Alcorn State University’s Division of Marketing and Communication captured honors across 13 categories at the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM) 2026 Annual Conference, held May 18–20 at the Heindl Center on the campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss.
The division’s 13 category wins yielded 31 certificates, spanning photography, marketing, public relations campaigns, and more.
The CPRAM Conference is Mississippi’s annual gathering for PR and marketing professionals from two and four-year higher education institutions, offering professional development, networking, and the chance to be recognized for excellence in communications, advertising, graphic design, social media and media relations.
“Our team is intentional about showcasing excellence in each project that we present to audiences,” said Maxine Greenleaf, vice president of marketing and communication. “The team’s creativity and ingenuity are reflected in every piece of work submitted and shows the standard we hold ourselves to each day we show up to work. I am beyond proud of what this division has built as a team. I look forward to what we will continue to create for Alcorn.”
The university’s most celebrated recognition came in the Public Relations/Marketing and Branding Campaign category, where the Always Alcorn campaign claimed first place.
The award winning initiative was a collaborative effort led by agency partner Red Cactus alongside Greenleaf; Senior Graphic Designer Deonica Davis; Digital Media Specialist Tommie Green; Melissa Kelly, owner and photographer; and Takafumi Kojima, freelance graphic designer. The Always Alcorn campaign previously earned a Platinum MARCOM Award, a nationally recognized honor in the marketing and communications field.
Green received first place for his Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade photography in the Wildcard Mixed Media category and first place for BraveFest 2025 in the Student Life Photography category. He also contributed to second place finishes for sports photography of the Alcorn-Grambling football game and for the Alcorn State Football Season Ticket Brochure in Wildcard Print, both alongside Greenleaf and agency partner Hypercreativ.
Communications Specialist Larissa Chillous added three awards to the division’s total, earning first place for the Alcorn vs. Southern University sports hype/promo video and second-place finishes for the Thankful Braves social media post and the Alcorn-Grambling sports hype/promo video.
The division’s television commercial efforts drew multiple recognitions. The Alcorn State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Commercial received second place in the Television Spots category. Filmed by Broadcast Media Group, the project featured on set assistance from Green, Greenleaf, and student workers Kylie Foster and Samuel Brown. Greenleaf wrote the scripts for both commercials. The Alcorn State General Commercial likewise earned second place in Television Spots; Broadcast Media Group produced it with on set support from Greenleaf, Green, and student workers Foster and Brown.
Additional honors included first place for Alcorn State Windscreens in Environmental Design, awarded to Greenleaf and Hypercreativ, and third place finishes for sports photography of the Alcorn-Southern football game and for the Alcorn State Day of Giving in Wildcard Electronic, the latter recognized alongside Greenleaf, Green, B Graphics Firm, Melissa Kelly, and former employee Marriel Hardy.
Other four year universities competing in the Senior Division include Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, and the University of Mississippi.
Through its annual competitions, workshops, and professional development programming, CPRAM honors exceptional work in public relations, marketing, and communications across the state’s community colleges, junior colleges, and universities.
A full listing of winning award entries include —
First Place
Public Relations/Marketing and Branding Campaign
Always Alcorn
Red Cactus, Deonica Davis, Tommie Green, Maxine Greenleaf, Melissa Kelly and Takafumi Kojima
Wildcard Mixed Media
Macy’s Day Parade 2025 Photography
Tommie Green
Environmental Design
Alcorn State Windscreens
Maxine Greenleaf and Hypercreativ
Student Life Photograph
BraveFest 2025
Tommie Green
Sports Hype/Promos Video
Alcorn vs. Southern University
Larissa Chillous
Second Place
Television Spots
Alcorn State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Commercial
Broadcast Media Group, Maxine Greenleaf, Tommie Green, Kylie Foster, and Samuel Brown
Television Spots
Alcorn State General Commercial
Broadcast Media Group, Maxine Greenleaf, Tommie Green, Kylie Foster, and Samuel Brown
Wildcard Print
Alcorn State Football Season Ticket Brochure
Maxine Greenleaf, Tommie Green, and Hypercreativ
Sports Photograph
Alcorn vs. Grambling Football Game
Tommie Green
Social Media Non-Sports Post
Thankful Braves
Larissa Chillous
Sports Hype/Promos Video
Alcorn vs. Grambling
Larissa Chillous
Third Place
Sports Photograph
Alcorn vs. Southern Football Game
Tommie Green
Wildcard Electronic
Alcorn State Day of Giving
Maxine Greenleaf, Tommie Green, B Graphics Firm, Marriel Hardy and Melissa Kelly
