UNC alumna sharpens digital media skills with UNC Hussman’s graduate certificate program

UNC Hussman’s online graduate certificate programs offer communications professionals a flexible way to sharpen skills, explore new areas and grow their careers. Whether they’re seasoned strategists, creative storytellers or aspiring media leaders, students are finding value in these three-course programs that blend academic rigor with real-world relevance.  

In this series, meet three professionals — Victoria Bliss, Meg Kinnard and Madeline Pace Miller — each pursuing a different certificate in Digital Storytelling, Digital Communication Strategy or Digital Media Management. 

Madeline Pace Miller is no stranger to the fast-paced world of digital communications. A Carolina undergraduate alumna, she earned a master’s degree from Clemson University before returning to UNC-Chapel Hill to build a career in strategic communications. Today, she serves as associate director of marketing, content and communications for the Master of Accounting and Master of Science in Management programs at the Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

Even with an advanced degree and years of experience under her belt, she was eager to refresh her skills and stay ahead of the evolving communications landscape. 

“I already have a master’s degree, so I didn’t really have a reason to get another master’s degree in communication,” Miller said. “But I wanted to update my knowledge a little bit.” 

That motivation led her to enroll in UNC Hussman’s Digital Media Management certificate, a program that fits her work schedule and complements her prior experience.  

“This was a great balance of a three-course program that was part-time and asynchronous, so I could learn more and also keep working full-time,” she said. 

Bridging Academia and Application 

Miller is among the first students in UNC Hussman’s Digital Media Management Certificate, which launched in fall 2025 and is currently taking the first of three required courses — “MEJO 724: Reputation Management” — taught by Assistant Professor Lorra Brown. 

The class has already proven valuable in Miller’s everyday responsibilities at Kenan-Flagler thanks to Brown’s teaching style, which bridges scholarship and practical application. 

“She perfectly balances an academic theory and framework while also making it very applicable to our jobs,” Miller said. “She lets you incorporate things you are doing day-to-day in your work into the academic sphere, which makes it great, because it’s relevant.” 

Assignments like stakeholder analyses have helped Miller rethink how she engages with audiences and how to better serve them. 

“I picked a higher education institution to do my stakeholder analysis on, and it was helpful for framing how I’m thinking about who our program stakeholders are,” she said. “Now I’m working on a stakeholder analysis for our department to use for my professional development presentation later in the fall.”  

Spreading the word 

The certificate program is asynchronous, but it is designed to foster connection among the students — something Miller has experienced firsthand. 

“I anticipated a sense of anonymity, but I have gotten to know my classmates through discussion boards and optional Zoom sessions,” she said. 

That sense of community, combined with applicable content and a flexible structure, has made Miller a vocal advocate for the program. She encourages colleagues, especially those early in their careers, to consider the certificate as a strategic first step. 

“Pick one of the certificate programs, and in two years, if you’ve completed it, you might decide you’re ready for the time commitment of a master’s degree,” she said. “And you’ll have already knocked out three courses.” 

For Miller, that kind of long-term planning is part of a broader strategy. The certificate isn’t just a resume boost. It is a strategic investment in staying current in a rapidly evolving field. 

“We always like to stay one step ahead of the game, right?” she said. “This is a great way to keep those skills sharp and build on what I already know.” 

About the Digital Media Management certificate 

UNC Hussman offers three graduate certificate programs, each consisting of three courses from the school’s online master’s curriculum. With one course offered per term, students can complete a certificate in one year. Certificate credits may be applied toward the full master’s degree. 

The Digital Media Management certificate benefits professionals who want to move into management roles or become better managers, with consideration of leadership, business models and brand image. Classes include “MEJO 719: Leadership and Entrepreneurship,” “MEJO 722: The Business of Media” and “MEJO 724: Reputation Management.” Learn more about the program.