For Jodiann Gayle M’26, communication is not just a discipline—it’s a responsibility. As a student in the Master’s in Communication program, Jodiann has combined scholarship, storytelling, and public engagement to tell stories that bring institutions and communities closer together.
During an internship with the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s Office, Jodiann was tasked with helping to enhance the office’s social media presence. Central to her approach was a simple but powerful goal: to humanize public leadership and make civic institutions feel more accessible and relatable. That same philosophy guided her capstone project, a documentary about Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, which focused on representation, civic education, and the lived experiences behind public service.
Jodiann conducted extensive background research in preparation for interviewing Secretary Thomas, reviewing prior interviews, public statements, and professional work to develop informed, purpose-driven questions. Rather than taking a scripted approach, she designed the interview to encourage open conversation and authentic storytelling. “I focused on creating a comfortable environment that allowed the conversation to unfold naturally,” Jodiann says. “Active listening helped guide follow-up questions while keeping the discussion aligned with the documentary’s goals.”
The resulting film, Stephanie Thomas-Voice in the Room: Black Woman Navigating Power and Public Service, speaks to a wide range of audiences. Jodiann says she invites political viewers to think about leadership, trust, and representation. Academic audiences may see the project as an example of storytelling, political communication, and documentary work in practice. And community viewers—especially those often left out of civic spaces—may connect personally, recognizing their own experiences, and feeling encouraged to get more involved in civic life.
The project was produced entirely by Jodiann, who served as the conceptual lead, writer, producer, editor, and event planner for the film’s first on-campus public screening in December—roles typically handled by a team. Since then, the documentary has been screened to multiple audiences, including students, faculty, and community members.
Guidance from Applied Associate Professor of Communication Sarah Miner was instrumental in shaping Jodiann’s storytelling and research process, while also building her confidence as a teaching assistant, scholar, and filmmaker. Additional support came from Professor Kristen Comeforo, graduate program director, whose mentorship helped refine both academic focus and professional goals.
Jodiann dedicates the documentary to her late mother, who passed away unexpectedly in 2024, shortly after she began her graduate studies. “Her strength, resilience, and discipline carried me through this program,” she says. “This project is a tribute to her spirit and to the journey I’ve taken as a scholar and filmmaker.
Looking ahead, Jodiann hopes to build a career at the intersection of communication, storytelling, and public engagement—potentially serving as a communications director within a government or state agency, while eventually returning to UHart as a professor or lecturer. “I would love to continue producing work, through documentary film, research, or media strategy, that highlights underrepresented voices, fosters civic dialogue, and drives social impact.”
Jodiann Gayle M’26, College of Arts and SciencesI would love to continue producing work, through documentary film, research, or media strategy, that highlights underrepresented voices, fosters civic dialogue, and drives social impact.