strategy, Hogberg said UNC Hussman taught her that success comes from investing in yourself, building relationships and asking for help when needed. Her advice to future students is simple: Put yourself out there, because what you put into UNC Hussman is what you get out of it. 

Hoberg was named this year’s Lois and H.C. Cranford Outstanding Graduating Senior in Advertising and Public Relations. She also received the John Sweeny Interview Award. During her time at UNC, she has worked as a teaching assistant for UNC Hussman courses and a communications intern for the Volvo Group in Greensboro, N.C.  

Aayas Joshi: Using visual storytelling to connect communities and create impact

Aayas Joshi’s path to UNC Hussman began half a world away in Nepal and was shaped by curiosity, exploration and a growing desire to tell stories that matter. 

Before arriving at Carolina as a Morehead-Cain Scholar, Joshi spent a gap year hiking and reflecting on climate change’s visible impact, which inspired him to pursue documentary storytelling as a way to raise awareness. At UNC Hussman, he found a home in the visual communication program, where immersive travel opportunities and prestigious funding like the Rich Beckman Documentary Award helped transform his passion into purpose. From projects in Yellowstone, Maui and Buenos Aires to portfolio reviews and Photo Nights, Joshi embraced UNC Hussman’s hands-on culture and collaborative spirit. He credits the school’s “all ships rise” mentality and alumni network with shaping both his artistry and career path. After graduation, he will work as a student helper at the Carolina Photojournalism Workshop in the Outer Banks before moving to New York City to work as a freelance cinematographer. For Joshi, UNC Hussman’s greatest lesson is that documentary work is not just a profession — it is a community that continues long after graduation. 

Joshi was named the 2026 Robert Bittner Outstanding Graduate Senior in Journalism. Many projects he has worked on as a UNC Hussman student have been nationally recognized, including his documentary “Adrift.” This piece, produced as part of the Carolina Photojournalism Workshop led by Professor Pat Davison, has been recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards and led to Joshi being the first person to win the White House News Photographers Association Student Videographer of the Year twice. Joshi was selected as the 2026 recipient of the National Press Photographers Foundation’s TV News Scholarship.  

Jane O’Hara: Lean into every opportunity to keep learning  

Jane O’Hara’s UNC Hussman story is one of lifelong learning and applying every lesson in real time.  

First introduced to UNC Hussman through its certificate program in 2017 while working remotely in Chapel Hill, O’Hara immediately saw how the school’s curriculum connected to her professional world. That experience eventually led her back to UNC Hussman’s online master’s program, where she found a supportive cohort and coursework that directly enhanced her evolving work as an independent professional. From change management and reputation strategy to branding and stakeholder communication, every lesson had immediate practical value. Her thesis, inspired by Blue Ridge Public Radio’s response to Hurricane Helene, reflects her commitment to meaningful, applied research that extends beyond the classroom. O’Hara said UNC Hussman’s strength lies in teaching foundational communication principles while encouraging adaptability in a changing media landscape. Her advice to future students — especially seasoned professionals — is to never assume the opportunity to grow has passed. At UNC Hussman, she said, there is always more to learn if you are willing to dig in. 

O’Hara was named the 2026 Outstanding M.A. in Digital Communications Graduate. O’Hara was working as a marketing manager for Minnesota-based American Public Media when her time at UNC Hussman began. She then held a variety of positions at local companies, including senior marketing manager, associate director of marketing and communications and senior communications manager. She has since started her own company, Public Interest Marketing, where she serves as the president and partners with nonprofit organizations to help them identify, reach and engage their audiences.  

Sarah Whitmarsh: Returning to UNC Hussman to sharpen research and shape the next generation 

For Sarah Whitmarsh, UNC Hussman was both a return and a reinvention. 

Already a UNC graduate with a successful career in international development and nonprofit communications, Whitmarsh came back to Carolina through the Roy H. Park Doctoral Fellowship to strengthen her research skills and expand her academic future. At UNC Hussman, she immersed herself in ethical and collaborative research, drawing inspiration from courses on political science and decolonizing methodologies while presenting her work internationally at a major conference in Australia. Just as transformative was her opportunity to teach public relations writing for two semesters — an experience that solidified her passion for higher education. This fall, Whitmarsh will begin a tenure-track position as an assistant professor of public relations at Appalachian State University, where she will teach and continue her research. Her journey, she said, is proof that careers do not always follow a straight line. Her message to students: Stay flexible, be curious and remain open to paths you never imagined. 

Whitmarsh was named the 2026 Outstanding Ph.D. in Media and Communication Graduate. She received her Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Georgia. She spent years working for Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, before returning to UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue her Ph.D. Her work as a communication scholar is focused on nonprofits and philanthropies.