Communications Scholarships
College juniors, seniors or graduate students from Central Illinois or attending a college or university in Central Illinois who are majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, graphic design, videography, photography or related fields are encouraged to apply for our Annual Educational Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to pursue a professional career in communications or a related field and service to the field through extracurricular or job activities.
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln (CFLL) administers the application process for the communications scholarship. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of judges.
Applications are open until March 2027.
2026 Scholarship Recipient: Braden Nutall
Braden Nuttall, a junior majoring in communications and psychology at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been selected as this year’s Mid-Illinois Communications Association scholarship recipient, with the award presented by MICA Scholarship Chair Ashley Earnest. Passionate about storytelling and staying informed, he plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. Congratulations, Braden!
“I plan to use my degrees to travel the world, living out my dream working in sports while also being an advocate and helping others become the best versions of themselves through therapy and social work. Thank you so much again for your kindness; it keeps me working hard every day,” Nuttall said.
Previous scholarship recipients:
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2024 - Madeline Sievers, Illinois State University and Erin Peterson, Kansas City Art Institute
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2023 - Shelby Hodel, Williamsville, Illinois State University
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2022 - Millie Dean, Illinois State University
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2021 - Eunice Alpasin, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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2020 - Elizabeth Wood, Eastern Illinois University, and Calyssa Richie, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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2019 - Megan Crain, University of Nebraska
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2018 - Emily Stieren, Western Illinois University
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2016 - Mackenzie Lyons, Sherman, Western Illinois University
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2015 - Katelyn Siegert, Pana, Eastern Illinois University
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2014 - Chelsey B. Coombs, Heyworth, New York University
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2013 - Lauren Murphy [Crocks], Harvel, Illinois State University
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2012 - Morgan Davis, Columbia University
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2011 - Jessie Decker, Springfield, University of Illinois Springfield
Interested in supporting our student scholarship?
Help us preserve the communications scholarship for future generations: please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Scholarship Fund:
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Visit www.CFLL.org – Choose “Giving/Make a Donation” and “Donate Now” to donate online.
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Mail your contribution to: Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln 205 South Fifth Street, Suite 530 Springfield, IL 62701 Be sure to indicate if your contribution is for Mid-Illinois Communications Association, Communications Scholarship Fund.