Representatives from the UNT Foundation, Office of Faculty Success, Provost's office, CLASS Dean's office, and Department of Communication Studies surprised Dr. Brian Richardson in the middle of class last week with some wonderful news! Dr. Richardson will receive the 2025-2026 Community Engagement Award on behalf of the UNT Foundation. This award recognizes a UNT faculty member with a sustained record of outreach and collaboration with community groups.

 

Throughout his career at UNT, Dr. Richardson has led numerous student research and training projects, often integrated into his graduate courses such as COMM 5221 - Crisis and Disaster Communication, COMM 5220 - Organizational Communication, and COMM 5625 - Communication Consulting. With Cumberland Youth & Family Services, Dr. Richardson's students studied the organization's training and support strategies, providing recommendations to prevent staff burnout and ensure smooth communication practices. With organizations like The Ladder Alliance, New Friends New Life (NFNL), and Opening Doors for Women in Need, Dr. Richardson helped students design and conduct job training and interview workshops for women rebuilding their lives after abuse and/or incarceration.

 

Tiffany Thompson with the City of Denton Customer Service Department praised Dr. Richardson and his students: "The experience of working with the UNT consulting students was exceptional. The eagerness to roll up their sleeves and attack real-world challenges and opportunities with our training program was refreshing. The caliber of insight and recommendations that came out in the end proved to be a true synergistic process that provided a win-win scenario for both the students and City. We hope to work with UNT in this unique capacity again."

 

We're all so proud to have you as part of our COMMunity, Dr. Richardson -- Congratulations!