Paige Elkin Named CCI’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Honoree

Posted by Katherine Fites on

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) has named Paige Elkin as its 2025 nominee for Humanitarian of the Year. Florida State University’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award is a prestigious honor recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to service.

“I am so honored to be chosen for the Humanitarian Award for CCI!” Elkin said. “Community service has always been a big part of my life, and continuing to serve my community throughout college has helped me find a sense of belonging at FSU. I hope to inspire my peers to apply their professional skills toward bettering their community.”

This award, launched in 1988, reflects FSU’s mission to contribute meaningfully to the public. Each academic college selects one student who embodies this dedication, with one overall recipient chosen from the college nominees.

Elkin, an undergraduate researcher, has dedicated herself to studying the impact and effectiveness of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot in academic settings.

Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Faye Jones, explores how AI can assist students and educators while also informing best practices for its use in learning environments.

Elkin credits Dr. Faye Jones’s mentorship as a crucial factor in her academic and research journey. What began as an assistantship through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) evolved into an independent research project. Additionally, she is working alongside Jones to produce a podcast series about FSU’s transition to a Hispanic-Serving Institution and applying for research conferences to present her findings.

Beyond her research, Elkin is deeply involved in service through Delta Nu Zeta, a social service sorority at FSU. As Fundraising Chair in 2023-2024, she helped raise nearly $18,800 for nonprofit organizations.

 

“Knowing I could apply my technology and communication skills to causes I care about has solidified my love for the CCI community and my ICT degree,” she said.

Elkin encourages other students to get involved, no matter their major or background. “The personal growth, professional connections, and impact you’llexperience are invaluable,” she said. With her continued dedication to research and service, Elkin exemplifies the spirit of the Humanitarian of the Year Award and the values it upholds at Florida State University.